Building and designing a home is more than just achieving a certain aesthetic. It’s also more about creating a space that suits your lifestyle.
A traditional home draws inspiration from the past eras. It embraces elaborate details, from its architecture to interior decor. A modern home, on the other hand, prioritizes simplicity and functionality. It takes on a minimalist approach, with design elements from contemporary forms.
While the typical stereotype for traditional style is rather cluttered and obsolete, many of the modern homes today were built centuries ago. So there’s more to the two than meets the eye.
In this post, we’ll break down the differences between traditional and modern architecture and design, their origins, and what makes each style unique. We’ll also look at the essential elements to incorporate so you can create your own space.
What Is a Modern-Style House?
The term “modern” can be attributed to austerity. In a modern-style home, minimalism is the focus. It prioritizes practicality, in that, its elements, from the color to finishing, must be functional rather than just an adornment.
That said, it extends beyond the clean aesthetics of contemporary architecture, minimalism, and clean lines.
There is a common misconception that modern architecture and interior design are the new. However, the austerity of this style came from the 1920s and lasted into the 1930s.
New or trendy goes true only with contemporary design. By description, contemporary homes are extremely minimalist and more streamlined. They are much more sleek and stark than modern homes.
While taking on a minimalist approach, modern homes offer a more homey vibe or warm feel. They have more layers and embrace organic elements for a cozier, earthy space. Such homes have distinct styles and features inspired by the current trends.
Key Features of Modern Homes
With a focus on function, modern homes use industrial elements to cater to the needs of the late industrial age. Steel and concrete enhance the organic feel of modern architectural design, harnessing the brutalism concept by being bare and exposed.
Modern homes are pared down of excessive ornaments and classical flourishes. They favor clean and simple designs. The decor in modern houses is intentional and essential.
It also favors repurposing existing structures while still being unimposing. So, even the dreariest home decor can be turned into something beautiful and useful. It’s also how the “green home” concept of modern houses came to be.
What Is a Traditional-Style House?
A traditional-style home is exactly what they are. It has a historical origin from different eras like Victorian, Colonial, Craftsman, and Neoclassical architecture. Traditional architecture is an expression of different traits and features from those structures, however, they all share the same building materials.
Even with the boom of ultramodern and contemporary homes, many homeowners still prefer to add a traditional twist to their abode.
This proves that the charm of traditional houses is still very much relevant. You just need the right elements and features to preserve the vintage feel. The concept is timeless.
Traditional homes began in the 17th and 18th centuries, but their elements were carried into the 19th century. Homes from those eras didn’t have open-plan space like a modern house, but they were beautiful, elegant, and inviting. Such homes might look eccentric to some, but nothing beats their homey vibe.
Key Features of Traditional Style Homes
Traditional-style homes have easily accessible materials such as bricks and wood. Some of the features and elements that farmhouses and Victorian homes have in common are towering pointed ceilings with one or two front-facing gables, and large, open hallways with hanging beams and rafters.
You may see multicolored drapes that are stretched from the ceiling to the floor, tabletops, and floral decors everywhere. All of which add to the character of a traditional home.
A treasure trove of a cabinet full of fine China, engraved wood, magnificent fixtures, and ornamental items made of crystal are also classic aesthetic traditional design elements. These features help create a space full of interesting elements.
The architectural and design concept behind it allows you to fully customize your space to reflect personal style and taste.
What’s the Difference Between Traditional and Modern House?
Traditional and modern homes offer a different vibe and feel. Both have their own set of characters that are quite unique from one another. Regardless of your choice between the two, there are some things you need to consider, including:
Floor Plan
Traditional homes often have more partitioned rooms than modern houses. Think of separate dining room spaces and a definite laundry area. Some traditional homes, especially in the US, even have basements. The rooflines are simple, clean, and symmetrical, with overhanging eaves.
Modern home plans, on the other hand, are more open. Unlike traditional homes, modern houses are pared down with room separation to foster a more laid-back, open feel. It favors a free-flowing living space, which modern designers love to highlight in multi-purpose apartments.
Windows and Lighting
In many traditional homes, symmetrically spaced windows are some of their defining features. The windows, however, are smaller, requiring more artificial lighting. But this opens the opportunity for homeowners to incorporate unique and antique lighting and fixtures.
Plus, those small stained-glass windows are adorable!
Large, floor-to-ceiling windows and minimalist curtains are common in modern homes. The use of durable architectural glass improves the open plan space and airy feel. It allows as much natural light in, which makes modern homes energy-efficient.
The large windows also make choosing the perfect lighting easy since you don’t need an embellished fixture to match the rest of your home decor.
Furniture Pieces
Traditional homes are a treasure trove of carved wooden dining sets, warm jewel-toned upholstery, charming scallops, and shell motifs. Other pieces include chairs with arching tails and claw bottom legs with a lot of details.
Such furniture pieces are nonexistent in modern living spaces. Modern furniture pieces have clean lines and offer more legroom.
Color Palettes
With traditional homes, designers often introduce colors through their choice of textiles. Patterned, colorful tabletops, curtains, and even kitchen utensils and floorings add a lively character to traditional home styles.
Modern homes typically use white or muted colors. But these homes are not against colors for no reason. White and light colors are important in modern homes because they are reflective and enhance natural light for a more organic feel. The light colors also make every space in modern spaces look clutter-free.
Finishes
Traditional homes typically have wood-grain doors, floors, and cabinets. But if you want a sleeker look and make a statement, modern homes offer different variations. You may lean towards neutrals like black, white, and slate with painted, laminate concrete floors. The more minimalist, the better.
But sometimes, mixing the finishes found in modern and traditional homes can add a more customized feel to the finishes.
FAQs
What Is the Difference Between Modern Design and Traditional Design?
When it comes to interior design, you can consider traditional buildings as more maximalist. In traditional houses, you may find that rich and dark colors are more dominating, with lots of details like floral patterns, as well as figures. The curving lines and the symmetry in traditional homes create a sense of luxury.
Modern interior design focuses more on being minimalist. In modern homes, you’ll find muted light color palettes as dominating. To break the rather stark palette, interior designers sometimes use bold colors as an accent.
Modern homes have open spaces, clean lines, and fewer details. The concept of modern interior design tends to second the famous phrase coined by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, “less is more.”
Conclusion
Modern and traditional architecture and design have unique traits that define each style. If you like the warm feel of traditional homes, go for classic design details. Start with your furniture pieces, and furnishings, and go for colorful drapes and tabletops.
Remember, your version of traditional space doesn’t have to look “old.” Even with the intricate detailing and ornaments, traditional homes can be timeless.
But if you prefer a sleeker and more minimalist approach to living, a modern home will give you endless possibilities. Try to make the most out of space by dotting more functional design elements around. Prioritize your needs.
We hope you’ve found this post helpful. If you have more questions, let us know and we’d love to help you. Thanks for reading!
