Interior of a house in the Chalet style: How to create an Alpine fairy tale? 210+ Photos of design from inside and outside

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Novozhenina Anna

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Chalet is an interesting style of home interior, which is very popular in particular among those who like to ski. A chalet is a small house that is located on the ski slopes, where tourists temporarily pay their way, although there are those who build such a house for living.

What is a Chalet?

Chalet houses can be compared to European style. This housing is very comfortable and can protect you from adverse weather and cold. Old-fashioned cozy chalets frame and infuse the home with modern pieces.

The chalet style originated many centuries ago in the southeastern part of France, in the Alpine mountains. The chalet was originally a shepherd's hut. It was a very durable building, made of massive timber combined with natural stone. It was built taking into account the protection of people and animals from bad weather.

Chalet is an interesting style of home interior

Reindeer herders built timber-framed buildings with wide, well-supported eaves on the mountain slopes adjacent to their dairy farms. Shepherds lived in these simple houses during the summer months, enjoying the milder climate of the highlands, returning to the valleys before the onset of winter. As skiing and mountain trekking have become popular, chalet house plans have been converted into vacation spots.

Gradually, these buildings began to look less and less like poor huts, their appearance became more well-groomed and functional. Nowadays, the chalet style is very popular. Chalets are still associated with holidays, but not only in mountainous places. The style is reflected in many log cabin plans, including A-frame designs.

The style originated in the southeastern part of France

Key Features:

• the roof is flat, two-level, with a canopy;
• this canopy is located at a great distance from the perimeter of the house;
• the upper floor of the house is built of treated timber, which is plastered and whitewashed;
• decorated with beams, pilasters, and other wooden elements;
• sometimes many surfaces are covered with paint;
• one-story house with a high stone plinth;
• the large veranda is located outside the main structure of the building, so it is located on columns;
• terrace or balcony with roof awnings.

Red pillows as a bright element of the interior

All chalet style houses have the same layout:

• on the ground floor there is a hall, living room, kitchen;
• on the second floor there is a bedroom, a children's room, a bathroom, a dressing room;
• There is a living room or home office in the attic.

The main rule in chalet-style houses is the use of natural materials. The house must be built of wood and natural stone. The floors and ceilings are made of wood, and the surfaces of the walls are treated with plaster and whitewash. Sometimes the walls are decorated with wooden elements.

An important thing in the interior of the chalet is a large fireplace. Traditionally, fireplaces are decorated with wood.

Use natural materials

One of the main decorations of a chalet-style house is flowers. Windows must have shutters. The best option for a chalet interior is a country-style interior.

Bathroom wood trim

You can use wood in the bathroom, but be careful. Make sure the coating is moisture resistant and not prone to fungus development. For wall decoration, choose oak, larch or cedar. The texture of these rocks is combined with rough tiles in brown tones, which are practical to use on the floor and in the shower compartment.

You should be attentive to the plumbing: the interior of the chalet has a certain antiquity that must be matched inside and out. Choose artificially aged faucets that will harmoniously fit into the design of the bathroom.

Lighting is an important detail. Don't forget that the original chalet was a house in a mountainous province. The lighting in it was natural; candles were lit in the evenings. Therefore, the lamps in a modern chalet are small. The light from them is soft and resembles fiery reflections.

Interior finishing

Interior decoration consists of natural materials, finishing with a natural palette. The combination of wood and stone is optimal for building and decorating beautiful homes with a warm, relaxing atmosphere.

Wooden floor and ceiling structures with beams are combined with traditional plaster walls decorated with pine or larch wood. Interior design and decor of Alpine-style houses look charming, creating a pleasant feeling of an old house.

Artificially aged wood, a decorative palette, patina and natural fabrics are mixed together to add the feeling of a comfortable country home that has seen the past for generations.

Alpine style looks charming

The interior design and decor of the chalet should look spacious, simple, comfortable, and stylish. Large living spaces, high ceiling structures with solid wood beams are well suited for showcasing chalet style wooden furniture, creating a welcoming, rustic, comfortable home interior.

Rules for choosing furniture

The design of a chalet-style house must be supported by properly selected furniture. The choice for decorating a chalet is simple, but at the same time high-quality and convenient. Upholstery of sofas and armchairs - leather or textiles.

In such a room, simple shapes, vintage and aged look will look advantageous. Finishing in the form of carving is acceptable. Preference is for solid and massive cabinet furniture.

It is advisable to choose beds made of wood or with plain fabric upholstery, stylish and laconic:

Coffee tables for the living room will emphasize the style and complement the interior:

Wooden shelving is universal furniture that can be installed in almost any room (from the hallway to the living room and bedroom):

Alpine style in the interior

Modern houses in the Alpine chalet style look beautiful, warm and comfortable. This style of home design and decoration was born in Savoy, a province in southeastern France. Beautiful, hospitable houses in the style of Alpine chalets are popular in France, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, and Russia.

Beauty, warmth and comfort

The modern interior design of houses in the style of an Alpine chalet depends on the rich history of the Alps, local construction and finishing materials, and unique European traditions. The interior and decor of houses in the style of Alpine chalets is warm, comfortable, with natural materials and palette.

Alpine chalet-style houses were originally built from solid wood, a material used to protect shepherds from the cold weather in the mountains. The original Alpine chalet-style houses were built from wood and stone. Stone basement, ground floor combined with wooden floors and upper structures create solid, strong, warm, comfortable alpine chalet style homes.

Step inside a chalet-style home somewhere in a ski resort and you'll quickly feel the power of relaxed, rustic interiors - relaxation, comfort and harmony with the environment.

Use natural materials and palette

Whether it's the deer antlers on the wall or the leopard print chairs, the look of a chalet is always homey and comforting. It's hard to find another style that is both elegant and cozy like this one.

Journalist Claire Bingham’s book “Modern Living Chalet Style” was recently published, which is entirely dedicated to this style. In it, the writer talks with fashion designers, trying to figure out the basic laws of chalets that determine style. Here are some tips from the book.

Design that is both elegant and cozy

Let nature guide the design

While this is important to remember when designing interiors, it is even more important when considering outdoor spaces such as a deck or patio area.

Tips for designing interior decoration from designers:

• To match the design with the landscape, choose wooden flooring;
• leave the floor unpainted so that it becomes light gray over time;
• Stone paved walls and stone paving stones are used on uneven terrain, and in particular in the mountains.

Use an open plan

Connect in new ways

Instead of sticking to one material or era, mix them up. Pair new upholstered high-back chairs with a reclaimed wood table, or place mid-century style chairs on a luxurious sheepskin. “The modern Alpine chalet leaves the aesthetics of the pine Finnish sauna for a more intimate, barn-like experience,” writes Bingham.

Stay simple

A chalet-style bath is a private retreat. “For complete relaxation, have a large bathtub, stick to a soothing palette, and make sure the room has good light and access to the outdoors,” writes Bingham. A bathtub completely lined with wood will determine the main mood and remind you of the beauty around you.

A bath in this style is a retreat

Chalet style in architecture: an excursion into history and a modern view

Most often, such houses can be found in mountainous areas, in particular at ski resorts, but recently this direction has been actively used in suburban construction. Thus, a cozy wooden chalet-style house will remind you of an active holiday all year round.

The chalet style originated in the 16th century in the Alps, on the border of France, Italy and Switzerland.

Among the various styles used in architecture and interior design, this direction occupies a special place. The design of such a house, both inside and outside, is distinguished by special details that were inherited from European rural life in the Middle Ages. At the same time, if we talk about modern chalet-style houses, it should be noted that here traditions have organically interwoven progressive technologies.

Translated from French, “chalet” means “shepherd’s hut.” In the 16th century, there were temporary farms for cows and sheep in the Alps, which stretched along the border of three countries - from Italy to France and Switzerland. In those days, houses, more like huts, served as temporary summer housing, since in winter people moved to quiet valleys, and the chalets were empty until spring.

The romance of mountain huts was first appreciated by the French in the 18th century. This is how parks with original pavilions in a mountain rural style appeared. When alpine tourism began to progress, chalet-style houses became a temporary refuge for mountain climbers and fans of ski slopes.

In modern chalet houses, medieval traditions are combined with progressive technologies

The natural conditions of the mountainous area influenced the formation of the style, in particular the features of materials and the architecture of houses. In modern construction, ancient traditions are used that do not contradict the generally accepted laws of building construction. The chalet is ideal for those who want to escape from the bustle of the city, as well as for fans of active recreation - hunters and skiers.

Facade finishing

Chalet-style homes are suitable for country holidays with forms and elements inspired by Alpine architecture. Two-story plans, often on raised foundations, rise above heavy snowfall, topped with steep gable roofs to provide passage for snow and ice.

Wood siding with decorative wood and stone products add an earthy charm. Chalet designs tend to have a rectangular floor plan, with an open floor plan and elaborate cozy stone fireplaces. Wide galleries often provide outdoor living space on both levels. Main features of the exterior decoration:

• steep pitched roof;
• rectangular plans;
• porch or gallery.

Luxurious and comfortable home

Modern Alpine Chalet style homes are luxurious, comfortable homes that provide not only warmth in winter, but a beautiful residence with a traditional gable roof, timber structure.

Wooden exterior

A chalet-style house made of wood with eaves on the roof is not only a comfortable home, but very practical. They are suitable for bad weather, cold climates in general. The wooden structure is made in a very simple style but is very well organized.

The facade of the house is made in a traditionally ancient style. Here, wooden beams, boards, rounded logs are used, stone slabs are also used, or even all walls are laid out of stone.

It is worth noting that they try to make buildings and houses in the chalet style taller, but leave a low roof, as if making the house flat. Modern designs are made with glass and mirror walls; there are also comfortable balconies or terraces.

Wooden facade

The chalet style is suitable for those who love country life, these houses are very functional and comfortable. They are designed for a family and a comfortable stay, so that you can come there to relax at the right time.

Chalet-style houses are very common in Switzerland, southern Germany, northern France, and Austria. The old chalet is not much different from today, because the projects are simply updated periodically.

Architectural appearance

Over time, such houses became more comfortable for life, but the very principle of their construction (stone bottom and wooden top) was preserved, it became the hallmark of village buildings hidden in the Alpine mountains. They must have a gable roof, its canopy protrudes strongly above the load-bearing walls, the sides reach to the center.

This design reliably protects the housing from bad weather and the surrounding area from rain and snow. The described roof design allows you to organize small terraces or large balconies open from the facades of the building. They can be part of a basement or an upper superstructure. In the latter case, columns are used for support.

How can you decorate the facades?

The houses are characterized by a two-level exterior decoration: the lower part (basement) is finished with stone. If necessary, brickwork can be replaced with brick or even imitated. As an imitation you can use:

• coatings (vinyl, acrylic, metal);
• terracotta tiles;
• decorative plaster;
• artificial stone (panels).

The upper floor is built of wood using the original technology. Today, any reliable material is suitable as a building material, be it wood, brick, foam block, or slab. But the exterior decoration of the building must be wooden: using massive beams, false beams or a block house.

If there is stone below, then on top you can use light plaster (white, cream) and individual wooden parts - window frames, shutters, decorative strips. True, in this case the facade will turn out to be more in German rather than Alpine style.

Roof

An Alpine house usually impresses with its original roof design: most often it is gabled and very sloping. The roof should protrude far beyond the wall (at least three to four meters).

This feature of chalet-style houses historically developed due to an urgent need: in winter, such gable roofs retain a huge layer of snow cover. By the way, it is this tradition of housing construction in the Alps that makes houses so beautiful on magically quiet winter Christmas evenings.

To prevent roofs from collapsing under the weight of a huge amount of snow, special rafters are installed along the perimeter; they not only play a decorative role (as many people think), but also serve as a support, holding the roof in its natural position.

In autumn, the alpine roof protects the house and foundation from rain. There may be small balconies right above the roof, from which you can go outside in the evening to admire the beautiful panorama before going to bed.

You can decorate a chalet-style area with coniferous trees and stones. An alpine house usually has many windows and they are quite large. This tradition has developed thanks to the work of modern designers. Agree, it’s very nice to have breakfast in nature, with the windows open.

In addition, another advantage of the chalet house is the large terrace, which is equipped with a very large one. In rainy and cloudy weather, you can always sit down with friends and family over a delicious barbecue on a cozy evening. The terrace is supported by massive columns, beautiful wicker furniture is placed on it, and containers with fresh flowers are placed around the perimeter.

Local area

When everything is done with the exterior and interior decoration, you need to take care of finishing the area around the chalet. The house will look very organic if there is appropriate landscaping nearby. Of course, it's difficult to literally recreate the atmosphere of a mountainous area if you live somewhere in the suburbs. But the main point in arranging landscape design should be minimal interference with the features of the natural area.

The main thing is to achieve an effect in which the presence of a human hand would not be visible. This is very difficult, but if you try, the task is quite doable. To do this, use the following techniques:

1. Create wooden floors or cobblestone areas around the house and place wicker furniture on them.
2. Install an outdoor fireplace or hearth with an open fire nearby. You can cook traditional kebabs and grilled dishes on them; they will allow you to simply admire the grill while in a comfortable relaxation area.
3. Plant pine and spruce trees on the site, create neat alleys, cover open areas with green lawn.

One-story and two-story projects

The first impression that such a house should make is continuity between the external environment and the interior decoration. With the grace and style of a loft, the front room contains plenty of glass that allows the outdoors to flow seamlessly into your living area, providing a sense of natural harmony. Nature's inspiration will act as a muse, giving you ideas for projects that will turn your dreams into reality. The chalet is truly inspiring - both inside and out.

The picturesque style fits perfectly into the cold, snowy landscape. While chalet floor plans are usually a straight rectangle with a front gable roof, they are usually decorated with rustic designs. Hand-crafted timber serves as both structural elements and decoration in the form of brackets and balustrades, giving them some similarities to Victorian houses.

Roofs and balconies are common chalet design elements. Typically warmed by cast-iron wood-burning stoves connected to tall stone chimneys, homey chalet homes invite friends and family to cozy up over a couple of cups of hot chocolate.

Projects of one-story houses: log houses

A log house is traditionally a small house built from logs. Unlike a real house, a log house usually consists of one floor, which is minimally "perfect" or less complex in its architecture . The log cabin has always been a symbol of humble origins.

Log house

Although generally associated with our rural and rural areas, log timber has its origins in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Even in ancient times, they brought us their traditions of using logs to build houses, barns and other public buildings.

Size, number of stories, type of roof, placement of doors and windows, even the type of labor needed to construct the log house were taken into account when early settlers built their homes. But the most important consideration was where to build. A log structure must provide sufficient sunlight and drainage to effectively cope with the challenging conditions of northern life.

The modern log house is more of a “log house,” or a traditional style home built from milled logs. These logs are visible from the outside of the house and often inside as well. Traditional log chalet designs have incorporated modern amenities and other 21st century advances into more modest accommodations.

Cozy option in a rustic style

On the other hand, a log chalet is a wooden dwelling with a sloping roof and widely overhanging eaves. Today the word chalet is used for any cottage or house built in the traditional Swiss style. In some vacation destinations, a chalet is a building that contains dining areas, spas, and other tourist amenities . Some don't even resemble the traditional Swiss structure.

Projects of two-story houses: A-shaped plan

The steeply pitched roof makes it easy to identify a house plan called A-Frame, where the "A" shape serves a practical purpose. It is designed to help snow fall to the ground in areas with heavy snowfall. Additionally, using a roof that spans the entire length of the home typically requires less maintenance because the sides are less exposed to the elements and the home is better protected from the elements.

A-frame house

Because of their distinctive design, A-Frame homes carefully incorporate vaulted ceilings and high windows that provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Sometimes their design allows you to use the upper level for a loft-style bedroom. A-Frame home plans are often known for their cozy and inviting central living areas as well as wide, wraparound decks. These homes are suitable for a variety of landscapes and can often be considered as vacation homes, waterfront homes, and mountain homes.

Has a steep pitched roof

Examples and types of chalets

The design of the chalets was adopted by townspeople and residents of the capitals... And over time, ski resorts, luxury hotels, and recreation centers began to be built in the chalet style. Today the word “mountains” is closely associated with the concept of “chalets” - large, massive houses with sloping roofs and large terraces.

The most distinctive features of chalet architecture today are:

1. the façade faces east;
2. high stone base;
3. wooden attic, finished with beams, pilasters or plastered;
4. a noticeably sloping roof, the slopes of which protrude beyond the walls by a meter or more;
5. a terrace along one wall or along the entire perimeter of the house, covering the basement or second floor;
6. at least one balcony with a roof.

However, the chalet style is not as primitive as it seems at first glance. The chalet resembles a mountain river, which, flowing from its source on the border of France, Switzerland, and Italy, is divided into many watercourses. At least Alpine architecture can be divided into three equivalent types:

• Combined chalet. These are traditional structures consisting of a “bottom” of stone and a “top” of wood.”
• Half-timbered chalet. Such characteristic houses can most often be seen in the mountain departments of Germany and Austria. In this case, half-timbered structures can be either load-bearing or purely decorative.
• Wooden chalet. Even though these structures are built only from wood, they are also considered a conservative type of alpine house.

In addition, Swiss chalets are different from Austrian, French and in general - each region has its own ideal of a “shepherd’s house”.

Swiss chalets

Some of them were built in the mountains, “fitting” into rocky terrain, others - at the foot of mountain ranges, in valleys. The first were built from logs, the color of which over time merged with the color of the surrounding rocks, and the house became part of the ridge. Swiss mountain houses had a stable square shape. Their roof had wider overhangs that protected the terrace from rain and snow.

The chalets built in the valley were reinforced with an external frame and faced with plaster. The base of the building was most often a rectangle, the plains were more afraid of rain than snow, so window openings, terraces and balconies were additionally protected, and the roof was steep.

In the upper part, where there is less rain but spring arrives later, preference was given to flatter roofs so that the snow would protect the building from wind and frost longer. At the beginning of the 19th century, Swiss-style chalets emigrated to Great Britain - this is how the first chalets appeared. And from England, crossing the ocean, such houses gained popularity in America.

German (Austrian) chalets

This type of house is distinguished by its special elegance and simple rustic coquetry. No matter how many floors there are in a German chalet, they all have a balcony.

The wooden parts of Austrian and German houses are decorated with carvings, the walls are covered with paintings, and hanging lanterns are installed on the balconies. “The highlight of German chalets is the external wooden box. Its color often matches the basement paintings, but contrasts with the walls.

It is also worth noting that the ground floor of German chalets is noticeably higher. The reason is the frequent floods that occur in Bavaria.

Scandinavian chalets

Indeed, this is an individual “residence” of Alpine shepherds, with the exception of one detail: Scandinavian chalets do not have a basement.

But everything else is in place: massive wooden frames on the windows and powerful beams, a long terrace, a gable roof with significant overhangs.

English chalets

The popularity of wood as a construction raw material is significantly lower than that of brick and stone. Therefore, the walls of English chalets are mostly brick (less often, wild stone). They are covered with white plaster and the tiled roof is made quite steep.

French chalets

From the category of the main building material, wood faded into the background.

French chalets today, and they can be seen at any ski resort, for example throughout the famous Courchevel, are decorated only with wood; they are used as a finishing material for both the exterior and the interior. And instead of stone, concrete blocks and castings are increasingly being used.

Features of modern chalet houses

For connoisseurs of mountain originality, architectural bureaus offer chalets with a modern interpretation. Recreate as much as possible the authentic characteristics of an alpine refuge combined with essential services and amenities.

As a result, the original appearance of the “shepherd’s hut” was slightly modified:

• Additional rooms, unusual for a classic chalet, appear.
• Traditional building materials are being replaced by innovative ones.
• Features of the landscape and climate are taken into account.
• The styling is done using finishes.

Combined chalets are becoming increasingly popular in Russia. Today, the design of Alpine houses is very different from the houses of the 19th century and comes closer to the real needs of modern homeowners. Today, architects prefer to maintain the chalet style, but use blocks and bricks during construction, and the exterior decoration is made of artificial stone and wooden parts.

This recreates the style of a mountain shelter, but reduces the cost of the project and increases functionality.

The new interpretation of the chalet includes a bay window, garage, columns and other elements missing from traditional buildings. But no alpine-style house is complete without its own terrace or veranda.

Both projects, preserving all the solutions of the original style and house, adapted to the natural features of the area and the mentality of Russians, have the right to life. Stylized designs involve a combination of building materials. The first floor is made of cellular concrete or brick, the second floor is made of laminated or profiled wood.

There is always a combination of materials in the exterior decoration, but in a stylized design, the façade of the building can be finished with artificial wood. The chalet-style design allows you to use blocks for the first floor and build the second floor in a frame version. This speeds up, simplifies and reduces the cost of the project.

Norwegian style

In Norway, 4 types of wooden structures have been developed:

• ancient log structures;
• log houses;
• vertical pillar structures, used since the 12th century;
• frame structures, widespread from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Norwegian style

In addition to log structures (in the Norwegian style) with a round cross-section of the log, and then oval, octagonal and rectangular shapes characteristic of Norway, there was a structure with vertical pillars (also Norwegian), in which vertical supports, pillars, supported the roof, freed the log walls from loads (sometimes vertical log houses). They were used to make churches, and later cottages, barns, granaries and sheds. It is typical that the roofs of these structures should be covered with turf on peat, which in due course will be overgrown with grass.

Design rules

In order to get a chalet, and not an abstract mixture of rustic styles from different peoples of the world, it is necessary to follow strict stylistic rules when decorating the house.

Country house chalet

A private home is the best place to embody the chalet style. The cottage can be filled with all the distinctive details and fully convey the atmosphere of an Alpine country house. Wood and stone are invariably building materials.

• The chalet has large windows and a cozy attic where you can enjoy your morning coffee and get some fresh air. The staircase inside the house is also made of wood and can be supplemented with forged elements.

• The hall will be decorated with a stone fireplace, around which you can place a relaxation area consisting of a huge sofa and a pair of armchairs. Considering that the main material used to control the chalet is wood, it is necessary to comply with all fire safety rules.

• It’s a good idea to divide a kitchen studio into zones using solid wood planks. The kitchen set is also made of natural materials.

Interior of country houses and baths

The chalet and bathhouse stand out for their simplicity and comfort, but the result is a true Swiss home. Only wood and stone are used in construction; the building’s distinctive feature is a gable roof, the edges protrude significantly beyond the walls. The walls do not need to be finished, the color and texture of the wood will fill the space with comfort, and the ceiling will be decorated with beams.

The interior of a country house is filled with wooden furniture of simple shapes, cozy bedspreads, a woven rug and animal skins.

The sauna is completely decorated with wood, and the steam room has a stone stove. The design can be complemented with cozy details.

Apartment design

It is difficult to renovate city apartments in the classic style of the original chalet. The walls of a standard apartment are decorated in light colors using plaster, the floors are covered with boards, stone, and laminate. To prevent the ceilings from looking low, they can be decorated with several beams on a light background.

Kitchen sets, tables and chairs are made of wood. The kitchen is tiled with terracotta, and the interior of the living room and other rooms is filled with chandeliers and pillows. But do not overload the chalet interior with unnecessary details.

Bvar style

The Bavarian chalet is an architectural archetype seemingly untouched by time, for good reason. Cool tars leave just the right amount of insulating snow on roofs. Minimal interiors can be customized for people, livestock, or supplies, and materials are region-specific.

Here, as in Switzerland, stone walls were used on the northern and eastern facades to withstand the coldest weather fronts, and timber was used elsewhere.

Bavarian style

Today, tens of thousands of modern chalet designs can be found on the slopes of major resorts, and thousands of others have been converted and modernized. Some valleys and cantons are more aesthetically demanding than others. Stone is replaced by concrete, but some elements are timeless - wood and fireplaces, for example.

21st century chalets bring romance in a very traditional way, highlighting the monumental roof and the rich materiality of timber, white plaster and concrete interiors, with those highlights and open fires.

Simplicity with taste

The chalet's design is characterized by its concrete facades, which eventually extend into the interior, where they contrast sharply with the wooden cladding and form an interconnected inner core that unites the main rooms, although they are oriented towards different views of the valley. They are covered with minimal wood to create an ascetic yet spacious ski bunker.

Interior decoration

All chalet style houses have a distinctive feature: the rooms are decorated with large, completely exposed wooden beams. This is a circumstance that must necessarily take place.

It is better if there is part of the wall in the large room and kitchen - the living room will be lined with brick or stone. Options are possible, but the materials should only be natural.

There are situations when owners are forced to buy artificial stone in order to save money. In this case, you should prefer material that is as close as possible to the original.

When making a plan for purchasing materials for decorating the interior of your home, you need to choose the right textures and decorations. In order not to violate the style in any way, it is worth mentally returning to the historical basis.

• The founders of the “Chalet” style are ordinary Alpine shepherds, simple people, infinitely far from “urban” subtleties and delicate delicacies. It’s worth noting right away that glass, plastic and chrome surfaces, and poisonous colors are inappropriate in a stylized shepherd’s hut.

White and pink wallpaper, a crystal chandelier, a marble countertop or a varnished wooden panel will look downright ridiculous in such a house. But ceramic, unbleached linen, plain, forged, straw, coarse wool rugs will fit perfectly into the interior.

Walls

A traditional chalet style house was divided into two levels, with the first level often built of stone and the second level of wood. Nowadays, this set has been supplemented by such a popular building material as brick.

A modern person, even if he loves alpine romance, may be a little upset if he has to live his whole life in the conditions described above. To ensure that the walls are always smooth, and their maintenance is simplified by eliminating hard-to-reach places, the walls of the stone floor can be plastered and then painted, choosing a neutral beige shade that does not stand out from the general scheme.

Ceiling

Alpine shepherds treated the ceiling in the same way as they treated the walls and floor: their task was simply to create a roof that did not leak, and no one cared about the furniture. In fact, the interfloor ceiling and roof were assembled from coniferous timber, which in itself is quite beautiful, because such a decision was justified.

When building a private house, you can follow the technology and do the same, simply building the upper part of the building from the specified materials. If this is not possible, the ceilings of both floors should be clad in wood to maintain authenticity and flavor.

As an option, you can consider plastic imitations, which will be cheaper, but it is better not to skimp on this, because the atmosphere of the chalet is not only the design, but also the smell.

Don't forget, too, that the Swiss reinforced the ceilings of Alpine houses with solid beams and logs for durability - even if the finishes hide reliable modern materials, you still need to adhere to key design features.

Floor

The floors in the rooms are covered with boards, also artificially aged, the wood is varnished. Gloss or varnish, as mentioned above, are completely unsuitable. Natural stone is an alternative to wooden flooring.

In the kitchen-living room, the stone floor of the Alpine house is made very thick, practical, and to give it an “antique” look, artificial scuffs and chips can be made in some places.

Lighting

• The light in the chalet style is warm, diffused;
• Ceiling lighting can be spot lighting or in the form of an unusual chandelier made of wood or wrought iron;
• The area of ​​the head of the bed is illuminated by wrought iron appliqués or lamps on bedside tables with a simple lampshade;
• A classic floor lamp is suitable for a relaxation area in the living room interior;
• Candles can stand in candlesticks or on a saucer;
• Spotlights installed in the internal space between them will help focus attention on the ceiling beams.

Color palette

The color scheme suitable for the chalet style should contain only harmonious and natural tones. These are all shades of brown and gray, ocher, terracotta, the color of withered grass. Shades of white should not be bright, rather milky, grayish or with a slight admixture of ocher. Use small accessories such as red pillows, a blue vase or a green blanket to create a bold pop of color. But even in this case, red, blue and green should not be flashy, but as if “pressed down” by a layer of dust.

Forged and metal elements are welcome in the chalet interior design

Selection of furniture

The decor of the room should look as if your great-great-grandfather made it with his own hands: obviously very old and inexpensive, but massive and paved, as they say, for centuries. There are no thin and neat things here - everything is big and durable. Wicker chairs are allowed as an exception to the general rule, but against the background of everything else they should look exactly like a source of pride for the whole family.

Most of the furniture is simply devoid of decor - the colorfulness of the entire decor should be brutal and uncomplicated. If the upholstery is fabric and it is present, then the fabric is usually chosen in plain and subdued tones, for example, beige itself.

Leather inserts on furniture are permissible only in the living room, which traditionally, in any style, is the place where the owners show off all the best and most expensive.

Textile

Cozy fabrics can dilute the brutal atmosphere of the chalet and add color to the interior.

• Decorate the kitchen with linen and cotton tablecloths and napkins;
• Rugs with short pile will decorate not only the floor, but will also look harmonious on the walls;
• Fabrics will be decorated with ethnic motifs and animal images;
• The homemade rug looks unusual and cozy;
• The curtains have a simple cut; straight floor-length curtains can be decorated with hooks;
• Curtain material: linen, cotton, mat;
• Relaxation areas will be complemented by warm and soft pillows and blankets.

How to fit household appliances

The chalet is a historical destination, inside it does not like modern technology in important places.

How and where to hide it:

• small items will find their place in cabinets and cupboards;
• large household appliances can be placed in a wall niche, covered with a curtain or covered with a wooden panel;
• take wood-colored equipment and decorate it in ethnic style.

Living room in chalet style

When we talk about chalet-style interiors, many think of exposed wood, stone walls, a warm fireplace in the center of the room, and furnishings that neatly turn the clock to a simpler, less flashy era.

Living room designs have a traditional style and a cozy, warm and comfortable rustic touch. However, underneath this exterior, the chalets still have modern amenities and new generation gadgets that promise to make your life much easier. The living rooms in the chalet are truly special as they are spacious, warm and luxurious!

In such a room you only think about relaxation, about reading a book in front of the fireplace or just want to lie and look at the fire. A chalet living room design with antique decor and warm tones sets the mood and further enhances the style. Get inspired by the examples below!

Bright and cozy living room

Set the mood in your living room with the scent of alpine herbs

You'll be surprised how you can transform your living room with a scent that's reminiscent of the fresh, clean scent of the mountains. Consider fir, pine, lemon balm, and juniper scented candles and essential oils to create a welcoming ambiance.

Use furs

Do you want a luxurious salon in your living room? Use faux fur on your sofas to keep your living room in style. This will create an instant chalet with chic luxury style and a warm appearance.

Use faux fur on sofas

Texture

How about compensating for warm tones? Try contrasting different textures in your living room. Add a tactile soft finish and layer different shades with contrasting textures for a complete look. Metallic touches will add a cooling, magnetic touch to the interior .

Elegant lighting scheme

One of the best ideas for decorating a chalet is soothing atmospheric lighting that will provide a cozy feel. Floor lamps near the sofas will help refresh the space.

Soothing atmospheric lighting

Pictures on the wall

Tip Simply choose wooden picture frames in chalet chic style and place black and white photos with alpine themes in them. It will bring special comfort and atmosphere to your living room.

Love to the animals

If you love animals, now is the time to let your love for them show through your living room decor. Use pillows with digital animal photos on your sofa and armchairs . Forest creatures and wild animals fit perfectly into the chalet style.

Cozy table

The chalet style suggests that family and friends will gather around a huge table where they can talk comfortably. To do this, it is definitely worth decorating the living room with a large wooden table.

Large wooden table

Antler

You will be surprised to know that this is a key element of chalet style decoration. Antlers built into the living room wall add elemental character to your space. They instantly connect the living room to nature.

A touch of contemporary style

Try mixing old with new. Cover your living room floor with soft rugs, wicker bowls and baskets filled with natural items such as:

• stones;
• tree;
• hang brown curtains on the windows;
• add table lamps in the corners.

These ideas will not only give a visually warm effect, but will also help highlight the uniqueness of the living room.

A fireplace will add coziness to the room

Living room and home

Modern technological interiors follow us everywhere, and it’s easy to get tired of them. The atmosphere of a home will be a solution for privacy in a noisy city. The chalet seems to be imbued with rustic comfort and tranquility.

Be sure to install a fireplace in the living room - a symbol of the chalet house. An electric fireplace is the most convenient to use. Complement it with stone trim and wood decor, thereby maintaining the naturalness of the design.

Place massive armchairs and a sofa, preferably with leather upholstery. Fur capes are also appropriate here. To match the originality of the chalet, select fittings and furniture with an aged texture. Decorate the windows with wooden shutters or close them with thick cotton curtains: tulle is absolutely inappropriate here!

If desired, complement the living room interior with hunting paraphernalia. If guns, skins and antlers are not for you, just hang pictures that match the theme.

How to get this mysterious “chalet chic”?

You don't need snow falling in flakes outside to bring a bit of ski chalet into your interior. Here's an overview of important elements that will help add chalet style to your home.

Use natural materials and colors

As you can see, most chalets have a lot of natural materials such as wood and stone, as well as leather in the furniture, and then fur and wool in the accessories.

So the overall palette for your walls and furnishings can be drawn from these natural materials: light whites and creams reminiscent of the snow outside, plus browns and grays, ranging from light shades to deep and dark ones.

Achieving "chalet chic" is easier if your materials already contain key features - exposed wood floors, beams, a stone hearth or wood furniture (the more the better). However, you can also bring in natural materials with accessories.

Tip Use wood to create a feature by stacking logs in an alcove or basket next to the fire. In addition, elements such as pine branches or a collection of pine cones for decoration add to the decor.

Add texture with fur, fleece and wool

Natural materials from item no. 1 are widely used in upholstered furniture for chalet-style interiors. Animal hides and furs or short-haired wool textiles are used for chairs or bed throws to add luxurious softness, texture and warmth.

Animal skin and fur are the highlight of this style.

Tip Use deerskin as flooring, and if you have a leather chair, add sheepskin as an armrest or cover.

Find knitted pillows to throw on your sofa, or throw throws and throws made from natural wool. Or how about crocheted storage baskets.

Bring in some traditional patterned fabrics

Just like natural texture, you can incorporate some traditional painting into soft furnishings to add more visual interest.

Classic patterns like Fair Isle, Scandi snowflake or tartan all add a ski lodge feel and are all very popular in interior design right now, so you'll find a lot of these patterned accessories in stores.

Comfortable bedroom with work area

Source for Some Reindeer Accessories

Speaking of interior trends, reindeer accessories have been a popular trend lately. Adding these easily accessible pieces to your living room or bedroom will help create a ski lodge feel.

Choose a pillow or bedding with a reindeer print or a reindeer theme and hang a reindeer scene on the wall. Use antlers by placing them loosely on a sideboard or by attaching them to a wall. You can also find mirror and candle designs using horns.

If you're not a fan of realistic deer heads, there are plenty of modern types made from other materials, such as metal, paper, or cardboard.

Don't forget about lights, lamps and candles

Adding soft lighting is the last tip, as it is important to create a truly cozy atmosphere.

Tip Use a lamp or two instead of a main light (you can use a deer themed lamp!). And add enough light around the mirror or fireplace (instead of LED bulbs, it is better to use warm bulbs for a softer glow).

Surely, you are also fans of glass lanterns for candles. Group them together in different sizes for a truly alpine feel.

Play of light: how to choose lighting

Large windows in the house are one of the hallmarks of the chalet style. They don’t even need to be further decorated. If curtains are used, they are not thick, allowing light to freely penetrate into the room.

Each chalet-style room should have diffused, warm, but sufficient lighting so as not to cause discomfort. This could be a forged chandelier, with a wooden base, or spotlights.

Artificial light should be provided by simple-shaped lamps. Pretentiousness and ostentatious luxury are not acceptable here.

Forging will look organic in combination with laconic lampshades. These can be suspended structures on chains or lighting fixtures in the style of ascetic classics.

General lighting can be supplemented by:

• sconce;
• desk lamp;
• floor lamps;
• candles in candelabra or on saucers.

Advice! Spotlights installed between them can highlight the pronounced texture of wooden ceiling beams, and at the same time provide enough light.

Lighting fixtures on chains - stylish chalet decor

The chandelier with stylized candles fully corresponds to the direction of the chalet in interior design

Choice of colors

The colors in the chalet are taken from nature.

Metal with dark wood mixed with light textiles and furniture

Yellow, brown, amber - symbolize wood as the main material, brown - stone, green and light green - alpine meadow, golden - sun rays, white, gray sometimes terracotta - snow caps of alpine peaks, displayed in plastered surfaces. Artificial brightness is not typical for the chalet. Within acceptable limits from cream to chocolate shades, it can be present in textile decoration and other decorative elements. The upholstery of upholstered furniture is plain and close to the color of bleached linen.

Light shades of wood in the interior will help refresh the room