Contemporary home design has been around for
quite some time and just as it existed in the 1950’s it is alive and even more
of a viable design today.A
contemporary home plan will reflect the signs of the times and incorporate the
most current needs and resources of the community.Today when there is a deep seated
emphasis on building “Green”, there are a number of outstanding yet unique
contemporary designs that are attractive, creative and artful.The simplicity of the design with
straight lines and undefined styles is what will keep a contemporary home plan
in the limelight for years to come.Indeed most of the contemporary designs seen these days are timeless and
futuristic.A contemporary home
plan can be vastly creative and at the same time they will take advantage of
current technologies and will most of the time involve the anticipation of new
technological ideas.
Many of the new and emerging designs take
advantage of the new energy efficient advancements and can incorporate the
government’s Energy Star guidelines that can save at least 15% more energy than
other home design elements.There
is also an advantage for using solar heating and the use of new advancements in
wiring for broadband and wireless technologies.And there are many new technologies that
are right around the corner that fir well with a contemporary home
design.
When developing a desire to design and build
a contemporary home plan, an experienced home designer will have to focus on a
homeowner’s real preferences for a modern and advanced structure that will
support the lifestyle of the modern family.While contemporary home design may not
be the choice for everyone, it is certainly a viable choice for the homeowner
who is artistic, creative and futuristic in their thinking.
Many of the elements introduced in a
contemporary home plan include open living and kitchens that open into the
family room, or spaces for families to communicate yet reside in adjacent
rooms.Walls are usually not as
important to living a casual contemporary lifestyle.Bedrooms are generally for their
intended use and little else.Family members commune together in the living spaces within the
home.Most of the new contemporary
homes provide for a bathroom for every bedroom or at least a minimum of two full
baths.
Clean lines and smooth surfaces abound in a
contemporary home design.Flooring
is usually simple yet tasteful.Hardwoods and laminate flooring as well as painted or stained concrete
prevails because of the simple nature of the flooring as well as its ease of
maintenance.Carpets are used in
bedrooms and are usually low pile like a Berber.Stainless Steel appliances seem to also
prevail due to the modern feel they exude and most of the time appliances are
hidden within custom cabinetry.
Within a contemporary home plan one will
notice things like odd, irregular shapes, a lack of ornamentation, an open floor
plan, and tall oversized energy efficient windows, natural materials both inside
and outside the home.And most of
the time the exterior finishes are designed to be in harmony with the
surrounding landscape often incorporating a water feature.Roof styles for a contemporary home plan
include flat or very slightly pitched roof lines with interior cathedral
ceilings and exposed beams.
A contemporary home plan can be simple yet
personal, creative yet artistic and how one styles their life can easily be
accommodated by this very functional and down to earth desi
Preston Wood and Associates is a member the "American Institute of
Building Design" or "AIBD". The "AIBD" is a national organization with
chapters in every major city including
This article was published on Tuesday 29 September, 2009.
