Home Decor Ideas That Will Make Your House a Modern Home
Introduction: What is a Modern Home?
Modern homes are mainly characterized by their simplicity in both design and decor.
Modern homes are meant to be minimalist, which is why they are usually sparsely decorated. This style is most effective when large windows are incorporated into the exterior of the house, which gives it a more open feel.
Frank Lloyd Wright is often considered the forefather of modern architecture. His work in the early 1900s was revolutionary for his use of steel, glass, and concrete to create open floor plans that would change how buildings were designed. While some of the details have evolved over the course of time his “prairie modern” influence is still being felt today as architects are trying to utilize these same materials to create something new and innovative.
Styles of Modern Architecture
Prairie Modern (1919-1939)
Prairie Modern is a style of architecture that emerged in the 1920s and is also known as “Red Brick Modernism”. The style was championed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and it has since been labeled as one of the most influential American architectural movements.
Some of the most notable Prairie buildings are Wright’s own designs, including his family home Taliesin, Fallingwater, Robie House, Unity Temple, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
Prairie houses are characterized by their horizontal lines. They are low-slung with broad overhangs for protection from sun and rain, but can also have dramatic cantilevers to provide further shelter. Arched windows are often used in Prairie designs to bring more light into homes.
The design principles for Prairie Modern architecture were based on Wright’s personal conception of organic architecture, which emphasized how man’s structures should be part of and fit into their natural environment. The elimination of ornament and the focus on clean lines and open spaces were other core principles.
Prairie-style Modernism was a reaction against the high-style architectural formality of turn-of-the-century America. The buildings were designed to be in harmony with their surroundings, using natural materials that reminded Wright of his earlier projects in Wisconsin.
Mid-Century Modern (1945-1985)
The Mid-Century Modern Movement is the design trend which began in the 1950s with an ambition to create clean, uncluttered spaces. It is characterized by an open floorplan, natural lighting, industrial materials such as steel and glass, large expanses of wall space, minimal ornamentation or detailing.
The emergence of this architectural era is generally attributed to industrialists Charles and Henry Greene who started designing houses using new materials like steel beams and glass bricks in Southern California during the 1940s.
Applying Modern Home Design Principles to Your House
Modern home design principles are based on a few key concepts. A modern home should be open and have a lot of natural light coming through the windows. It should be clutter-free and have a minimalistic look. It should also be contemporary, with clean lines and an absence of natural materials such as wood or stone, as well as minimally decorated with only the essentials.
The goal of designing a modern home is to create an atmosphere that’s tranquil, inviting, and comfortable all at the same time. Additionally, many would argue a secondary objective of creating a structure that blends into the environment its surrounded by. This creates a home that lives in harmony with the build site rather than dominating it.