From Vision to Reality: A Comprehensive Guide on New Home Design in 2025

For aspiring homeowners in Perth and the wider Southwest, designing a new home means balancing everyday comfort, rising construction costs and a changing Mediterranean climate.  The right practical and aesthetic design choices can be the difference between a comfortable long-term asset or a painful renovation project in the near future. The median house sale price in Greater Perth hit $770,000 in March 2025 and is on track for 10 % annual growth, so every design decision really counts. We’ve crafted this guide on Use this guide on new home design so that you and your designer can work together to create the perfect home.to brief your designer with confidence.

Map Your Life, Money and Land

1. Check your daily life

Multigenerational households are growing as vacancy rates nudge 2.7 % and weekly rents sit around $690 for houses. If This is important to consider if you expect grandparents or adult children to stay long term., Our tip: aa detached 70 m² granny flat now needs no planning approval under the revised RCodes, making co-living far easier and sustainable.

2. Set an honest budget

It’s no secret that building homes has become more expensive in the last few years. While materials inflation eased in 2025, labour shortages can see pushed out build times in some projects remains tight. So, why not consider  modular bathroom pods? If you need to get into your new home as soon as possible, this is a great solution as it can still trim total build time by up to 40 %. Remember to allow at least 10 % contingency and remember the new minimum 7star NatHERS rating for building permits lodged after 1 May 2025, which may add 34 % to shell cost but cuts lifetime energy bills.

3. Read the land

A narrow block often calls for a tall, slim house, while a breezy corner site suits wrap-around decks that catch the wind. Flood-prone or canal sites may need raised floors and stainless fixings. Local rules on height and setbacks limit what you can do, so check them before you draw.

Five Home Design Trends for 2025

1. Sustainable comfort

Hot summers are getting hotter: the Climate Council warns days over 35 °C could double by 2050. Deep eaves, high clerestory windows and R6.0 ceiling insulation slash heat loads before you add tech. From 1 May 2025, all new builds must demonstrate 7‑star performance, and many councils (e.g. Fremantle) already push for 8‑stars.

2. Smart home control

An affordable IoT hub links lights, plugs, and sensors so heavy loads (EV chargers, pool pumps, dishwashers) run when power is cheapest. Dynamic tariffs reward you for shifting use away from busy times and help keep the grid steady. Some systems even learn your habits, automating schedules based on weather, occupancy, or electricity rates. You get comfort, savings, and a smaller carbon footprint without lifting a finger.

3. Smart tariffs you can beat

Synergy’s Midday Saver plan rewards daytime use at 8.6 ¢/kWh (9 am – 3 pm) and penalises peak demand at 53.8 ¢/kWh (3 pm – 9 pm). Depending on your lifestyle, this switch could really work from you. If you’re not home in the day but have considered installing a smart hub, this plan is the perfect pair to maximise your electricity bills., so smart hubs schedule EV charging or heat pump water heaters during solar hours.

4. Natural, low carbon finishes

Buyers want surfaces that age well. Recycled brick, glass terrazzo, spotted-gum cladding, and lime-wash paint bring warmth and keep upkeep low. These materials also reduce embodied carbon, which appeals to sustainability-conscious homeowners. Soft textures and matte tones are in, while high-gloss is on the way out.

Rustic recycled brick from demolished 1970s Perth bungalows Perth homes, Wandoo timber, and limewash render cut embodied carbon while suiting the coastal climate. Local mills now offer FSC certified spotted gum cladding preoiled for long life.

5. VR design & rapid approvals

An expert building designer in Mandurah uses state-of-the-art VR software to give you a headset walkthrough at concept stage. City of Perth planning officers increasingly accept 3D exports, thereby speeding approvals by up to two weeks.

Design for Future Change

• Adaptable living spaces: Sliding screens turn open plan into a focus zone when Zoom calls collide with your kids’ homework.

• Multirole suite: Reserve one ground-floor room with its own bath and garden entry; it can start as a home office, flip to a granny flat for ageing parents, or earn Airbnb income.

• Stack the wet bits: Line kitchens, baths and laundries back-to-back and one above another so a single plumbing shaft serves all floors, cutting pipe runs, leaks and construction cost.

• Wire for later: Install empty conduits from switchboard to roof and garage right now, so it becomes easier when you add a solar battery or EV charger. Battery rebates in Australia are expected to expand in 2026.

• Durable materials: Choose finishes that last and can be renewed instead of replaced. Fibre-cement siding holds up for over 50 years and only needs a repaint every decade.

Perth’s Most Popular Types of House Design Types

• Canal house design: Built higher and with rust-proof parts finishes so a waterside home stays safe and sturdy.

• Narrow house design: A tall, light-filled home that turns a skinny block into roomy living space.

• Custom home design: A one-off plan shaped around your family’s habits instead of a pre-made template.

• Narrow lot design: Clever tricks that squeeze maximum use from a tight frontage.

• Corner block home design: Layouts that pull in breezes, give two street views, and hush traffic noise.

• Townhouse design: A slim, stacked home that can share a wall yet still feel private and sunny.

• Granny flat design: A small, self-contained unit for grandparents, guests, or steady rental income.

See It Before You Build

Ask your designer for layered 3D exports, which includes structure, services, then furniture. Walk through in VR to catch hot western windows or narrow stair treads while changes in architectural design are still cheap.

Action Steps

• Write one page of “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” so priorities stay clear.

• Print your land survey and mark sun path, breezes and any height limits.

• Set a budget range and keep at least 10 % aside for surprises.

• Book a design consult and bring this guide plus photos of styles you like.

• Ask for a virtual walk-through and an energy model before you sign the plans.

Define what matters, match it to an honest budget, embrace Perth’s leading edge trends and 3D tools – and watch your dream home rise on solid sand.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How do I choose the right room layout?

Start by mapping daily routines on a rough floor plan. Group noisy, active zones (kitchen, living, play) together and keep quiet spaces (bedrooms, study) apart. Ensure doorways align with natural walking paths, and remember cross ventilation: place windows opposite each other for fresh airflow.

2.  What makes a home energy efficient?

Good design beats gadgets. Orient living areas to the south for winter sun, add wide eaves for summer shade, insulate roof and walls thoroughly, seal gaps around doors, and specify double-glazed windows for comfort and noise control. These passive moves cut heating and cooling needs before any equipment is bought.

3.  How can I plan for multi‑generational living?

Include at least one Groundfloor suite with its own bathroom and entry. Design flexible walls (sliders or pocket doors) that can open for shared time or close for privacy. Provide separate outdoor access so grandparents or adult children come and go without disturbing others.

4. Which materials are easiest to maintain?

Choose finishes that age gracefully: fibre cement cladding resists rot, recycled brick needs little upkeep, solid timber benches can be sanded smooth again, and limewash paint hides scuffs. Avoid shiny plastics; matte, natural textures disguise wear and reduce fuss.

5. How can smart home systems simplify daily life?

A single hub links lights, blinds, climate control and appliances. Motion sensors turn off forgotten lights, schedules preheat the home before you wake, and load shifting plugs run washing machines when electricity is cleanest, lowering stress as well as utility bills every day smoothly.