Make lake life more decorative.
When you think of lake houses, you usually picture relaxing days by the water. From a day of reading with your toes in the sand to a day of kayaking or boating with friends, your lake house is the perfect place to make long-lasting memories with loved ones. Capturing your dream interior decor style for your lake house will not only make you feel more at home but can enhance the good times and memories created there. Whether you're looking for a classic nautical design or something a bit more rustic, we’ve put together a list of ideas for your lake house interior design.
1. Opt for Light Wood
While darker woods are common in rustic lake houses, you can opt for a lighter wood (like white oak) for your main furniture to brighten up your lake house. A light wood base can keep your space feeling light and airy and can enable you to opt for a lighter color palette throughout your lake house. Light wood is common in coastal homes. Look for furniture that is distressed for a lived-in, coastal twist on a rustic look.
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Tip!
Don’t forget to add a bench or other seating near your windows. A beautiful lake surrounds your lake house, and it's the main draw for you, your family, and guests to enjoy. A bench or seat near the window is the perfect spot to enjoy your morning cup of coffee while looking out at a picturesque lake.
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2. Decorate With Paddles
Give a nod to lake life by incorporating items traditionally used on the water, like kayak paddles or boat oars. This lake house design idea brings in the sense of adventure of your favorite lake activities while adding fun decor to your lake house. If you don’t want to hang them on the wall, try adding them in the corners of the room or beside bookcases. It will add a fun and unexpected nautical twist to your decor.
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3. Go Bold With Stripes
Stripes are reminiscent of everything nautical and work perfectly in lakeside homes. They are an easy pattern for adding lake house details without overpowering the room with decor items. Shades of blue, including navy, are perfect for tying in the color of the water, while the stripes, no matter the thickness, will give off a nautical feel. Go bold and choose dining chairs with dark, navy stripes. The chairs will undoubtedly draw the eye and act as a focal point for your dining table.
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4. Try a Subtle Stripe Look
If bold stripes aren’t your thing, don’t worry – look for smaller stripes in a lighter color to add that same lake house detail without overpowering the rest of the room. Add stripes to your walls using wallpaper in a light blue for a subtlety that still gives off that waterside feel. If you are looking for easy-to-install wallpaper, opt for striped peel-and-stick wallpaper.
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5. Display Shades of Blue
If there is any color that screams living by the water, it’s blue! Incorporating shades of blue into your lake house interior design gives it a nautical feel just by adding in that color. Look for different decor items, like glass balls or lanterns, in various shades of blue. It gives pieces that aren’t typically seen as nautical a lake house feel. Keep the rest of your color palette neutral to allow the blue to act as the pop of color in your space.
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6. Don’t Forget About Your Walls
When it comes to lake house interior design, your walls are a great place to add lake-inspired decor without crowding your space. Look for items that make you feel like you're on the lake, like wall art with ropes, anchors, or even boats. If you want to take your wall art to a more personal level, frame photographs of the lake itself or photographs of your family enjoying time on the lake.
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7. Incorporate Rope Details
A rope is a common material and tool used on most boats. Whether it is used to secure items on board or tie a boat up to a dock, rope is a material common to lake life. Adding rope details to your lake house is an exciting way to incorporate that lake feeling into your interior design without defaulting to the typical anchors or shades of blue. The rope itself adds a fun texture to your space and can add to your overall decor. Look for a table lamp that uses rope as the base for an unexpected way to use a rope – guests are bound to love your attention to detail. Add a wall mirror with braided rope on the outside to create a cohesive rope look in the room and add more texture to your wall.
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8. Add Lake-Inspired Bedding
Turn your child's room into a fun, lake-inspired bedroom. Look for bedding with boats on it to incorporate a nautical but playful theme. Opt for something linen or light so that they can get cozy without overheating on hot summer nights. Add brightly colored pillows and decor items in shades of red and blue. This lake house interior decor idea is a fun way to decorate your little one’s room so that it can even be used as a guest room.
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9. Consider Textures
Texture adds interest to any room and is an excellent consideration if you choose to keep your color palette neutral. Look for various types of textured items that you can add to your space. Soft, cozy blankets and pillow covers will add comfort to your sofa while adding a soft texture. Jute or sisal area rugs help add a rough texture to the floor while giving you a warm place to rest your feet. Compared to wooden furniture or a woven ottoman, smooth textiles will help balance out the rougher textures.
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10. Opt for Rustic
Traditional, dark wood furniture and decor items known for their rustic vibes (such as candle holders, coffee tables, and picture frames) can be perfect additions to your lake house interior design. The rustic feel and dark colors of these objects are reminiscent of boats, docks, and lakeside forests, creating the ideal lake house vibe. The wooden furniture displays the details of the wood and adds an interesting texture to the space. Add wooden frames in a similar shade for a cohesive feel throughout the room. For more of a moody feel, opt for a dark brown leather sofa, which will be comfortable to relax on after a day on the lake while offering a dark accent to the room.
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11. Make It Modern
Lake house interior design doesn’t have to be strictly nautical; try making it modern! Keep furniture slim and sleek to give off that modern feel while choosing lake-inspired colors, like light blues and grays, to incorporate the lakeside feel. Look for sofas and chairs that show off their slim legs with curves and rounded edges to finish off the modern look. Frame a photograph of the lake in a sleek white frame to tie in lake-inspired decor.
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12. A Play on Patterns
If the traditional nautical feel isn’t your lake house vision, don’t worry! You can embrace a rustic lake house feel by adding different patterns throughout your home. Opt for patterns in dark or dull colors so that the color palette isn’t too bright, to keep the home feeling rustic. Pair patterned throw pillows on a dark leather sofa to offer some color while the dark leather acts as a cozy rustic backdrop to your lake house decor. Lay a patterned rug in light colors to offset the darker shades on the sofa; this can help brighten the space while incorporating another pattern in the room. Opt for a distressed coffee table to add to the rustic feel. The details on the wood add their own unique pattern to the room while showing off the natural details of the wood itself.
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13. Go for a Nautical Twist
Opt for a twist on the traditional nautical look by opting for wooden decor items. Instead of a traditional bookcase, look for a bookcase in the shape of a rowboat. It offers shelving for books and decor items while acting as a rustic decor piece itself. Add wooden birds, foxes, and antlers around the room for a rustic spin on traditional lakeside animals.
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14. Take It Outside
When starting work on your list of lake house decorating ideas, don’t forget to take it outside! Add seating to your front porch to sit back and take in the view of the lake or enjoy a warm cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Add cozy additions like a hammock chair, outdoor rug, or outdoor throw pillows to bring the inviting feeling of your home to your porch.
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15. Embrace Winter
Turn your lake house into a winter wonderland this winter by swapping out warm-weather decor for cozy elements. A wood stove helps keep you warm after a long day of ice skating or cross-country skiing across the lake. Add a basket for log storage to help keep the fire going while acting as extra decor in the room. Prop your skis nearby as a fun addition to your decor. When it comes to textiles, go for cozy options like soft blankets and faux fur pillows, which can give you a reason to snuggle up on the couch while adding a sense of warmth and softness to your sofa. Showcase elements from the colder seasons, like pinecones, to help bring parts of the outdoors in. Consider leaving your wintry decor up all year. Since lake houses can be used year-round, it’s not unusual to see skis, snow shoes, and even trail maps throughout the seasons.
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