Design and Build Trends for 2023

As we look back at 2022, it was interesting to see what home design trends came to fruition in what was a very unusual year. We saw homes including multi-use rooms for the likes of a home office or media room, and the frequent choice of natural timbers for cladding and internal features. Some other things of note was the use of solid timber flooring, a continued focus on outdoor living spaces, and smart features for heating and lighting.

With 2023 almost here, here are our predictions for build and design trends in what we hope will be a much more settled year for the people of New Zealand.

We are anticipating a year that reflects a more eco-conscious lifestyle with people choosing natural materials for the interior and exterior aspects of their homes. The natural materials being chosen will be for flooring, cabinetry, countertops and exterior claddings.


A greater focus on home efficiency will be present with new building code changes coming into effect in 2023. For those building new, being compliant with the requirements of the code will mean exploring ways to use less energy, and options to design and build smarter. From insulation to windows, lighting and even appliances, people are paying close attention to the choices they are making that will provide them with a smart and stylish home whilst still complying with the building code changes.

We are also predicting that more and more people will be reducing the overall size of their homes due to a higher number of compact sites and medium-density housing in urban areas. With this in mind, we predict that slightly smaller homes with spaces that are multifunctional will become more and more popular.


We look forward to the new homes that will be designed and built in 2023, and how people will customise their homes. A home is yours to make your own, reflect your suited lifestyle and include the elements that meet your needs. We encourage you to imagine your dream home and explore your options to visually aid you in refining your style and choices. Our Inspirational gallery is a great place to start for brainstorming purposes. Then, when you’re ready to compile your ideas together head to our Pinterest page where you can peruse our boards for inspiration for the different spaces in your new home.

Contact your local David Reid Homes franchise to discuss your design and build home queries.