Welcome to the Modern interior design style guide where you can see photos of all interiors in the Modern style including kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, foyers and more.
Related: Modern Bathroom Ideas | All interior design styles | All residential architectural styles | Modern Closet Ideas | Modern Kitchen Appliances
Modern Homes (Exteriors)
Check out these spectacular homes showcasing the Rustic style architecture.
1. “MaisonP” Residence by PietriArchitectes
Modern home situated on a hill with a spectacular mountain view and an expansive lush lawn. The horizontal lines structure of its exterior creates a perfect symmetry with the surrounding.
See more here. Source: PietriArchitectes
This is the back part of the house featuring minimalistic design with full height windows fitted on the plain white walls. Parallel lines continue to blend with the serene atmosphere and green lawn.
2. Broadmoor Residence by David Coleman Architecture
A sprawling home enclosed in glazed walls and warm wood plank cladding. It includes a straight pathway with shrubs and plants on its sides leading to the home’s entry door.
See more here. Design by David Coleman Architecture
Sliding glass doors where you can have a glimpse of the living room and kitchen area of the house opens to the outdoor corridor and to the lush green courtyard.
3. Spectacular Razor House in La Jolla, California
Deluxe modern house on top of the hill with tinted glazing against the white walls. It is defined with a circular and linear aesthetic highlighting the modernity of the house.
See more here. Source: Redfin
A bird’s eye view featuring green landscape surrounding the modern luxury house. You can indulge yourself in a rooftop pool with an amazing ocean view.
4. GOM House by (ma!ca) Architecture
A huge tree on white pebbles stands in front of the modern red house showcasing a simple straight exterior.
Side of the house with full height glazing and natural wood deck with pebbles on its end. It is accented with potted plants and various sized circular white decors in the corner.
See more here. Design by (ma!ca) Architecture
5. Noe Residence by Studio VARA
A closeup look at the gray modern house clad in wood planks and paneled glass walls. It has concrete planters on the side along with potted plants that sit in front of the wooden entry door.
See more here. Design by Studio VARA
This gray house features two balconies framed in frosted glass panels and a deck enclosed in red wood fence.
6. 20th Street House Design by Barker Freeman Architects
Modern house with a box design boasting light wood plank walls contrasted with a darker tone right in front of the modern staircase with brick landing and wooden handrail.
See more here. Design by Barker Freeman Architects
Light wood plank walls match the deck in this patio offering a gray round back chair and neon pink side table.
7. Deep Point Road House by BFDO Architects
A modern white house situated in a slope surrounded with towering trees. It has wrought iron railings and picture windows accented with warm lights.
See more here. Design by BFDO Architects
Beautiful landscape highlighting the side of the house with a straight pathway that leads to the pebbled yard.
8. Gomez Road House Expansion Showcases Prestigious Art Collection by Hughes Umbanhowar Architects
A sparkling swimming pool provides a visual focal point in this modern house. Palm trees and white lounge chairs fill the outdoor space with lush lawn and hedge.
See more here. Design by Hughes Umbanhowar Architects
This modern house is composed of white walls and floor to ceiling glass windows. It has a relaxing ambiance from the tranquil pool in between palm trees.
9. Cherian Residence in India by Architecture Paradigm
A white modern house across a concrete courtyard framed in wooden fence and railings. There is a vast assemblage of plants that sprout up to the back of the house creating a refreshing background.
See more here. Design by Architecture Paradigm
An abundance of greenery can be seen at the back which almost covers the house. There are this grassy area and shrubs lined to the house serving as its backyard fence.
10. Panoramic Windows Show Off Modern Home Interior
Minimalist modern house with the clean concrete surroundings. It has white walls beautifully contrasted with dark wood detailing and louvered facade.
See more here. Design by Canny
A concrete white staircase leads to the front door of the house resembling a floating box.
11. Striking G-House by Lab 32 Architecten
This fully glazed modern house stands in the middle of a lush green lawn. It has a sleek design incorporated with glass windows for an expansive view.
See more here. Design by Lab 32 Architecten
The glowing interior of the house can be seen through the glazed walls overlooking the amazing lake with a natural wood deck illuminated by outdoor lighting.
12. Immaculate Narrow House by FORMstudio
Stunning tall modern house wrapped in glazed windows where you can have a view of the interior against the white walls. The upper level is clad in bricks with aluminum-framed windows.
See more here. Design by FORMstudio
An oversized spherical pendant illuminates this dining room along with natural light that flows through the full height windows. It showcases a round dining table surrounded with modern white chairs over concrete flooring.
13. Strategic R House by Artigas Arquitectes
Sleek modern house integrated with a sparkling pool and grassy lawn with a hardwood deck in between that extends to the house’s platform. It is lined with gray columns framing the first floor of the house along with the patio.
See more here. Design by Artigas Arquitectes
Angled side view of the house showing a curved pavement that leads to the modern house boasting a rectangular pool and lush yard with stone walkway and shrubs.
14. Incredible Amalgamous Tower House by David Coleman Architecture
Modern glazed house accented with wood paneling that provides full privacy to some parts of the house. It has a concrete tiled courtyard filled with trees in a brick planter box.
See more here. Design by David Coleman Architecture
This backyard features a rooftop patio and stone fire pit along with a built-in wooden bench paired with a dining table and white chairs.
15. Exhilarating Modern Hawthorn House Project by Canny
Impeccable modern house surrounded with a metal gate that’s fitted to concrete posts. It has a manicured lawn and potted plants that blend well with the white facade.
See more here. Design by Canny
This is the back of the house showcasing a luminous swimming pool with glass railings separating from the green lawn. Its interior has an open concept design which can be seen from the glass walls.
16. Eye-Popping Burgess Street Project by C.O.S. Design
Various plants and shrubs filled this modern house that incorporates a resort-style. It is designed with concrete elements and full height glazing.
See more here. By C.O.S. Design
A closer look at the house with concrete staircases leading to the gorgeous infinity pool and pond. It includes covered patios with frameless glass balustrade.
17. NC-Office Architects Design a Beautiful Custom White Modern Home
Box modern house with a multi-layered design concept featuring a tiled concrete courtyard and walkway leading to the garage and security gate.
See more here. Design by NC-Office Architects
There’s a raised pool on the side of the house clad in marble tiles that extend to the outdoor flooring. A patio and open corridor can also be seen on this side along with balconies framed in wrought iron railings.
18. Inspiring BL Single Family House by Burnazzi Feltrin Architetti
A white modern house sits on a concrete platform and is surrounded by magnificent mountains. It has glazed windows and balconies with frameless glass balustrades.
See more here. Design by Burnazzi Feltrin Architetti
Linear box architecture is the concept of this house. It is painted in pure white which makes it stands out from its neighborhood.
19. Light-filled Villa Von Stein by Philipp Architekten
A very simple and modern house with a concrete tiled courtyard that’s fitted with a manicured lawn. You can sense optimum privacy here with the concrete white walls.
See more here. Design by Philipp Architekten
The back of the house, otherwise, has full height glazing breaking the solid concrete for a more stylish design. It is filled with a green lush lawn that’s accented with a tranquil pool.
20. Startling Modern Keyhole Project By Eastern Design Office
A modern house accented with a purple door that’s lined with an inverted L-shaped glass window. There’s a concrete staircase at its front complementing with the house border that’s wrapping around the pristine white paint.
See more here. By Eastern Design Office
Here’s the side of the house with scattered picture windows fitted on the concrete wall completing the look of the unique modern house.
21. Uniquely Modern Stacey Turley project by Kariouk Associates
An orange modern house surrounded with vast greenery showcasing full height glass windows in front along with a balcony that’s enclosed on metal railings.
See more here. Design by Kariouk Associates
On this side, we have a straight pathway leading to the concrete staircase which directs us to the balcony and the glazed entry door.
22. Studioninedots Designs Stunning Ultra Modern “Diamond-Shaped” Home
An elegant modern house in the middle of an expansive lawn with perforated shutters and glass-paneled windows. It has a simple box design painted in gray hue.
This is how it looks at night with all the lighting and shutter windows open. The open floor plan house can be clearly seen through the full height glazing.
See more here. Design by Studioninedots
In this angle, we can see the glass windows on both sides where natural light flows through seamlessly.
23. Daniel Lomma Design Creates a Modern Urban Primarypiece Home with the Derby House
A gorgeous modern white house contrasted with a dark brick wall and illuminated by gray sconces. It has a nice brick fence lined with plants which makes it livelier and more welcoming.
See more here. By Daniel Lomma Design
A stunning pool covered with a white concrete wall is seen from this side of the house across a planter box filled with lovely plants.
24. McClean Designs Creates a Magnificent Modern Mansion (San Vincente House)
This modern house features full height glazing framed with black metals that add personality to the house. It includes white marble and black high gloss flooring.
See more here. By McClean Designs
A concrete fence fitted with glass screens shield the house with privacy. Next to it is the garage enclosed in steel doors.
25. Jesolo Lido Pool Villa Custom Home Design by JM Architecture
A sleek modern house accented with a pool that runs the length of the house. Opposite it is the white pebbled yard filled with manicured bushes.
Here’s a closer look at the house’s front with glazed walls illuminated by recessed lighting. There are white seating on the right corner and a pair of mobile lounge chairs on the left.
See more here. Design by JM Architecture
26. Gounod Residence by ISSADESIGN
This is a front exterior view of the house that has a dark textured exterior wall complemented by the multiple glass windows and the accent of the grills above the main entrance.
See more here. Design by ISSADESIGN
Interior Examples (by Room)
The following are photo examples of Modern interiors (room-by-room). Below each photo are links that take you to extensive Modern-Style photo galleries for each room.
The following examples are from this house. By McClean Designs
Living Rooms
This living room features tiled flooring and full height glazing overlooking the lush green outdoor. It has beige sectional and couch along with metal armchairs and dark wood side and center tables. There’s also a modern fireplace fixed to the paneled accent wall which adds warmth and a homey feel to the room.
See more Modern living room designs here.
Kitchens
Spacious eat-in kitchen showcases a dark wood island bar with an attached raised wooden breakfast counter that’s paired with metal chairs. It includes a dining set by the glass windows illuminated by recessed ceiling lights.
See more Modern kitchen designs here.
Dining Rooms
Modern dining room decorated with a round mirror that’s mounted above the dark wood buffet table complementing with the dining table surrounded with taupe cushioned chairs. It is lighted by a contemporary chandelier that hung from the tray ceiling.
See more Modern dining room designs here.
Bedrooms
Sleek bedroom with floor to ceiling glass windows and a sliding door that opens to the patio. Fluffy pillows lay on the gray bed with a white bench on its end. There’s also a seating area by the fireplace over the hardwood flooring.
See more Modern bedroom designs here.
Bathrooms
Modern bathroom boasts a freestanding bathtub in between trough sink and walk-in shower enclosed in glass. It has tiled flooring and glass windows where you can enjoy a serene outdoor view.
See more Modern bathroom designs here.
Entry Halls
Modern entry hall with a high ceiling fitted with recessed lighting along with tall windows and double glass doors framed in black metal.
See more Modern entry hall designs here.
Furniture
Furniture in this style is going to be quite basic as well. You won’t find a lot of plush accents or large overstuffed couches and chairs. You’re going to find very simplistic furniture that may be made of wood or metal.
It will feature a lot of straight lines and monochromatic colors to go along with it. There isn’t going to be a lot of warmth or comfort to the furniture that you have here because it’s much more about the functionality of things.
You’re also going to find that there is minimal furniture and generally a lot of open space that emphasizes the clean lines and simple aspects of the rest of the room as well as emphasizing the structure of the space itself, without furniture to clutter it up.
Modern Landscaping
This modern landscaping features a concrete deck surrounding the tranquil pool. It has a lush lawn filled with plants and concrete seating.
See more Modern landscaping designs here.
What is Modern Interior Design
People often tend to mix up a modern home style with a contemporary one, but they are not the same. The modern style is a celebration of natural materials in earth tones and eliminating all details that are not necessary.
Modern styling tends to use many different shades of the same color in one space. The modern style has clean lines, simple decorations, and a space that is not cluttered.
You will see many open floor plans combined with the modern home style. In the modern style, you will not find any fluff as everything has a purpose and intention. Modern homes let in as much light as possible by keeping the window open and free of coverings.
It often has exposed beams or concrete. You will find more lines and fewer curves in the design of these types of homes.
Interior Style Features
The modern home style is as open as you can get with the interior styling. There are few walls to separate the rooms. Instead, furniture is used to mark one space from another.
This type of design also has as many open windows as possible to allow all the light into space. This type of design has a balance between function and look. Everything in the space is practical, but it must also look good.
- Functional Decoration: while the decoration within the modern home must have a function, it is also beautiful.
- Earth Tones: the colors used inside a modern home are varying shades of natural colors of browns, greens, and even rust and turquoise.
- Wood Materials: modern styling creates a streamlined feel but does not feel cold or clinical because it uses mixed natural materials. These materials include wood, leather, and stone. This design also lends itself to using concrete and steel on the inside of the home, as well as the outside.
- Warm and Inviting: modern design is minimalistic but works hard to still be warm. The modern design is such that it welcomes your friends over but is not overwhelmed with items in the home.
- Modern Art: this type of art is expressive in nature and tends to be abstract. The art tends to be large but minimal with no real frame.
- No Moulding: modern styling does not have ornate design or cornices to distract from the lines of the house. Modern homes have a calm and simple feel to them.
Exterior Style Features
The modern home style was born after the Second World War when construction started to experiment with technology.
Items such as glass, concrete, and steel were used for design, as well as for structural needs in a home. Design that was considered traditional was being rejected for more modern (at the time) expression.
- Use of Glass: modern home style has large glass windows that often go from floor to ceiling. They usually do not have coverings or drapes on them to allow in the maximum amount of light.
- Roof Lines: there are several different types of roofs that are used for modern design, but they all have one thing in common. They are all simple with clean lines. Most importantly, when it comes to modern design, these roof options are functional. The most common roof designs you will see are the gable roof, the flat roof, and the shed roof.
- Materials for Building: modern home style tends to use traditional materials for building, such as stucco, stone, and bricks. If stone or brick is used, a more modern design is created, such as recycled brick. You may see siding that is made from fiber cement or wood.
- Sustainable: modern houses are intended to be as sustainable as possible. That means they use recycled material and renewable energy whenever possible. They have efficient cooling and heating and robust insulation and sealing.
Furniture style
Modern design furniture style is intended to be simple, yet stylish. This design takes classic material like leather and combines it with metal for a timeless, yet more modern feel. Many of the furnishings become statement pieces throughout the house.
Furniture style that is modern design includes:
- Chromed steel
- Acrylic
- Molded plywood
- Glass
Low profile beds are common in modern design. The construction can be wood for a traditional look or finished in lacquer for a sleeker look. Often upholstery is added to soften the look of the bed.
Modern dining calls for a simple, yet sleek table to allow the food to be the centerpiece. There are rarely any other items on a modern table. The table is often mixed materials, such as metal and wood or glass and metal. While the table itself is often simple in design, the right chairs can add a pop of dimension.
The Wassily chair was one of the first pieces of furniture to break the mold when it came to design. This chair has a seamless and steel tube design. It was a radical design when it was created and for some, it still is.
The Eames chair is another piece of furniture that is most widely recognized as a modern design. It was first constructed from plywood and leather but today is made of molded plastic. It is also typically made from recycled plastic. It was created to bring affordable furniture to the masses.
The tulip chair is one of the most popular modern pieces of furniture even today. This is one you immediately recognize when you see it. It has sleek curves while maintaining a simple design. It comes in different materials and can be upholstered or cushioned.
Materials
The modern style was a product of the industrial revolution which combined new material with technology with helped turn away the traditional styles and construction that people had become used to. In modern design, the material is used to create a sense of feeling.
Materials commonly used are:
- Natural Wood and Veneer: the intention of the wood is to create a feeling of comfort and happiness.
- Steel and Chrome: typically metal creates a feeling of cold. Steel is often used for the structure, but can also remain visible to create a modern look.
- Concrete: promotes a feeling of raw emotion. It is molded easily into any form to be used for scaffolding, column, beam, slab, or foundation.
- Brick: while bricks tend to be naturally rigid, they can be combined in various ways to create unique designs. They create a sustainable product.
- Glass: this is a perfect material for modern design. It allows the house to let in light while being transparent. This is one of the most common materials used on the outside of a modern house.
Decor
As with any home style, you will find that the decor is what really makes each style and the modern home style is no different. You will find bold colors used occasionally to break up the neutral tones.
Accent colors and pieces are often used as the focal point of a room. This type of design often has an accent wall that is a contrast to the neutral colors of the rest of the space.
All of the decor in a modern home style has a purpose. You will rarely find any item in this style that does not serve some type of function. The furnishings in this style are minimal and keep the same color throughout the space. Any type of art or decor may have a shape that continues to appear, such as a circle.
Items that fall into the modern home decor are:
- Abstract Wall Art: this type of artwork typically has abstract images on a textured background. They also do not contain any frames around the artwork. Some examples of this type of wall art are Picture Art Hand Painted Texture on Canvas and Modern Abstract Wall Art Decor Black and White Canvas Painting Kitchen Prints.
- Bold Throw Pillows: these throw pillows are often a blend material, typically with cotton, so they are lightweight and soft. Some examples are Geometric Retro Modern Abstract Decorative Pillow and Modern Abstract Stripe Simple Geometric Acrylic Bold Decorative Pillow.
- Bold Throw Rug: these types of throw rugs are velvety soft and have a warm jewel and neutral tones. A perfect example of this is Barclay Arcs & Shapes Red Modern Geometric Area Rug.
- Modern Kitchen: these kitchens follow the same theme as found in the rest of the house. It will have clean lines along with the countertops and cabinets. It will not have any type of decorative panels or edges. The backsplash on the walls also contains sharp lines that are repeated throughout the kitchen.
Styles That Mix Well With It
While there are many things to like about modern design, there are a few other styles that blend well with the clean lines of modernism.
- Mid Century Modern Design: this design has clean lines, highly functional, organic forms, and little design. This design combines the timeless attraction of modernism combined with organic sculptures and built-in curves. This style infuses geometric styling, such as in a fireplace, into the open floor space. This combination of styles uses light to add drama to the room.
- Postmodern Design: this design style combines experimentation and individuality. This style combines varying textures, colors, materials, and lines. In this style, you find the mixing of retro and natural tones. You see mustard, burnt orange, and the famous avocado green. You may also see some metallic colors thrown into the mix. In this style, you see the switch from clean lines to strange angles and odd and nontypical shapes. The postmodern design uses a technique called layering to provide texture to a room. These designs tend to use materials that are plush, like fur and velvet.
- Modern Traditional Design: this style is a bit of tradition mixed with a bit of modern. This is what happens when you mix handmade items and collections of heirlooms. This style takes traditional shaker style items that have humble beginnings and gives them a modern twist. This style is open, warm, and welcoming. This style is more welcoming to the family by adding large wooden dining tables with a cozy feel and comfortable chairs. The modern styling comes in with the decor as it remains simple and sparse, which is unlike more traditional designs. This style is quiet but has a bit of a practical and sensible feel to it. The walls remain bare and become an art unto themselves. The walls may have paneling on them instead of artwork or just a simple painted wall. The woods remain warm and welcoming with natural finishes and simple styling. You will still find white on white colors and similar hues.
Brief Historic Overview
The modern home style is directly related to modern design, which is closely tied to the age of machines, which ranged from the 1920s to the 1950s. It has strong roots in Scandinavian and German design.
This style became the rage in the first part of the 20th century and many other styles were derived from it. This design was thought of to harness machines to build houses that were affordable and furniture that was available to everyone, regardless of class.
This type of design has a purpose for every object in the house. Everything is practical and intentional. You will not find a sofa full of pillows unless they serve some purpose other than sitting on the sofa.
Why It Looks Great
The modern home style has clean lines and everything has its place. All items in the modern style house have a purpose. There is no clutter or unnecessary architecture when it comes to the modern home. If you do not like to be surrounded by a lot of items and stuffy design, this is the perfect design for you.
There is nothing extra about this type of design. If you want the walls to remain stark white and be their own art, modernism is perfect for you. It leaves you feeling warmed by the wood and yet the open floor plan allows you to feel like you can breathe in your own home.