There is nothing like a house in the woods—it offers privacy and seclusion, brings to life our childhood dreams of living in an enchanted forest, and provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city. But at the same time, it can go sideways really fast with the wrong design. Here are some design ideas to make your home in the woods look modern and elegant, especially if you’re thinking of selling or renting it out eventually.
Explore the idea of doing a tiny house
A tiny house is exactly what it sounds like: It’s a home or a dwelling that does not go over 400 square feet but still has everything one needs to live—sleeping quarters, kitchen, dining area, bathroom, and even a work station. They can also be a house on wheels, which means you can bring it with you across America. The tiny house movement is also marked by rethinking what is truly valuable in life, like the following:
- Healing and protecting the environment
- Leaving as little carbon footprint as possible
- Spending quality time with one’s loved ones and families
- Saving money for the future
- Depending less on electricity and technology
If you are someone who cares about conscious consumerism and how your lifestyle affects the planet, a tiny house in the woods might be suitable for you.
Maximize the cabin feel of the home
If your residential property is situated in the middle of a forest, why not capitalize on that fact? An imposing mansion might feel good to construct, but it automatically does away with the magic of living in the woods. And even if you choose to construct a bigger house, a cabin or cottage-inspired design can still provide the coziness you’re looking for when you want to escape urban life.
The easiest way to achieve this aesthetic is by using wood materials and textures. A classic farmhouse style looks best against the backdrop of secluded locations where people can only hear the sounds of nature. You can also combine traditional and modern architecture by choosing more up-to-the-minute designs by going for wood materials. Your home will ultimately radiate both comfort and grandiosity without being over the top since the simplicity of the wood materials will neutralize the modern design. A design aesthetic that’s currently sweeping the world is cottagecore, so it might be a wonderful way to take inspiration for your new home.
Prioritize privacy and protection
Another thing to consider when building a house in the woods is your privacy, protection, and security. Here are some things to incorporate into your design when making sure your home is secure from prying eyes, wild animals, or those who might want to cause you and your home harm:
- Add some privacy panels. If you have been blessed enough to have a bigger piece of land, y our home won’t lose its forest feel because you choose to incorporate some privacy panels. Go for materials that complement your home’s design, texture, and colors.
- Go for steel fencing to keep wild animals away. A fence made of steel or aluminum components is elegant, simple, and low-maintenance. But most importantly, they offer full privacy and protection from wild animals who might wander around your property. Companies like Trex Horizons install durable steel fences that you can rely on for a long time—and the best part? Their fences are environmentally friendly, too.
Make use of glass
One of the easiest and fastest ways to instantly modernize your home in the woods is by incorporating a lot of glass and big, open windows. Doing so will instantly open and brighten up your home, and it will provide you with peace and tranquility since your home will make use of a lot of natural light, and you will get a glimpse of the trees and greenery outside wherever you may be in your home. Here are some design elements you can ask your architect to prioritize:
- Floor-to-ceiling windows, which can help you maximize the look and feel of the rainforest you’re living in.
- Skylights, which produce the same effect as big windows, can help you save more on energy costs.
- Go for a more unconventional shape, like a gentle curve as opposed to more square or rectangular ones that glasshouses are always shaped.
A home hidden in the heart of a forest can help give you the seclusion and coziness you’ve always dreamed of. Be strategic about your design decisions to give your home in the woods a modern and elegant take.
