How to choose—or fuse—the right design aesthetic for your forever home.
What Does “Home” Look Like to You?
You might assume designing a custom home starts with drafting a floor plan. In reality, every successful custom homebuilding project begins with a vision. And for many homeowners, the first big question is this: What style fits me best? Finding your home style isn’t always as simple as referencing a Pinterest board. It takes research and reflection!
Whether you’re drawn to clean lines and minimalist interiors or cozy porches and handcrafted finishes, your home’s style should reflect who you are, how you live, and what you love. And, while it’s amazing how many overlapping trends and regional variations there are, the sheer variety can make finding your style a lengthy process.
To help you get started, this blog will break down three of today’s most popular residential styles—Contemporary, Craftsman, and Farmhouse—along with how to mix elements or personalize them to create your one-of-a-kind home.
If you’re looking for the perfect team to personalize your home, start by contacting the Carolinas’ premier custom builders—or read on to learn about some style options first!
Understanding the Styles
They say you need to know the rules to break them properly, and we agree! It’s important to remember that these styles are not intended to restrict possibilities, but inspire them—more prescriptive than descriptive. Here are a few of the styles and their defining hallmarks that might inspire your new home:
Contemporary Style: Clean, Minimal, Forward-Thinking
Contemporary homes are all about simplicity, open space, and thoughtful innovation. Think floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek finishes, and a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. This style often emphasizes horizontal lines, asymmetrical facades, and flat or low-pitched roofs.
Why it works:
Contemporary homes are perfect for those who appreciate modern amenities, natural light, and minimal clutter. Contemporary homes also lend themselves well to sustainable features, like passive solar design or energy-efficient materials. It’s not strictly minimalism, but a clean look is core to this popular methodology.
Design markers to look for:
- Open floor plans with flexible living spaces
- Minimalist kitchens with slab cabinetry and integrated appliances
- Use of concrete, steel, glass, and natural woods
- Bold lighting fixtures and streamlined hardware
Craftsman Style: Timeless, Handcrafted, Inviting
Rooted in the American Arts & Crafts movement, what we now call the “Craftsman” style emphasizes craftsmanship and unique detail. Some typical hallmarks include deep front porches, tapered columns, exposed beams, and rich woodwork throughout the interior. As you might notice, these details are often structurally based rather than strictly visual.
Why it works:
As a design philosophy that celebrates personal details, the Craftsman style is beloved for its warmth and character. It suits families who want a home that feels cozy, traditional, and grounded in craftsmanship.
Some ideas to inspire your home:
- Built-in shelving and custom wood detailing
- Overhanging eaves and decorative brackets
- Fireplaces as focal points in living areas
- Earth-toned palettes and natural materials
Modern Farmhouse: Cozy, Casual, and Character-Filled
Farmhouse style blends rustic charm with clean lines. Think shiplap walls, wide plank floors, black window frames, and bright, airy interiors. The “modern” element introduces more simplicity and sophistication than the traditional farmhouse of the past—and often more geometric visuals as well.
Why it works:
Modern farmhouse homes excel in balancing the homey atmosphere of old-time farmhouses with the inspiring sheen of the modern era. It’s approachable, functional, and adaptable—ideal for homeowners who want casual comfort with room to entertain.
Some farmhouse-favorite elements include:
- Board-and-batten or vertical siding exteriors
- Covered porches with metal or gabled roofs
- White or neutral color palettes with dark accents
- Oversized kitchen islands and barn-style doors
Blending Styles: A Fusion Unique to You
Perhaps the only thing more enrapturing than finding your home style is fusing the ones you love most. While each of these styles has its defining characteristics, your home doesn’t need to live in a single design box. In fact, some of the most striking custom homes blend styles to create something fresh and personal.
Here are a few ways VPC Builders helps clients find harmony between multiple influences:
- Craftsman + Contemporary: Modernize the traditional Craftsman with cleaner lines, monochromatic finishes, and open layouts while preserving exposed wood and artisan elements.
- Farmhouse + Contemporary: Keep the airy charm and rustic textures of Farmhouse design, but pair them with sleek metal accents, bold lighting, or minimalist furniture for a modern edge.
- Craftsman + Farmhouse: Combine the timeless trim and earthy tones of Craftsman style with Farmhouse’s open space and vintage-meets-modern feel for a cozy yet current home.
Of course, these represent only a small handful of the virtually endless combinations you can achieve when finding your home style through stylistic fusion. With the right team, blending these looks is practical and fun—it’s often the best way to reflect your personal taste while achieving the timeless look we all aim for.
Personalizing Your Home Style
Beyond the visual aesthetics, your home should reflect your lifestyle and the surrounding region. There are several ways to approach this, regardless of your preferred school of design. Here’s how we help VPC homeowners make their style truly their own:
Functional Personalization
From oversized pantries to home offices and flexible family spaces, your style should support how you live every day. For example, a Contemporary home can still include cozy reading nooks or a traditional fireplace—it’s all about balance.
Regional Considerations
In the High Country and surrounding areas, local materials, climate needs, and mountainous terrain can influence design decisions. Craftsman and Farmhouse styles, for example, can be beautifully adapted to blend into wooded or mountain environments.
Custom Finishes
The little details—custom cabinetry, unique lighting, hand-picked tile—are what make a home feel yours, regardless of the overarching style. We help clients personalize finishes to bridge multiple influences and reflect their vision.
The VPC Approach: Design That Feels Like You
Remember, finding your home style isn’t about what’s currently trending—it’s about experimenting to find what feels right for you. Here at VPC Builders, our custom process is rooted in listening first, then designing with intention to achieve above-and-beyond results.
We help you clarify your design priorities.
Through mood boards, walkthroughs, and design consultations, we help you find visual language for what you love—even if it spans multiple styles.
We translate your ideas into cohesive design.
Blending styles isn’t just about picking elements—it’s about making them work together. Our team specializes in creating continuity across design features and finishes.
We build what others can’t.
As true custom builders, we’re not bound by a single aesthetic or a set of pre-designed plans. Whatever you imagine, we can bring to life with quality and care.
Bring Your Style to Life With VPC
You don’t have to choose between timeless and trendy—or even between personality and practicality. With a custom builder by your side, you can build a home that’s perfectly tailored to your vision and your life. Let VPC Builders help you discover and define your style—then bring it to life from the ground up.
Looking for more design inspiration? Contact VPC Builders today.
