LIGHT, bright and airy – that’s what we look for in contemporary homes. And this selection of houses is ideal for today’s modern lifestyles... whether you are looking for a large family home or a bachelor pad (or the female equivalent!).

Whitelands, Earswick. Big and beautiful is the phrase that springs to mind when talking about this wonderful family home.

Quite superbly improved and extended by its (obviously tasteful) owners, the highlights here include a quite superbly equipped and presented open-plan breakfast kitchen/dining/family room – a great place for family gatherings or entertaining friends.

There is also a large and comfortable lounge and a further sitting room which opens on to a spacious conservatory overlooking the garden. Now that’s a lot of living space!

Upstairs, there is even more room. The master bedroom, of four, has its own en-suite and builtin wardrobe. And then there is something extra. The owners have created two additional bedrooms and a bathroom by way of an extension – and as these are accessed by a separate staircase this could form an ideal granny flat or a great guest suite.

“It’s not only the size which is impressive about this particular property,” selling agents Ashtons tell us, “but also the style and quality of the refurbishment which sets it apart from similar-priced properties on the market.” We find it hard to disagree… Price: £539,000. Contact: Ashtons (01904 659222).

Kerver Lane, Dunnington. If light and airy is your search criteria, then this is a home which definitely fits the bill.

It’s a detached house in a smart spot with open outlook across the surrounding countryside.

Nicely laid out, it has an entrance hall with cloakroom off, a spacious sitting room with a charming walkin bay window to the front and French doors to the rear opening onto a patio area.

Then comes a dining room, with French doors opening onto a conservatory, and there is also a useful study.

The breakfast kitchen has a splendid range of wall and base units and shelving – and integrated appliances including dishwasher and fridge-freezer. What’s more, there is a separate utility room.

On the first floor there is a master bedroom with en-suite shower room and three further bedrooms.

It’s all wrapped up in gardens and includes a double garage.

Price: £385,000. Contact: Red Move (01904 488444).

Regency Mews, Tadcaster Road. There’s something highly appealing about this home, a mix of elegant styling and cheeky cheerfulness...

This property, along with its neighbours, has obviously been styled in a, well, regency mews fashion so it looks very smart from the outside – and it is elegantly presented internally.

There is a sitting room with an Adam-style fireplace with marble hearth and inset, housing a ‘real flame’ gas fire.

From here a glazed door leads to the breakfast kitchen – a surprisingly large area (17ft long) and smartly laid-out and equipped.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms, with the master having an en-suite shower room and a house bathroom.

Outside, there is an attractive front garden with parking space, while to the rear there is a courtyard and a single garage. Very nicely presented home.

Price: £250,000. Contact: Hudson Moody (01904 650650).

SMART BUY...

Red Barn Drive, Osbaldwick.

Smart contemporary living at a smart price. This modern millie has plenty to offer for the money. It has a nice flow to it with a lounge opening onto a kitchen opening onto a conservatory (opening onto a garden, naturally). There’s also a ground-floor cloakroom.

Upstairs the master bedroom has an en-suite shower room, there are two further good-sized bedrooms and a house bathroom.

Nicely presented throughout...

Price: £184,950. Contact: Churchills (01904 646622