Building a Home with a View

How to Incorporate Your Surroundings into Your Design

There’s nothing quite like waking up to a breathtaking view — whether it’s a sprawling city skyline, the calm expanse of the ocean, or the serene beauty of a lush forest or mountain range. If you’re lucky enough to have a home site with stunning views, the key to truly enjoying that natural beauty lies in how you design the space. A well-designed home not only frames the view but also maximises it, ensuring that your surroundings become an integral part of your daily life.

At Brands Built, we believe that every home should feel connected to its environment. That’s why we specialise in designing homes that seamlessly incorporate scenic views into the architecture, enhancing both the visual appeal and the functionality of the space. In this post, we’ll share design tips and ideas on how to build a home that takes full advantage of its surroundings — creating a space that celebrates both the view and the lifestyle it inspires.

1. Orient Your Home to Capture the Best Views

One of the first steps in designing a home with a view is positioning it to make the most of the surrounding landscape. The orientation of your home is crucial, and proper placement can ensure that your views are visible from key areas of the house.

Maximise View Windows: Start by deciding where the most spectacular views are on your property — whether it’s a sunrise over the mountains, the sunset over the ocean, or simply a beautiful patch of nature. Position living spaces such as the living room, master bedroom, or dining areas to face these views. Large, strategically placed windows will allow you to enjoy the scenery from within.
Consider the Sun’s Path: The direction the sun travels across the sky will also affect how natural light fills your home. Make sure to consider both the view and sunlight when orienting your home. For example, if your home faces west, you may want to design it so that the outdoor living areas take full advantage of the evening light, which can be especially beautiful at sunset.
Avoid Obstructions: While landscaping can enhance a view, be careful not to obstruct it with tall trees, fencing, or structures. Plan for open sight lines that bring the outdoors inside, even as you create privacy or shade.

2. Incorporate Large Windows and Glass Doors

One of the simplest and most effective ways to embrace a view is through large windows and glass doors. These elements invite the natural surroundings into your home and create an open, airy atmosphere that blurs the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors.

Floor-to-Ceiling Windows: In living rooms, bedrooms, or dining areas, consider using floor-to-ceiling windows to create an uninterrupted connection with the landscape. These windows not only offer expansive views but also allow natural light to flood the space, making it feel more open and inviting.
Sliding Glass Doors or Bi-Fold Doors: For an easy transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, sliding or bi-fold glass doors work beautifully. These doors can open up entirely, allowing you to step directly onto an outdoor patio, deck, or balcony. When open, they create a seamless flow between your living space and the outdoors.
Window Placement and Framing: Think of your windows as frames for the view. The placement of the windows — whether it’s a panoramic wall of glass or strategically placed picture windows — will dictate how you experience the landscape. You can also use framing techniques like built-in window seats or reading nooks to further enhance the connection with the view.

3. Create Outdoor Living Spaces That Connect with Nature

Outdoor living spaces are an extension of your indoor environment and provide another opportunity to enjoy your surroundings. Designing your home to make the most of outdoor spaces — whether it’s a deck, patio, terrace, or garden — allows you to embrace the landscape and incorporate the view into your lifestyle.

Decks and Patios: A spacious deck or patio is perfect for enjoying your view, whether you’re having a morning coffee, hosting a dinner party, or simply relaxing. Consider the orientation of your outdoor space to ensure it captures the best aspects of your surroundings, whether that’s a breathtaking view or simply good sunlight.
Terraces and Balconies: If your home is multi-storied, a terrace or balcony on the upper level can provide a stunning elevated view. Adding glass balustrades or low walls allows for uninterrupted sightlines while keeping the area safe and comfortable.
Outdoor Dining and Lounging Areas: Create designated areas for dining, lounging, or even a fire pit outdoors, making the view the backdrop for your activities. By using comfortable, weather-resistant furniture and thoughtful lighting, you can extend your living space into the outdoors and use it year-round.
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow: Ensure that your outdoor spaces are easily accessible from indoor areas. Open-plan designs that lead directly to the outdoors can make your home feel much larger, as the space seems to flow seamlessly from one area to another. Consider using large sliding doors or a continuous flooring material (like hardwood or tiles) inside and outside to further blur the lines between the two spaces.

4. Use Materials that Complement the Surrounding Landscape

When building a home with a view, it’s essential that the materials you use reflect and enhance the beauty of the surroundings. Choose finishes, textures, and materials that blend with the natural environment while adding to the overall aesthetic of the home.

Natural Stone and Wood: Materials such as stone, wood, and concrete can help create a harmonious relationship between the built environment and the natural landscape. For instance, stone walls or natural timber accents can echo the textures found in the surrounding mountains, forests, or coastline.
Glass and Steel Accents: Modern homes with sweeping views often incorporate glass and steel, which allow light to flood the interior and highlight the views. A steel-framed glass wall, for example, can create a dramatic focal point and open up a room to the outside.
Neutral Color Palettes: Stick to neutral, earthy tones for your interior and exterior finishes. Soft grays, warm woods, and muted whites allow the natural landscape to take center stage while complementing it without overpowering the scene.

5. Design with Privacy and Protection in Mind

While you want to maximise the view, it’s also important to consider privacy and weather protection in your design. You don’t want to compromise on the enjoyment of your view due to unwanted attention or harsh weather conditions. Here are a few ways to balance this:

Strategic Landscaping: Use trees, shrubs, or hedges to create privacy without blocking the view entirely. This is particularly important if your home is in a densely populated area or near neighbors. Landscaping can provide a natural screen while still allowing you to enjoy the landscape beyond.
Pergolas and Shade Structures: If your view is best enjoyed during the warmer months, consider installing a pergola, awning, or canopy over your outdoor living spaces to provide shade from the sun while maintaining an open feel. These structures can also add architectural interest to your home.
Windbreaks and Screens: In more exposed locations, a well-placed windbreak or screen can help protect your outdoor spaces from the elements while still offering a clear view. This could be a carefully placed wall, trellis, or even a row of tall grasses or plants.

6. Make the View a Central Design Element

Instead of treating the view as just an afterthought, make it a central element of your home’s design. Think of it as a “living artwork” that you want to highlight.

Create a Visual Connection from Every Room: Ensure that every key room (living room, kitchen, bedroom) has a clear visual connection to the outdoors. By designing your layout so that even hallways or corridors open up to the view, you ensure that the home feels expansive and continuously connected to nature.
Use Light to Highlight the View: Position lighting in ways that highlight the view, especially at night. Accent lighting can help draw attention to natural features outside, like water features, trees, or mountain ranges, while also making your interior spaces feel warmer and more inviting.
Architectural Framing: Design your home’s architecture so that the view feels like a framed picture. You can use windows with specific proportions or even frame the view with architectural features such as columns or trellises to create a more dramatic effect.

7. Sustainability and Views: Building Responsibly

When designing a home with a view, it’s important to keep sustainability in mind. Not only does this ensure that your home is energy-efficient and eco-friendly, but it also helps preserve the surrounding landscape for future generations to enjoy.

Solar Passive Design: Take advantage of natural sunlight and seasonal weather patterns to reduce your reliance on heating and cooling systems. Proper insulation, shading, and window placement can help you create an energy-efficient home that’s comfortable year-round.
Minimise Environmental Impact: Ensure that your home’s footprint is minimal and that the design respects the natural landscape. Avoid disrupting local ecosystems, and use materials and construction methods that are environmentally friendly.

Conclusion: Building a Home That Celebrates Its Surroundings

Designing a home with a view is all about creating a seamless connection between your living space and the natural world outside. From large windows and glass doors to thoughtful outdoor living areas and materials that complement the environment, there are endless ways to incorporate your surroundings into your home’s design.

At Brands Built, we specialise in creating homes that not only make the most of your views but also celebrate the unique beauty of your location. Whether you’re building on a dramatic cliffside, a quiet forested lot, or an expansive property with wide-open fields, we’re here to help you design a home that enhances and embraces its surroundings. Ready to start building a home that’s perfectly in tune with nature? Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can