How do Modern and Contemporary Homes Differ
Distinguishing between a modern and contemporary home design can be difficult for the untrained. Despite the name, ‘modern’ home design is rooted in a design style that became popular in the 1920’s until the 1950’s. The “contemporary” style encompasses what is rooted in the present design movement. While both modern and contemporary homes cannot be described by a single style, there are a few features that are representative of the two design philosophies. Today, the design experts at Travis & Travis will discuss some of the design features that are most representative of these two styles so you can better differentiate modern and contemporary homes.
Modern Home Design
The modern design style began in the late 1800s with the German Bauhaus schools of design. This style emphasized simplicity and function. However, it eventually morphed into ‘mid-century modern’ around the 1950’s and 1960’s. This home design style is characterized by function over form. It uses warm natural colors with strong design lines. Open space, bare windows and molded plastic, leather, and glass furniture help to create the modern design.
Contemporary Home Design
Contemporary home designs are always changing. Contemporary basically represents the style that is popular at the moment. However, there are some features that designers consider “contemporary.” For instance, contemporary homes often stick to neutral colors like black, white, and grey. They often use sharp lines and flat roofs. Many contemporary homes are also designed with energy-efficient features and eco-friendly elements.
No single style is dominant with contemporary home design, however, contemporary homes are often designed to be noticed. Asymmetrical facades, cantilevered sections, and bold designs are the preference of many contemporary home designers. However, since contemporary design is what is “of the moment,” the style is constantly evolving. You may even see facets of modern design in a contemporary home. While function is important, contemporary designers place equal emphasis on form and design with aesthetic quality in mind.
Which Design Style Should I Chose?
The most important thing to remember is that there are no hard rules when building a custom home. Expert architects can take elements of many styles to create a design that is perfect for you. At Travis & Travis, we use design styles to help our clients communicate their preferences, so we can be sure the homes we design are exactly what our clients want. If you are interested in discussing your custom home design goals with an expert team, contact us today at 214-357-6666.