Building trends report 2025: Expert tips

As the new year gets underway for us all, it’s a good time for finding fresh ways to help your business stand out. But that isn’t always easy, so we’ve put together a handy guide to some building trends and products for 2025 that could put you ahead of the pack.

There are three main themes impacting on design and customers’ mindsets:

• Recession talk (uncertain times means consumers seek nature or things of the past to bring them comfort, to escape and to feel safe – cue vintage looks, including chequerboard tile installations)
• The fashion movement of quiet or stealth luxury (think simplicity, timeliness and quality); and
• Lavishly luxe maximalism

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves and a mask, for example) when required on the job. Always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Tiling trends for 2025

Beaumont Tiles expert Rachel Gilding explains luxe maximalism: “For our market, by the year 2026, trend information indicates that we are set to see a counter movement to quiet luxury dominating interiors with echoes of history that feature luxe marbles, like black and white chequerboard, along with rare marbles, regal finishes and mysteriously deep and dark colour palettes.” There are three tile innovations heading our way that we should jump on, Rachel adds.

Tiles that look like they’re in 3D

Using new production techniques, tiles can now better emulate natural stone or marble veining, bringing expensive looks into everyone’s reach. The Cersaie International Exhibition of Ceramic Tiles and Bathroom Furnishings was held in Bologna, Italy, in September. “At the fair, we saw a strong move toward chequerboarding patterns of both stone and marble looks, which was very interesting,” Rachel says. “Chequerboard tiling gives a sense of pure luxury and the allure of an expensive château. It’s synonymous with regal design – think the Queen’s staircase at Versailles or ballrooms.”

New ways to use tiles – as doors, benchtops and more

Lighter and stronger than old tiles, new large slab format, stone-emulating tiles can be used in ways we’ve never seen. “You can incorporate them into cabinetry pieces, doors, benchtops and more,” Rachel says. “That’s a huge market potential for tilers.”

Tile technology that makes them suitable for indoors and outdoors

Microtec surfaces, applied at the manufacturing point, are reactive to water, meaning they look and feel the same indoors and out, but provide more “grip” when wet for outdoor safety. “It’s a trend from Europe, but very suited to Australia,” Rachel says.

New building system of waffle pods for foundation work

The next step from current foam waffle foundation systems is BIAX foundation pods, which are made from recycled plastic (meaning no polystyrene in the environment) and are easily transported and installed, plus they’re Australian made. But that’s not all ...

These waffle pods are lightweight and easy to transport

Stackable and weighing just 2.5kg each, a home’s worth of foundation pods can be transported in a single-axle trailer. That’s a big bonus, says builder Greg McGee of Ryse Construction on the Gold Coast. “Lower transportation costs are a definite advantage.”

They are simple to install

BIAX also goes in fast, Greg says of this new building trend. “The boys can carry three or four at a time; they certainly anchor a lot better, which means they don’t blow away and they leave the site a lot tidier. That all adds up.”

Foundation pods that are locally made and more environmentally friendly

“I’ll be honest, that’s a key element for us that it’s a recycled product and is Australian made,” Greg says. “That’s an extreme value-add to our build program.”

New innovations in irrigation for landscapers

Keeping a garden green in Australia is no easy job. Thanks to our dry climate, our yards take up to 50 per cent of all household water use. But there are always improvements in this space, as Matt Priest of Nomadic Home & Garden in South Australia and Bunnings Trade Landscape Specialist Kate share here.

IOT sensors making irrigation smart

Adapted from agricultural products, IOT (Internet Of Things) sensors measure temperature and humidity, fertiliser saturation and more. “This is a game-changer, as it significantly reduces water usage, prevents overwatering and promotes sustainable gardening practices,” Matt says.

K-Rain K2 Gear Drive Sprinkler makes it easy to set watering patterns and coverage

This is a classic example of agricultural-inspired point-and-shoot technology revamped for the home. “It’s ideal for larger lawns and landscape areas,” Kate says. “It comes with an easy arc setting for adjustment of distance and is pre-installed with a 9.5 LPM nozzle.”

Commercial Irrigation Design (CID) help for PowerPass customers

An innovation for PowerPass customers, CID quickly identifies the most efficient way to water. “Provide us with a site plan, pressure/bucket test for flow rate, brand preference and type of system (manual or automatic) and we can provide you with a plan,” Kate says.

Let our Landscape Specialists help with your next job

Did you know Bunnings Trade has a dedicated team of Landscape Specialists who offer support and assistance on products, quoting and delivery for a range of areas including greenlife, decking, fencing, irrigation, tools and more?

New trends in indoor/outdoor living

Architects have long been designing grand entrances to our backyards, says Dean Herald, landscape designer and managing director of Rolling Stone Landscapes, so it’s time to make sure there’s something to wow the people who walk through them.

Install more than just a barbecue – think smokers, pizza ovens and more

According to Dean, outdoor kitchens will continue to grow in popularity, so think big with clients’ spaces. “Smokers, pizza ovens and more – this is a chance for a different level of cooking that you may not do inside your kitchen,” he says.

Reconsider building materials used in outside walls

“Outdoors, there’s an opportunity to twist and play with materials easier than you can with the Gyprock that’s in the house,” Dean says. In one of his recent projects, garage walls are glass instead of the usual brick, showcasing the car inside.

Extend the bathroom to the outside

“People are rightly concerned about privacy with bathrooms, so blinds block them in,” Dean says. “But create a blade wall with an outdoor bath and shower, and that privacy block has been moved to the wall, and you have a beautiful view out to a private courtyard.”

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