Few architectural styles are as popular right now as the mountain modern style. This unique architectural niche combines modern building practices and techniques with everything there is to love about mountain living. That includes incorporating clean lines with natural materials, such as rock, wood, and greenery, as well as the natural beauty and splendor of the great outdoors.
Although it’s increasingly popular, blending modern design elements with mountain aesthetics is difficult. Known as the mountain modern style or architecture, it takes someone with an experienced eye and a knack for blending styles to build mountain modern homes.
If you’re curious and want to know more about this unique style and how to incorporate it into your living space, you’ve come to the right place. This article will explore the materials, design elements, and features to incorporate in the mountain modern style and how to overcome the challenges this style presents.
The biggest challenge of modern mountain home design is the concept itself. Traditionally, mountain homes in the woods aren’t considered modern. Instead, you would expect to find a modern home in a city or oceanic setting.
It can also be difficult to combine the natural materials of a mountain home with modern architecture. Mountain homes should have a traditional feel and incorporate materials and natural elements from the surroundings, such as wood, rock, trees, and more. This doesn’t always mesh with the typical modern home, which relies on bright colors, natural light, and other modern aesthetics.
However, if you can overcome these inherent challenges, mountain modern design is one of the best architectural options in the industry. Combining the natural beauty of nature with modern architecture offers the potential of a truly unique home that’s sure to be the envy of those around you.
The first step in overcoming the challenges of building a mountain modern home is to use the right materials.
Wood is one of the most abundant natural surroundings for a mountain home, and it’s one of the best materials to incorporate into your design plans. From flooring to exposed beams to wood paneling, wood is a must-have for a modern mountain home. The naturally warm color of wood also creates a warm and inviting atmosphere inside. Just be sure to use lighter wood to avoid a rustic cabin feel.
Light-colored rocks are an excellent option for accent walls or countertops. You can also build a rock fireplace and feature it as the centerpiece of your living room.
It’s also a good idea to incorporate other local materials and elements in your design plans. This includes local plants, flora, fibers, and trees that will bring life and energy to your home.
While it’s important to use natural wood and natural fibers to retain a certain rustic charm, you should also incorporate modern materials to avoid going too rustic.
Steel is your best friend when it comes to combining modern aesthetics with mountain homes. You can use steel for metal accents, such as window trims, furniture legs, and more.
You also want to incorporate plenty of glass features in your mountain home. Glass is a good option for coffee tables, doors, and light fixtures, in addition to windows.
From kitchen countertops to flooring, concrete is a very versatile material that should be featured in a modern home set in the mountains.
In addition to modern lines and aesthetics, it’s also important to incorporate modern technology in your mountain home.
Smart home technology is a great way to make any mountain home feel new and updated. That includes smart thermostats, security systems, appliances, and entertainment systems. Installing solar panels and a whole-house generator may also be beneficial so that you aren’t left in the dark during power outages.
A big part of modern living is the work-from-home craze. Therefore, if you have a job that allows you to work remotely, why not do it in the comfort and luxury of your modern mountain home? However, in order to work from home, the right way, you need a dedicated home office space.
Ideally, your office space should have a nice view, which shouldn’t be an issue with modern mountain homes. A good home office should also be well-lit with large windows that let in natural light. You should also incorporate light, neutral color palettes for your walls and flooring while sticking to the outdoor theme.
The mountain modern home is all about incorporating modern aesthetics with the great outdoors. Therefore, it’s essential to have relaxing and welcoming outdoor spaces, including a patio, deck, and more.
As any interior designer knows, an outdoor living space requires just as much planning and attention as an indoor one. This is where you can get extra creative by incorporating rock and wood elements into your design plans.
Although they’re not the most energy-efficient option, high ceilings are an excellent idea for a modern mountain home. High ceilings, such as cathedral ceilings, will help your living spaces feel less cramped and more open. This is especially important for your living and dining room, as well as for bedrooms. As an added bonus, install ceiling fans in cathedral ceiling areas to generate airflow during warmer months.
Open floor plans go hand in hand with cathedral ceilings. Both of these modern design features are intended to make spaces feel larger and more open than they actually are. That way, you can avoid feeling cramped when you spend more time indoors during the cold winter months.
Last but not least, natural light is an absolute necessity for modern mountain homes. This requires large windows and skylights, which are two other architectural features of a high-quality mountain retreat.
Parker Platt, AIA, is the esteemed President and Principal Architect at PLATT, overseeing the design direction of all projects. PLATT has been in business for over 40 years and is a full-service architecture, construction, and interior design firm based in Brevard, North Carolina and serving clients throughout the Southern Appalachian Highlands and beyond.
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