Why street appeal is becoming the new must-have in Australian homes

15 hours ago 5

From barn-inspired peaks to Palm Springs‑style arches, selecting the perfect home façade has become an increasingly important focus for design-savvy buyers.

While having the perfect interior layout is still a priority, the street presence of a new home’s exterior now counts for a lot when it comes to buyer decision-making.

“Buyers are really design-savvy these days and they want their homes to look good outside as well as inside,” says Adrian Popple, Design Director at Metricon.

“The façade is the first impression, and it really sets the tone for the entire home, so we put a lot of time and effort into getting our façades right.”

Metricon’s façade range reflects this increased interest, offering brand new options that are bold and confident, as well as designs that are more classic.

“The façade is something that makes you feel proud when you’re driving up the driveway at night. It’s got that emotional connection as well, so we really believe the façade is super critical,” he says.

The façade designs shaping Australian homes

Metricon’s façade collection spans statement-making designs through to smart, more budget-friendly options, giving buyers at all stages the opportunity to choose a façade they’re proud of.

That breadth also takes in popular style-led choices such as Riviera and the new Catalina for modern buyers, and La Pyrenee for those drawn to French Provincial design.

Here are eight of the latest looks:

Everest

As the name suggests, the Everest façade features steep gable peaks for a striking presence.

“It also reflects the Scandi barn style that’s popular at the moment,” says Mr Popple.

Metricon has developed this façade to suit both narrow and wider block sizes, so it can be adapted for buyers with different needs.

“You might see it in a greenfields estate, but it also works well in knockdown rebuild environments, and even in an acreage development,” he says.

“It's got a universal appeal.”

The Everest façade works for a range of different lot types, offering extra flexibility for buyers.

Las Palmas

The Las Palmas façade draws its inspiration from an aspirational Palm Springs lifestyle.

“It’s a new double-storey façade and it’s drilling into that more contemporary, bold façade trend we’re seeing buyers leaning into,” says Mr Popple.

The look features horizontal lines, mixed materials, and a central statement arch window.

“This façade is really appealing to buyers,” he says.

“They love that it can be neutral, but you can also have a little bit of fun with colours, such as a vibrant door colour.”

The signature arch window brings bold Palm Springs style to the Las Palmas façade.

Riviera and Catalina

Beyond Las Palmas, Riviera and the new Catalina give buyers more ways to achieve a modern, clean-lined street presence.

It balances bold contemporary details with broad appeal.

“The Riviera has a really clean, contemporary feel. It gives buyers that strong modern streetscape they’re looking for, but in a way that still feels refined, balanced and broadly appealing,” says Mr Popple.

He adds that the Catalina has a more sculptural façade, but that it still has a softness to it.

“It’s about proportion, natural light and architectural integrity, creating a home that feels confident from the street and calm once you step inside," he says.

The clean lines of the Riviera façade is perfect for buyers looking for a modern, refined street presence.

Avalon

The new Avalon design features ever-popular gable roofing, along with a mixed material palette, offered at an accessible price point.

“It’s a nice entry-level façade,” says Mr Popple.

“It means you don’t have to compromise on streetscape if you have budget constraints.”

He says Avalon offers scope to play with some colour and lean it more toward a coastal or a barn-inspired interpretation.

“That’s the beauty of playing with mixed materials,” he says.

With more traditional gables, the Avalon façade offers an affordable and accessible street style.

Edison

The Edison taps into classic styling with a wide portico, while also incorporating contemporary touches such as horizontal cladding in the roof tiling, which add visual interest.

“Edison is ideal for the budget-conscious buyer and it’s leaning into more classical, traditional styling, which we know stands the test of time,” says Mr Popple.

He says Edison provides another chance to play with materials, such as brick, natural timbers and more.

“You can certainly add render, tile and stone to elevate the façade to suit your personality,” he says.

Also primed for budget-savvy buyers, the Edison façade is a contemporary classic.

La Pyrenee

On the more classic side, La Pyrenee is ideal for buyers drawn to French Provincial or Provincial styling.

An elegant, timeless option, this façade rounds out the range beyond contemporary and coastal-inspired looks.

The grand La Pyrenee façade blends French elegance with all the modern features buyers expect.

Seabrook

Rounding out the range, the Seabrook evolves the much-loved Hamptons look and suits buyers watching their budgets.

“It’s got the notable Dutch gable roof line, the lightweight materials, and a neutral palette that you can play with colour on,” says Mr Popple.

The Seabrook façade is a refined and elevated take on the popular Hamptons style.

How to choose your look

When buyers are choosing their dream façade, Mr Popple says to start with what your heart loves, then factor in your budget, your streetscape, and what façades match your ideal layout.

He says it’s worth taking time with this decision, as the façade’s structure is one element of a home that’s difficult to change later.

“Sometimes you might need to stretch your budget a little bit further to get the right façade, because it’s the first thing that people see,” he says.

Choosing a façade design you love can have a big impact on how you experience your home long-term.