Owning your dream home in the mountains, whether it's simply a vacation home or a place to retire in peace, is made all the better if you can design your own luxury house. When working with the architects to create the home of your desires, the following tips can help ensure that it is a place you will love for many years.
1: Choose a Design Theme
The main theme for a mountain home is that it doesn't look out of place in its natural environment, but there are many subsets on this design theme to look at. For many, a log home is the most desired type of mountain home design, but for others, stone or masonry feels more rooted in the environment. A-frames, often with a glass front, are a popular choice in mountain homes because they truly allow you to enjoy the view. Further themes to consider are lodge or Nordic design themes.
2: Frame Your View
The view is one of the most important aspects to consider when determining the basic layout and orientation of your home. You and your architect will need to visit the home site, preferably after it has been cleared to open up the views, so that you can decide how to best frame the view. The optimum orientation will not only provide a breathtaking view, it will also work with the light so that you can enjoy the most daylight on the home year-round. This can be challenging in a mountain home due to the shorter days that can be experienced in valley areas.
3: Consider Seasonal Limitations
Seasons aren't something you can ignore in the mountains, particularly if you plan to use the home year-round. If you hope to have a large porch, perhaps with a hot tub in place, you may only be able to use it during the summer due to heavy winter snows. One way around this limitation is to opt for an enclosed porch. You can have it fitted with removable screens to keep out summer mosquitoes. Glass panels can also be added to turn it into a sunroom so that you can continue to enjoy it in the winter months.
4: Add a Great Room
Mountain homes are meant for gathering together with friends and family. Instead of cutting the design up into multiple rooms, consider having a great room that allows for enjoyment of your expansive view. Vaulted ceilings and a central fireplace can make this the favorite room in the home. Great rooms work especially well in spacious mountain homes compared to the smaller living rooms one would find in the city.
Contact a mountain home architect for more help.