Design inspiration for your mountain home
In Colorado’s mountain towns, where outdoor adventure is part of daily life, home designs often harmonize with the surrounding landscapes. These homes are not only appreciated for their beauty and seclusion but also for their thoughtful interiors and sense of retreat. Architectural trends are always evolving, but intentional designs like the elements outlined below can remain relevant for generations.
KGA Studio Architects, located in Denver, Colorado, highlighted nine timeless mountain home trends. Below are a few designs we often see in Crested Butte homes, with stunning local examples.
Multiple Outdoor Living Spaces
Immersion with your surrounding landscape offers fresh air, a unique space for reflection or connection, and incredible alpine views! In the Skyland subdivision of Crested Butte, both 1251 Skyland Drive and 783 Forest Lane offer several outdoor living spaces to take advantage of their unique and carefully designed locations. Whether perched above town, or tucked away in an aspen grove, these homes offer full immersion with nature.
Sustainably Sourced Materials
Quality materials are key in a mountain home as the seasonal elements can be brutal. Interest in using sustainable and locally sourced materials continues to grow. Douglas fir, cedar, and pine are often used in Colorado. Built by Copper Creek Homes, a local builder known for quality construction, 1251 Skyland Drive was built with reclaimed wood walls and Douglas fir beams and trusses throughout by local craftsman Combined Timber Crafts.
Abundant Windows
Many mountain homeowners are taking advantage of the abundant sun, sloping landscapes, and 360-degree views with oversized and abundant windows. Below, 783 Forest Lane offers vaulted ceilings and large windows framing the forest beyond, and 1251 Skyland Drive provides oversized windows facing the stunning sunsets over Crested Butte.
A Mud-Room is a Must
A mountain lifestyle often means adventure, gear, and dirt (or mud). A dedicated space to store and keep the mess from taking over your home is crucial for many active homeowners. The mudroom shown below in 1251 Skyland Drive offers ample storage and opens to an oversized 3-car garage with a dog wash station.
A Home Office
A home office is not only for working remotely, it’s also about staying connected when you want to be. Just because your home is secluded in the mountains, doesn’t mean you have to be totally cut off from the world – unless you want to be! Balance is key. A bright home office with private patio is shown below, from 1251 Skyland Drive.
Lighting Matters
Whether you want a bright space, or a warm and cozy ambiance – or both! – customization and layering of lighting is an element that can set a home apart from the rest. Luxury mountain homes often have an integrated system to totally customize the lighting throughout, like 1251 Skyland Drive’s Control 4 lighting system, allowing for full customization, automation, and energy efficiency.
We see many of these elements in the mountain homes we represent in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley. By designing around a balanced lifestyle with a deeper connection to nature, homes are becoming more sustainable while honoring the landscapes they are nestled in. If you are interested in finding your own mountain home, get in touch with our team!