As a great mentor of mine used to say, “If you are on time, you are late.” The same applies to the trends you select for your custom home. With the pandemic firmly behind us, it’s the perfect moment to explore the evolving trends in custom home design. Which styles are standing the test of time, what has fallen out of favour, and what’s on the horizon ready to captivate our Pinterest boards?
The 90s saw the rise of the Tuscan style in home design, characterized by its warm, earthy tones, rustic textures, and an emphasis on natural materials like stone and wood. This style created a cozy, old-world charm reminiscent of the Italian countryside. In contrast, the last decade has been dominated by the Hamptons style, which embraces clean, grey cladding, crisp white shutters, and a palette of light, airy whites and greys, complemented by dark wooden floors and blue accents. This look exudes a coastal, elegant, and timeless appeal. As we look to the future, the trend is shifting towards bold, vibrant colours, innovative uses of space, and a daring approach to design and materials. Homeowners are increasingly prioritizing personalized, dynamic spaces that support wellness and reflect their unique lifestyles, moving away from the subdued and towards the expressive and health-conscious.
Here’s a look at how they are addressing these needs:
Self-Contained Living Spaces: With young adults staying at home into their 20s and 30s, there’s a growing demand for self-contained living areas or granny flats with separate entrances. These spaces serve multiple purposes: accommodating older children, aging parents, guests, or even providing rental income opportunities.
Versatile Living Areas: The challenges of indoor entertaining have highlighted the need for multi-functional spaces. Our clients are increasingly requesting distinct zones within the home to ensure everyone has their own space. This includes dedicated TV/media rooms, playrooms for kids, and expanded parent retreats. The home office remains a staple, reflecting the ongoing trend towards flexible work arrangements.
Goodbye Formal Dining: The separate formal dining room is becoming a relic of the past. Modern families prefer open-plan living that integrates the kitchen, dining, and living areas. This shift has also driven the popularity of all-year-round alfresco entertaining spaces equipped with ceiling fans, heat lamps, outdoor kitchens, integrated sound systems, and weather-resistant furnishings.
Sleek Kitchens: The demand for Butler’s Pantries is on the rise, offering a space to keep countertop appliances out of sight and providing areas for basic food prep. Many homeowners are opting to remove sinks from island benches to maintain a clean, uncluttered look, making the kitchen a prime spot for casual dining and entertaining.
Luxurious Master Suites: Ensuites and walk-in robes have long been popular, but today’s homeowners are seeking even more luxurious master suites. These designs now include spacious wardrobe displays and cozy sitting areas. Some even feature amenities like coffee stations with mini-fridges, creating a personal retreat that rivals high-end hotels.
Practical Mud Rooms: Keeping the main living area clean is easier with a well-designed mud room. Located at the main, side, or garage entrance, mud rooms serve as a buffer for muddy shoes, coats, and sports gear. They often incorporate laundry facilities and extra storage, making them a functional addition to any home.
Compact Pools: While pools remain a desirable feature, there’s a shift towards smaller plunge or lap pools. These are easier to maintain and fit better in urban backyards, making them perfect for families looking to enjoy the benefits of a pool without the upkeep of a larger installation.
The surge in Hamptons-style projects and Californian Bungalow extensions has led to a significant shift towards using lightweight cladding and weatherboards in construction. These materials offer versatility and are being combined innovatively with natural wood, brick, and stone to enhance facades. This trend is set to continue, reflecting a blend of tradition and modernity in home exteriors.
There is a growing emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendliness in home interiors. Clients are increasingly opting for engineered or reclaimed timber instead of new solid wood and choosing natural stone over man-made tiles and surfaces. This shift not only reduces the carbon footprint but also adds a unique, organic touch to the home.
A colonial tropical vibe is making waves both in fashion and interior design. Inspired by spaces like Merivale’s Berts in Sydney’s Newport, homeowners are embracing palettes of salmon pinks and sage greens. The use of rattan furniture, lush indoor ferns, and palms creates a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. Natural and earthy tones, combined with stone and wood, add texture and warmth, while nature-inspired wallpapers and jungle scene murals bring a touch of the outdoors inside. Minimalist whites and greys are being replaced by vibrant pops of color that reflect individual style and character.
Adding visual interest and depth to interiors is becoming increasingly popular. Clients are enhancing their homes with wainscoting, detailed door frames, skirting boards, and cornices. The trend is moving away from formal, showroom-like spaces towards interiors featuring rattan and wooden furniture, textured fabrics, and more eclectic, bespoke pieces. This approach creates a lived-in, personalized feel.
Across Melbourne, the preferred style is “relaxed sophistication,” a balance between high-quality materials and fittings and a relaxed, unstructured approach to living. This style maximizes the potential of both indoor and outdoor spaces, promoting a lifestyle that is both elegant and effortlessly casual.
At Eliza Homes, we are committed to creating custom homes that embrace the latest trends while prioritizing sustainability, comfort, and individuality. From innovative construction materials like lightweight cladding and weatherboards to eco-friendly internal materials such as engineered timber and natural stone, our designs reflect a modern yet timeless appeal. The vibrant, nature-inspired color palettes and textures bring warmth and character to every room, while thoughtful finishing touches like wainscoting and eclectic furnishings add depth and personality. Our approach of “relaxed sophistication” perfectly balances high-quality materials with a casual, unstructured living style, making the most of indoor and outdoor spaces. At Eliza Homes, we don’t just build houses; we create personalized havens that support and enhance the unique lifestyles of our clients.
