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Design 101
Live the High Life With Mountain Modern Interior Design Style
Few things are as relaxing as the thought of a secluded cabin high in the mountains. But you don’t need to live at the top of the Rockies to bring that comfort to your own home. Mountain modern interior design style adds the rustic charm of a mountain cabin to any home.
What Is Mountain Modern Interior Design Style
If you’re looking for an aesthetic that combines the rustic charm of a mountain cabin with the sleek elegance of modernity, look no further. Mountain modern style is characterized by warm natural textures, such as wood, stone, and fur, balanced by modern elements, such as sleek metals and clean lines.
Mountain modern is a sophisticated design style ideal for anyone looking to add a little rustic charm to their urban lifestyle or bring a cozy cabin into the 21st century.
Elements of Mountain Modern Style
There are a few key elements that make mountain modern designs feel cozy and cohesive. Combine neutral colors with natural materials for a cozy space to relax in and illuminate it all with plenty of natural light.
Neutral color palette
Neutral colors pair well with most decor and include many natural tones such as browns, beiges, and deep greens or blues. Neutral colors will feel restful and unobtrusive, allowing the rest of your decor elements to shine.
Because many natural materials come in dark colors, look for lighter neutrals such as beige and tan to balance those out. Likewise, don’t be afraid to add some darker colors such as brown or green to add depth to an otherwise light-colored space.
Natural materials
Part of the rustic charm of mountain modern interior design style is its connection to nature. Incorporating natural materials such as wood, clay, and stone evokes the warmth of a cozy farmhouse or an old-fashioned wood cabin. Pair these elements with accents in cotton, fur, or leather to really make the space feel cozy.
Plenty of natural light
One of the best ways to make a space feel more natural is to flood it with natural light. If you already have some large windows you can leverage, that’s great. Simply accent the windows with some sheer curtains or leave them open during the day to let in the sun.
If your space isn’t blessed with a beautiful picture window and adding one isn’t in the cards, don’t fret. You can still get some more natural light into a space using a few visual tricks. Choose a light, neutral color for your walls such as white or beige. This will reflect the existing natural light and make it feel brighter. You can also include strategically placed decorative mirrors in your decor to reflect more sunlight.
You can even incorporate lightbulbs that mimic the spectrum of daylight. Disperse them through a few lamps or accent lights, rather than a single overhead fixture, to diffuse the light.
The Rules of Mountain Modern Interior Design Style
As with any interior design, the most important design rule is that your decor makes you love your space. But if you’re looking for some guidelines on incorporating mountain modern design elements into your space, these might be a good place to begin.
1. Focus on natural shapes and clean lines
Modern aesthetics often incorporate minimalist ideals. Combining minimalism with nature-inspired elements makes the space feel cozy, but not cluttered. When selecting furnishings and decor, stick to smooth, natural curves and clean lines, rather than complex designs. Although there is a place for beautiful, ornately carved pieces, if you have too many of those elements, it can be visually overstimulating.
2. Balance form and function
Another tenet of minimalism is that all pieces in a space should have a purpose. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful. Choose items that balance form and function, such as a clean, modern light fixture that captures the eye while illuminating your space. Ensure that every item in the room has a purpose, be it for seating, storage, or simply a place to rest the eyes.
3. Connect with nature
Emphasize the rustic side of mountain modern style by choosing nature-inspired furnishings and decor similar to the cottagecore aesthetic. Use natural materials such as wood and stone accented with natural textiles such as cotton, burlap, leather, or fur. Choose artwork depicting natural scenes such as a peaceful forest or a golden field. You can even incorporate prints made from leaves or stones. Add some houseplants to bring the outdoors inside and brighten up the space.
How To Bring Mountain Modern Interior Design Into Your Home
The best way to add mountain modern style to your space depends on where you’re starting from. It’s important to find a balance between the rustic charm and modern minimalism of the aesthetic.
Mountain modern interior design in rural homes
Mountain modern lends itself well to homes that are already rustic, such as cabins in the woods or mountaintop retreats. In these homes, adding some modern elements can make the space feel updated and fresh, without losing its eclectic charm. Consider swapping your fixtures and hardware for a sleek metal such as silver. Lean into minimalism by ensuring every item in your space has a purpose, even if that purpose is purely as a visual focus.
Mountain modern style in urban homes
Adding mountain modern charm to an urban setting can be a bit more challenging. If you incorporate too much rustic decor, it can look out of place against the city lights and modern architecture.
The secret is to add a few key elements where it counts, and keep the aesthetic balanced throughout your space. Integrate natural materials such as a wooden coffee table or a leather couch accented with natural cotton or fur throws blankets and pillows. Lean into materials such as stone, which won’t look out of place in a modern home, but still add a rugged touch to the space. Incorporate nature-inspired decorations to round out the look. Hang some leaf prints or other natural artwork or place a variety of houseplants around the space.
Connect With Your Rustic Roots With Mountain Modern Interior Design
Whether you want to modernize your mountain cabin or make an urban home feel cozier, mountain modern interior design style offers the best of both worlds. By integrating the comfort of a mountain cabin and the clean minimalism of modern design, you can create a space that is warm and inviting without feeling cluttered or old-fashioned. Try incorporating a few of these design elements into your space.
Olivia O'Brien
Content Manager
I’m Olivia, the Content Marketing Manager of Furniture.com. I help bring inspiring ideas to life and have authored blog posts that guide customers toward finding the perfect furniture pieces to match their style and needs.
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