In the world of interiors, few styles manage to feel both deeply rooted in tradition and refreshingly current. Modern Australiana design does exactly that. It’s a style that celebrates Australia’s vast and varied landscapes, its unique wildlife, and its relaxed, sun-soaked lifestyle — all while embracing the clean lines and open spaces of contemporary design.

What is Modern Australiana?

Modern Australiana design is an interior style that blends contemporary design principles with elements inspired by Australia’s landscapes, flora, fauna, and laid-back lifestyle.

How did it start?

There wasn’t a single defining moment that made this style what it is now; rather, it’s the product of decades of evolution, shaped by Australia’s landscapes, traditions, and growing cultural confidence. One of the biggest moments for this style originated in the 1970s and 1980s fashion, when pioneering designers celebrated native plants, wildlife, and earthy tones in bold, expressive textiles. Their work brought a distinct Australian voice to the global design scene and inspired a new wave of creativity grounded in local identity.

Throughout the 2000s and into the 2010s, this appreciation for homegrown aesthetics continued to deepen. Interior trends began leaning into warm ochres, muted greens, and soft pinks—shades drawn directly from the Australian environment. Iconic paint collections released during this time also helped cement these colours as the heart of the Modern Australiana look, blending natural influences with contemporary design sensibilities.

In the 2020s, this movement has evolved further, embracing sustainability, natural materials, and textured finishes. Designers increasingly highlight local craftsmanship, organic fibers, and earthy palettes, creating spaces that feel both rooted in the landscape and mindful of environmental impact.

Tips and Tricks to Master This Style

The Redecor art team has put together examples to show you exactly how to design in the spirit of Modern Australiana!

The Spirit of the Landscape

At the heart of Modern Australiana lies a connection to nature. This isn’t just about adding a few plants in a corner; it’s about designing spaces that echo the colors, textures, and moods of the Australian environment. Think muted ochres, gum-leaf greens, dusty pinks, and the soft blues of the ocean. Timber, stone, rattan, and linen dominate material choices, grounding interiors in a tactile, organic feel. In this example, you can see native plants and fauna adorning the beddings, the pillows, and even the ceramics. The throws and wall echo the soothing green of Australian fauna. And, of course, this scene wouldn’t be complete without one of Australia’s most beloved animals – the koala!

Heritage Meets Modernity

Modern Australiana design thrives on a dialogue between past and present. While it draws inspiration from Australia’s rich architectural and cultural heritage—think Federation-era homes, timber weatherboard cottages, and rural farmhouses—it doesn’t merely replicate them. Instead, these traditional elements are reinterpreted with a contemporary sensibility: handcrafted ceramics, locally woven textiles, and artisan-made décor celebrate the country’s craftsmanship, while streamlined furniture, minimalist layouts, and neutral-toned palettes keep the spaces fresh and uncluttered.

This design style also nods to Australia’s heritage. While it’s reminiscent of a farmhouse design with its wooden tones, it also brings a breath of new air with the patterned wallpaper, fauna inspired pillows and artworks. And can we mention the rug? Because – swoon.

The Role of Craft

Australians have a deep respect for craftsmanship, and Modern Australiana celebrates this through unique, often bespoke, pieces. From a hand-turned wooden dining table to a hand-painted wall mural of native botanicals, these details give each home a personal, soulful touch. Throughout this Season, the Redecor art team have prepared carefully chosen collections that will showcase how important craftsmanship and details are.

These Season Pass materials were created by hand by the talented Redecor artists. You can see how they made sure that the timber would fit the artwork in the tones and grain, and how the whole room feels uncluttered despite having quite a few design elements in it. This is done on purpose, as this design style tends to feel light and airy rather than busy.

A Style for Today

Modern Australiana design isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about living in a way that feels both grounded and forward-looking. It’s for people who want their homes to reflect a sense of place, embrace the outdoors, and offer a calm, welcoming atmosphere without sacrificing style.

It’s the warmth of the bush, the cool breeze off the ocean, the scent of eucalyptus in the air — all captured within four walls. That’s the magic of Modern Australiana.

Try to reference different elements of the Australian views inside your designs, different shades of browns and greens, botanical patterns, and a lot of love and respect for nature.

What else can you expect this Season?

This season we have a list of exciting themes coming up! From enjoying Australia’s surfing culture to exploring big cities across Australia, as well as all the unique Australian animals, this Season will have something fun for everyone! Of course, we’ll give the stage to Australian fashion with the latest issue of Restyle Magazine too! We can’t wait – and we hope you can’t either! Stay tuned for all the wonderful adventures this month will hold.