How to transform the exterior of your home into a Mid-Century Modern masterpiece

In the world of home design, first impressions count. A well-designed exterior not only lifts the overall appeal of your home, it also reflects your style and attention to detail and sets the tone for what’s inside.

What is the Mid-Century Modern trend?

With so many trends (and terms) around architecture, it can be hard to keep up, but the team at James Hardie has put together the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast to help. Mid-century Modern design is a minimalist styling trend gaining great popularity in Australia, and for good reason. In a digital world, the Mid-Century Modern style responds to a desire to reconnect with our surroundings and be grounded in nature – think earthy tones, use of natural materials and indoor-outdoor spaces that represent a relaxed, outdoor-centric lifestyle, perfect for our Southern Hemisphere climate.

Mid-Century Modern has been forecast by James Hardie as one of the seven biggest home design trends for 2024  and beyond. If you are planning your first home or looking for some renovation inspiration, we have the rundown to help get you started.

Key features of the Mid-Century Modern style

There are a few distinguishing features that make up Mid-Century Modern style. Think clean lines, functional spaces and natural materials.

Interior features of Mid-Century Modern style

Image: Happy Haus and Jack Gibson photography.

Interiors may feature textured glass, breeze blocks and natural stone crazy paving. A clean, monochromatic palette ensures a feeling of contemporary comfort, with hints of bold colour in paint, furniture and greenery to inject a sense of playfulness, nostalgia and freedom. Shifting away from traditional closed floor plan houses, the structure favours open-plan, free-flowing rooms.

Exterior Features of Mid-Century Modern Style

The roofline of the Mid-Century Modern style is important, as it defines the shape of the structure and adds aesthetic appeal with its wide expanses and large overhangs.

Generally, the house will feature a flat or gently sloped roof, often hidden behind parapet walls or gently sloped in skillion, butterfly and gable styles paying homage to architectural greats including Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier.

Exposed structures are another hallmark of Mid-Century Modern style where the beauty lies in revealing the building’s framework. This design approach often features exposed uprights or beams, showing off the raw structural elements that form the home. These elements make an architectural statement and highlight the craftsmanship involved, often becoming focal points of the home, while paying tribute to the honesty and simplicity of the modern design.

Large windows are another design characteristic. Often these homes will include floor-to-ceiling windows to allow for maximum natural light to enter, connecting the indoors with the outdoors.

How to achieve a Mid-Century Modern home exterior

Creating a Mid-Century Modern home exterior is all about embracing simplicity, clean lines and function.

A great way to achieve this aesthetic is with high-quality cladding materials. James Hardie offers a range of solutions that capture the essence of this style and offer functional benefits such as durability, low maintenance and weather resistance – it’s a win-win.

Hardie Fine Texture Cladding

For those wishing to highlight the form and structure of their home, Hardie Fine Texture Cladding puts the focus on the building’s silhouette and distinguishes the unique roof and exposed structure.

Hardie Brushed Concrete Cladding

If you prefer a more textural finish, Hardie Brushed Concrete Cladding offers a swept texture reminiscent of softly brushed concrete. These panels are ideal for creating a modern minimalist look that is sophisticated yet inviting, enhancing your home exterior with an added layer of depth and interest.

Axon Cladding

For a nod to the wood panelling trend of the 1970s, Axon Cladding is a great option. Available in either 133mm or 400mm groove spacing options, these vertical groove panels provide a striking appearance, combining the timeless appeal of wood panelling with the durability of low-maintenance materials.

In select areas, James Hardie also offers Matrix Cladding, Linea Weatherboard. Each of these options brings its own unique characteristics and benefits, allowing you to customise your home’s exterior to perfectly match your design vision.

By choosing the right materials, you can achieve a Mid-Century Modern exterior that combines timeless design with modern performance. It’s time to build your modern life – browse more trends in the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast. 

This article originally appeared on Home Beautiful and is republished here with permission.