There’s a moment, sometime between the last streak of sun and the first flick of the porch light, when everything feels softer. More cinematic. A little bit magical. And this Spring, Australians are designing their homes to make the most of it. As daylight saving settles back over the southern states and evenings stretch luxuriously long, the country’s collective fascination with “golden hour” (or twilight living ) is officially taking over our backyards.
What started as a lockdown lifestyle shift — spending more time at home, finding pockets of calm, rediscovering the joy of simple gatherings — has turned into a full-blown national design movement. Backyards are no longer just yards. They’re evolving into layered, purpose-built twilight zones: spaces that look as good on Instagram as they feel on a balmy Thursday evening when you’re lingering over dinner outside.
And, Australians aren’t just daydreaming about these outdoor sanctuaries — they’re investing in them. Hard. Recent ABS data shows residential renovations surged to $3.44 billion in the March 2025 quarter alone — a clear sign that the “upgrade your home, upgrade your life” mentality isn’t slowing down any time soon. Renovations now make up almost 40 per cent of all residential construction spending, up significantly from five years ago. If the kitchen was the hero of the 2010s, the backyard is the star of the 2020s.
Although the renovation boom is broad, outdoor living is its star performer. Industry specialists say investment in backyards is rising by around seven per cent each year, fuelled by a post-pandemic appetite for at-home entertaining and the desire to create spaces that feel as curated as any indoor living room. As Alexandra Hand of Australian Outdoor Living explains, the shift hasn’t slowed since 2020.
“Aussie spend on their backyards is growing at around 7 per cent per annum as we make them a sanctuary in every sense,” she says. “By day it’s practical and family-friendly, but as the sun drops it transforms into a place for entertaining and slowing down.”
What’s particularly defining about this year’s approach is that it isn’t about surviving the heat — it’s about indulging in the in-between hours. Homeowners are designing intentionally for mood, atmosphere and comfort. According to Hand, the trend is evolving quickly:
“This year we’re seeing more homeowners design for those in-between hours, with warm lighting, layered shading and heating to make the outdoors usable well past sunset.”
This design language — glow, warmth, softness, layered comfort — forms the foundation of the golden hour aesthetic. And at its core is a surprisingly consistent formula: five must-have elements that define the modern twilight-ready backyard.
The Five Golden Hour Essentials*
*or what your twilight living home needs right now
Zoned entertaining
Rather than relying on one big deck or patio to serve every purpose, homeowners are creating distinct zones: dining areas for long alfresco dinners, lounges layered with cushions and outdoor rugs, and intimate gathering spots anchored by a fire pit or table. These pockets help the space shift effortlessly from midday family time to slow, glowing twilight.
Smart, adjustable shading
The goal is no longer to block out the sun entirely — it’s to shape it. This is where integrated shading solutions are becoming pivotal. Hand notes the popularity of adaptable systems. “Integrated products are leading the way, such as automated retractable outdoor blinds that allow spaces to shift with the light, and reduce evening breezes without interrupting the view,” she says.
Layered lighting
Soft ambient LEDs, decorative pendants, subtle uplighting — these are the tools that extend the golden hour long after dusk. As Hand puts it, lighting is no longer an afterthought but a defining design element. “Adding built-in lighting – from LED strip details to overhead pendants – means the backyard feels more like an extension of the living room than an afterthought.”
Heating with style
Outdoor heating has stepped firmly into the spotlight. Fire pits, gas fire tables and integrated heating systems are now design heroes, not just practical add-ons. Hand says warmth is increasingly central to the twilight aesthetic. “The appeal of golden hour is universal, and the right mix of shading, lighting and heating ensures you can enjoy it in style,” she notes.
A seamless aesthetic
Matching finishes, textured fabrics and a cohesive palette help blur the line between garden and home. The result is a backyard that feels intentional, welcoming and deeply lived-in — an outdoor room rather than an outdoor area.
Put together, these five elements show why golden hour living is taking hold across the country. It’s not about chasing a perfect sunset — it’s about creating a space that encourages people to gather, unwind and soak up the most beautiful part of the day.
In short, the golden hour is no longer something you catch — it’s something you create. And for Australian homes in 2025, this soft, glowing, mood-rich twilight living moment is only just beginning.
