15 A-Frame House Interior Ideas to Inspire You
Benefits, Disadvantages, and Design Tips for A-Frame Homes
The Spruce / Alyssa Vela
Fact checked by Nandini Balial
When it comes to different residential architectural styles, there is arguably nothing as iconic as an A-frame house. And it is no wonder because they have been around for centuries. Here in the United States, they became wildly popular in the 1950s as vacation houses.
What Is an A-Frame House?
An A-frame house is a simple, affordable, and informal architectural style that has the tall and triangular shape of the capital letter A. It has steep sides that start low, sometimes near to the ground, and peak at the top of the house. The interior is often open-concept with a lack of dividing walls. It is finished with drywall or the ceiling can be left unfinished with open rafters up to its peak.
Abodes like these are famously known for their relaxed rustic vibes and steeply pitched roofs. Both qualities make these resilient houses that are reasonably inexpensive to build.
If you are planning on buying, building, or renovating an A-frame house, we’ve gathered a handful of our favorite examples of this style home that will bring you plenty of inspiration.
Benefits and Disadvantages of A-Frame Houses
Benefits
Attractive: These homes are sleek and trendy or they can evoke the charm and coziness of a ski chalet.
Easier to build: A-framed homes have a simple design and typically an open-concept interior, making them easier to build.
Cheaper to build: The home's simple design requires less labor and uses much less material than other more complex home designs.
Features plenty of light: Many A-frame homes have entire walls of windows to connect with nature.
Great under heavy snow: The steep slope of the roof quickly allows snow, ice, and water to slide off.
Easy to customize: Over time you can modify an A-frame home by adding architectural elements, such as dormers, skylights, and a porch, for example. This style of house can also be expanded with additions to expand the entire structure.
Disadvantages
Prone to termites: A-framed homes are typically built from timber, which can end up as prime real estate for termites.
Lacks privacy: A-framed homes are usually vacation homes and are built with large windows on both sides that can be tough to cover completely. An A-frame home may also have a second-floor loft with half walls or no door for better airflow.
Wasted space: There's potential for wasted space behind the furniture that is placed up against the sloping walls of an A-frame house. Tall pieces may not fit well into the architecture, either.
Loss of square footage: The steep roof creates a compact upper floor that lacks space. Since there is generally less interior space in this style of home, there will be less space to build out closets and other storage areas.
Expensive roof repairs: The extreme pitch of the roof results in more labor and added costs to fix the roof.
Prone to wind damage: Traditional timber homes do not stand up as well to high winds as do homes with steel-framed construction.
Consider an Open-Concept Interior
“A-frame houses lend themselves well to open-concept interiors,” explains Priscilla Moiseoff, lead stylist and interior designer at Walker Edison Furniture. This creates an excellent opportunity to foster a space made for entertaining and spending time together as a family.
Opt for a Full Wall of Windows
A-frame houses typically have more windows on one side—but Moiseoff suggests leaning into that idea even further. “If you have a great view you might consider having a full wall of windows,” she suggests.
Go Neutral
“Going with a more neutral color scheme allows architectural details such as wood beams or hardwood floors to stand out,” explains Moiseoff.
Envision a Statement Wall
According to Moiseoff, a statement wall, such as a gallery wall or a wall of plants, can look natural in an A-frame house as it will accentuate the unique lines of the house.
Go Lengthwise
Most A-frame houses are significantly longer than they are wide—which lends itself well to a lengthy kitchen or gathering space. Consider adding a long island with a couple of bar stools to foster a sense of community in the open-concept kitchen.
Let It Be Natural
“Most A-frame homes make the most of their natural surroundings with smart design choices such as large windows and an unfinished floor plan,” says Zac Houghton, CEO of the home improvement website Loftera. This allows the space to breathe and truly take advantage of the views outside.
Bring in Geometric Touches
A-frame houses are an example of how curves can complement angles, says Houghton. “The curved walls that flank the front and back of the home provide a place for a small seating area, as well as an art display,” he explains.
Add Light Wood Accents
“This space has a rustic mountain cabin vibe, with light wood covering nearly every surface,” shares Houghton. “The floors, beams, and walls are all done in light wood paneling while the sloping ceiling adds to the cozy feeling of this living area.”
Stick to a Theme
“The interior of an A-frame house is often an open-concept, with the living room, dining room, and kitchen all in one space,” says Houghton. “This means that you should decorate your entire home with one theme.”
Bring the Outside In
A-frame houses don’t exactly lack views of the natural landscape but the addition of houseplants will foster a sense of natural splendor that flows from the inside out.
Strategize With Furniture Placement
“When decorating your A-frame home, you want to make the most of the space you have and make use of any tricks that might make the space look bigger than it is,” says Andre Kazimierski, CEO of home improvement website Improovy. “You can help make a narrow room look wider by placing the largest pieces of furniture (like the bed or the couch) parallel to the shorter wall. This squares up the remaining floor area and gives the impression of width instead of length.”
Build a Generous Skylight
Building in a generous skylight will not only add even more natural light to the space, but it’ll also allow for the perfect sky-gazing opportunities come nightfall.
Consider Modular Furniture
“A-frames have smaller areas than traditional homes, so I suggest steering clear of bulky furniture and keeping decorations minimal,” says Giovanni Scippo, director at 3D Lines, a 3D design studio. “Opt for furniture pieces that double as storage. And don't leave the nooks and corners empty.” Choose shorter pieces that won't appear to clutter the home or waste as much space as taller pieces do in smaller spaces.
Mix and Match Materials
Scippo also suggests mixing and matching materials like wood and steel to throw a touch of modernity into your space without taking away from the rustic and natural splendor that the A-frame shape affords.
Opt for Monochromatic Touches
The open-concept nature of A-frame houses can quickly look cluttered if you’re not intentional with furniture and accent colors. Opting for monochromatic touches like all-white walls or furnishings will give the space dimension without looking overdone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lifespan of an A-frame house?
A timber A-frame house can last over 100 years or so if it is not damaged by winds or weather.
Are A-frame houses energy efficient?
The roof of an A-frame potentially makes this type of house more energy-efficient because it does not allow the build-up of snow, ice, or water. However, since heat rises, the second floor of an A-frame house will be hotter than ground-level floors. Installing ceiling fans can promote better airflow to avoid costly heating and cooling bills.
Do A-frame houses have insulation?
A-frame houses, including walls and roofing, are insulated like other homes.
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