You Don’t Need to Live in the Mountains to Have a ‘Mountain Home’ – Here’s How to Recreate This Nostalgic Trend Anywhere
Mountain homes are a mindset. With the right color scheme, textural details, and decor choices, your city apartment or suburban house will feel like it belongs in a mountainside town
I've always been drawn to the aesthetic of mountain homes. Their charming rusticity, their innate warmth, and their vibrant sense of character. And since Kendall Jenner and her own mountain home entered my consciousness (and the rest of the design-led world's), I can't get enough of this slightly nostalgic, slightly grandma-esque look.
The only slight issue I face is that I live in New Jersey, a state that's practically the antithesis of mountain living. However, that does not need to hold me back in recreating this cozy, but chic look. The mountain house aesthetic isn't one that's restricted by geography. It's more of a feeling, a mood that reflects the characterful, eclectic, and layered atmosphere of mountain homes. If you know what you are doing, it can be translated anywhere.
Whether you live in a California apartment complex, a Texas townhome, or a house in the suburbs of New Jersey, this design trend can work. I spoke with design experts who are known for this classic, very on-trend right now, look to find out how to create it without going cliché.
1. Utilize a Mountain-Inspired Color Scheme
Nature-inspired colors complemented with vibrant tones can increase the character in mountain house-inspired interiors, like the shades of blue, green, and red in this dining room designed by Lisa Staton.
Color is an instant mood setter; a tool that can define any room with its pigment. It's an especially important factor in achieving the mountain house aesthetic, as the right color scheme can make your interiors feel like they belong in a charming home in a mountain town, even if you live in a major city.
According to interior designer Lisa Staton, decorating with earth tones is an essential part of the mountain house aesthetic. Shades like green, blue, and gray are reminiscent of the surrounding environment of mountain homes, and they can invite some natural elegance indoors. Designer Stephanie Sabbe also suggests incorporating muddy-toned colors, too – like Benjamin Moore's North Creek Brown – to reflect the muddy nature of mountainous environments.
While these colors capture the natural charm of mountainous regions, they can fall flat without some uplifting variation. Lisa recommends mixing earth tones with 'more vibrant tones and pigments.' Bright shades like mustard and burnt orange can create a tasteful contrast, while darker shades like maroon and burgundy can add rich depth.
Together, earth tones paired with more vibrant, complementary shades can set the scene for a characterful mountain house-inspired interior.
2. Work with Natural Materials
You don't have to undergo a major renovation to get the mountain house look in your home. Instead, consider incorporating some rustic, natural materials in the form of large furniture to channel the aesthetic.
The best mountain homes are the ones that reflect their surrounding environments in a rustic yet refined manner, and there's no better way to do that than by utilizing natural materials.
Stephanie explains that natural woods and rugged stone details are key characteristics of mountain home interiors because of their natural, rustic style. As she explains, the goal of the mountain house aesthetic is to decorate with 'things you would find as an original occupant of the mountain, like stone and wood'. Decorate with these materials, and the design of your space will feel as authentic as possible.
Brass and wrought iron are also prominent materials in the aesthetic. These metals, especially when they're slightly patinaed, are full of character and can act as complementary decor details around your mountain-inspired home.
For a touch of softness, Lisa recommends decorating materials like wool or cotton too – in the form of a rug, a blanket, or any other soft decor elements. These materials can act as a necessary contrast to soften up the rigid texture of the stone and woods.
3. Layer Patterns
Pattern on pattern decorating is common in mountain house interiors. This characterful display creates a warm, cozy, and inviting atmosphere, as seen in this bedroom designed by Stephanie Sabbe.
Colors and materials aside, it's decorating with patterns that really make the mountain house aesthetic what it is. According to Lisa, plaid is one of the most defining patterns of the aesthetic because of its heritage qualities, its visual appeal, and the warmth it can bring to interiors. Nature-inspired patterns, stripes, and floral prints are also characteristic of the mountain house look, too.
Whether in the form of a blanket, wallpaper, rugs, or even pillows, patterned details aid in developing the effortless personality that's so pronounced in the mountain house aesthetic. Don't be afraid to mix patterns, even clash patterns, either. Mountain homes aren't designed to be serious and formal – quite the opposite, actually. The best ones feature an eclectic mix of patterns that aid in establishing the home's unique and cozy mood.
4. Decorate with Intention
The mountain house aesthetic looks and feels best when it's designed with intention. Be thoughtful with your decor choices, incorporate personal details, and choose materials that add a level of unmatched coziness.
Mountain house interiors aren't staged spaces filled with generic furniture from big-box brands. Rather, these interiors are personal by design – decorated with characterful finds that radiate a charmingly lived-in feel. These interiors are as distinct and individual as the mountains themselves.
When designing your own mountain home away from the mountains, it's important to decorate with the same level of intention. Lean into the charming rusticity of mountain house style and embrace cabin decor ideas that prioritize character, expression, and individuality through design. Mix nature-inspired colors with bolder hues, incorporate evocative patterns, and utilize rich textures to establish the feeling of coziness that's so pronounced in mountain homes.
The mountain house aesthetic is so desirable and sought after because of the way in which it makes people feel. Like Lisa explains, 'people want to relax, put their feet up, and slow down.' And by design, the mountain house aesthetic has a way of encouraging just that – no matter where you're located.
Shop the Mountain House Edit
The mountain house aesthetic may be trending at the moment, but the charmingly rustic and eclectic style of mountain homes is a timeless decorating idea that will always ensure comfortable, characterful, and inviting interiors.
