When you think of your dream house, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s a historic saltbox, with its quirky roofline and coastal charm. Maybe it’s a stately Victorian, all turrets and gingerbread trim. But if historical styles just aren’t your thing and you prefer the rationality of open floor plans and sleek lines, then you’ll definitely be Zillowing for that perfect modern house.
But what, exactly, makes a house modern?
Most architectural historians will define modernism as a style or doctrine that coalesced in the early 20th-century—beginning with the pioneering ideas of architects like Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier, designers who rejected ornament in favor of utility—and reaching its zenith sometime in the 1960s. According to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), “Modernism became the single most important new style or philosophy of architecture and design of the 20th century.”
Not only do modern homes exemplify the pragmatic tenets set out by early design masters—“form follows function” and “less is more” as Louis Sullivan and Mies van der Rohe, respectively, commanded—they are also a sheer joy to inhabit, with their open floor plans, minimal material palette, sleek lines, and bounty of natural light. But modern living doesn’t mean having to own a Richard Neutra original or that pristine midcentury ranch house. In fact, many architects hold that a “modern” house comes down to an attitude or spirit, more than a textbook definition.
“There is no one defining element that makes a house modern, and modernity can be expressed in many ways,” insists Matt Berman, a founding principal of the ELLE DECOR A-List architecture firm Workshop/APD. “Overt modernism is often marked by rational organization, open spaces, clean lines, large windows, and crisp detailing. A modern space is also well edited and warm, and it should surprise and delight you as you move through it.”
Safe to say, there are many homes that have appeared in the pages of ELLE DECOR that embody just that—and show that the modern spirit has been reimagined and remixed in plenty of contemporary ways, be it a volumetric vacation house on the Greek isle of Paros or a low-slung sustainable retreat tucked into the topography of Big Sur, California. Read on for 35 modern house ideas that will guide your quest for your forever home.
Lake Michigan Modern
When architect Celeste Robbins discovered this 1956 house designed by architect Winston Elting, she knew it was the one for her. The home, which overlooks Lake Michigan, boasts views over the water, multiple fireplaces, and a generous open layout. “What I like about this particular house is its simplicity,” Robbins tells us. “It’s just a rectangle with intimate courtyards carved out of it.”
East Hampton Edge
Think a modern home needs a flat roof? Think again! “A modern home is a fresh take on an old idea,” says Matt Berman of Workshop/APD. “We love to incorporate the historic gable form, stripping them down to their purest form, connecting them in a well-organized sequence, and adding lots of glazing.” Case in point, this stunning Hamptons residence that looks good from every angle.
Cozy New Zealand Compound
Jenni Kayne—the queen of things of California cool and neutral—often escapes with her family to this breathtaking coastal retreat in New Zealand. The family tapped Auckland- and Los Angeles–based architect Jeff Fearon to design a series of timber-clad geometric volumes that hunkered down into the dunes, so as not to disrupt the surrounding vistas. Jenni, meanwhile, brought her cozy aesthetic to the interiors.
Artful Los Angeles Lair
What do you do when your existing house can’t accommodate your favorite painting? If you’re this Los Angeles homeowner, you build an entirely new one. The client selected local firm Woods + Dangaran to build his dream residence, a modern, all-white vision with 12-foot-ceilings, plaster walls, and interiors by ELLE DECOR A-List firm Studio Mallone. Talk about pretty as a picture!
Floating Guest House on Long Island
What’s solid as a rock but lighter than air? The Lauder family guest house in Long Island. After Hurricane Sandy destroyed their previous cottage, they tapped architect Michael Lomont, of the firm Stelle Lomont Rouhani, to build back better. Its simple rectilinear form is shielded by a sapele mahogany rain screen, which has weathered to blend in with the coastal landscape. “It’s just spectacular. It’s really this magical indoor-outdoor beach pavilion,” Aerin Lauder tells us. “It’s a jewel box—a jewel box in the dunes.”
Rustic Getaway in Maine
This 1968 cabin, nestled on Maine’s Deer Isle, was designed by Emily Muir, an influential architect who designed a handful of modernist dwellings that dot the area. Humble materials and a simple silhouette allow the rugged beauty of the landscape to wash over its occupants. “It had me at the full glass front,” says homeowner Carolyn Evans. “But the fact that it also sits on a huge piece of granite that hangs over the water? You can slip into nature without disturbing it.”
Towering New York City Townhouse
Just because you have an older home doesn’t mean you can’t add modern elements. You just need to hire the right architect for the job. For instance, an 1890s Manhattan townhouse reached new heights thanks to Devin O’Neill of O’Neill Rose Architects. To contrast the house’s historic elements, the architect added a stunning top floor, all glass, angles, and views. “Overall it’s a piece of architecture,” O’Neill says. “But architecture can become art.”
San Antonio Stunner
This house started its life as a humble stone workers’ cottage in the early 1900s. But— as this renovation by San Antonio firm Lake | Flato proves—new and old can live side by side. A modern extension holds the kitchen and bedrooms, but our favorite part is the party-ready courtyard, which features a pool, pergola, and downtown views. “Giving something another chapter just makes it even more special,” architect Vicki Yuan says.
An Ethereal Glass Residence in Amagansett
If you’re a fan of modern greats like Mies van der Rohe or Philip Johnson, this secluded dwelling in Amagansett, New York, will undoubtedly spark envy. The house was built by Richard Bender in 1960 to serve as a prototype for a Utopian community in the Hamptons. “I watched the seasons change that year,” says its current owner, designer Carol Egan, of her first months in the house. “It was an extraordinary experience. I had no idea I would ever live in a glass house.”
A Resilient Residence in Montecito
Tragedy caused this Montecito, California, couple to embrace modernity: their previous home, a Spanish Mediterranean style house, was wiped out during a 2017 wildfire. They turned to designer Jamie Bush and architecture firm Shubin Donaldson to build an ultraresilient—and ultrastylish—version in its place. Today, the house is covered in fire-resistant metal cladding, a move that grants both peace of mind and a sculptural presence. Says one of the homeowners: “We wanted to heed the lessons of nature by collaborating with the environment and our immediate surroundings.”
Defying Gravity in the Hamptons
Amid Shingle Style neighbors, design firm Architecture Plus Information (A+I) created this linear Hamptons home. Poonam Khanna contributed sleek interiors to match. “Grey Gardens, it ain’t,” says A+I’s Brad Zizmor.
