Top Trends Winning over Modern Homebuyers Revealed

The traditional home designs that have long been cemented as Australian family favourites are undergoing a modern resurgence, with classic and contemporary designs collaborating to meet the emerging lifestyle trends most important to modern homebuyers.

The new insights from the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2025 Report reveal a trend of homebuyers searching for four key features in their dream homes – designs that counteract isolation, include smart devices, and take into account the issues of affordability, and Australia’s weather conditions.

G.J. Gardner Homes Chief Executive Officer Trent Gardner said the insights from the report support the franchise builder in offering cutting edge approaches to home-building, allowing them to showcase the latest and greatest in trending designs.

“As a trusted Australian builder who has spent decades bringing families from across the country home to a design that is just right for them, we prioritise adaptability to the ever-changing needs and desires of Australia’s homebuyers,” Mr Gardner said.

“These insider insights allow us to keep up with the trends shaping the building landscape as they unfold, meaning no time is wasted in our efforts to bring people home to their dream designs.

“What we’re seeing among buyers is a trend prioritising modern spins on the cozy and classic designs that have been customer favourites for generations – farmhouse, heritage, and barn designs for example – but reimagined to include the efficiencies of modern housing innovation.”

Technological transformation continues to be the biggest emerging trend in home design, with more than 70 per cent of Australian homes now equipped with at least one smart device, which helps improve accessibility and efficiency within modern homes.

Award-winning global home builder G.J. Gardner Homes has partnered with creators of the report James Hardie to integrate the findings of the report to guide its approach to designing and building homes for modern buyers.

G.J. Gardner Homes offers buyers fully customisable home designs and facades, showcasing the latest of Hardie™ cladding technology and innovation outlined in the report.

“The Modern Homes Forecast report provides us with a deep understanding of the latest needs for our current and future customers across the country, allowing us to integrate these trends into the hundreds of adaptable and customisable home designs that we offer,” Mr Gardner said.

“We are constantly striving for improvement and innovation, and partnering with one of the key contributors to global building innovation is paramount to pleasing our customers.”

The societal, technological, economic, environmental and political factors the report found to be driving the wants and needs of the modern homebuyer uncovered four themes that are shaping the way homes are designed and built – building efficiencies, wellbeing, flexibility and resilience.

James Hardie Senior Director – Commercial APAC, Travis Johnson said the report revealed invaluable research that will guide its approach to innovation in the building space to align with the traits of the modern property landscape.

“The Forecast leads the charge in rethinking how we build homes, responding to changing lifestyle needs and helps to ensure architecture and design remains both aspirational and accessible for everyone,” Mr Johnson said.

“The partnership between G.J. Gardner Homes and James Hardie is integral in bringing a client’s vision to life by delivering beautiful, high quality and durable homes that are timeless.

“Our collaboration allows G.J. Gardner Homes to continue offering exceptional quality, while James Hardie benefits from a trusted builder that consistently showcases its products in the market.”

On the horizon for home design, the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2025 Report tips the Modern Classical style to be a frontrunner for the most popular upcoming build, with the style designed to reflect ideals of leisure and sophistication while exuding warmth and relaxation.

Explore G.J. Gardner Homes’ range of home designs here: House Designs Australia | G.J. Gardner Homes.