Contemporary Home Design: 5 Benefits of Modern House Plans

When it comes to 21st-century living, there are many reasons to go with contemporary house plans. We live in an era when space, energy and privacy are hard to come by, yet natural light and outdoor connections are revered; modern house plans allow you to reap these benefits while also making an efficient and environmentally friendly investment.

In the past, it was often difficult for contemporary house plans to be approved where strict neighborhood covenants and restrictions were in place. Today, we find many more neighborhoods embracing the contemporary home style, realizing that there are many benefits to contemporary or modern house plans:

1. Spaciousness

Modern house plans do not utilize space haphazardly; rather, space is used as efficiently as possible and complements the entire structure as a whole. This includes designing ceiling space as well as hallways and corridors to maximize airflow and minimize transitional spaces. Contemporary house plans generally seek a balance between space and overall home size. Indeed, within modern homes, living space is never limited to indoor space but also extends to the way a house is built into the surrounding environment. This means taking into account nearby homes, nature and city zoning laws. A good contemporary home design will consider space both in and around the house and the local environs.

2. Lots of Light

Contemporary home plans also give extra attention to natural light levels. This means including not only large windows facing the south side of the house, but also smaller windows on multiple sides of a room to bring in a natural light level that provides enough light to see by without compromising privacy or brightness levels. Modern home plans that maximize natural light levels can cut down on energy costs during the summer months by allowing you to turn on fewer lights.

3. Aesthetically Pleasing Design

Modern house plans that really shine are those that maintain a balance between design, structural efficiency and overall aesthetic value. Contemporary home plans feature large, bold exterior massing elements; simple shallow sloped shed or flat rooflines; mixtures of natural wood, stone, metal and glass elements; and sharp, clean lines.  A goal of contemporary home design is to integrate aesthetically pleasing aspects into the overall design plan while minimizing unnecessary structural add-ons. Remember: You will be living in – and looking at – your home for many years; why not make it an eye-pleasing experience?

4. Plenty of Room for Customization

Another reason to choose contemporary house plans is the fact that modern home designs don’t necessarily rely on symmetry or other design conventions, leaving plenty of room for customization and future expansion. In some cases, homeowners may even downgrade in size at a later point and build on more outdoor features instead – thus, with modern house plans, there’s no need to overburden your home with rooms or features you don’t require. Customize until you have the right design fit.

5. Earth-Friendly

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly: Contemporary house plans often place a large emphasis on energy and environmental efficiency. This means not being wasteful with materials, insulation, air conditioning, air flow and so on. Maximizing and recycling energy wherever possible is the goal. This includes, among other things, water-saving indoor plumbing, energy efficient lighting and the use of building materials that are sustainable and recycled. These, combined with good natural light levels and efficient airflow, are major aspects of a home design that can save you money – and help the planet – in the long run.

In conclusion, before you decide on a house design, it’s always wise to spend time researching and drawing up lists of the features you do and do not need. Take into account the benefits contemporary designs offer and remember that you can always customize them to your liking.

Note: The home shown above is The Queensbury House Plan 1163A.