Contemporary Features for Your Cincinnati Custom-Built Home

Contemporary homes are hot commodities in Cincinnati right now. With good reason, too: They’re environmentally friendly, eye-catching and have a clean, streamlined appearance. Custom building a home gives you the opportunity to design the look you love and a house that fits you perfectly. If a contemporary home is your dream, here is a rundown of the style’s essential elements.

 

What Is the Difference Between Modern and Contemporary Style?

Many people use these words interchangeably but they are in fact different styles. Contemporary architecture refers to the ever-evolving styles of the 21st century. The style encourages a never-before-seen emphasis on individuality. Modern design is its predecessor, referring to an era that has passed; “mid-century modern,” for example, refers to styles of the ‘50s and ‘60s. While it relies somewhat on modern design, borrowing clean lines and a connection to the outdoors, there are many key differences in the rest of contemporary design’s defining features. Contemporary homes are typically warmer and cozier in design. Contemporary is what’s new, while modern is what was new in the time period. The contemporary style continues to evolve, while keeping the key elements we describe below.

Open Floor Plan

The days of separate, smaller rooms have come and gone. The popularity of the open floor plan grew in the post-war era thanks to the growing size of families and an increased desire for getting together. The trend continued to grow in the ‘80s when it hit New York City lofts.

Contemporary homes often have an open floor plan, with the most common connections being between the kitchen, dining and living rooms. The openness of contemporary homes give them a bigger feel. Plus, all residents and their guests can enjoy the space together sans division. The absence of walls gives the stage to natural materials and natural light, making an open floor plan a staple in today’s luxury homes.

Clean Design Elements

The colors and structural design elements help set contemporary homes apart from others in the neighborhood. Neutrals, black and white are the main colors. An occasional pop of color can fit with the style, but it should complement the space and not be overbearing. Take advantage of structural elements like exposed air ducts and beams.

Picking the right materials is important to carry the design throughout the house. Good choices for flooring include wood (specifically light varieties like birch or maple) or tile to keep the appearance clean and flowing between spaces. In the kitchen and bathrooms, choose streamlined cabinetry. Building materials like metal, stone and glass work well in a contemporary room. Finishes should be sleek and smooth. Gathering around the fireplace is still a pastime in homes of this style. Fireplaces should be clean-lined with touches like contemporary sheathing.

Straight and Streamlined

Perhaps the most defining element of a contemporary house is its strong, clean lines. Unlike their modern counterparts, lines in contemporary homes can be both straight and curved; they can also be vertical or horizontal. Free-form lines, another staple of the contemporary style, allow homeowners to express individuality. The crisp lines and ample, airy space of the master bathroom in our Creekside custom luxury home in Indian Hill enhance the “Zen-like” atmosphere.

 

Geometry and Asymmetry

Another defining feature of contemporary houses is their unique, asymmetrical shapes. They are geometric in nature, with facades that tend to be made up of a selection of distinct shapes. Some are boxy, while others are circular or triangular. From every angle the house might have a different appearance. A contemporary design might include nooks and courtyards, but will never appear cluttered. Windows are often placed asymmetrically. You will commonly find floor plans in an L, T, H or U shape.

The Great Outdoors

Even before you go inside a home, it’s easy to identify its contemporary style from the curb. The outside is often composed of a mix of materials like concrete, steel, glass and stone, plus wood or metal panels. Stripped down trim often adorns the exterior. Simple, flat roof lines draw the eye to the unique shape of the house. The strong angles and asymmetrical layout of the facade are another tell-tale sign.

Seeing Clearly

With an emphasis on all things natural, being connected to the outdoors while inside a contemporary home is key. Natural light should flood the space. You’ll often find that windows in these homes don’t have dividers. Glass doors are another common feature to bring in even more natural light; huge windows do the same. Clerestory windows are also common in these types of houses, composed of panels placed high up the wall, drawing the eye outside.

Luxe Lighting

With an emphasis on all things natural, being connected to the outdoors while inside a contemporary home is key. Natural light should flood the space. You’ll often find that windows in these homes don’t have dividers. Glass doors are another common feature to bring in even more natural light; huge windows do the same. Clerestory windows are also common in these types of houses, composed of panels placed high up the wall, drawing the eye outside.

Even with their large windows, lighting is important in a contemporary house to elevate the appearance of each room. Contemporary lighting design rejects ornamentation and excessive embellishment while seeking to enhance a house’s clean lines and functionality.

Consider trendy versions of classic lighting styles like chandeliers and pendants, plus contemporary table and floor lamps with sculptural and geometric designs. Recessed lighting and track lighting are other great options to illuminate a contemporary room. Flush-mount lights are practical options that are making a comeback in the world of design; they add dimension and flair from the ceiling. Other modern takes include floating rings or LED lighting.

To ensure that the lines of the house don’t go unnoticed, consider sconces. The latest trend is to have one single bar that can be positioned vertically or horizontally. To highlight the strong lines in your house no matter what type of lighting you have, go for shaded bulbs with a gentle glow to add contrast.

Airy Stairs

Just like open floor plans, open staircases are a common feature in a contemporary house. Open stairs seem to float and don’t obstruct the natural flow in a space. They are still functional because they have a handrail. Our most popular contemporary style home has a gorgeous open staircase in the middle of the first floor, but it doesn’t distract from the other elements throughout the rooms. 

Environmentally Friendly

The contemporary style emphasizes natural and sustainable building materials. These homes are eco-friendly and often LEED-certified. Sustainable building practices can include locating a home in a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood and choosing energy-saving systems for heating and cooling. Planet-friendly homes may also be water conserving, built with smart materials and powered by solar panels. The Hensley Custom Building Group is a LEED Custom Home Builder.

 

Custom Contemporary Home Builders

Contemporary homes are eco-friendly, technologically advanced and clean, yet comfortable. With the work-from-home trend, people need homes that function well for an office but also allow for entertaining and relaxing. Everyone wants a home that fits the current trends, so contemporary homes are very popular. 

Looking for top contemporary homes in Cincinnati? Hensley is proud to have been named Best Contemporary Home Builder in Ohio by Home Builder Digest and would be honored to make your home vision a reality.

 

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