Featured House Plan Style: Modern

Are you looking to build a beautiful home with an open, minimalist bent on design? What are your values in terms of art and how your furniture and possessions appear in the context of your home? Do you have a desire to build your home in a modern, contemporary fashion? America’s Best House Plans offers some of the best designs in terms of Modern house plans, and as you consider selecting one of these plans, it is important to understand some of the principles in terms of design that connect each of these designs.

Commonalities Across Modern House Plans

Many Modern house plans seem to distinguish themselves from more traditional neighborhoods. They are set apart; they are different, particularly in more traditional areas of the country (the South, the Northeast, and the Midwest). Yes, these plans are set apart, but what connects them to each other? What are some of their common elements, and more importantly, why do people choose to build them?

• Modern homes favor clean lines and right angles throughout. For more progressive families who tend to appreciate modern and post-modern architecture, Modern house plans offer pleasing design elements. Roofs are often flat; windows are large and span the length or height of any given wall.

• Modern homes favor open floor plans almost exclusively. Modern designs tend towards minimalism in terms of space. Thus, common areas are open and unencumbered.

• Modern house plans tend to utilize industrial-type materials, such as brick, steel, concrete, and other more modern materials. Cable wires are often used on porches and stairwells, and other features often combine a sense of minimalist design with an industrial sensibility and look.

• Modern house plans often feature large expanses of glass that flood spaces with natural light. Skylights illuminate spaces from above, and entire walls of glass blur the lines between indoors and out.

• Modern house plans represent the very best in indoor-outdoor living. Homebuilders can unwind on spacious front porches, step out to private balconies from their master suite, or grill out on the backyard deck. Many plans feature outdoor kitchens fully equipped with all the amenities a chef needs.

• Modern house plans make the ornate details that mark Victorian and other styles of houses. The sparse details create clean living spaces but also provide a blank slate for homebuilders to work with. The lack of details means that homebuilders can really bring their own personalities to the space through artwork, furniture, and other fine objects.

• In Modern house plans, you may find exposed bricks, walls made of stone, or rooms lined with natural wood. These details bring a hint of the outdoors to indoor spaces and make Modern houses feel warm and welcoming.

• Modern house plans are designed with the modern family in mind. Many include extra spaces for storage, plus bonus rooms that can accommodate nearly any need or desire. Some builders use the space to create an at-home gym, while others use it for crafting, homeschooling, or displaying collectibles. The possibilities are endless!

Many progressive designs within the world of architecture have some Modern features. If your family enjoys this type of look, a modern house plan may be right for you as you seek to build. It is important to ensure that your home fits into your lifestyle and surroundings (neighborhood and environment, etc.). Enjoy browsing our collection of 1,200+ Modern House Plans. We also offer many Exclusive Modern house plans that can’t be found anywhere else! Check out the Exclusive Modern collection here.

If you like the Modern style but are looking for something different, consider Modern Transitional house plans. Also known as Transitional Farmhouse, these plans are primarily Modern Farmhouse style, but incorporate Modern and European elements.