15/04/2026
If you didnโt get the chance to watch the 2026 James Hardie forecast today, weโve pulled together some key takeaways:
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐น๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด
With an aging population and more adult children staying at home longer, multi-generational living is on the rise. This means a greater focus on thoughtful zoning, creating spaces to come together as a family, while still allowing room to retreat for peace and quiet.
๐ฆ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ด๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ
The focus is shifting to efficient, flexible design. Every square meter matters, with multi-purpose spaces becoming the normโฆ think study nooks, adaptable living areas, and converted garages.
๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐
2026 is about designing with purpose, not perfection. Homeowners are embracing individuality and moving away from overly polished, โperfectโ aesthetics.
๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ๐๐๐๐น๐ฒ-๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด
Homes are working harder than ever, supporting comfort, adaptability, and even leisure through smart technology. Luxury is being redefined.
๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ ๐ต๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ
Post-pandemic, our homes have become places of control, safety, and self-expression. โCocooningโ is back, with a strong focus on wellbeing and joy.
๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ป ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐
โข Natural light, colour, and personality
โข Spaces designed for long-term enjoyment
โข Seamless indoor-outdoor flow
โข A slight move away from open-plan toward zoned, journey-based layouts
Market outlook
โข Strong demand continues, with purchasing rates higher than this time last year.
โข Ongoing supply pressures and potential material shortages
๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐๐น๐ฒ๐
โข Modern โboxโ homes as blank canvases
โข Modern coastal aesthetics bringing calm and wellness into suburbia
โข Subtle influences of feng shui, with more attention on flow and first impressions
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ด ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ
Housing design is continuing to evolve toward flexibility, personality, and purposeful living, reflecting how our lifestyles and values are changing.
What trends are you seeing in your projects or with your clients?
