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7 Outdoor Living Ideas for Your North Georgia Home

September 19, 2023 by greenmellen Leave a Comment

There is no better place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life than North Georgia mountain retreats tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains. With their rustic charm and natural beauty, these mountain homes provide the perfect backdrop for embracing the great outdoors. If you’re fortunate enough to own or rent a luxury mountain home in North Georgia, you’ll want to make the most of your outdoor space. In this blog, we’ll explore a range of outdoor living ideas that will help you create a paradise right outside your door.

Cozy Fire Pit Gatherings

North Georgia’s crisp evenings are perfect for gathering around a fire pit with friends and family. Fire Pits come in all shapes and sizes. Consider adding a stone or brick fire pit to your outdoor space, complete with comfortable seating like Adirondack chairs or a built-in bench. Features like glass stone or LED lighting add to the ambiance. Fire pits make the perfect gathering spot for roasting marshmallows, tell stories, and enjoy the warm glow of a crackling fire while stargazing in the clear mountain skies.

Expansive Decks and Porches

A well-crafted deck or porch can significantly enhance your luxury mountain retreat’s outdoor living potential. Whether you prefer a wrap-around porch or a multi-level deck, these spaces provide the ideal setting for morning coffee, afternoon reading, or evening cocktails. For year-round use, it is not uncommon to see a three season room or screened in area, equipped with radiant heating or an electric fireplace. When designing your outdoor space, make sure to include ample seating, rocking chairs, and even a porch swing for that quintessential mountain retreat experience.

Outdoor Kitchen and Dining

Elevate your outdoor living experience by installing an outdoor kitchen and other amenities. North Georgia’s abundant natural beauty deserves to be savored while enjoying a delicious meal. Consider a built-in grill, a smoker, a prep area, and even a mini-fridge. Pair this with a dining table and chairs, and you’ll have the perfect spot for hosting al fresco dinners and BBQ parties.

Lush Landscaping

Take advantage of the stunning natural surroundings by enhancing your outdoor space with native plants and flowers. Create colorful gardens and natural pathways that blend seamlessly with the forested landscape. A well-landscaped yard not only adds beauty but also attracts local wildlife, providing you with endless opportunities for bird-watching and wildlife observation.

Relaxing Hot Tub Retreats

After a day of hiking or exploring, there’s nothing like soaking in a hot tub beneath a starlit sky. Consider installing a hot tub on your expansive deck or patio for the ultimate relaxation experience. Surrounded by the sounds of nature and the cool mountain air, you’ll find serenity like never before.

Outdoor Games and Recreation

Transform your outdoor space into a recreational haven. Set up a horseshoe pit, a cornhole game, or even a small basketball court. These outdoor activities are perfect for bonding with family and friends, adding an element of fun to your mountain escape.

Hammocks and Reading Nooks

Create cozy nooks where you can unwind and lose yourself in a good book. Hang hammocks between trees, set up a hammock chair, or create a tucked-away reading corner with comfortable seating and soft cushions. These spots offer solitude and relaxation amidst the tranquility of the North Georgia custom mountains home.

Your North Georgia mountain retreat’s outdoor living space can be a haven of relaxation, entertainment, and connection with nature. By incorporating these outdoor living ideas, you’ll make the most of your mountain home and create unforgettable memories with friends and family. Whether it’s a roaring fire pit, a picturesque porch, or a rejuvenating hot tub, the possibilities are endless in this enchanting part of the world. So, embrace the natural beauty of North Georgia and transform your mountain retreat’s outdoor space into a haven of outdoor living bliss. Contact WaterStone at Jonica Gap GA to help create your custom mountain dream home!

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Custom mountain home, luxury mountain home, mountain home, mountain retreat outdoor design, mountain retreat outdoor space, North Georgia mountain retreats, North Georgia mountains, Outdoor activities in North Georgia, outdoor living ideas, rustic mountain retreat charm

How to Choose the Right Plan For Your Custom Mountain Home

July 18, 2023 by greenmellen Leave a Comment

A custom-built mountain home is like a dream. Building a home is not only a great way to live in the mountains, but it allows you to design it exactly the way you want, right where you want it. 

Designing and building a custom mountain home requires careful consideration and planning. Here are some steps to help you choose the right plan for your custom mountain home:

7 Tips to Consider When Picking a Custom Home Design

Define your goals and needs 

Your dream may have started with a few Pinterest boards and a trip to the hardware store to look at backsplashes. However you find inspiration, it is important to define your goals before you are ready to start choosing your final look. Start by identifying your goals and needs for your mountain home. Consider factors such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the desired square footage, specific features like a fireplace or a large deck, and any other requirements you have in mind. This will help you narrow down your options when choosing a plan.

Select a Your Location

The mountains have a lot to offer. You can live on more remote lots, in the middle of a town, on lakes, or anywhere you prefer. Consider not only your view but the type of land you want and the limitations. Important questions to ask your builder:

  • What is the water source?
  • Is the lot accessible?
  • How is the land graded?
  • What are future plans for the surrounding area?

These are a few of the many questions you want to ask your builder and realtor. Understanding the basics about the area and lot can help you choose the perfect location that meets your needs and allows you to incorporate all of your dream design features.

Choose Your Dream Team: Architect, Builder, and Designer

Your dream home needs your dream team. You want to choose an architect and builder with experience building custom mountain homes. Experienced professionals can provide valuable insights and guide you through the planning and design process. Discuss your goals with them to ensure the plan aligns with your vision and meets their capabilities.

Find Your Exterior Home Style

Research the various architectural mountain-style homes. Popular styles like rustic, log cabin, contemporary, or modern mountain homes each have their unique characteristics. Consider your personal preferences and the architectural style that will blend well with the natural surroundings. Ask for references from past customers to see if you can view the outside of the home. Seeing the home in the natural surroundings is great for inspiration.

Pick Your Floor Plan 

Ask your builder and architect for design plan examples. Get to know your options in terms of functionality. Consider the flow between rooms, positioning bedrooms and common areas, and integrating indoor and outdoor living spaces. Ensure the plan suits your lifestyle and provides the desired level of comfort and convenience. Once you have selected a base plan, work with your architect or designer to customize it to your specific needs and preferences. This may involve modifying room sizes, reconfiguring layouts, or adding unique features that enhance your mountain home’s functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Go Green with an Energy Efficiency Home

Mountain areas often have fluctuating temperatures and unique climate conditions. Ask about plans incorporating energy-efficient features such as proper insulation, passive solar design, efficient heating and cooling systems, and sustainable materials. This will help you reduce energy consumption and maintain a comfortable environment.

Choose Your Interior Style

Remember those pins and dream boards you created? It’s now time to turn those into a reality.

Look for common design elements, materials, and finishes that resonate with your vision. Work with your building and design team to incorporate your style into the plan you choose. The perfect mountain retreat is a combination of your style and embracing the natural beauty around your new home.

By following these steps, you can choose a suitable plan for your custom mountain home that reflects your vision, meets your needs, and harmonizes with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. When you are ready to take the next steps, let our team at Waterstone at Jonica Gap help turn your vision into a reality.

Filed Under: Custom Construction Experience Tagged With: Custom home, custom home builder, Custom mountain home

WaterStone at Jonica Gap
Off of Hwy. 60 on Jonica Gap Road
Mineral Bluff, GA 30559
P: 706-222-5588
W: www.mountainsir.com

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WaterStone at Jonica Gap
Off of Hwy. 60 on Jonica Gap Road
Mineral Bluff, GA 30559
P: 706-222-5588
W: www.mountainsir.com

Developed by

Waterstone Land Group Logo
Mountain_SIR_Horz_WHT

Sales & Marketing
by Mountain Sotheby's International Realty

Realtor and Equal Housing Opportunity Logos

© 2025 Waterstone.
All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy