The modern house design is marked by its simple, yet sophisticated style—a bold rebellion against the ornate Victorian and Edwardian-style homes of the 19th century. Built between 1900 and the late 1950s, modern homes feature intentional asymmetry, strong horizontal composition and large expanses of glass. Inspired by the demand for improved living and entertaining, modern homes feature open layouts and include elements of favorite architectural styles such as Arts and Crafts and ranch.
Many people confuse modern and contemporary homes. However, the modern house design refers to the architecture of the early- to mid-20th century (a specific 60-year period in U.S. history). Contemporary architecture, on the other hand, is influenced by current culture and represents what is trending now.
Key Modern Home Features:
- Clean, simple aesthetic with no archways, ornate windows or fussy details
- Low, flat roofs to emphasize strong horizontal and vertical lines
- Large windows and glass walls to bring the outside inside
- Long overhangs to provide shade in summer and natural light in winter
- Use of “modern” finishes, including concrete and long-span steel trusses
- Traditional materials like wood, brick and stone used in modern ways
- Open design concept to allow feeling of community
How to Use Engineered Wood on a Modern Home
If it’s time for a modern home makeover, consider using engineered wood as it offers greater durability than traditional wood with plenty of design versatility. For example, use engineered wood to:
- Mix Materials – Accentuate the modern home’s characteristic clean lines by mixing and matching materials (g. engineered wood, brick, stone, glass, etc.). For instance, an engineered wood option like LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding comes in various lengths of lap and vertical siding to achieve a wide array of design goals.
- Diversify Colors – Consider how you blend cool and warm colors. LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® Trim & Siding is available in 16 versatile colors such as Tundra Gray or Shoreline Cream to complement, say, natural stone. Highlight a hue found in the stone or even select trim in a contrasting color to, again, emphasize the modern home’s clean lines.
- Highlight Texture – Modern homes can lack depth if just one material or color is used. In addition to a cedar-grain texture, LP SmartSide Trim & Siding is offered in a smooth option to provide a sleek, eye-catching juxtaposition to more natural exterior materials. Having texture flexibility allows you to select what works best to draw the eye to your modern home’s specific architectural features.
If your modern home could use a makeover, take the first step by visiting our Colors & Inspiration page to get the creative juices flowing.