Hamptons-style homes: How the trend has evolved and become a timeless Australian design of its own
Love them or hate them, Hamptons-style homes have become the little black dress of Australian home design and architecture – a timeless classic that will endure for years to come.
The Hamptons-style home can be traced back to the 20th-century seaside resort of Hamptons, New York, where wealthy New Yorkers built luxurious beachside holiday homes.
These homes were characterised by their expansive verandahs, high ceilings, wicker furniture and elegant, calm coastal charm, says real estate expert and The Block judge Marty Fox – and it’s a feel that Australians still cannot get enough of today.
“People are particularly attracted to the fresh, clean aesthetic, often featuring neutral tones, timber floors, and light-filled interiors that create a welcoming and airy atmosphere,” he says.
“This style also emphasises high-end craftsmanship and finishes, making it popular among those looking for both beauty and functionality.”
The Hamptons-style really took off in Australia around the late 1990s to 2000s, he says, and buyers, builders and renovators have persisted with it ever since.
“Hamptons-style homes evoke a sense of luxury, calm, and coastal charm, which many buyers are drawn to for their timeless appeal. They offer a blend of elegance and relaxation with their open-plan layouts, natural light, and a connection to outdoor living,” he says.
But over the past 20 years, the style has evolved into something distinctly Aussie and has taken a life of its own, says real estate agent Dianne Clarke of Belle Property Newport.
“With Hamptons, it’ll be one of those things that people will use, but then they’ll adapt it with other [styles],” she says.
“We’ve got the Queenslander, and people modify that to the Hamptons style in that way. What Hamptons is is a very specific style? There’s not a lot of homes that I sell that are actual complete Hamptons.”
Clarke says the Australian-Hamptons has modified itself away from its New York ancestor, adapting to personal tastes, available floor plan and the general vibes of its location – whether it’s an inland modern suburb or an open breezy coastal beachside.
“We’ve changed [Hamptons style] a little from the US,” says agent Paul Langsam of Raine and Horne Double Bay. “It’s a different sort of architecture and house in general.”
He says Australian Hamptons have an indoor-outdoor feel and flow throughout the house because the Australian environment and outdoor needs are different from New York’s Hamptons.
True Hamptons-style homes are “few and far between”, and there will always be high demand for the luxurious properties because they are difficult to nail, says Fox.
“I feel that when people want one, they actually have to create it themselves,” he says.
The typical Hamptons buyer or builder is older, sophisticated, and of the family demographic and probably upgrading from their previous property, says Langsam.
“[In Sydney] you’d find them in the more established family home areas, you know, east and south and the lower north shore primarily,” he says.
The Australian Hamptons style isn’t exclusive to the architecture of the home, but it is also often paired with Hamptons-style interior design.
“With a Victorian or a Californian bungalow or even a modern [build] … you can definitely have Hamptons interiors,” says Melbourne-based interior designer Lauren Tarrant.
“There’s so many people who love [the Hamptons design]. Some people are just drawn to the warmth and just the light coastal feel. It will always be around,” she says.
The demand for this style has sustained itself through the years and will continue to do so because of its adaptability, says Fox.
“The combination of luxury and comfort is timeless, and the trend has evolved to fit contemporary lifestyles, ensuring its continued popularity,” says Fox. “The design incorporates both modern and traditional elements, making it versatile enough to suit different tastes.”
“As we move toward more sustainable and lifestyle-focused living, Hamptons-style homes will likely remain a favourite for many years to come,” he says.
Domain has rounded up some of our favourite Hamptons-style properties available for sale:
15-17 Walgarri Drive, Tanawha QLD 4556
This beautiful earthy-toned Hamptons-style home in Tanawha on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, sits on 5000 square metres of lush green land and has six bedrooms and five bathrooms.
The main bedroom has a private balcony with wooden white verandahs and views of the gardens. In the sleek en suite, there is a modern free-standing bathtub bathed in natural light – perfect for soaking in after a long day while appreciating the last rays of sunshine.
Out in the ample backyard is a well-lit infinity-edge pool and a free-standing guesthouse to host family and friends.
31 Aqua Street, Newport QLD 4020
Located 29 kilometres north of Brisbane CBD is a white weatherboard Hamptons-style home with spectacular water views.
The property sits on 532 square metres of land and has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The Moreton Bay property even has a private pontoon to keep a boat at the doorstep.
There is also a massive in-ground swimming pool, framed by the poolside lounging with a built-in fire pit. All the bedrooms are on the second floor, with the main bedroom having an expansive walk-in wardrobe and en suite with a sleek, free-standing bathtub.
13 Alan Avenue, Seaforth NSW 2092
This Northern Beaches home is on the southern side of Seaforth, sitting on 923.2 square metres of land. The crisp grey and white house is tucked to the end of a private gated driveway and is moments away from Peach Tree Bay.
It has a north-facing garden with a solar-heated pool, perfect for hosting winter or summer pool parties. The privately hedged backyard boasts a fire pit and a built-in pizza oven.
The property has four bedrooms, two bathrooms (one on the ground floor and one on the second floor), and an open study area. The main bedroom also has beautiful bay windows that look out into the garden.
4 Little Field Street, Hampton, VIC 3188
This light grey Hamptons-inspired home in the aptly-named Hampton, Victoria, has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
The main bedroom is on the ground floor and offers a massive walk-in closet and a beautifully tiled en suite. The home also has a study nook, perfect for a home office or personal library room.
The luxurious kitchen has white marble finishes, giving it a clean, sophisticated look alongside its European appliances. It’s near parks, public transport and Sandringham College, making it an excellent spot for families.
The price guide for this home is $2.15 million to $2.25 million.
9 Seed Street, Box Hill NSW 2765
This newly renovated modern north-facing Dover Heights house is minutes from Rodney Reserve and has five bedrooms and three bathrooms on 563 square metres of land.
There are two additional rooms: an office and a gym, meticulously crafted to be the perfect home. Outside, there’s a private entertainers deck and a saltwater swimming pool – perfect for cooling down in hot summer months or after a good workout.
The kitchen boasts Siemens and Bosch appliances, along with Italian marble benchtops and breakfast bar. The Hamptons-style home also has 48 solar roof panels and a Tesla 2.5-kilowatt solar edge inverter.
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