Whether you are building fresh or renovating, creating a home with a modern design will raise your property value. New buyers love home updates, especially when they form a cohesive design. It’s possible to modernize an older home to give it a more clean and sleek aesthetic.

Keep reading to learn seven tips to modernize your home.

1. Adjust the Layout

Modern homes utilize open floor plans. There is an emphasis on wide-open space with minimal decorations and furnishings. To update your home, consider adjusting the floor plan by opening up the walls. You’ll create a space that feels spacious, airy and modern.

Most modern properties have an open living, dining, and kitchen space, with separate bedrooms and offices. This allows movement between areas and creates a natural flow within the home.

2. Update the Exterior

Modern homes are known for having interesting rooflines with clear angular architecture. When building a new home, the exterior should offer clean lines and neutral tones. This will improve the resale value as buyers favor homes with updated paint in neutral coloring.

Most modern homes prioritize balance between the indoors and outdoors.  Adding large windows will help to give the impression of a larger and more open house.

3. Include Smart Devices

Smart homes are the rage in modern design. Automated systems control the home’s attributes, which provides a futuristic feel. By automating routine tasks, smart devices simplify living. If you are building a home, you may choose to implement these systems within the structure itself.

However, you can also renovate your home by adding smart features to give it a modern feel. Linking products such as speakers, lighting and security systems to your home network can provide you complete control using only your phone.

4. Consider Environmental Upgrades

Purchasing solar panels can be the first step you take in reducing your home’s environmental impact. Solar power offers a reduction in energy costs and low maintenance for regular use. Many modern homes utilize green design, by using sustainable materials and features.

When renovating your home, consider using reclaimed materials. Many modern houses utilize stone, metal, wood and concrete in their design. Sustainability is a crucial element in designing a new home because consumers want a strategy that will adapt with time.

5. Purchase New Flooring

New flooring can dramatically change the look and feel of a space. Concentrate on choosing a style that is minimalist and sleek to emphasize modern design. Wood and stone are featured more frequently in modern homes than carpet, so consider upgrading if your interior is fully carpeted.

While you are updating your flooring, you may choose to install heating. Thanks to modern technology, heated flooring has become increasingly popular because of its convenience and luxury experience.

6. Prioritize Minimalism

To create a more modern-looking space, you should prioritize minimalism. Modern design emphasizes open areas with minimal decorations and furniture. The lack of clutter allows viewers to focus on the design and style of the home.

To create a minimalist look, focus on practical storage solutions. While a farmhouse might have floating shelves filled with dishes, a modern style home would use sleek cabinets with significant internal storage.

7. Concentrate on Lighting

The lighting should remain unobtrusive to create a sleek design. Consider installing canned lights that won’t draw the eye. Think of decorative lighting as a dedicated feature rather than for functional use. The decorative lighting should match the general aesthetic for the updated space.

Remember to match the finishes inside the house to create a cohesive and thoughtful design.

Design a Home You Love

Use these seven tips to modernize your home. The key is to choose finishes that suit your style and taste. You should design a home that you love. To provide the most significant impact, update the spaces viewed most frequently or used most often.

Guest Contributor: Rose Morrison

Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she provides home maintenance and renovation advice. To see more of her work, check out the site.