Chat with a Local Architect: New Trends in Home Design in Zimbabwe (2025 Edition)

Zimbabwe’s residential architecture is evolving rapidly, with diaspora tastes, climate-smart features, and lifestyle shifts influencing everything from floor plans to finishes. We sat down with local architect Tawanda Muchengeti (a registered architect based in Harare) to unpack the top design trends shaping new homes in 2025.

Whether you're building in Borrowdale, Gweru, Bulawayo, or Ruwa, here’s what’s hot, what’s fading, and what homebuilders should prioritise now.

1. Open-Plan Living Is No Longer a Trend It's the Standard

“Most clients now want a kitchen that flows into the dining and lounge,” says Tawanda.
“The days of boxed-off rooms are gone.”

Key Features:

• Kitchen islands with breakfast nooks
  
• Fewer corridors, more multi-use zones
  
• Wide, frameless sliding doors opening to patios or decks
  

On Property.co.zw, over 67% of new cluster home listings in Harare North now feature open-plan layouts.

2. Natural Light & Ventilation: Eco-Smart & Cost-Saving

Electricity and water challenges are driving eco-forward design.

Homeowners are asking for:

• Larger windows & skylights
  
• Cross-ventilation strategies
  
• Energy-efficient orientation (north-facing for winter sun)
  

“Solar compatibility now starts at the design phase, not later,” notes Tawanda.

3. Functional, Stylish Kitchens Are a Top Priority

The kitchen is no longer just a cooking space it’s the home’s focal point, especially in modern townhouses.

Design elements in demand:

• Quartz countertops or polished concrete
  
• Hidden pantry storage
  
• Double sinks + space for solar geysers
  

Diaspora buyers in particular are requesting imported fittings and butler kitchens.

4. Ensuite Everything + Private Study Spaces

“Privacy is now premium especially post-COVID,” says Tawanda.

Today’s homes increasingly feature:

• Ensuite bathrooms for every bedroom
  
• Master suites with walk-in wardrobes
  
• Dedicated home offices or Zoom rooms
  

Search data from Property.co.zw shows a 40% spike in listings mentioning “home office” or “study.”

5. Exterior Styles: Modern Minimalism with African Touches

Popular architectural styles include:

• Flat or mono-pitch roofs (cleaner aesthetic, solar-friendly)
  
• Mixed materials: exposed brick, smooth plaster, wood, steel
  
• Neutral palettes: greys, stone tones, and matte blacks
  

“We’re seeing more clients ask for something ‘African but modern’ a move away from heavy European styles.”

6. Compact Clusters Over Sprawling Mansions

Land prices, municipal rates, and lifestyle changes are pushing people toward efficient living spaces.

• Townhouses (150–250sqm) are overtaking 5-bed homes on 2,000sqm plots
  
• Shared amenities (pools, security, gyms) in gated clusters are popular
  

In 2025, over 53% of new residential listings on Property.co.zw are cluster or semi-detached homes.

7. Smart Water & Waste Management

With intermittent municipal supply and climate change impacts, savvy homebuilders are designing with water systems in mind.

Top requests:

• Greywater reuse for toilets and gardens
  
• Underground tanks (5,000L–10,000L)
  
• Soakaways & bio-digesters instead of basic septic tanks
  

8. Security Comes Built-In, Not Added On

Today’s home designs integrate:

• Electric fencing + CCTV infrastructure
  
• Panic buttons and motion-sensor lights
  
• Walled courtyards instead of open front yards
  

“We’re designing homes with discreet safety zones inside without making it feel like a prison,” says Tawanda.

Architect’s Advice to Future Homebuilders:

DO:

• Start with a registered architect
  
• Design for your lifestyle, not just resale
  
• Think long-term on infrastructure (solar, water, security)
  

DON’T:

• Copy a plan off Pinterest without adapting it for Zimbabwe
  
• Forget to budget for finishes they define the final look
  
• Underestimate council approval timelines
  

Ready to Build? Start with a Plan that Works

At Property.co.zw, you’ll find:

• Verified serviced stands in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, and beyond
  
• Access to registered architects, builders, and engineers
• Smart tips on getting plan approvals, council compliance, and valuations
  
• Listings for modern homes that reflect today’s architectural trends
  

Final Word: Design With Purpose, Build With Confidence

The best homes in 2025 are not the biggest, but the smartest and most functional. They combine comfort, sustainability, technology, and culture into spaces that work for today’s Zimbabwean lifestyle.

Plan smart. Build better. Live well.