What Is A Contemporary Home? A Guide to Design

Mar 8, 2024

5-minute read

Share:

A contemporary home, potentially depicting modern architectural design where a new family just moved in.

When buying a house, one thing home shoppers must consider is their preferred architectural style. But with so many options available, that choice can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Today, a popular style of home is a contemporary house, which features popular trends in the design world. You can get your hands on a contemporary home in several ways – you can build one from the ground up, find one on the market or add contemporary design elements to your new or existing home.

Contemporary homes allow homeowners to unleash their creativity and incorporate their personality into their home design with on-trend features and materials. In this article, we’ll discuss the elements of a contemporary home, how to design or decorate one and the impact this style can have on homeownership.

What Is A Contemporary-Style Home?

When a property is described as having a “contemporary home design,” that typically means the house's architecture has features that align with current design trends. These home designs are often more fluid than some other architectural styles. Contemporary construction often incorporates originality, creativity and innovation while emphasizing natural and sustainable building materials. Contemporary homes share characteristics with modern, minimalist and midcentury modern styles.

Contemporary architecture often evolves as society changes and new style trends emerge, usually emphasizing different approaches to space and functionality based on homeowners’ changing needs and wants. Naturally, contemporary house designs continuously evolve based on current market trends and what home buyers are purchasing. Some popular themes in contemporary home design today include environmentalism, minimalism and individualism.

Contemporary Homes Vs. Modern Homes

Modern-style homes have been popular among home buyers and builders for a while. Their popularity has also led to increased attention to contemporary-style choices. Contemporary homes are often confused with modern homes, but they aren't the same. The word “modern” might lead you to believe these properties feature present-day trends, but modern homes actually incorporate design styles from the early to mid-1900s.

Contemporary homes reflect current popular styles while incorporating modern aesthetics. While the design styles can look different, both typically feature minimalism and clean lines.

See What You Qualify For