Modern home designs set themselves apart from others with their style. To understand them better, here you’ll find inspiration from around the world. With modern homes, form follows function, so every feature has a purpose.
Refined lines are a hallmark of minimalist design.
A modern residence centers on family living. These homes are meant to make one feel welcomed and comfortable. Modern house plans are simple but also beautiful and inviting.
Modern interiors favor ease among other features. They are distinct from contemporary types of buildings in a number of ways.
Here are a few traits of modern style:
Simple and basic shapes are staples of this type of home. The interiors will not have arches, fancy columns, or decorations. Modern home plans have basic and simple layouts.
Modern interiors rely on natural light. In this case, a home will have large open windows that allow for more sunlight. The lighting opens up the rooms so they feel bigger, which can also be the case in a contemporary layout.
Most interiors have open floor plans. The layout connects the living and dining rooms, and kitchens. It creates a warm and open atmosphere.
Modern interior design relies on neutral colors and textures. The focus is on the look and shape of each room. It’s easier to create focal points with color accents.
Natural materials like wood and stone are traits of this genre. Exposed concrete is also common.
The concept of simple has many forms in the architecture of these homes. It’s based on ideas like:
As 3D printing becomes cheaper, designers are learning how to use it better. A company in Texas, ICON, built a one-story 3D printed home in one day.
Made with cement, the building has a bedroom, bathroom, living room, and office. The company aims to make 3D printed homes cheaper in underdeveloped areas.
Finding your style is the first step to living in your dream home. There are many styles of architecture to choose from when coming up with ideas.
Here are the 10 most popular home styles:
A-frames have pitched roofs and angled sides that make the letter ‘A’ shape. The roof can go all the way down to the foundation. It’s practical for its snow-shielding ability.
This style is from the American barn. Barn-style homes have gambrel roofs and sliding doors on the exterior. They also have windows and big outdoor areas.
Beach houses use their surroundings for scenery. They have large windows to frame each view and outdoor living space. They sit on stilts that protect them from water damage.
Cape Cod houses were cottages with simple silhouettes and small porches. Today’s Cape Cod homes are a combination of modern and traditional. They’re also easy and simple as the front door.
Colonial-style homes are rectangular. Large columns support the roof and they have covered front porches. Colonial homes are balanced and have evenly-spaced elements. Many are often made from brick.
A craftsman home looks warm from the outside. The homes have gabled roofs with overhangs and shingles and covered front porches on the exterior. Inside, craftsman-style homes feature exposed beams and rafters, pillars that line the entry and single dormers.
Farmhouse homes look rustic and traditional The homes have a second level with dormers and a gable roof. They look simple and cozy and sport shutters and a large front or wraparound porch.
Country-style homes have steep roofs and big porches. Some will also have dormers and look informal yet elegant.
Bungalow homes have one story and sometimes an attic that’s been converted. They’re often narrow lot and deep and have a detached garage. They also have gabled roofs with steep pitches and small porches with columns on the exterior.
Contemporary homes use features that focus on the latest trends. This means they follow changing trends.
At first, treehouses were for children. But not all of them are like this design. Some versions serve as private retreats.
The example above is by Malan Vorster. It’s made of four cylindrical towers that look like treehouses. The front towers sit on stilts and have glazed walls that frame each view.
Modern designs and home decor come in many forms worldwide. The ease and beauty of each one inspires and touches all those who view them.
This 2-story home in Cape Town by Malan Vorster sits on a steep slope and has a ground-level exterior that’s clad in natural stone.
Located close to Brescia, Italy, this home by LPArchitects and Flussocreativo has three floors in a separate apartment. The ground floor decor is bright, colorful, and cheerful.
The Surf House by Feldman Architecture is in one of Santa Cruz’s best surf spots. The layout makes the most of the coastal view. One of the best features in this type of modern architecture is a large open deck that faces the Pacific Ocean.
Gawthorne’s Hut by Cameron Anderson Architects is a 40-square meter home with sustainable construction in Mudgee, Australia.
The Birdhouses Studios are two buildings with modern architecture that sit on a steep slope in Tasmania, Australia. From Gillian van der Schans and clad in Corten steel, the exterior design of these buildings will weather and offer a rusty patina, matching the landscape’s colors.
The Minne Stuga House is a wooden chalet from the ’70s. It’s been modernized and brought back to life by studio Taiga Design+Build. They managed to turn it into a modern A-frame cabin for generations to come.
This home on wheels is from Tiny House Baluchon. It has a simple form, red cedar exterior siding and a black aluminum roof. The nautical-themed vibe is a reference to its owner’s love for the sea.
When studio Jenny Mills Architects renovated this abode they replaced the old roof with a penthouse. This modern new addition transformed the home and helped it better communicate with its beautiful surroundings.
Cabana is a small, modern cabin from Liga Arquitetura e Urbanismo. It’s made of durable and sustainable materials and suited for remote locations. The modular cabin floor plans can be transported by a single truck.
The Ursa house is small, mobile and packed with clever interior features. Madeiguincho designed the house plans to function off-grid. It has a rainwater collection system and solar panels on the roof.
This modern cabin by Sher Maker has a long and narrow floor plan. It’s two stories tall, has lots of windows and a slanted metal roof. The cabin is also clad in burnt wood.
This modern cabin is in one of the most beautiful regions of Iceland. It was built off-site by studio Manta North to minimize its impact on the landscape. Assembling this home only took a few hours.
This is a project by DAP Studio which began as a renovation of an old tool shed. It evolved into what is now a home with a rooftop swimming pool.
This studio house is by Plano Livre has a modular arrangement made from 2 repurposed shipping containers. The interior decor is fresh, modern, and color-coded.
The Nanton Residence is a project by Wiedemann Architectural Design. It’s a four-story home in Vancouver clad in brick. The exterior design gives it an eclectic look and the brick helps it stand out in contrast with the landscape.
The Pacific Harmony house by Handcrafted Movement is tiny and built on a triple axel Iron Eagle trailer. It has a charming board and batten exterior and a small cedar porch. Inside it has a cozy, practical and versatile design.
The High House in Austin, Texas by RAVEL Architecture sits on a steep slope with a magnificent view. The house plans were designed to follow the curvature and shape of the slope and receive support from a retaining wall.
Originally built in 1987, this home from Landers was renovated by Karen McAloon and turned into a modern, sophisticated desert retreat. One of its best features is a swimming pool made from a shipping container.
The Metal Lark cabin sits on the edge of a Wisconsin forest. It’s small and built on stilts. Designed by Sala Architects, it has two floors and overlooks the valley.
The Hill House by Horomystudio and has a black exterior. It blends into the forest and mountain and it has large windows that let the outdoors in. Its modern look is enhanced by natural materials.
This place is unique for a very simple reason: it used to be a water tower. The transformation into a modern dwelling was done by architect Tonkin Liu. The UK home resembles a small and modern castle from a distance.
Villa Cozzo Tre Venti is a remote retreat designed by Andrea Marlia. It has a simple and modern construction inspired by the local vernacular and landscape. The exterior is covered with lime plaster and helps it blend into the environment.
From Atoshi Kurosaki and APOLLO Architects & Associates, the home is small but also inspiring. It has a dark exterior that helps it stand out and a clean and airy interior. Inside spaces with different functions coexist in harmony.
This exotic two-bedroom retreat from Uvita, Costa Rica is made from two shipping containers. Its prized feature is the enclosed courtyard. It has a big patio with outdoor seating and a dining area.
From Cutler Anderson Architects, the property was chosen for the beautiful artificial pond which became the main feature of its design. The home is like a bridge that stretches over the water.
The 160 House is by MIDE Architetti offers a minimalist exterior appearance is given by the use of exposed concrete. Inside the ambiance is very warm and inviting thanks to the natural wood.
This home designed by Luigi Rosselli Architects in Sydney is quite unusual. Unlike most Australian homes, the social spaces are on the upper floor of this contemporary home. This gives them a better view of the beautiful landscape.
Once in ruin, this building was transformed by architect Carlos Swick into a modern lakeside retreat. It is water-focused with big open spaces. Also, the building is raised above ground and seems to be floating.
This dream home designed by architect Nadine Engelbrecht is completely off the grid. It’s located in a remote part of South Africa, small and practical. It has loft bedrooms and cozy multifunctional areas.
This modern and minimalist home designed by The Grid Architects is home to three generations of loving family members. It has multiple indoor-outdoor connections and a practical floor plan with both shared and private areas.
This modern shelter home from Portugal is designed by studio Carvalho Araújo. It’s cantilevered over the edge of a steep slope with gorgeous views of a mountain. The architecture is simple and organic. It includes a rooftop deck with a lap pool.
This cool retreat in Norfolk, England used to be a windmill. It’s now a modern little place with a James Bond-inspired theme. The circular layout makes it feel extra cozy inside.
This family home from Phoenix, Arizona is designed by The Ranch Mine. Many of its indoor areas are mirrored outside. For example, there’s an outdoor kitchen, outdoor dining area and several lounge areas.
Studio Bauen went to great lengths to design a home with minimal impact on the land. They also made sure this beautiful retreat from San Bernadino, Paraguay gets to take advantage of its amazing surroundings.
This wooden structure has a simple and linear design. It has minimal impact on the rural plot that it occupies. Inside, the small footprint elaves room for only the main necessities. This is a design by Fábrica de casas.
This home is located in India and built by studio SAK Designs. It serves as a serene weekend retreat. Its indoor and outdoor areas feel very nature-oriented and harmonious.
This modern home occupies a flat piece of land in Poland. From studio RS+ Robert Skitek, the home features a minimalist and clean aesthetic. It features a double-height living room and a large kitchen with a massive island.
The Mao House by Di Frenna Arquitectos is in Colina, Mexico. It features a simple and raw palette of materials and a strong industrial look. The double-height entryway gives it a grand and impressive feel.
The Green Creek Shipyard is a shipping container house that you can rent via Airbnb in North Carolina. It has a kitchen, a living and dining area, two bedrooms and a bathroom. The main entrance features a glass garage front door.
You can find this glass pavilion in Mangawhai, New Zealand. It’s designed by Cheshire Architects with solid concrete floors and glazed walls on all sides. The private areas are inside three tapered cylinders.
The house from Hugo Pereira Arquitetos fits between the existing cork trees. Its modern design features sloped facades and clean and sharp geometric shapes. Floor-to-ceiling glass brings the glory of nature inside.
Studio Dupont Blouin Architects gave this triplex a complete makeover. They went with a simple design with mid-century modern details. It features quirky design features such as a playful mural in the backyard.
This family retreat began as a separate house and a cabin. The two structures were connected with a stone wall and turned into this waterfront house by Coates Design studio.
This little house in Yucatan, Mexico known as “Life on the Tree.” It’s designed by studio LAAR and is raised off the ground, among the treetops.
This family resort was designed by HMA2 Architects with flexibility in mind. It’s both a cozy everyday home and a wonderful retreat. Inside, each space is big and airy, with high ceilings and plenty of glass.
This ranch house was built in 1956. Studios Assembledge and Alexander Design Build transformed it into a stunning house. The project added a second floor to the existing structure.
The Clear Rock Lookout by Lemmo Architecture and Design sits on a cliff in Johnson City, Texas. It’s small and functions off the grid. The exterior features weathering steel panels.
This abandoned 16th-century church was transformed by Garmendia Cordero Arquitectos. Today, it’s a stylish home. A big part of the space was preserved, like the exterior. The interior room is shabby but inviting.
The Totoro House by CplusC Architectural Workshop takes its inspiration from the animation of Studio Ghibli. It has a playful and quirky design. The building features big circular windows and a cheerful overall vibe.
The geometry of this suburban house is by Fabian Tan Architects. The house has an arched concrete extension with oversized wooden doors. Its simplicity is matched by its beauty.
The Makio House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Fabian Tan Architects has a minimalist yet inviting style. One of its defining design features is a wooden custom staircase.
The Art Barn is a studio in Dartmoor, UK. It was an agricultural building until architect Thomas Randall-Page converted it into a stylish art studio with a display space for sculptures and an archive room.
The Invisible House in Los Angeles by architect Tomas Osinsk has a steel frame and is clad in mirrored glass panels. It blends into the landscape, becoming invisible from a distance.
This private residence in West Hollywood was designed by Olson Kundig. It overlooks the mountains and ocean and features an expressive design characteristic of modern homes. The facade is a mix of contrasting shapes, colors and finishes.
The Shutter House in Wembley, Australia has a Japanese style. The showcase design is the result of the combined effort between studios Mobilia and State of Kin.
The Rag Doll in Belgium features an updated cottage style with a white exterior. Designed by Delmulle Delmulle Architecten, the home is a combination of old and new. The bottom space is clad in glass while the remaining structure has opaque walls.
Built off-site, this house by Open AD studio had little impact on its environment. The pre-fab structure was assembled on-site.
The Eaves House by studio mA-style architects in Japan resembles a right-angled triangle. Its roof slopes on one side forming an eave. On the opposite side, a tall straight wall features prominently.
This holiday home sits on the edge of a lake, surrounded by lush greenery. Designed by KRADS, it features a green roof which helps it blend into its environment.
Surrounded by structures, this house by NOA Studio features a tiered design. To ensure privacy, the living spaces sit between two gardens, with one at the top and the other at the bottom.
A modern clean design features unbroken, simple lines. The clean lines represent architectural and design periods that use contemporary decorating styles.
A clean home is rectilinear in shape. Rectilinear homes have straight sides and right angles. They look like two rectangles joined together.
When redesigning a traditional home to give it a modern look, you want to expand upon open layouts. Increase the amount of daylight and indoor-outdoor setups. Install bigger windows with uninterrupted glass.
Wood floors and hard-wood bed boards look great with steel appliances and industrial lighting fixtures.
Ultra-modern homes blend in with nature on the exterior. On the inside, the home offers wide interior views. The idea is you want the inside to feel like outside. But more than anything, comfort is the goal.
Modern home layouts are spacious. They bring in natural light to your home which saves you money in the long run. As a design, modern houses are aesthetically pleasing and offer plenty of room to customize according to your needs. More than anything, they are environmentally friendly.
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