James Hardie’s Modern Homes Forecast 2024 | Discover Modern Farmhouse, Modern Heritage & Box Modern

By now we’re sure you’ve heard of James Hardie’s first annual research initiative, the Modern Homes Forecast 2024. We recently had a brief look into the seven distinct Modern Home styles that are currently trending and are expected to continue shaping the Australian housing landscape. We were so inspired by the forecast and the home styles, so, we’re sitting down with James Hardie to take a deeper look into each one. In this edition, we’re diving into the Modern Farmhouse, Modern Heritage, and Box Modern trends to learn why these styles are predicted to be part of the future of Australian interior design and construction.

Neale Whitaker for the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2024.

Modern Farmhouse

Grand, cohesive, and classic. This is how James Hardie has described this striking style of home. Blending traditional design and contemporary elements, the modern farmhouse style draws from classic architecture, emphasising clean lines, open spaces, and the use of natural materials. This style is perfect for anyone wanting to achieve the balance of modern functionality with classic character. To help create a modern farmhouse, James Hardie has developed the Design Handbook series and collaborated with Oak & Orange who have given their expert advice for achieving this style.

Modern farmhouse style features traditional exterior selections, such as weatherboard cladding, shutters, and gabled rooflines, paired with an open-concept interior where the kitchen, living, and dining rooms form one expansive space. The interiors of the home often blend old and new with features like black fixtures, organic textures, and minimalist, classic furniture - think large timber dining tables, upholstered sofas, and vintage buffets. 

The aim is to create that balance in every aspect of the home, like farmhouse-style high ceilings, natural stone finishes, and rustic decor, complemented by sleek kitchen amenities, modern lighting, and seamless indoor outdoor living.

Modern Farmhouse Render

Modern Farmhouse Render

Cladding Solutions:

• Axon™ Cladding
• Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding
• Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding

Design Features:

• Farmhouse-inspired architecture
• Contrasting materials 
• Neutral colours and tones 
• Paned Windows
• A blend of classic and modern interiors 

Mood board created by James Hardie on Style Sourcebook. View mood board here. 

Modern Farmhouse Render

Modern Heritage

Elevated, defined, and reimagined. Modern heritage-style homes are the definition of combining classic and contemporary architecture and interiors. Modern Heritage style elevates traditional homes with a contemporary extension, giving the home a fresh addition of character and functionality. This style is the perfect solution to reimagining a home, while still preserving their unique history and character. Teaming up with Rebeka Morgan of BuildHer Collective for their Design Handbook series, we’re discovering how to maintain the home’s originality while it undergoes a contemporary update. 

Modern heritage may be a contrasting style, but if done correctly, your home will be completely cohesive. To achieve this, flat roofs are recommended for the extension to complement the historical structure, with close matching flashings, gutters, and bargeboards. Glazed walls or textured cladding can be incorporated for a modern twist that brings that juxtaposition to the original facade. 

Even with cohesion in mind, there should be some distinction between old and new. Thinking simple and modern when it comes to features like joinery, appliances, and lighting. Your furniture, fixtures, and finishes should pay tribute to the classic elements of your heritage home, with a modern edge. Contrasting tones should also be utilised throughout the exterior and interior of your home.

Modern Heritage Render

Modern Heritage Render

Cladding Solutions:

• Axon™ Cladding
• Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding
• Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding
• Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding
• Linea™ Weatherboard

Design Features:

• Flexible roof
• Cladded exterior 
• Contrasting features
• Maximised natural light
• Cohesion-creating interiors 

Mood board created by James Hardie on Style Sourcebook. View mood board here. 

Modern Heritage Render

Box Modern

Bold, precise, and contemporary. Moving to a more modern style is box modern, with its cube-shaped volumes that are arranged to form striking, contemporary residences. Taking inspiration from geometric forms of the early 20th century international style, box modern homes focus on creating visually unique exteriors. Collaborating with leading architect, Joe Snell for the Box Modern Design Handbook, we’re diving head-first into the world of elegantly stacked shapes and clean, straight lines.

Box modern is the ultimate form of modern minimalist architecture. Its sharp lines and strategically placed shapes provide a visual wonder that is precise and contemporary. With such a striking design, this style of home is best complemented through minimalist principles and distinct features with contrasting colours and bold materials. 

Box modern interiors will evoke a hotel-style atmosphere with glamorous furniture and luxurious materials in an achromatic colour palette. 

Box Modern Render

Box Modern Render

Cladding Solutions:

• Matrix™ Cladding
• Stria™ Cladding
• Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding

Design Features:

• Hidden roofline
• Bold exterior
• Achromatic colour palette
• Geometric shapes
• Luxurious interiors

Mood board created by James Hardie on Style Sourcebook. View mood board here. 

Box Modern Render

Head to James Hardie’s website to learn more about the Modern Homes Forecast 2024 and the seven distinct styles. Stay tuned for more styles over the coming months as we delve into Japandi and Barn styles next.