How To Give Your Home The Ski Chalet Treatment
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32 minutes ago
Slide off the slopes and onto your sofa this winter
Can’t make it to the mountains this year? Then lean into the next best thing: alpine interiors. Here’s how to recreate the cosy feel that comes with the ski chalet aesthetic.
What Is The Ski Chalet Aesthetic?
It’s easy enough to set the scene. Sequestered from the snow in a cosy wooden cabin, a fire crackles away in the grate and throws golden light onto a lightly worn leather sofa draped with wool blankets and full cushions – the space between them filled with a fluffy rug and low mahogany table (which holds onto a steaming mug of hot chocolate). It’s the postcard-perfect seasonal backdrop: the ski chalet.
And with many of us heading indoors for the winter – it might not be snowing, but British weather has its own bite – the cosiness of alpine interiors has never looked more tempting.
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Forecasted as one of the top festive decorating trends of 2025, the ski chalet aesthetic plays into our want for a warm place to hibernate for the season. ‘There has been a larger shift towards the home being a sanctuary, with more of us embracing interior design that feels grounding and tranquil,’ notes Lizzie Mosley, Director of Hug Rug. ‘People are drawn to the hallmarks of typical alpine interiors, including warm fireplaces, plush accessories and white and neutral tones that complement natural materials and enhance the sense of comfort, making your home feel like an intimate and restful retreat.’
‘The ski chalet aesthetic is a celebration of warmth, texture and atmosphere,’ adds David Harris, Design Director at Andrew Martin. ‘The magic lies in designing a space that feels collected, lived-in, and effortlessly indulgent – like a fireside cocoa after a day on the slopes.’
Expert Tips: How To Nail The Look
Lead With Layered Textures
The first thing we think of when it comes to a ski chalet? Fluffy rugs, soft blankets and woollen knits. You can’t skip out on texture when it comes to this trend – as David tells us, more is more. ‘This isn’t a place for restraint,’ he says. ‘Combine soft wools, linen, faux furs, velvets and chunky knits to create depth you can feel before you see. Texture is the architecture of comfort – and in chalet style, it is essential.’
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Stick To A Neutral Palette
Once you’ve mastered your textural palette, it’s time to move on to your colour palette. David recommends selecting a palette that echoes the typical mountainous landscape you see outside the chalet window: ‘Think wood-soft neutrals, deep forest tones, stone greys and rich cognacs. The colours should feel warm and honest – avoid anything too slick or synthetic. If in doubt, choose hues found in winter sunlight or alpine forests.’
Mix Modern Silhouettes With Rustic Details
Don’t be afraid to stamp some personality on your space, though. ‘A perfectly upholstered sofa with clean lines paired with reclaimed wood coffee tables or blackened metal lighting creates the balance that defines contemporary chalet style,’ emphasis David. ‘Refined does not mean sterile – it means considered.’
Invest In Wooden Panelling
A cosy wooden cabin nestled between snowy hills – it’s the perfect alpine scene, no? ‘Wood adds an unmistakable warmth and rustic charm to any home – a quality few other materials can match,’ notes Neel Bradham, CEO at flooring expert Parador. ‘Think beyond the flooring and consider extending engineered wood from floor to ceiling for a chic, chalet-inspired aesthetic. Shades of grey, beige, medium brown, and deep chocolate each offer their own character, creating spaces that feel both cosy and inviting.’
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Don’t Forget The Rug
While wooden accents are key to nailing the ski chalet aesthetic, our experts highlight that they are often bracketed by softer textures that enhance the cosiness of the space. A quick fix? A plush rug. ‘Texture becomes one of the most important drivers in interior design, with carpet playing a central role in creating hyper-tactile spaces,’ notes Jodie Hatton, Design Manager at Brintons. ‘High-pile carpets and rugs are particularly key, adding dimension, softness and a sense of laid-back luxury underfoot, which works well when creating a ski chalet-inspired space.’
‘Use rugs in warm neutral tones, or restful shades of blue, to add colour as well as plush texture underfoot in spaces with hard floors,’ adds Lizzie, ‘or layer on top of carpets to add colour and create a truly cosy and luxuriously soft feel.’
Incorporate Statement Artisan Fabrics
It’s also worth making the space feel somewhat lived in, says David. His top tip for achieving the look is using artisan fabrics that draw the eye and lean into your personal tastes. ‘Whether it’s a hand-woven throw, embroidery inspired by Nordic folklore, or a luxurious boucle or shearling chair, fabrics that tell a story make the space personal rather than pastiche,’ he says.
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Prioritise Warmth
The heart of a rustic ski chalet is almost always roaring fire. It not only heats up the space, but also weaves cosy charm into the whole room. You’ll want to mimic this warming effect – either with a fireplace or wood burner, or with soft lighting and plush furnishings that similarly encapsulate that feeling of cosiness.
‘Opt for warm lighting with soft pools rather than bright overhead glare,’ advises David. ‘Oversized cushions, inviting sofas and large rugs create a sense of safety and retreat. The room should feel like a hug – visually and physically.’
Finish With Curated Accessories
‘Accessories play a starring role in this trend,’ emphasises David. ‘Think chunky knit throws, vintage skis, antler-inspired lighting, hammered metals, aged leathers and natural hide rugs.’ Although he warns not to get too carried away with the alpine decor: ‘The atmosphere should feel warm and cosy rather than anything overtly themed.’
