7 Stunning Pictures of Contemporary Home Exteriors
By: Tessa
What is considered a contemporary style home?
Contemporary home exteriors possess a certain je ne sais quoi. For good reason, the style has developed a cult-like following. As in the definition of ‘contemporary’ itself, a contemporary style home references trends popular in the present moment. The hallmarks of the contemporary style include straight lines, oversized windows, and industrial-meets-natural elements. Here, we show off some of our favorite contemporary home design examples.
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#1 // Contemporary Building Materials
Wood, stone, metal, and gray paint make are all popular contemporary building materials. This combination especially complements contemporary architecture that uses lots of straight lines, but it can also give an older home a contemporary flair. Keep in mind the pros and cons of opting for real wood on the exterior of your home. Many companies offer sustainable imitation wood siding or ethically sourced real wood doors that require less maintenance.
#2 // Show Off Clean Lines
Contemporary architecture hasn’t changed drastically from the 1970s. However, the way we execute exterior paint color choices has evolved. To transport this home from five decades ago to the modern-day, our exterior designers suggested a metal roof and a classy dark gray paint color. The added small overhang on the entrance accentuates the home’s contemporary lines.
#3 // Draw Out Contemporary Bones
If you’ve been dreaming of a contemporary home, you might not need to start from scratch. Our exterior designers saw the potential in this home. Inspired by the modern windows above the front door, they completely transformed the style of this structure by opening up the living room with windows. With updated siding and a new modern garage door to match, you might guess this home was built in recent years.
#4 // Mixed Materials
Contemporary homes come in all colors and with all sorts of building materials, but some work better than others. Our designers suggested painting the stucco on this home in Alpaca by Sherwin Williams with trim and gutters in Iron Ore and windows in Black by Benjamin Moore. Tons of other design updates highlight its contemporary lines. New windows, a second-story balcony, metal roofing, and a killer front driveway and walkway combo make this contemporary home a stunner.
#5 // The Life-Changing Magic of New Windows
When modernizing a home, updating windows is not only practical (hello, utility savings), it’s also a huge curb appeal enhancer. Of course, replacing windows and fitting them to the original openings is more cost-effective. But investing in larger statement windows could have enough impact to substantially increase your home’s value.
#6 // It’s in the Details
Sometimes, our clients come to us with a home that already possesses a defining contemporary characteristic. In this case, it was the dramatic low-sloped roof. By framing the porch with wood trim, placing a stone façade along the foundation, adding a modern walkway, and updating the chimney crown, our designers recommended small changes to make a big difference on a budget.
#7 // The Classic Contemporary Shape
One pillar of contemporary home exteriors is straight lines with subtle, obtuse angles. By using varying colors and building materials on different sections of a contemporary home, you can create contrast and depth that work well with those wide angles. Here, our designers used a two-tone color palette and paired industrial metal on the roof with warm wood siding. It’s all about balance.
Contemporary Home Exteriors That Work
We’re big fans of contemporary architecture, and we love when our clients request this look. Like most great design styles, contemporary design is not about one single trait. Rather, a well-executed contemporary home happens when all the design elements work together to bring about a cohesive look — and a stunning home.
It takes a lot more to transform a home to a contemporary or modern style than just a new coat of paint. Partner with the exterior design experts at brick&batten to get an expert design and a realistic rendering of your home, just like the homes in this article. Learn more here.
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