To me, Calgary has always felt like home. I grew up here, left to study design in Toronto, and eventually found my way back. It has given me a broader perspective, but a deep appreciation for what makes this city so unique.
Calgary has many factors that will impact your home – dramatic temperature swings and sunny winters to established neighbourhoods full of character and growing communities filled with new builds.
That’s why great interior design is never one-size-fits-all.
When we’re planning a renovation, we certainly think about colour palettes, cabinetry and finishes. But we also consider how our climate, lifestyle and architecture will influence the way you experience your home for years to come.
Here are five local factors we keep in mind when designing homes in Calgary.
Keeping Up with Calgary’s Climate
Our weather ranges between four seasons…and those seasons sometimes all happen in the same week! Our temperatures can change dramatically, sometimes within hours. And these rapid shifts can have a real impact on your home and its materials.
Chinooks can bring sudden temperature swings, causing materials to expand and contract more than expected. Over time, this movement can lead to cracking, warping, or wear if finishes and installation methods aren’t chosen carefully.
We also want to consider Calgary’s low humidity. It can cause wood flooring, cabinetry, and trim to shrink, which leads to gaps or separation at joints. To manage this, we often recommend more stable materials like engineered wood, along with proper sealing.
When our temperatures fluctuate, it affects materials like tile and concrete. If we don’t include the right detailing, such as flexible adhesives or expansion allowances, these surfaces can crack or deteriorate over time and will not hold their value.
We are also known for severe hailstorms, which can cause significant damage to windows. We often recommend our clients install impact-resistant or laminated glass for exterior windows. You also need to choose your window frames carefully. Durable materials like fibreglass or high-quality vinyl can better handle both impact and temperature fluctuations.
Coming in from all of that weather leads us to our next point…
Your Mudroom Needs to Work Harder Than Almost Every Other Room
Around here, the mudroom is one of the hardest-working spaces in your home. It’s the first stop after a snowy morning, a muddy hike, or hockey practice. On any given day, it might need to handle wet boots, bulky winter coats, backpacks, ski helmets, dog leashes, grocery bags and everything else that might come through your door.
Without planning, it doesn’t take long for the space to become cluttered and chaotic.
That’s why we do more than just add a bench and a couple of hooks. This might include dedicated storage for each family member, designated areas for drying wet boots, comfortable seating for putting on skates or winter gear, and practical solutions for unpacking backpacks without spilling into other areas of the home.
It’s not just about storage – you also need the right materials that will stand up to everything you’re bringing inside. We often recommend durable porcelain tile that can stand up to snow, road salt, and gravel. For a tough, low-maintenance surface, go with quartz countertops and easy-to-clean millwork. These will keep your space looking great, even after a long time of heavy use.
Capturing Every Bit of Natural Light in Your Space
Calgary is one of Canada’s sunniest cities, with over 300 days of sunshine each year. So let’s make the most of the natural light you already have.
First, we need to consider how your space is laid out. The direction your home faces, how rooms are laid out, and even where walls are placed all influence how sunlight moves through the space. For instance, opening up a partial wall between the kitchen and living room can let that soft morning light from an east-facing window reach much farther into your home.
In many homes, especially newer ones with walkout basements, there’s also a great opportunity to bring in light from below. Enlarging basement windows or opening up stairwells can help that lower-level light travel up to the main floor.
We also want to consider the materials we choose. Lighter flooring, soft paint finishes like satin or eggshell, and strategically placed mirrors can help reflect light into darker areas.
Of course, more sunlight isn’t always better. Rooms that face south or west can get pretty intense light, especially in the afternoon. That can lead to glare, extra heat, and even fading on floors, furniture, and fabrics. For example, you might want to move your sofa away from the direct path of afternoon sun to make it more comfortable.
Even in the coldest snap, you can enjoy a brighter, lighter space. But in the summertime…
Making the Most of Our Short Summers
Calgarians know that summer doesn’t last forever, which makes every warm, sunny day that much more valuable. When the weather finally cooperates, your home should make it easy to step outside, entertain friends, and enjoy your outdoor spaces without feeling disconnected from the rest of the house.
We talked about this in our previous blog article, but we often think of the backyard as an extension of the home’s interior. During the design process, we look for ways to make it easier to transition between indoor and outdoor living. We especially want to make it easy to move from the kitchen outside. That way, you can easily prep food and head out to the BBQ or make your cup of coffee and enjoy it outside.
When summer only lasts a few months, every design decision that helps you spend more time outdoors becomes an investment in how you experience your home.
Designed for Mature Neighbourhoods vs. New Homes in Calgary
No two neighbourhoods are the same, and neither are the homes within them. A renovation in Mount Royal or Elbow Park presents very different opportunities and challenges than one in Mahogany, Aspen, or Tuscany. Understanding the history, architecture, and character of your neighbourhood is an important part of creating a home that feels like it truly belongs.
In mature communities, we want to preserve the features that give a home its personality. At the same time, we want to make sure it’s updated for modern living. We will often incorporate the original millwork, fireplaces, built-in cabinetry, or other unique architectural details into a new design.
Newer homes present a different set of opportunities. While they often have open floor plans and modern infrastructure, they can sometimes feel similar to neighbouring homes or lack the warmth and character you may be looking for. Through carefully selected details, such as custom millwork or a personalized layout, we can design homes that feel unique to the families who live in them.
(If you’re trying to choose between a new home and renovating an older home, you might find this article interesting.)
Elle Cherie: Interior Design and Renovation Planning for Calgary’s Most Refined Homes
Your home should reflect both where you live and how you live.
At Elle Cherie Design, our interior design studio specializes in residential interiors that go beyond creating beautiful spaces. We believe every design decision should support your lifestyle, enhance the way your home functions, and stand the test of time.
If you’re planning a residential renovation and are looking for a Calgary interior designer who combines timeless style with practical, personalized design, we’d love to hear about your project.