Thanks to Minecraft’s block palette, most people probably think first of medieval buildings you can create in the game. But by now there are so many blocks and textures that almost anything is possible! Modern builds have their fans too and can be created in Minecraft without any trouble. You do, however, need to approach your ideas differently, look for real life examples, and pick the right blocks and items. We’ll give you the most important tips so you can bring your ideas to life perfectly!
Modern Minecraft houses: features and architecture
You can find modern houses everywhere in the real world, yet they are a surprisingly underrated style in Minecraft. A quick Google search or a walk through a nearby neighborhood shows clear differences from traditional homes.
This style actually translates very well to Minecraft, because what stands out first are the many edges and corners. Modern houses often look like stacked rectangles, which fits perfectly with Minecraft’s blocky aesthetic. You also won’t see pointed roofs—most of the time it’s just flat roofs. That simplifies construction and lends itself to a modular approach.
There’s also a clear direction in terms of color palette: white is found on nearly every modern house and is a key part of the facade. That often comes from concrete and sometimes even exposed, unrendered surfaces. You’ll also see various shades of gray, from light to dark, as contrast. Finally, there are many **accents in wood, which keep the connection to nature.
One feature you should never forget is large windows. They’re essential to modern style and ensure plenty of natural light inside. They come in many shapes and can break up the massing of the house.
Building a modern house in Minecraft: step-by-step
Based on these notes and observations from real modern homes, you can already apply many points directly in Minecraft. If we take typical modern and minimalist builds, you should work with rectangles of different sizes and line them up as you like. We recommend laying them out temporarily with colored wool to see how they interlock and look from different angles. It’s fine to let blocks intersect so the build doesn’t feel too “blocky.”
Best materials for modern Minecraft builds
Now that you’ve set the foundation, you need the right materials to fill in and detail the house. Thankfully, there are now many blocks that are perfect for a modern style! Again, we recommend using real reference photos and trying to recreate them in Minecraft. It’s often more about the texture and color.
Concrete: No other block in Minecraft suits modern architecture as well as concrete. The sand-and-gravel mix has a clean, minimal look, and it comes in many colors. White concrete is especially good, but the gray tones are indispensable too!
Quartz: Before concrete, quartz was the best white block. The star here is smooth quartz without borders, but both variants work well. Quartz has a subtle texture and a slightly warm tint, which sets it apart from concrete and makes it more interesting. There are also alternatives such as quartz bricks and quartz pillars for stronger accents.
Terracotta: Terracotta blocks can be thought of as darker counterparts to concrete: similarly clean, but less saturated. Thanks to their natural composition, they carry a slight brownish hue and can be a great alternative to concrete. The gray tones are the most useful and create excellent contrast with white concrete.
Wool: You can, of course, use wool, which also comes in many colors. Wool has a coarser texture that doesn’t always fit modern houses, but it definitely has its place. Otherwise, wool is perfect for carpets to decorate interiors.
Wood: Wood is a key component of modern builds and creates wonderful contrast with the black-and-white base. Whether as wall cladding, flooring, or ceilings, you should definitely incorporate wood elements. Dark oak looks especially classy! A pro tip is stripped logs, which look cleaner while keeping a natural feel.
Glass: As mentioned above, glass is very important for modern houses. Large glass facades are a hallmark of the style and an absolute must! Both full glass blocks and thin glass panes work great. You can also use stained glass to integrate it better—again, gray tones are a great fit.
Leaves: You can neatly define exterior spaces and gardens with leaves. They work like trimmed hedges or bushes and their shape fits modern builds perfectly.
Stone/Andesite: If you prefer more natural-looking concrete, as in brutalist architecture, regular stone and andesite are excellent. They combine well and have a natural texture that still feels clean and modern.
Blackstone: Various forms of blackstone also work well, offering a deep black texture for strong contrast. The brick variants are particularly effective.
Deepslate: The different deepslate blocks are likewise useful. Deepslate tiles, in particular, read like small bricks and make wonderful flooring!
Modern interior design in Minecraft: tips
Once the exterior walls are done, it’s time for the interior. Here, too, you need to think differently than with medieval builds to stay on theme. In general, opt for a clean, minimalist interior. Real-world reference images are great for inspiration.
Further tips:
Break up large white surfaces with different decorations, such as paintings, trapdoors as shelves, or plants.
For light sources, we recommend sea lanterns, end rods, or froglights. They look clean and modern.
As with leaves, green accents are perfect for modern builds. Skip colorful flowers and use plants like bamboo or saplings to elevate your home.
If you work with colors, keep the palette limited and focus on one or two base tones. For example, turquoise works very well, and nether woods can also be effective.
Conclusion: Embrace modern build ideas in Minecraft
Minecraft is perfect for trying out different building styles. The modern style is often overlooked, even though Minecraft’s blocks are a great match for it! With real references and the right palette of blocks, you can create a beautiful modern house—a refreshing change from wood and cobblestone.
Rent your own Minecraft server from us and show your friends what’s possible in Minecraft. With so much the game has to offer, everyone is sure to find their own building style.
