Virtual Escape: Get the Alpine Lodge Look at Home
Missing out on a ski holiday this year? Console yourself by getting the alpine lodge look at home
What to do when friends and family are booking ahead for the ski season – and you know it’s not on the cards for you? While you may not be able to find the time to fly off to the Canadian Rockies or The Remarkables in New Zealand, you can recreate the look of an alpine lodge at home. It’s an easy way to help every day feel more like a holiday, even if you’re only going as far as your own balcony. Here, we explain the thinking behind alpine lodges and show you how to get the look, in every room of your house.
In this living area, a natural stone wall has also been left exposed alongside the timber framing, acknowledging the strength of the structure and its natural composition.
Get the look: If you don’t have the luxury of living in a home made of natural stone and wood, there are still ways that you can get the look of an alpine lodge living room at home. Timber cladding and stone facades are available in a variety of colours and designs, and can be used on floors, walls and even ceilings to recreate this luxuriously rustic aesthetic.
And, of course, don’t forget the open fireplace. It adds to the cosy appeal of these communal gathering spaces, and gives the living room a focal point aside from the TV.
Where to put the fireplace
Get the look: If you don’t have the luxury of living in a home made of natural stone and wood, there are still ways that you can get the look of an alpine lodge living room at home. Timber cladding and stone facades are available in a variety of colours and designs, and can be used on floors, walls and even ceilings to recreate this luxuriously rustic aesthetic.
And, of course, don’t forget the open fireplace. It adds to the cosy appeal of these communal gathering spaces, and gives the living room a focal point aside from the TV.
Where to put the fireplace
In the kitchen
Mountain lodge kitchens tend to be open spaces designed for ease of use as much as their aesthetic appeal, no matter whether their design is contemporary or more traditional. As with any other room in an alpine lodge, the kitchen would most likely rely heavily on timber, in floorboards, roof rafters and often joinery. This kitchen, however, has also added a touch of colour in the eau de nil cupboard doors, as well as the additional warming touch of the cowhide rug.
Mountain lodge kitchens tend to be open spaces designed for ease of use as much as their aesthetic appeal, no matter whether their design is contemporary or more traditional. As with any other room in an alpine lodge, the kitchen would most likely rely heavily on timber, in floorboards, roof rafters and often joinery. This kitchen, however, has also added a touch of colour in the eau de nil cupboard doors, as well as the additional warming touch of the cowhide rug.
For a more contemporary look, the owners of this kitchen have instead paired timber with black accents, and have opted for an island bench in the kitchen instead of a family-style dining table.
Get the look: To achieve a similar look in your home, timber cladding and cupboard doors of natural wood, or timber veneer for a more affordable and easily maintained option, are a great choice. And whether you go for contemporary or traditional, don’t forget to use another colour, such as charcoal or a slightly tinted neutral, to help offset the acres of wood.
Get the look: To achieve a similar look in your home, timber cladding and cupboard doors of natural wood, or timber veneer for a more affordable and easily maintained option, are a great choice. And whether you go for contemporary or traditional, don’t forget to use another colour, such as charcoal or a slightly tinted neutral, to help offset the acres of wood.
In the bathroom
Bathrooms in alpine lodges tend to be generous, as they need enough room for people to remove bulky winter clothing with ease. A deep tub allows bathers to submerge fully and thaw out after a day in the snow. This lodge-like bathroom features a long tub that’s just made for soaking, surrounded by refined, yet still rustic, timber cladding for a natural cocooning effect.
The sheepskin on the floor provides a fluffy feature for added cosiness, while the large window and skylight help to keep what could be a dark and heavy space light and bright instead.
Why wood works in the bathroom
Bathrooms in alpine lodges tend to be generous, as they need enough room for people to remove bulky winter clothing with ease. A deep tub allows bathers to submerge fully and thaw out after a day in the snow. This lodge-like bathroom features a long tub that’s just made for soaking, surrounded by refined, yet still rustic, timber cladding for a natural cocooning effect.
The sheepskin on the floor provides a fluffy feature for added cosiness, while the large window and skylight help to keep what could be a dark and heavy space light and bright instead.
Why wood works in the bathroom
This country-look bathroom has a similarly natural appeal, but with a more comfortable look and feel brought in by the jug vase and the simple flowers that fill it, as well as the more rough-hewn nature of the timber cladding on the walls.
Get the look: Whichever look you prefer, if you’d like to recreate an alpine lodge look for your own bathing sanctuary, make it cosy with natural tones and materials, such as wood, stone and sink-into-me textiles. But make sure there’s still plenty of light in the space so that it doesn’t feel too boxy.
Get the look: Whichever look you prefer, if you’d like to recreate an alpine lodge look for your own bathing sanctuary, make it cosy with natural tones and materials, such as wood, stone and sink-into-me textiles. But make sure there’s still plenty of light in the space so that it doesn’t feel too boxy.
In the bedroom
Bedrooms in alpine retreats tend to be both cosy and well-appointed as, for a truly restful holiday, this is where occupants spend a great deal of their time. This space is bright and beautiful thanks to the light-coloured stone, sand-toned walls and blonde timber, as well as the paler shades used in the bedding. Yet it still has the rustic edge brought in by the stone wall, exposed beams and, of course, the fireplace.
Bedrooms in alpine retreats tend to be both cosy and well-appointed as, for a truly restful holiday, this is where occupants spend a great deal of their time. This space is bright and beautiful thanks to the light-coloured stone, sand-toned walls and blonde timber, as well as the paler shades used in the bedding. Yet it still has the rustic edge brought in by the stone wall, exposed beams and, of course, the fireplace.
In the master suite
Master suites tend to be cosy and comfortable spaces, designed for snuggling up and staying put. The materials lean toward timber tones and natural textures, always illuminated by warm lighting. Layering is important, be it woollen throws, sheepskin rugs or heavy blankets.
Here, a rustic aesthetic has been given a contemporary edge with the addition of polished-steel features and clean white porcelain fixtures in the ensuite.
Get the look: A big bed, an open fire and lots of warm, natural rugs and throws will create just the right environment to encourage you to lie back, snuggle in, and let all of your cares simply slide away down the slopes outside.
Master suites tend to be cosy and comfortable spaces, designed for snuggling up and staying put. The materials lean toward timber tones and natural textures, always illuminated by warm lighting. Layering is important, be it woollen throws, sheepskin rugs or heavy blankets.
Here, a rustic aesthetic has been given a contemporary edge with the addition of polished-steel features and clean white porcelain fixtures in the ensuite.
Get the look: A big bed, an open fire and lots of warm, natural rugs and throws will create just the right environment to encourage you to lie back, snuggle in, and let all of your cares simply slide away down the slopes outside.
In the kids’ room
Bunk beds allow for more visitors and are a common feature of alpine lodges, particularly those used as holiday homes. Heavy, full-length curtains keep the warmth in, while jewel tones lift the requisite timber tones.
These timber bunk beds are turned into something akin to a secret treehouse with the addition of cosy curtains that close off each bunk, serving to provide privacy and a touch of playfulness for those dwelling within.
Bunk beds allow for more visitors and are a common feature of alpine lodges, particularly those used as holiday homes. Heavy, full-length curtains keep the warmth in, while jewel tones lift the requisite timber tones.
These timber bunk beds are turned into something akin to a secret treehouse with the addition of cosy curtains that close off each bunk, serving to provide privacy and a touch of playfulness for those dwelling within.
Here, a different look is achieved with big, open beds both at floor level, but a similar treehouse-vibe is brought in by the loft-like reading space, reached by a ladder for fun or a small staircase for safety. There’s also plenty of space here to store snow gear such as sleds, to make sure children get out and enjoy the beauty and fun of the natural setting.
Get the look: While natural timber is a must-have for any room in your alpine lodge, in the kids’ room you’ll want to bring in a few brighter colours as well to add interest alongside comfort.
Browse more cute and cosy kids’ rooms
Get the look: While natural timber is a must-have for any room in your alpine lodge, in the kids’ room you’ll want to bring in a few brighter colours as well to add interest alongside comfort.
Browse more cute and cosy kids’ rooms
Something Special
In the sauna
Some alpine lodges feature desirable extras such as home saunas. If so, wood on wood is the go-to look. While this is no doubt a luxury option, it would be less likely to break the bank than regular trips overseas, and might just give you the same sense of getting away, even if only for a half an hour at a time.
In the sauna
Some alpine lodges feature desirable extras such as home saunas. If so, wood on wood is the go-to look. While this is no doubt a luxury option, it would be less likely to break the bank than regular trips overseas, and might just give you the same sense of getting away, even if only for a half an hour at a time.
By the pool
Alternatively, a heated indoor pool could give you a similar sense of escape. Here, it pays to carry through the themes of exposed timber rafters, natural stone and lots of glazing to let in as much light as possible, and to keep the space from becoming too enclosed.
Alternatively, a heated indoor pool could give you a similar sense of escape. Here, it pays to carry through the themes of exposed timber rafters, natural stone and lots of glazing to let in as much light as possible, and to keep the space from becoming too enclosed.
On the balcony
Whether it’s a small space for one, or an entertainer’s dream, a balcony that lets you experience the glory of an alpine location is an essential and highly valued aspect of any mountainous retreat. Just make sure there are plenty of blankets and somewhere to put a warm mug of tea … or mulled wine!
Tell us
Would you like to recreate an alpine lodge-look in your home? Tell us how you’d go about it in the Comments below.
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Whether it’s a small space for one, or an entertainer’s dream, a balcony that lets you experience the glory of an alpine location is an essential and highly valued aspect of any mountainous retreat. Just make sure there are plenty of blankets and somewhere to put a warm mug of tea … or mulled wine!
Tell us
Would you like to recreate an alpine lodge-look in your home? Tell us how you’d go about it in the Comments below.
More
Read more fun Houzz stories
Because of the altitude, and the often cold and blustery weather that comes with it, alpine homes tend to be sturdily built, with lots of thick wooden beams and walls of solid stone. These natural – and generally local –materials also tend to be used for building in mountainous locations, because they’re already there, and don’t have to be hauled up the side of a mountain in order to be used.
This living room makes great use of the necessary materials by making features of them, leaving the heavy timber rafters exposed for a rustic aesthetic, and continuing the log-like look with timber cladding on the walls, and similarly heavy timber furniture.