How to Transform Any Space Into a Cozy Mountain Escape

When Sarah saw this empty corner, her design plans came to a grinding halt. The outdated curtains and carpeting left much to be desired, but Sarah had a plan. She re-envisioned the hallway completely, and brewed an idea that would turn this small space into a highly functional and enjoyable vacation home feature: A bar!

This little corner bar that Sarah designed in an empty hallway is all about providing convenience for guests, so they don’t have to run up to the kitchen for coffee and refreshments. Who says you can’t have freshly brewed coffee at your bedside? Sarah designed the bar with a mini fridge, sink and dishwasher, but the most important feature is hands down the Nespresso coffee machine.

Guests can easily help themselves to a mug from the open shelves above, choose a Nespresso coffee pod from the artful glass, and brew a delicious cup of coffee to sip while taking in the serene mountain views. This is the height of luxury, served hot, and nothing’s stopping you from setting up a similar coffee bar in the corner of your bedroom, or in a second floor hallway.

The beauty of Sarah’s mountain vacation home is that every room, even the most utilitarian, was designed to perfection. To create this lavish laundry room, Sarah stacked the washer and dryer to maximize space, and installed mossy green cabinetry with contrasting natural wood knobs to play up the home’s lush surroundings. The space is fully functional (Sarah proved it by washing all of the rental’s bedding), and part of what makes a cozy mountain retreat are the utilitarian elements that help a home run smoothly!

On vacation, kids love bunking with each other. It’s like a slumber party every night. Back at home, you can recreate the same look and feel of a playful bunk room with side-by-side bunks, painted in a cheerful colour, and piled high with cozy throws and pillows. Adding little recessed shelves and night lights for each bunk will give kids the feeling of having their own private space (or fort).

What was once a cramped and dated kitchen corner would soon become a gorgeous baking station, complete with a handy Nespresso machine. But to function efficiently, there needed to be room to breathe. Sometimes less is more when it comes to creating cozy spaces that can allow for some fun!

A mountain retreat is all about having space to enjoy one’s passions, whether those include snow-capped mountain peaks or peaks in whipped cream! Sarah designed a dedicated baking station in the vacation home’s kitchen, complete with a wide countertop for rolling dough, plenty of storage, an oven, and of course, a Nespresso coffee machine, for a well deserved cappuccino or coffee cake!

When designing your own kitchen, consider your exact passions (baking, making pizzas, mixing drinks) and create a dedicated space where that passion can flourish. And that doesn’t require a major renovation. By simply organizing the kitchen essentials you’ll need, like baking trays and tools, ingredients, and small appliances together, you’ll have everything you need at arm’s reach.

Sarah knew that to create a truly cozy mountain retreat, she needed to layer the home in textiles at every turn. From rich velvet rugs, to throws trimmed in pom poms on every armchair, the media room is like one big, cozy hug. What could be more enticing?

When recreating this look in your own home, aim to mix textures, like a cashmere throw over a shearling chair. And when it comes to achieving the cozy look of a mountain retreat, more is definitely more!

While a sauna is an asset in a mountain retreat (who wouldn’t love to rest and relax in the heat after a day on the cold slopes), Sarah knew this sauna wasn’t a welcome respite. It was dark and dated, and the space could be better served in other ways.

For the spa bathroom, Sarah drew design elements from nature. She chose a pebble stone floor, which gives the feeling of an indoor-outdoor space. It’s the next-best thing to skinny dipping in Whistler’s Alta Lake! She also provided a peek of the outdoors, through a frosted glass window with a mirror hung within it. The design leans into the home’s surroundings, but you can just as easily draw inspiration from the mountain and woods for an urban home. Stick to a colour palette from nature and pop in elements of wood and stone for natural textures.

It was important to Sarah that guests feel welcome in her mountain vacation rental, so she ensured it was filled with the comforts of home and beyond, like this easy coffee station using the Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee machine. Even sweeter is the little tray placed beside it, so guests can set up their favourite mug before bed, for their freshly brewed coffee in the morning. These simple yet sweet little touches add luxury to a vacation stay, but there’s nothing stopping you from treating yourself to the high life at home!