Decorating your home in traditional Alpine style

If you’re thinking of purchasing a holiday home in the Alps, there’s a good chance that you’re also keen to redecorate. There are plenty of properties in our portfolio that are ready to use right now, but you can sometimes snap up a bargain buying a property with slightly dated decor and bringing it up to scratch yourself.

A few thousand euros of investment can add much more to the value of the property when you eventually re-sell it or if you decide to rent it out, so consider any money spent on fixing it up as an investment.

Doing it up means different things to different people - to some it may mean sleek minimalist fixtures and all the mod cons, but for many the appeal of a ski chalet holiday home is to enjoy something a bit cosier and more traditional.

Traditional Alpine furnishings combine the rustic simplicity of villages nestled in the Alps with the exceptional craftsmanship and finishing that is characteristic of artisans in the area. Natural materials feature prominently in Alpine decor, with stone and in particular wood playing a significant role.

Often chalet interiors display a lot of exposed wood; panelling on the walls, hardwood floors and of course the exposed beams and framework that is so typical of the region.

This creates a feeling of warmth and cosiness in a home that it’s hard to replicate with paint and plaster, and re-staining or varnishing any exposed woodwork that looks past its best will instantly give your home a lift.

Not for everyone, but furs are another part of traditional Alpine decor that can help your chalet to feel cosy and luxuriant. They don’t need to be exotic or even genuine to add a real homeliness, especially in the winter months.

A roaring fire in the main room of your Alpine property will really finish off the theme - and it’s practical too, helping to heat the house in the chilly winter months. A wood-burner or fire will also add serious appeal to your chalet, particularly if you’re intending to rent it out or sell it on in future.

For Alpine properties with bags of potential, check out the beautiful properties dotted throughout the French and Swiss Alps in our portfolio.

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