Contemporary design is often defined by its simplicity, sophistication, clean lines, balance, and use of textures in a deliberate way. This design is often confused with modern Contemporary Exterior Design because of the similarities they share. However, both designs are quite different from each other. The main difference lies in the fact that they refer to different art eras and periods. Modern design in home exteriors and interiors was born out of the modern art movement in the early 20s and lasted till the late 20s.
It includes the art deco inspiration from the 1920s and mid-century trends from the 1950s and 1960s. Contemporary designs, on the other hand, refer to anything current or in trend. They draw inspiration from new trends and are not established in a particular period- making them fluid and flexible. Today, they include trends that support environmentalism, globalism, and individualism. Here are some ways you can get the perfect contemporary exterior design that will stay relevant for a long time.
Select the style
The first thing you need to decide is what kind of style you prefer- do you want to go with a modern design or a contemporary one. The deciding factor for this would be your long-term goals as well as your budget. If you are unwilling to change your design every few years or if you do not have the budget to make changes to every trend change, then contemporary might not be the answer for you. Instead, you should go for modern design as it is classic and timeless and won’t require a lot of changes.
If you like the timelessness of the modern design but would like to stay up to date, you can go for a mix of those two designs. This can be done by keeping the bigger concepts modern and fixed- the architecture, height of the house, design of the house- and the more tangible aspects like doors, landscape, porch, and back garden contemporary as they can be changed easily and don’t require as much budgeting.
A lot of contemporary trends often turn into timeless and classic features as well. For example, sustainable furniture and home designs are here to stay as they cater to bigger issues that are global warming and environmental protection. Similarly, the use of the color green, which started as a contemporary trend is not a staple. People are still using it in a lot of homes.
Roofs and roofing materials
The next thing you need to decide on is the roofing and roofing materials. These depend on the place you live in and the weather conditions there. If you live in a place with a lot of rainfall, then it is also important that you get your gutters installed by professionals. This will ensure that the rainwater does not damage your house’s exteriors or interiors. To get gutters installed, you can click here. The roofing materials might also differ depending on the kind of exterior you are going for. Where modern designs utilize wood, leather, or stone; contemporary exterior designs are more set in the sustainable use of materials that will last you longer, according to the current trend. The contemporary design implements the use of metal and steel along with wood and other organic materials like plaster, travertine, and concrete for its roofs.
Select color pallet
The color pallets for modern and contemporary designs are similar as they both work with neutrals. However, both designs have a very distinct approach to neutral colors. Also the way they use them in the home exterior designs. The difference exists because modern home designs get their inspiration from modern art movements. Cater to that kind of style. Whereas contemporary exterior designs focus heavily on the kind of trends that are in the present or can be there in the future- they are more outward-looking.
Often, these homes have a color pop just at the door with the rest of the house being completely neutral. They give a more classic feel to the homes. On the other hand, contemporary designs are also employing neutrals but in a very fresh and new way. It can often be in contrast- employing opposing shades like black and white. It can be more woodsy- using the various shades of brown and wood to create texture and color. Highly saturated tones for a pop of color are pretty common with contemporary designs. Contemporary designs are not as formal as modern designs. It can therefore adopt color pallets depending on what feels best at that time.
