Designing Around the View: Layout Tips for Scenic Lots in Wisconsin
Designing Around the View: Layout Tips for Scenic Lots in Wisconsin
Building a Home That Connects with Nature
Wisconsin is home to some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the Midwest. With shimmering lakes, dense forests, rolling hills, and peaceful prairies, building a home on a scenic lot in this state offers a unique opportunity to create something truly special. But to take full advantage of that beauty, your home’s design must be carefully planned to highlight and integrate the landscape. This is where custom home design for scenic lots becomes essential.
At Bower Design and Construction, we’ve been creating custom homes that compliment Wisconsin’s unique landscapes for over 40 years. We understand that each scenic lot has its own charm and challenges, and we specialize in designing homes that celebrate those features while offering functionality, comfort, and long-term value. Our commitment is to help you build not just a house, but a home that feels one with its environment.
Why the Right Layout Matters on a Scenic Lot
One of the main advantages of building on a scenic lot is the chance to make the view a central feature of your home. This doesn’t happen by accident—it requires a thoughtful layout that avoids blocking views with unnecessary walls or poorly positioned rooms. The goal is to design a home where every window, doorway, and open space creates a connection to the outdoors.
Whether you’re near the shores of Lake Geneva, nestled in the Kettle Moraine, or enjoying wide-open rural views in Union Grove, Bower Design and Construction makes sure your view is a central part of your everyday living experience through smart, view-friendly home designs tailored specifically to Wisconsin’s natural beauty.
Planning Your Layout: Key Elements to Consider
1. Identify the Best Views
Before floor plans are drawn, it’s important to study your lot at different times of the day. Ask yourself these questions:
– Where does the sun rise and set?
– Are there trees or natural formations that you want to keep visible?
– Do you want a view of a lake, field, or forest?
Position the main living areas—such as the kitchen, dining room, living room, or master bedroom—toward the best views. In Wisconsin, a southern exposure will usually offer the most consistent light throughout the day. Bower Design and Construction helps homeowners identify these high-impact sightlines early in the design process.
2. Work with the Natural Grade
Scenic lots often have uneven terrain, including hills and slopes. While this may seem like a challenge, it can actually offer great design opportunities. Walk-out basements and multi-level outdoor areas like patios, decks, and stairways can all be incorporated to make the most of the lot’s character. This also helps preserve the environment by reducing the need for extensive grading or tree removal.
With decades of experience, Bower Design and Construction excels at creating homes that work with the natural shape of the land. This not only improves aesthetics but also structural integrity and sustainability.
3. Use an Open Floor Plan
The open floor plan is ideal for scenic lot homes. It reduces walls and barriers, allowing views to be seen from multiple areas of the house. This makes your interior feel more connected to the outside, while also increasing natural light flow and creating a sense of spaciousness.
Custom home design for scenic lots benefits from minimalistic layouts where the architecture guides the eye outward. At Bower Design and Construction, we frequently design open living spaces that combine form and function—with an eye always on the view.
4. Frame the View with Windows and Glass
One of the best ways to bring nature indoors is through the strategic placement of glass features. Large windows, glass doors, and even glass walls give homeowners a front-row seat to the great outdoors, no matter the season.
Consider options like:
– Floor-to-ceiling windows
– 180-degree corner views
– Sliding glass doors
– Glass-walled sunrooms
Bower Design and Construction emphasizes these elements in our custom scenic lot homes, making each room feel open, airy, and connected to the outside world.
5. Create Outdoor Living Spaces
Your connection with nature shouldn’t stop at the walls. Extend the livability of your lot with customized outdoor areas that are perfect for entertaining, relaxing, or simply enjoying the seasons.
Some popular features include:
– Elevated decks with panoramic views
– Covered porches for rainy days
– Screened sunrooms for mosquito-free summer nights
– Outdoor fireplaces or kitchens
Bower Design and Construction focuses on seamless transitions between interior and outdoor spaces, ensuring your scenic lot is fully enjoyed at every opportunity.
6. Be Mindful of Privacy
Privacy matters just as much as the view. Designing scenic lot homes requires a balance between open visuals and secluded areas. Use strategic landscaping, fencing, and judicious window placement to protect your privacy where it matters most without compromising the views you love.
For example, living spaces can face outward toward the most beautiful scenery, while bedrooms and bathrooms can be more inward-facing or angled to avoid direct lines of sight from neighbors or paths.
Design Strategies That Work Well in Wisconsin
Embrace the Seasons
Living in Wisconsin means experiencing all four seasons—each beautiful and harsh in its own way. Your home should be prepared for summer sunshine and winter snowstorms alike.
Design elements to consider:
– High-efficiency windows to keep heat in during winter and out during summer
– Radiant floor heating, especially in tile or concrete-floored rooms
– Covered outdoor areas for year-round outdoor use
– Proper drainage systems to avoid water damage from melting snow
– Roof lines designed to avoid dangerous snow build-up
At Bower Design and Construction, we build homes that not only showcase the landscape but are tough enough to withstand the local climate year after year.
Consider Sustainable Features
Protecting the beauty of your scenic lot also means minimizing your home’s environmental footprint. Sustainable design is not just responsible—it’s smart and cost-effective in the long run.
Features we often incorporate include:
– Solar-ready roofing systems
– Rainwater collection and irrigation
– Energy Star-rated appliances and HVAC systems
– Smart home features for efficient lighting and temperature control
– Low-maintenance, native landscaping
Bower Design and Construction stays up-to-date with the latest green building practices, allowing you to reduce your energy usage while preserving the natural charm that drew you to the land in the first place.
Personalizing Your Custom Home
Make It Uniquely Yours
The view may inspire the overall layout of your home, but your personal lifestyle shapes every detail. Do you host large family dinners? Need a private study with a view? Want a hobby room flooded with natural light? Every Bower Design and Construction home is tailored around your needs, not a template.
We’ll help incorporate personalized touches such as:
– Custom cabinetry
– Artistic lighting
– Built-in workspaces
– Relaxation zones with scenic outlooks
Your home should reflect who you are just as much as where you are—and we’re committed to making that happen with care and creativity.
Design for Flexibility
Smart design means planning for today and tomorrow. As your family grows or your lifestyle changes, your scenic home should grow with you. Flexible spaces that can serve multiple functions or convert over time are a must.
Ideas include:
– Bonus rooms that can become guest bedrooms or home gyms
– Age-in-place features like wider doorways and step-free entries
– Loft areas for reading or study
– Separate spaces for hobbies or home offices
Bower Design and Construction ensures that your scenic lot home is not only beautiful but adaptable for years to come.
Partnering with the Right Builder
Designing and building on a scenic lot isn’t your average construction project—it takes knowledge, experience, and a deep appreciation for nature. Bower Design and Construction brings over 40 years of experience designing homes in Wisconsin, always with a focus on craftsmanship, communication, and care.
By working with a trusted local builder like us, you ensure that every tree, hill, or view is considered from the start. Our team takes pride in turning your vision into a smart, well-crafted home that works in harmony with your surroundings.
Let Your Landscape Inspire Your Home
Owning a scenic lot in Wisconsin gives you more than just open space—it provides a rare chance to design and live in a home that celebrates the beauty of nature. With thoughtful design, personalized layout choices, and the right building partner, you can create a place that fits your life and highlights every stunning angle of your land.
If you’re ready to begin your journey toward custom home design for scenic lots, Bower Design and Construction is here to help. With the experience, knowledge, and passion to make your dream home a reality, we look forward to building something beautiful with you.
