Behind the Listing wrap 2025: The best homes for sale this year

This year, Domain gave audiences a look inside stunning properties across Australia, speaking to the owners who brought new life to these spaces.

From dramatic renovations to architectural marvels and celebrity retreats, here are the ones we loved.

1. Courtney Adamo’s idyllic Bangalow cottage

Lifestyle creator Courtney Adamo moved to the Byron Bay hinterland with her family, buying a 120-year-old home in dire need of some TLC.

It was built in the early 1900s, with high ceilings, original features like timber panelled walls, and an established garden.

Adamo restored and expanded the property to take advantage of its sub-tropical surroundings, leaning into an earthy palette with vintage touches and period details.

Read the story: Courtney Adamo’s 125-year-old Bangalow home

2. A lesson in the power of colour by WOWOWA

Owned and designed by Monique and Scott Woodward of WOWOWA Architecture, this property – endearingly named Magic – is a celebration of bright hues and tactile textures.

When the couple bought the 1940s Californian bungalow, it showed signs of decades of wear. Over nearly 10 years, they transformed it into a nostalgic, whimsical space filled with warmth.

Thriving outdoor gardens envelop the home, providing privacy at the rear while inviting interaction on the street. This home captures everything the architect duo stands for in their design practice.

• Price guide: $1.8 million-$1.9 million
• Sold for: $2.12 million

Read the story: WOWOWA Architecture directors list their colourful Californian bungalow

3. Cali-style modernist beach home

This home, nicknamed “Undies Beach House”, is named for its proximity to the popular West Australian beach.

Far from a simple shack, the property epitomises the Australian coastal dream with a Cali-style modernist spin.

Curves and circles are everywhere you look, paired with bright palettes and open-plan spaces.

The home was designed by architect Meaghan White and built by Mitchell Custom Homes.

From the outdoor fireplace with its sky-high brick chimney to the pink, green and blue bathrooms, this design is anything but boring.

Read the story: Undies Beach House in Perth listed for sale

4. Frank Body co-founders’ reimagined inner-city Victorian house

Steve Rowley and Bree Johnson, co-founders of Frank Body, listed their vine-cloaked home in the suburb of Richmond earlier this year.

The home’s previous owner, Mary, lived there for 60 years before Rowley and Johnson purchased the deceased estate.

With help from architect Alex Lake at Therefore Studio and builders Locbuild, the couple completed a respectful renovation that enhanced the home’s existing strengths amplifying the feeling of seclusion, light and character.

The addition of internal green spaces enhanced the sense of living in a cocoon within a busy suburb; the design was shortlisted for multiple awards in 2021.

• Price guide: $3.95 million-$4.3 million
• Sold for: $3.84 million

Read the story: Frank Body co-founders list Melbourne home for $3.95m-$4.3m

5. Farmhouse renovated by interior stylist Natalie Walton

Interior designer and author Natalie Walton renovated this Bangalow farmhouse with the principles she’s best known for: sustainability and intentional design.

Every material in the home was selected with care, prioritising natural textures and reclaimed materials.

The renovation took seven years to complete and focused on retaining the property’s original country charm, bringing the design into the modern era with details that encourage connection, from the open-plan living spaces to the breakfast nook and al fresco areas designed for taking in the views.

The result? A space that feels deeply grounded and serene with a seamless connection to the surrounding hinterland.

Read the story: Stylist Natalie Walton’s lasting imprint on a Bangalow farmhouse, now for sale

6. The home of influencer Bec Judd and AFL great Chris Judd

Former AFL star Chris Judd and his media personality wife, Bec, listed their renovated Arthurs Seat property, offering a glimpse into their holiday lifestyle.

The couple transformed the existing house into a chic, modern getaway designed for year-round entertaining.

They were first drawn to the “bush Australiana” vibe of the property, which sits on three hectares of rolling hills. The landscaping gets the most attention from visitors, which isn’t a surprise when you learn that this is the handiwork of award-winning landscaper Nathan Burkett.

• Price guide: $2.85 million-$3 million
• Sold for: $2.78 million

Read the story: Influencer Bec Judd and AFL great Chris Judd list renovated Arthurs Seat property for $2.85m-$3m

7. Phoebe Burgess’ Tuscan-style hideaway

Media personality Phoebe Burgess gave Domain a tour of her Southern Highlands home, which blends the rustic charm of the region – think cosy wood-burning heaters and sprawling lawns – with a polished, contemporary design.

The home features light-filled living spaces, a kitchen designed for sharing hearty home-cooked meals, and gardens that offer privacy while making the most of the 6949-square-metre block.

Complete with a pony paddock and chook shed, Burgess loved the farmhouse lifestyle and said the feeling of being close (yet removed) from civilisation was incomparable.

• Price guide: $1.9 million
• Sold for: Price withheld

Read the story: Phoebe Burgess lists Tuscan-style Burradoo property for $1.9m

8. Chrissie Swan’s vibrant South Yarra Home

Radio and TV star Chrissie Swan listed her beloved family home in South Yarra, a property that – much like Chrissie herself – is full of warmth and personality.

Before she became its owner, Swan would often walk past and admire the Federation-era brick home with mid-century flair.

When the opportunity to purchase arose, Swan jumped at it; she was even more surprised to find that many of the original features were in near-perfect condition.

Rather than a full-scale renovation, she completed the restoration herself and chose to gently enhance what was already there, preserving the property’s story while “making it brighter”.

• Price guide: $2.6 million-$2.86 million
• Sold for: $2.58 million

Read the story: Radio and TV presenter Chrissie Swan lists Hawthorn East home for $2.6m-$2.86m

9. Family haven by leading interiors photographer Eve Wilson

When one of Australia’s leading interiors photographers, Eve Wilson, sells her own home, you know the interiors are going to be remarkable.

Wilson applied her trained eye to the revival of this Cremorne worker’s cottage, creating a home that is both practical and beautiful.

The design prioritises natural light and creates zones that allow family rhythms to unfold naturally.

The aesthetic features a mix of timber, stone and soft muted colours, with a tranquil internal courtyard and greenery throughout.

• Price guide: $2.25 million-$2.45 million
• Sold for: 2.63 million

Read the story: Eve Wilson selling Garden Tower House, a revived worker’s cottage in Cremorne

10. ‘Indestructible’ home made from shipping containers

Perhaps the most unique structure on our list this year, this home proved that industrial materials can create a warm, opulent space.

Constructed primarily from shipping containers, the home is an engineering marvel.

The design transcends the “cargo” aesthetic, utilising the containers’ strength to withstand Queensland weather and incorporating sustainable additions throughout.

Inside, industrial metal translates to luxurious living areas with high-end joinery and wellness features.

Read the story: Varmt Rede: The ‘practically indestructible’ luxury home made from 11 shipping containers

11. Ellie Watson’s wholesome family haven

Fashion label founder Ellie Watson’s Queensland family home exudes the same minimalist, organic aesthetic as her brand.

The sprawling property is a celebration of slow living with open, airy spaces, polished concrete floors, and a neutral palette of creams, whites, and timber.

The kitchen is a standout, which Watson loved to cook in, featuring premium appliances and a large, luxe island bench.

Designed to be a calming sanctuary for her young family, the flow between the indoors and the garden is seamless, making it a peaceful setting for raising children.

Read the story: The Valle Casa: A mid-century ‘Moditerranean’ home now for sale

12. Heritage gem from Restoration Australia

Fans of the ABC show Restoration Australia will recognise this historic property, which underwent a painstaking transformation to bring it back from the brink of ruin.

When owners Paul and Jess Roche first encountered the building, it had a lean into the neighbour’s yard and vines growing throughout.

The sale marked the completion of a major undertaking for the Roches, who restored the building’s heritage fabric while discreetly integrating modern amenities.

The home retains its period grandeur, with high ceilings and original fireplaces, but now functions comfortably as a 21st-century residence.

Read the story: Looking to buy a restored Melbourne heritage home? This one was on ‘Restoration Australia’