Trends may come and go, but every so often, a shift reshapes how we design, live and experience our home long term.
In 2025, the direction of home design is taking a more considered turn, with less focus on short-lived design fads, and more on spaces that feel authentic, intentional and lasting.
Ahead, we spotlight five key design trends shaping custom homes this year, each focused on comfort, character and timeless appeal.
1.Mediterranean influence is back—And It Works Beautifully in WA
Warm, grounded and quietly elegant, the Mediterranean look is making a refined return in 2025. But this time, it’s less about elaborately dressed styling and more about timeless materials, gentle curves and a connection to nature.
We’re seeing more and more clients drawn to:
- Terracotta tones and warm, sun-washed colour palettes that bring natural warmth to interiors and exteriors.
- Arched doorways and windows that allow for smoother transitions between spaces, welcome natural light, and introduce a gentle architectural flow throughout the home.
- Light-filled alfresco spaces designed for relaxed outdoor dining, entertaining and everyday living.
- Raw, tactile materials like tumbled stone, smooth render and warm-toned timbers that make the home feel connected to its surroundings.
It’s a gorgeous look that naturally complements Western Australia’s coastal lifestyle and dry climate. At Stannard Homes, we take inspiration from Southern Europe’s materials and spatial design, reimagining them with a modern Australian touch.
The result is a beautifully crafted home that feels warm and inviting, striking a perfect balance between indoor and outdoor living.
These Mediterranean-inspired elements also age gracefully. Terracotta, timber and stone develop character over time, making your home more unique and special with each passing year.
2.Embracing curves: Homes that invite the flow
One of the biggest changes we’re seeing in home design this year is the return of curves. Instead of sharp corners and straight lines everywhere, more people are choosing softer, rounded shapes.
And it makes a big difference. Curves can change how a space feels. They make it flow better, feel more relaxed, and are simply easier to live in.
Here’s how curves are making a noticeable impact in custom homes:
- Rounded archways and windows that add subtle elegance and allow natural light to flood the space.
- Ceiling features with gentle curves that ease transitions between spaces.
- Kitchen islands and counters shaped with soft edges for a more sculptural feel.
- Custom cabinetry and shelving with flowing lines that enhance visual interest without overwhelming the room.
Curves also change how a space feels day to day. Smooth, rounded surfaces, for example, draw you in, inviting a moment of pause and comfort. The effect is calm and welcoming, providing a space that’s simple to relax in.
This move towards curved architecture also speaks to a bigger shift in design. That is, valuing how a home feels just as much as how it looks. After all, designing spaces that are thoughtful, inviting and enjoyable to live in is what makes a home truly special.
3.Texture is the new feature wall
Forget bold accent colours or patterned wallpaper. The new statement in 2025 is texture.
Rather than adding interest through pattern or contrast, today’s interiors are leaning into materials that you can see and feel. Natural stone, fluted timber and hand-trowelled render, for example, are taking centre stage. These materials add a cosy, natural touch that makes even the simplest spaces feel inviting and full of life.
So, what makes texture so effective? It transforms flat, blank surfaces into something with movement and variation. Each material interacts with light in its own way. Stone softens it, timber catches and stretches it, and render holds it in subtle curves.
As sunlight shifts throughout the day, you get gentle highlights, changing shadows, and the kind of visual rhythm that keeps a space feeling dynamic and alive.
Here’s how we’re seeing clients introduce texture into their homes:
- Limewash paint for its soft, chalky finish and visual movement.
- Vertical timber battens on walls, ceilings or cabinetry to break up flat surfaces and bring a natural sense of rhythm and warmth.
- Natural stone in honed or split-face finishes that offer rich contrast: smooth and cool in some areas, rugged and tactile in others.
- Handmade tiles that show their craft through uneven edges and gentle tonal shifts, giving your space a more down-to-earth finish.
These materials also work particularly well in neutral spaces, where interest comes from variation in surface and tone rather than bold colour. It’s a thoughtful way to add personality without the space feeling overdone.
With the right builder and design team, texture can be used to tell a story and bring subtle personality to your home in a way that feels natural and lasting.
4.Indoor-outdoor living, reimagined for 2025
Indoor-outdoor living has long been a staple of Australian design, and in 2025, it’s evolving into something even more seamless and integrated into the way we live.
This year, the emphasis is on blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior, which means creating a continuous flow from room to garden.
What does that look like in practice? Disappearing floor-to-ceiling sliders. Uninterrupted flooring that extends from the kitchen to the alfresco. And layouts that naturally guide you outdoors without a second thought.
Some of the key design shifts include:
- Large-format sliding or stacking doors that fully retract, dissolving the barrier between indoors and out.
- Covered alfresco zones designed with ceiling fans, lighting and heating, so they function like a true outdoor living room, year-round.
- Integrated outdoor kitchens, bars and lounge areas that support everything from casual family dinners to big weekend gatherings.
- Landscaping that echoes interior finishes, using similar tones, textures or materials to create a cohesive, connected environment.
5.Timeless over trendy: Homes built to last
Perhaps the most defining trend of all is a shift towards timelessness rather than fleeting trends. Many homeowners are thinking bigger and longer-term in 2025. They want homes that won’t feel outdated in just a few years.
So, now more than ever, the focus is on sustainability, adaptability and how a home can grow and evolve alongside its owners.
This mindset is influencing design choices like:
- Choosing natural, durable materials that age beautifully instead of fast-fashion finishes.
- Selecting classic, flexible colour palettes that stand the test of time.
- Prioritising spatial flow and versatile layouts over short-lived decorative details.
- Embracing passive design principles to enhance comfort, reduce energy use and boost long-term value.
Ultimately, instead of chasing what’s trending on social media, clients are partnering with us to create homes that are both deeply personal and enduringly appealing. Homes that not only reflect their lifestyle today, but will continue to support and inspire them for decades to come.
Designed for you: Crafted with care
It’s easy to get caught up in what’s trending. But at the end of the day, your home should fit you, not the other way around.
At Stannard Homes, we take the ideas that inspire you and turn them into something more personal. A home that works for your lifestyle today, and still makes sense well into the future.
Mediterranean warmth. Flowing curves. Open layouts for relaxed living. Whatever your style, we’ll design a home that feels right from the start and only gets better with time.
Browse our custom home designs and discover how we bring unique visions to life with thoughtful detail.
