So you have found the perfect spot in the mountains. It is up there, isolated from the rest of the world. Getting the building permit from local authorities was the most difficult step. It will only get easier now, but you need to make an important decision. Before you hire a construction team and gather the materials, take your time to choose a layout suitable for your needs.
There are many options to consider but not all of them are promising. To make sure you pick the right one, take a look at the following 6 best mountain house plans. We exclusively selected those layouts that have plenty of features and offer a lot of value for the money. There is a winner for each category and we have options for big and small budgets alike.
1. 12330JL
SPECS
| Total Heated Area | 1,849 sq ft |
| Rear Porch | 711 sq ft |
| Front Porch | 260 sq ft |
| Bedrooms | 3 |
| Baths | 2.5 |
| Width | 62’11” |
| Depth | 51’5” |
This 3-bedroom mountain house plan with a covered vaulted front porch has a lot to offer. It is built on one level and there are 1,849 square feet of living space, which is enough for a family or a small group of friends living together. The front porch measures 29’x9′ and it has a vaulted ceiling, making it the ideal place to savor your coffee in the morning. Bonus points if there is a spectacular mountain view!
Inside, the 27’6″x16’6″ great room has a fireplace and direct access to the rear covered porch. There are 3 bedrooms in this house and the biggest one measures 14’x16’6″. All of them come with a walk-in closet, so there is plenty of storage space available. We love how seamlessly the indoor and outdoor spaces are combined for your comfort, and you can go outside even if the weather is unfavorable because both porches are covered.
Pros:
- Vaulted ceiling on the front porch
- The house is built on only one level, there are no stairs
- The en-suite bathroom has two sinks
Cons:
- The fireplace in the great room will be difficult to maintain
- Two bedrooms have to share one bathroom
2. 623153DJ
SPECS
| Total Heated Area | 2,214 sq ft |
| Porch | 1,319 sq ft |
| Bedrooms | 1, 2, 3 or 4 |
| Full Bathrooms | 1, 2 or 3 |
| Half Bathrooms | 1 |
| Width | 80’8” |
| Depth | 91’8” |
Here’s an option suitable for an average family. It is a modern mountain-style house plan with an expansion option, allowing you to include additional rooms in the future. The base plan has 2,214 square feet of living space, up to 4 bedrooms, up to 3 bathrooms and a powder room. We love the sharp, minimalist aesthetic of this home, which will appeal to those who live a simpler life.
Inside, the 19’x18′ great room is combined with a 19’x13′ dining area, a 12’x18′ kitchen and the 19’x11’1″ entry in an open-floor layout. The left side of this mountain home has a wrap-around porch that ends in two covered decks with sloped ceilings. A hall makes the connection to the right side where you will find the 23’2″x15’10” master suite, walk-in closet, en-suite bathroom, laundry and garage.
Pros:
- Wrap-around porch with covered decks
- The master bedroom is isolated from the rest of the house
- 3 additional bedrooms in the finished basement
Cons:
- The electrical layout is not included in this plan
- You need to pay extra to add the finished basement
3. 623311DJ
SPECS
| Total Heated Area | 2,813 sq ft |
| Porches | 1,842 sq ft |
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Baths | 2.5 |
| Width | 100’ |
| Depth | 70’4” |
This mountain retreat with a wrap-around deck and a vaulted central core is the perfect choice for a secluded spot in nature. It has everything you need, so it can also be used as a vacation home. The central space of this home is huge and it has a cathedral ceiling. Here you will find a 17’9″x15’8″ dining area and a 19’9″x18’3″ great room with a fireplace and built-in shelves. Every chef dreams of cooking in a kitchen similar to the one in this home.
It measures 17’10″x18’7″ and it has two separate islands. If you choose to add a finished basement to this plan, you get two additional bedrooms, a bunk room, extra storage space and a massive 19’9″x25’5″ family room. This area is accessed from an external pergola deck, which also opens up to the garage and a 22’4″x12′ bonus room.
Pros:
- Two islands in the main-level kitchen
- A living room is included, which is separate from the great room
- A pergola deck grants access to the finished basement
Cons:
- For a house of this size, we expected a bigger garage
- Limited storage space if you don’t include the optional basement
4. 135233GRA
SPECS
| Total Heated Area | 1,679 sq ft |
| Front Porch | 300 sq ft |
| Rear Porch | 657 sq ft |
| Bedrooms | 2 or 3 |
| Baths | 2 or 3 |
| Width | 52’ |
| Depth | 65’ |
You don’t need to spend a fortune to build a comfortable home up in the mountains. This expandable mountain house plan has 1,697 square feet of living space and it comes with a 48’x15′ covered rear deck, which is large enough for you to throw parties and host events. Inside, the 19’3″x18’6″ great room has a sloped ceiling and it shares the same space with the kitchen and a dining area. There’s also a 5’8″x5′ pantry included, which is useful if you only use this property as a vacation home.
The master suite is large enough for a king-size bed, two nightstands, a desk and several decorations. It even has two walk-in closets so couples can store their wardrobe separately. There’s one more bedroom on this floor, but there is one more in the finished basement which can be included in the plan for an additional price.
Pros:
- A massive rear-covered deck which is large enough to host parties
- Ideal for a vacation home in a mountain retreat
- Most affordable option on our list
Cons:
- Only two bedrooms are available if you don’t include the basement
- This plan might be too small for a family
5. 270037AF
SPECS
| Total Heated Area | 1,378 sq ft |
| Deck | 191 sq ft |
| Front Porch | 368 sq ft |
| Bedrooms | 3 |
| Baths | 2 |
| Width | 46’ |
| Depth | 48’ |
If you want your home to blend in with the landscape, this option is for you. It is a modern rustic 3-bed cottage designed for mountain views and it comes with large windows that allow plenty of sunlight to illuminate the interior during the day. There is a total living space of 1,378 square feet, which is more than enough for a small family. Two bedrooms are equal in size and they measure 10’2″x11’6″ each.
The 14’x12’6″ master suite has a 2-side fireplace which also faces the 17’2″x15’3″ living room. Because this area has a vaulted ceiling, the interior of this modern cottage seems bigger than it is. There is only one walk-in closet, but the en-suite bathroom has two sinks and a custom-made shower.
Pros:
- Two bedrooms are equal in size
- 2-side fireplace in the master bedroom and living room
- Spacious laundry that offers plenty of storage space
Cons:
- There is no garage included in this layout
- The patio is rather small, it can only accommodate three sunbeds
6. 23968JD
SPECS
| Total Heated Area | 3,365 sq ft |
| Basement | 1,135 sq ft |
| Main Level | 2,230 sq ft |
| Bedrooms | 4 |
| Baths | 3.5 |
| Width | 62’ |
| Depth | 98’ |
Here’s an option for those with a higher limit on their budget. If you want to live in luxury, check out this mountain craftsman house plan with a finished basement. It offers 3,365 square feet of living space, an oversized garage and a sizable covered deck. The seller even lets you customize this plan and make specific changes. We love that the 15’x15’2″ master bedroom has direct access to a private patio, which offers you even more privacy.
Petrolheads will be impressed by the 23’x35′ garage, which is large enough to hold 3 vehicles at the same time. You can even turn it into a workshop because there is plenty of storage space for all sorts of tools. A basement is also included in this plan and it offers a 17’x22’4″ media room, extra storage space and an additional bedroom with a private bath.
Pros:
- Oversized garage with 3 bays
- The master suite has access to a private patio
- The finished basement is included in the original plan
Cons:
- Most expensive option on our list
- Only one walk-in closet for the master bedroom
Factors to Consider
Before you make a final choice on a house plan, there are several factors to consider that might influence your decision. Take a look at the 3 most important ones and remember them when you are discussing the details with your project manager.
Weather Conditions
When you are building a home in the mountains, chances are you will experience extreme weather conditions. Such areas often see heavy snowfall and high winds. There is always a risk of avalanches or landslides, so you should also make sure your home can withstand the force of nature by using the right materials for its construction and taking preventive steps to minimize potential damage.
Presence of Wildlife
Mountain areas are quite different from urban neighborhoods. There is a lot of animal activity, so you should minimize the impact your home has on their habitats. In most cases, you will have to get a special permit to build a home in the mountains. Make sure you include wildlife-friendly features and defense mechanisms for unwanted invaders.
The View
Some people spend a lot of time on decks and porches after they build a mountain home. If the view is breathtaking, you made the right choice to build a house that will allow you to see it every morning. Take advantage of the excellent views by implementing large windows and orienting the decks towards the landscape.
Why You Should Trust Us?
After browsing through countless house plans, most people would get overwhelmed. When there is an abundance of choices, it becomes difficult to analyze and compare them. Your precious time and energy should be invested in the project itself, not in front of a screen where you get overwhelmed trying to look for the best house plan.
That’s where we come in to do the hard work for you. Our team of expert architects has manually searched through dozens of mountain house layouts from various providers. The 6 most promising ones have been selected for a review, so you can be presented with a straightforward description of their features, measurements, layout and pros & cons.
How Much Do These Designs Cost?
The average price for a mountain home plan revolves around the $1,500 mark. You can find affordable options if you are only looking for a vacation home, with the cheapest one on our list costing only $1,150.
If you plan to live permanently in your newly built home, there are luxurious options with plenty of features included. You can even expand them in the future and include additional rooms when the need for extra space arises. The most expensive plan we have reviewed costs $2,000 and the layout offers a lot of value for the money.
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