Modern Ski Lodge Look

The down-to-earth style gets a contemporary upgrade without losing its laidback atmosphere and love of wood and stone.

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October 07, 2021

By: Chelsey Bowen

Come to the Lighter Side

Lighter and brighter is the name of the game when it comes to a modern ski lodge look. All the rustic charm remains — a textured stone mantel and hearth, wood plank ceiling and even furry lamps — but with a distinctly refreshed sensibility. Clean-lined, oversized seating pairs with sleek tables in this living space that's topped with an avant-garde chandelier.

From: Griffith Interior Design LLC

Keep Up With Entertaining Essentials

Get the look and feel of a ski lodge while incorporating all your favorite modern amenities. After a day of hitting the slopes, curling up in front of a cozy fire and great movie is just the ticket. This reclaimed wall has a flush-mounted fireplace, flat-screen TV, hidden storage and an integrated wet bar.

From: Ana Donohue

Opt for More Pattern

After spending a day out in the cold, a warm, comfortable living space is a necessity. This eclectic sunroom pulls together a mix of cozy seating, including leather-strapped armchairs and a swinging daybed. To step out of the typical ski lodge style, pattern plays a big role in this house. Animal prints, graphics and faux furs bring a decidedly up-to-date aesthetic to the room.

From: Ana Donohue

Cue the Windows

No stuffy, dark design here. The combination of a cathedral ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows allows for truly stunning views of the Lake Tahoe region and plenty of natural light pouring into the contemporary living space. Low-profile leather sofas are positioned to take advantage of the heat off the texture-filled fireplace, which echoes the geometric area rug.

From: Aspen Leaf Interiors

Embrace Pared-Down Elegance

Instead of the usual ski lodge shades of walnut, mahogany and umber, this serene sanctuary turns to soft grays. The materials of the room are based in nature, from the stacked stone to the barwood ceiling, and deliver texture and pattern to the monochromatic environment. An opulent branch chandelier and mirrored poster bed layer in a sense of glam.

From: Locati Architects

Elevate With Neutrals

The most sought-after architectural details of a ski lodge are timber-lined ceilings and soaring stone fireplaces. The rest of the space is often finished in dark, heavy furniture that instantly evokes warmth and comfort; however, you can follow the same plot with transitional furniture in never-goes-out-of-style neutrals that add a lighter touch and have a more modern sensibility.

From: Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate and Luxury Portfolio International®

Work Your Assets

Built with the mountain views in mind, massive windows take full advantage of this home's setting. A soaker bathtub strikes a crisp silhouette against the natural backdrop, and to nod to the area's wildlife, a bear carved from petrified wood serves as a step stool and table.

From: Griffith Interior Design LLC

Create a Juxtaposition

The play between soft and rough — raw woods and industrial accents with plush textiles and soft rugs — strike a lived-in, cozy balance. Exposed beams and barn doors define the spaces and are right on trend. Separate vanities flank a built-in cabinet that provides always-needed storage.

From: FH Architects

Go Local

Local materials give a home a sense of place. It instantly feels like it belongs in its setting and brings a indistinguishable charm that can't be achieved otherwise. With its soaring cathedral ceilings and two-story fireplace, this home showcases locally sourced standing dead timbers, reclaimed barnwood and Montana moss rock.

From: FH Architects

Time to Bunk Up

What's a ski retreat without a bunkroom? This double-duty space functions as a TV hangout and sleeping quarters with four bunks built into the reclaimed wood walls. Instead of ladders to get to the top bed, the stone wall is designed to easily climb up with industrial railings to grab.

From: FH Architects

Think About the Function

Function meets style in this naturally contemporary living room. A wood-burning fireplace is a welcoming sight when the cold weather sets in. Instead of creating an eyesore of stacked wood or having to go outside to collect more logs, this fireplace integrates a stunning firewood holder that enhances the room's organic atmosphere.

Turn to Antiques

Designer Brian Patrick Flynn painted the bonus room in the HGTV Dream Home 2019 a deep navy to set the scene for a relaxing sitting area. A large-scale vintage photography and vintage skis construct a retro vibe around the mid-century modern chairs, which are paired with plush sheepskin pillows.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Plan for Openness

Say so long to cabins with teeny tiny rooms. Modern lodge style, like most of today's home, loves an open floor plan. This Lake Tahoe retreat also uses high ceilings (featuring exposed wood planks and beams, of course), well-placed windows and bright white walls to further the effect. The exposed bulb chandelier and spring coil barstools lend an industrial edge to the space.

From: Antonio Martins

Settle on Modern Lighting

Even if you stick with all the traditional hallmarks of a lodge look, switch out your light fixtures. Contemporary chandeliers bring the just-right touch of a modernized style into your space.

From: Kate Maloney Interior Design

Chink Your Walls

Log homes are the OGs of mountain retreats. Bring the handcrafted look into your home with timber and chinking walls. Not only does it instantly give you lodge credibility, but it's also very energy efficient and might even cut down on energy bills. And a muted stone fireplace never hurts either.