When you design a home in East Kootenay, you’ll want to make sure you can take advantage of everything this beautiful slice of British Columbia offers. That means planning for all four seasons, each of which presents its own unique opportunities for getting outside and experiencing the mountains. 

You’ll want to have a comfortable sanctuary to return to, as well, so it’s important that you plan for all four seasons when you design a home in East Kootenay—whether that’s in Columbia Valley, Fernie, or beyond.

Our team has designed homes across East Kootenay, from luxury vacation homes in Invermere to stunning custom homes on Columbia Lake. In our experience, it’s vital to consider multi-season use. 

Here are a few ways of accomplishing that goal.

 

How Will Your Home in East Kootenay Be Used?

Before you design a home in East Kootenay, you need to ask yourself what you’ll be using it for. 

  • Is it just a quiet getaway for weekends where you want to get out of the city? 
  • Is it going to be your family’s hub for all the incredible sports in the region? 
  • Could it be a retirement home?

Any of those options will impact the design of a home in the East Kootenay region, so it’s essential that you’ve a clear picture of what you want and need. One of the great things about designing a custom home is you get to be specific about your wants and needs, and that’s no different in East Kootenay than it is in the city.

 

Multi-Season Design for Your East Kootenay Home

A Columbia Valley custom home facing the mountains.

 

Consider the Sun

The days are short in the winter, so when designing a home in East Kootenay, try to maximize the amount of natural sunlight you’ll receive. Building your home with large, south-facing windows is a great way to ensure this happens. Limiting the number of east- and west-facing windows can also prevent overheating in the summer.

Consider skylights when designing a home in East Kootenay, as they’re a great way to provide even more natural sunlight.

 

Space for Storage & Sports Equipment

Whether you and your family are passionate about downhill skiing at the Panorama Mountain Resort or love mountain biking or cross-country skiing, there’s a lot of equipment that you need to enjoy those sports. The reality is that equipment can be messy, and you won’t want your family dragging that mess through the home you design in East Kootenay.

A large garage can often provide the space you’ll need to store sports equipment, but you should also consider adding a mud room for your family to get ready and to leave their gear when they return home. A good mud room could include:

  • Easy-to-clean flooring that can take a beating
  • Benches and areas for kids to sit while they put on and take off equipment
  • Hooks and cupboards

 

Open & Warm Shared Spaces

Whether it’s outdoor fire pits where your family can gather in the summer to roast marshmallows or a large, wide-open living room where you can enjoy game nights together in the winter, shared spaces can work wonders when you design a home in East Kootenay.

Open-concept design can keep families together while doing different activities, whether that’s preparing meals or watching TV in the living room. Large, sliding glass doors are amazing throughout the spring, summer, and fall because they create mixed indoor and outdoor living spaces and can connect your backyard or patio to your main living room area inside.

 

Windows That Bring the Outside In

This goes without saying, but East Kootenay is beautiful. The best custom home design in East Kootenay takes advantage of the stunning alpine scenery.

Large windows don’t just bring in natural light, they can also provide spectacular views of the area that surrounds your custom home in East Kootenay.

It’s important to use the best quality materials to keep down energy costs and prevent the winter cold or summer heat from seeping in. The size and placement of windows can help make you feel like you’re experiencing all that the natural beauty East Kootenay offers, even when the weather isn’t cooperating.

 

Outdoor Spaces You Can Use Year-Round

You can expect very different conditions throughout all four seasons when you design a home in East Kootenay. Spring and fall can be unpredictable, with warmer temperatures and late winter blasts sometimes alternating from day to day. Winter gets cold and snowy, while summer has long, hot days and nights.

Smart home design can accommodate it all. Fire pits can keep you warm on cold nights, large patios are great for entertaining in the summer and can be covered, too, and walls that block the wind can make frigid evenings feel a lot warmer.

 

Design a Home in East Kootenay for Four-Season Use

A gorgeous home in the Columbia Valley shaded by large trees.

From breathtaking mountain scenery to out-of-this-world opportunities for outdoor sports and recreation, there are countless reasons why people are considering designing a home in East Kootenay. 

Ellergodt Design can help, whether you’re designing a home in Columbia Valley, Fernie, or anywhere else in East Kootenay. We’ll help you design a home that accommodates your hobbies, interests, and always-evolving needs and makes sure you’ve got a home that’s right for you throughout the entire year.

For more information or to get started designing your home in East Kootenay, e-mail us at info@beginwithdesign.com or call us at (587)803-3715.

 

FAQ

 

Is East Kootenay a good place to build a vacation home?

Absolutely. With access to some of the best downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, hiking, and biking, East Kootenay, BC, offers endless possibilities for active outdoor recreation enthusiasts. There are tight-knit communities in towns like Invermere and Fairmont, as well as terrific golf courses. The proximity to Calgary makes it easy for anyone from the city to access East Kootenay year-round.

 

How do I connect with home builders in East Kootenay?

Our team at Ellergodt Design has extensive experience designing homes in East Kootenay, working closely with the region’s top builders and contractors. We’re happy to connect you with the professionals who will do the best job building your custom home.