Defining Modern Home Design Trends

With a wide variety of resources available to builders intent on bringing their client’s dream home to life, communication about the design style is one of the biggest issues builders face when trying to understand their client’s vision.

Matt Menichelli, of Elevate Building, is an award-winning Master Builder and a two-time winning builder on ‘The Block’ who specialises in custom homes. Matt has his finger on the pulse of modern trends in housing and notes that defining a design style goes a long way to ensuring all parties are in agreement. “The overall form of the building is the first place to start before any project commences, with the shape of the home and roofline style being secondary,” said Menichelli. “From there, nominating an exterior cladding or finish will help tie the design elements together and add visual interest.”

To support trade professionals to deliver their clients’ dream modern homes and assist homeowners articulate what they want, James Hardie has launched its inaugural Modern Homes Forecast 2024, offering comprehensive insights into seven of the more popular design concepts, while simplifying the explanations of each.

“To support trade professionals to deliver their clients’ dream modern homes and assist homeowners articulate what they want, James Hardie has launched its inaugural Modern Homes Forecast 2024.”

The emerging Modern design looks that will drive the residential landscape now and into the future include:

Modern Farmhouse

Modern farmhouse with covered patio and dining area - a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary design elements

A seamless balance of traditional design and contemporary elements, the Modern Farmhouse references classic architecture with a focus on clean lines, open spaces, and materiality.

Modern Heritage

A modern heritage house extension with horizontal wood cladding.

The Modern Heritage architectural style elevates traditional homes through sensitive restoration and bold renovation, with contrast as the defining element.

Box Modern

A box modern home with a covered patio and porch, showcasing clean lines and contemporary design elements.

The Box Modern style is characterised by large blocks or cube-shaped volumes that are stacked, intersecting, or arranged to form compelling, contemporary residences.

Japandi

Modern Coastal home featuring a pool and deck, blending contemporary design with laid-back beach vibes.

Japandi brings together the best elements of Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism in a hybrid architectural style, resulting in a simple and elegant home.

Barn

Modern home with sleek design and clean lines, featuring a trendy cladding trend

Barn homes take inspiration from Nordic minimalism, boasting warmth, craftsmanship of natural materials and an affinity with nature.

Modern Coastal

Modern Coastal home featuring a pool and deck, blending contemporary design with laid-back beach vibes.

Inspired by relaxed Australian beach heritage, Modern Coastal style offers a contemporary take on traditional coastal design with laid-back spaces, modern minimalism and crisp white weatherboards.

Mid-Century Modern

With its emphasis on practicality and functionality, Mid-Century Modern is seeing a huge resurgence. Reimagined for 21st century living, the classic style balances contemporary minimalism with the finesse, intelligence and spirit of Mid-Century Modern architecture.

According to Menichelli, each of the Modern trends in home design outlined can be found across Melbourne, however he is increasingly aware of a spike in style ‘blending’. “There’s certainly been an upward trend of blending different styles. This is achieved through choosing one particular Modern design such as Box Modern and then using texture and colour on the façade, such as Linea Weatherboard, to introduce a Coastal feel,” said Menichelli, who notes contrasting colours as well as contrasting cladding choices helps create interest in what would be a plain and less visually appealing façade. “The inspiration for these trends and the blending of styles comes from all channels such as TV lifestyle shows, Instagram, or Pintrest, and flood clients with ideas and inspiration.”

“According to Menichelli, each of the Modern trends in home design outlined can be found across Melbourne, however he is increasingly aware of a spike in style ‘blending’.”

While creating something unique is always appealing to clients, Menichelli notes builders should always steer homeowners towards standard Modern designs as too many form and façade combinations can ruin a home.

“It is the builder’s role to ensure that their clients are informed of what works, and also ensure the home is sympathetic to the neighbourhood surrounds,” said Menichelli. “That’s not to mean blend in, but just draw inspiration from the environment and make it your own.”

“That’s not to mean blend in, but just draw inspiration from the environment and make it your own.”

Communicating with Clients

Menichelli advises asking ‘what needs to be achieved by the home as a key question for home design? Does it need to serve a couple, a growing family or an established family?’ Answering this will help ascertain the spaces needed. “As an example, multigenerational living is influencing the overall size and layout of homes,” said Menichelli. “This results in large co-living spaces as well as adopting multiple master suites to suit maturing kids still at home.”

A modern house extension with horizontal wood cladding.

A smart use of tone and texture is the best way to ensure the property is consistent in its aesthetic, according to Menichelli. “Don’t be afraid to adopt different cladding options to add intrigue, as well as colours to give emphasis or create a statement.” He is also a fan of material with strong environmental credentials, noting materials with robust weather resistance are certainly a priority for many home owners, as less maintenance means more cost effectiveness in the long run, plus the home remains looking newer for longer.

“A smart use of tone and texture is the best way to ensure the property is consistent in its aesthetic, according to Menichelli.”

One of Matt’s recent builds is a prime example of a smart use of contrasting colours and a Modern Heritage design. The result is a modern home reflective of its heritage – the mixed material palette preserved the existing weather boards but modernised the extension with Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding. Located in the vibrant Melbourne suburb of Yarraville, the home, a double fronted timber cottage, required a clever rework and expansion. “Although bold, its form and scale wasn’t imposing, but actually highlighted the existing original façade,” said Menichelli.

Download the Modern Homes Forecast and Design Handbooks and keep a look out each month as Bowens explores each of the looks in more detail.

Modern Homes Forecast: Cladding Trends Revealed

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