If you’ve ever dreamed of a living space that seamlessly blends the wild beauty of mountain landscapes with the elegance of modern aesthetics, you’re in the right place. For Atlanta interior designers, mountain modern style is a popular request for cabins and vacation homes nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.
The features of this style are traditional and familiar, but careful curation distinguishes it as a clean and sophisticated upgrade from the heavy-handed cabin designs of the past. In this post, we’ll discuss key elements of the style, examine its signature features, and delve into the latest trends that will help you create a home that’s not only stylish but in perfect harmony with nature.
What is Mountain Modern Style?
Mountain modern style, also known as mountain contemporary style, blends rustic elements inspired by mountain landscapes with modern design, creating a harmonious union of nature and modern living. It incorporates natural materials, rugged textures, and ample natural light with clean lines and minimal ornamentation. Interiors often feature open layouts, neutral colors, and a mix of wood, metal, and stone.
Hallmarks of Mountain Modern Home Designs
Natural Materials
Natural materials are the heart and soul of mountain modern home designs. They envelop the home in a timeless serenity, infusing it with distinctive character and an authentic, earthy ambiance. The right blend of materials can provide the perfect palette for your design, whether you’re looking for a rustic mountain home design or a more modern Southern style.
- Wood: commonly used for flooring, cabinetry, furniture, and ceiling beams
- Stone: used for countertops, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, walls, and outdoor features like patios and fireplaces
- Fur: used as accents in the form of pillows, throws, and rugs
- Natural Fibers: materials like jute and sisal are used for area rugs and window treatments
- Leather: used for upholstery on sofas, chairs, and dining furniture
Neutral Palettes and Muted Accents
Mountain home interior design is all about capturing the peaceful and earthy essence of nature. This is achieved through a restrained color palette, primarily composed of calming, natural neutrals that serve as the canvas for artwork and unique accessories to infuse depth and personality into the space.
While accent colors like blue, red, yellow, and green are commonly used, they are kept subdued to harmonize with the serene and organic beauty of the mountain environment. The right accented neutral color scheme can make all the difference.
Plenty of Windows & Natural Light
In mountain modern homes, large, oversized windows serve as portals that beckon the outdoors in, flooding living spaces with radiant sunlight and providing sweeping views of majestic mountains and lush forests. Having plenty of windows and glass doors throughout the home is a must to contribute to this sense of openness.
To carry this idea throughout the home, designers often opt for beautifully reflective glass light fixtures in strategic areas. An abundance of natural light in your mountain modern kitchen will help you make a statement with your kitchen before and after photos.
Open-Concept Living
In mountain modern design, open floor plans are utilized to create a sense of connection and spaciousness and to allow natural light to extend deep into the home. Unobstructed views of the surrounding beauty of nature are also a plus.
The absence of unnecessary sectionalizing contributes to a clean and minimalist aesthetic, a defining feature of modern design. Open-concept shelving and built-ins are also emblematic of the style’s harmonious fusion of efficiency and accessibility.
Outdoor Spaces
A crucial element of modern mountain home design is the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Outdoor areas should be seen as an extension of the living space, which is why balconies, upper-level decks, and porches should be a comfortable and accessible way for residents to enjoy nature.
These areas are perfect for entertaining, relaxation, and soaking in the fresh air and breathtaking views. Roof overhangs play a key role in blending outdoor and indoor spaces and providing protection from strong sun rays and falling foliage.
Gable Roofs and Cathedral Ceilings
Sloped roofs are used for mountain home design primarily for practicality in snowy regions. These roofs also contribute to the striking interior profiles and the expansive, airy interiors that define mountain residences. However, flat roofs are prominent in modern architecture and are being adapted for mountain modern homes that experience milder weather.
Mountain Modern Home Designs: Things to Consider
There are a few things that are crucial to achieving the mountain home interior design. First, it’s important that you let your base materials speak for themselves rather than layering too much decor and overwhelming your space. Be intentional about the color, dimension, and texture of your walls, paneling, trim, and floors so that minimal decor is needed to outfit the room.
This is especially important if you live in a more urban area where it’s easier for rustic elements to feel over the top.
Secondly, it’s important to draw inspiration from your location. Let surrounding nature guide your choices, from the materials you use, like wood and stone, to art that reflects the local animals, landscapes, plants, and cultural roots of the area. If you have a view of mountain peaks, consider incorporating architectural features that mimic their form, such as with ceiling beams, fabric patterns, or window shapes.
The goal is to create a strong sense of place and connection between your home and its surroundings.
Lastly, achieving this style doesn’t necessitate wall-to-wall wood. By incorporating elements like stone walls, carefully chosen wallpaper, and paint, you can dial back from an overtly cabin or rustic appearance, allowing for a more modern and balanced aesthetic.
What’s Trending in Mountain Modern Design?
Lighter Woods
Cabins and lodge-style homes have conventionally been outfitted wall-to-wall with rich, dark brown woods. While beautiful, modern designs call for a more open, airy ambiance, which is why lighter woods are becoming more popular for walls and flooring.
Darker woods can still be incorporated, if just more sparingly, such as for window & door trim or an accent wall. If you have a mountain home, keep your exterior woods dark to better absorb heat during the winter months and to prevent harsh glare from the sun.
Local Sourcing
Sourcing local materials like wood, stone, and art is a great way to connect your home to its surroundings. It’s also an opportunity to develop a more custom design that big box stores and mass-produced items may not be able to deliver.
Convenience and Efficiency
Homeowners are infusing their mountain modern homes with thoughtful features that make them more comfortable and easier to manage. Think ultra-comfortable sofas and fabrics, soaking tubs, pot fillers, and multiple fireplaces.
Moreover, modern touches are coming in the form of smart home features and energy-efficient appliances that simplify daily life and reduce energy costs. Homeowners are also adding skylights to harness more natural light and opting for LED lightbulbs.
Bringing Mountain Home Designs to Life
Incorporating mountain modern style into your home is an invitation to embrace the harmony of nature and the comfort of modern living. With its use of natural materials, neutral palettes, abundant natural light, and open-concept living, this style brings a sense of serenity and connection to the great outdoors that is truly unmatched.
At Z & Co. Design Group, we offer custom home design services to help our clients infuse their personalities into their mountain home designs. Whether you’re nestled in the heart of the mountains or simply seeking to bring a touch of nature into your urban space, our Atlanta design group will help you create the timeless and sophisticated space you’ve always dreamed of.