Room-by-Room Ideas for a Timber Home That Brings Everyone Together

These warm and welcoming design ideas prove why a timber-framed home is the ultimate gathering spot.

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Welcoming Entry

As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Ensure yours welcomes friends and family with open arms. Start with a covered porch or portico over your front door so visitors can stay dry in inclement weather as they wait for you to answer the door.

Once inside, the foyer should be an immediate reflection of your personality, setting the stage for the rest of your home. Make sure the space is large enough to accommodate several people at a time. (A good rule of thumb is that one person needs 2 feet of space to afford enough room
to remove a coat.)

Include an ample coat closet and a bench or sideboard to allow them to set bags or gifts down as they give you a warm, welcoming hug. And add a mirror so they can perform a quick check before entering the party (it will also make the space appear larger and brighter).

Heidi Long photo

Written by Donna Peak

Somewhere around late-October, as the last leaves fall from the trees, early morning frost glazes the grass and the air becomes crisp and cool, our thoughts turn toward the holidays. The closer they draw, the busier and more frenzied we get. Shopping, cooking, decorating, baking, more shopping … it seems that the more items we check off our to-do lists, the longer they grow.

There is a way to infuse some calm in all this seasonal chaos, and that’s by planning and outfitting your home to accommodate the festivities with ease. Of course an open floor plan comes standard in a timber home, but aside from an open-concept design, let’s explore some timber home hot spots to help you host the best parties at the holidays and all year through.