Exterior Modern House Design Elements [BONUS: Sample Designs]

Design is subjective, but it’s clear that modern architecture all shares some of the same hallmark design elements that stand out with massive curb appeal. Read on for the top exterior modern house design elements.

What comes to your mind when you think of exterior modern house design?

It’s likely that what you picture could be different from what another person imagines because the idea of modern has, well, modernised over the years. Those harvest gold kitchens of the 1960’s were modern for their time and now they’re considered retro (and making a comeback in some homes!).

So what do we truly mean when we’re talking about exterior modern house design?

Let’s take a closer look at what today’s modern aesthetic generally includes. You’ll find that these trends tend to run through most contemporary home design.

#1: Lines, lines, lines

It’s all about the clean lines and geometry that can be achieved with roof angles, walls, and outcroppings. Modern exteriors do away with curves in most cases, instead relying on hard right angles and flat surfaces to create a special aesthetic.

You can see this reflected in the Barossa design, which features a peaked roof with the same angles and flat surfaces that extend from one side of the building to the other. The angles are even reflected in the approach to the home with walkways and driveways that feature linear components.

#2: Asymmetry

Not all homes are created equal, and not all exterior modern house designs need equal spaces on every side or façade. Asymmetry creates a modern visual interest by drawing the eye in one direction, and then another, without equal opposing elements.

Take a look at The One192 exterior for a great example of this. The roof slope exceeds 50% of the width of the structure and then abruptly stops to show a flat roofed garage. There is also a bit of asymmetry in the finishes that are used, with siding on one side and a concrete finish on the other to help the differences in the architecture really stand out.

#3: Natural light

Windows feature prominently in exterior modern house design. Placement may be different from design to design, but larger windows are usually the most popular to allow as much natural light into the space as possible. That can even be seen in the incorporation of skylights.

The Noosa incorporates windows into every element of the curb facing exterior except for the garage, allowing for maximum light to enter through the front of the home, including the front door.

#4: Industrial touches

When you’re looking at homes that feature brick or siding on their facades, you’re looking at traditional homes that aren’t pushing the boundaries of design. Sure, these are functional and can be pretty, but they aren’t going to strike passersby as modern in any sense. Instead, elements like steel, concrete, and rock give a more industrial, modern feel.

We can actually see all of these elements in The Two295 design, which combines concrete, stucco, steel, siding, and even timber for a truly unique, modern look. This exterior modern house design also makes great use of windows for plenty of natural light while also breaking up the harder surfaces with the reflective quality of the glass.

#5: Combining textures

Another benefit of using more industrial materials is that you can combine different textures for a more modern look. Traditional homes tend to use the same one or two materials across the entire exterior surface of the building. Modern homes, however, combine different looks to create visual interest.

The Two255 design from Canberra Home Builders is a great example of these different textures at work. The wood grain of the timber garage doors is a high contrast to the concrete exterior. The concrete itself is also broken up with linear designs and etching. Accents of brick draw the eye toward the entryway.

How to choose your exterior modern house design

Of course, there’s much more to choosing an exterior modern house design than just the exterior, but that makes a great starting point. Most modern homes benefit from the natural light brought in from all of those windows as well as higher ceilings from unique roof plans.

Modern designs will also tend to have more open floor plans, allowing for guests and family members alike to mingle easily from space to space. Often, industrial and asymmetrical elements are brought into the interior design as well to keep things interesting. Concrete, for example, makes for an interesting exterior material as well as a hardworking and timeless kitchen benchtop, bringing design cohesion from outside to within.

As you explore designs, give careful thought to how you want to move throughout the space. Are the rooms you use most often connected to one another in a way that gives you the flow that you want? How incorporated, or not, is the outdoor space? Many modern homes will also be built around outdoor gardens or decks for an indoor/outdoor experience that increases entertaining and living space year-round.

Design your modern dream home with Canberra Home Builders

Choosing an exterior modern house design is a personal decision with limitless options that can make your home as modern, or as traditional, as you would like. You can start by exploring existing home designs and then considering what you might like to change or combine in order to make your dream space.

You can also work with the team at Canberra Home Builders to design your dream home from scratch. Our team has over 21 years of experience crafting custom homes throughout ACT and NSW, where we’re both licensed and insured. We have a variety of designs that you can explore to start from, or you can work with our master builders to come up with a custom home design that matches exactly what you’re looking for.

To help future homeowners get started with their dream homes, we offer free, no-obligation quotes and consultations. Call us on 02 9171 6104 or enquire online to chat with a specialist today!