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$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

On trend - Summer '25-26

On trend - Summer '25-26

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HOUSING’s top pick of innovative building products for summer 2025-26.

Kerryn Ramsey

Senior Content Coordinator

Why Level A matters

James Hardie is dedicated to Building a Better Future For All™ with materials that support more socially responsible homes and communities. That’s why it’s proud to offer a wide range of Hardie™ fibre cement products that are GreenRate™ Level A certified – a trusted certification in the Australian building industry.

Independently verified by Global GreenTag, Level A is the highest level of GreenRate™ certification, which assesses waste management, emissions reduction, material health and social responsibility.

Plus, James Hardie’s GreenRate™ certified products are Australian made, which helps support local jobs, reduces transport emissions and ensures they are designed for Australian conditions. 

The heat is on

Elevate your bathroom with Caroma’s Urbane and Liano Heated Towel Rails, where style meets comfort.

Designed and engineered in Australia, these sleek rails perfectly match the full Urbane, Liano and Contura collections and come in a range of coordinating colours.

Their safe-to-touch heated surface keeps towels warm and dry. Available in flexible configurations to suit bathrooms of all shapes and sizes, these towel rails are the ideal finishing touch for a luxurious everyday experience.

Going hybrid

Sleek on the outside, spacious on the inside, with advanced safety features throughout – the Camry Hybrid sedan is a reliable addition to your team as Australian fleets go hybrid.

Engineered for efficiency and reliability, the new Camry Hybrid features fifth-gen Hybrid Electric technology to help keep your on-road costs down. Move your operations to the next level with a Toyota Camry.

Build your business (and your website)

Running a business without a website? No way! With Squarespace, you can build a slick, professional site that works as hard as you do — no design skills needed.

Choose a premium template, drag in your best job photos, whack in your contact details, and you’re good to go.

It’s seriously that simple. Show off your work, take bookings, and keep your calendar chockers. Squarespace: the tool you didn’t know you needed. Start your free trial and get 20 per cent off* with code HIA20. T&Cs apply

Back in black

The Rinnai Enviroflo S 7.0 kW Split Electric Heat Pump delivers dependable, energyefficient hot water for Australian homes. Available in 250L, 315L and 400L sizes, it suits households of all kinds while maintaining performance in cooler climates and high-demand periods.

It features advanced heat pump technology, which maximises efficiency to help cut energy use and running costs.

Designed for residential and light commercial use, the Enviroflo S operates as quietly as 45 dB(A) and is built from durable, high-quality materials – engineered to perform reliably in Australia’s harshest conditions while keeping comfort front of mind.

Old-school style

A modern take on a timeless style, the Clipsal Solis™ Collection blends beautiful minimalism with smart home functionality to become the luxurious benchmark in electrical design.

The premium new Brushed Brass Aluminium finish in the Clipsal Solis™ T Series range features the old-school feel of robust toggles and brushed metal with modernist, perfect square edges and thin, flush covers. 

Getting results

According to Stroud Homes, ‘We don’t just understand builders, we are builders.’ Stroud Homes’ business franchise system is built for performance and growth.

With award-winning home designs, smart tech systems, marketing firepower, a fair entry cost and a pay-as-you-build set-up, Stroud Homes is here to back you every step of the way.

Partner with a trusted brand, driven by experience, industry connections, and proven tools that get results. You don’t have to start from zero – just plug in, hit the accelerator, and build a better future with Stroud Homes. Reach out today and see how Stroud Homes can work for you.

Design versatility

A showcase of craftsmanship and luxury, Beachwood Homes’ Yarra 466 display captures the essence of French provincial elegance and was a finalist for the Display Home award at the 2025 HIA-CSR Victorian Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards.

CSR contributed to this exquisite residence, where Gyprock Concerto™ Cornice adds refined interior detailing, and Hebel PowerPanelXL enhances the portico and balcony with a sophisticated, architectural finish.

Together, these premium products elevate an already luxurious home, crafted to impress at every angle.

Engineered for speed and strength

MiTek Posi-Struts combine the strength of steel with the versatility of timber in a lightweight open web design that offers clear span flexibility and easy access for plumbing and electrical services. Faster to install, they’re up to 30 per cent quicker than I-Joists*.

They help reduce time onsite and minimise work at height, improving safety and efficiency. With less waste, improved energy performance and customised design options, Posi-Struts are the smart choice for modern builds.

Lower cost materials don’t always mean better value – choose the floor system that delivers strength, speed and long-term benefits.

* Based on actual comparative build using Posi-Strut No Floor Hanger system

NDIS-Approved hardware

Designed with accessibility in mind, this Stegbar door handle features a larger, ergonomic grip area – ideal for individuals with limited dexterity or alternative gripping styles.

A generous clearance between the handle and the glass surface ensures easy, unobstructed operation.

Additionally, the snib lock is raised by 45mm, making it easier to locate and use with confidence. This handle is NDIS-approved and is AS1428 compliant.

Organic forms

Multi-award-winning designer Greg Natale is known for his sophisticated use of pattern and colour, and his bold application of both in creating beautifully curated spaces. Greg’s latest range, the Cruda Collection, marks his seventh collaboration with Designer Rugs.

It showcases six original designs, handknotted in Tibetan wool. The rugs blend raw, organic forms with defined geometry.

Varied loop techniques and shifts in pile height lend a sculptural quality to each rug. The result is a collection that is both modern and versatile. 

Shadow and glow

Releasing her new range of wall sconces, Sydney ceramicist and designer Naomi Taplin extends her ‘philosophy of slow design into the architectural space, where light and material meet’.

She runs Studio Enti, which launches the Mani collection – three new wall sconces titled Mani Mini, Mani Wide and Mani Bell.

Each piece is made by hand in Sydney, shaped from fine Australian porcelain and fired to reveal subtle tonal variations. The curved forms cradle light rather than emit it, creating a gentle gradient of shadow and glow that transform a wall into an architectural surface.

  • This content includes both brand promotion and unsponsored editorial content. Contributions were from Caroma, Clipsal, CSR, James Hardie, MiTek, Rinnai, Squarespace, Stegbar, Stroud Homes and Toyota.

First published on 16 January 2026

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