Decorating a Lake House: 8 Ways To Create A Cozy Getaway

There’s something about a lake house that brings a sense of peace, relaxation and well being. The lake is a unique way to enjoy nature and spend time with family and friends. It’s the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

So when decorating a lake house, we want to capture that special “lake vibe.” We want to incorporate nature into our decorating, while still keeping it simple, welcoming and easy to maintain.

Whether you’re decorating a brand-new lake home or giving an old one a fresh look, these eight simple tips will help you create a cozy and inviting lake home that you can enjoy all year long.

Tips for Creating a Cozy Atmosphere in Your Lake Home

1. Choose your lake vibe

One of the first things to consider is how you want your lake home to “feel.” This will affect every decorating decision that comes after. Because when it comes to different types of lake decor, the overall aesthetic varies greatly.

You want the final result to be cohesive and reflect one consistent message. Even if your decorating style is eclectic, it should still still reflect different aspects of You. That alone will bring the look together.

Different aesthetics to decorate your lake house

Tropical Beach: For example, one aesthetic is the tropical look, with its white sand beaches, palm trees and starfish. The colors are bright, bold and intense – like a tropical paradise. The decor pulls in elements found in tropical waters and vacation islands. Think steel drums, sandals, startling aqua and citrus orange. It’s a bright, fresh, happy summer vibe.

Coastal Theme: Then there’s the coastal look. Still ocean related, but more cool, grayed blues and light sandy beiges. This has more of a quiet, nautical feel. Ocean breezes, sheer linens, maybe some old anchors and ship’s wheels. Picture wide awning stripes, big open rooms, tall ceilings and large glass doors overlooking an ocean view. The feeling is cool, elegant and sometimes more upscale (but doesn’t have to be).

Beach Bungalow: Somewhere in the middle of these – but completely its own vibe – is the beach bungalow aesthetic. (I think Erin Napier from HGTV’s “Home Town” absolutely nails this look!) This is a cottage look that’s perfect for smaller homes. It’s cozy, yet still light and fresh, with pops of bright, rich color. It’s a friendly, relaxed look that wants to be lived in. Perfect for families and casual entertaining.

Rustic Lodge/Cabin: And finally, there’s the more rustic “lodge” or cabin look. It has strong architectural features like wood beams, stone fireplaces and chunky furniture. The colors are cozy, rich and incorporate deep pine greens, red plaids and rustic browns. The cabin look pulls not only from the lake environment, but reflects a strong woodland feel: bears, deer, pine trees and other woodsy nature décor.

2. Choose a lake-themed interior color palette.

When decorating with a lake-themed color palette, it’s important to use colors that will create an inviting and refreshing atmosphere. These palettes can range from cool blues and greens to warm oranges and yellows. They can be used in various combinations to create different effects.

For example, using light blues and greens together will give a room a cool, calming feeling. Darker shades of blue and green can be used to create a more masculine or formal look. By mixing and matching different shades and tints, you can create an endless variety of looks for your lake home.

Some colors that could be used in a lake-themed color palette are:

• Blues: navy, sky blue, aqua blue
• Greens: olive green, turquoise, seafoam green
• Browns: taupe, beige, camel
• Oranges: sunset, apricot, burnt orange
• Yellows: golden yellow, lemon

3. Balance your color scheme with patterns and textures.

If you’re using many different colors in your room, you’ll want to balance them out with some complementary patterns or textures. For example, if you have a colorful patterned rug, use a solid colored duvet or bedspread. Or if you have a floral print couch, go with a solid colored pillow on the back of it.

This will keep your room from feeling too busy and overwhelming. It’ll also make your room feel cohesive. It’s like when you put together an outfit that has multiple colors in it, but they all work together to create one look. Same idea here!

Another important design aspect to textures is the rich, cozy interest they provide. Consider a nubby chenille throw, a lamp shade of woven natural fibers or beautiful carved wooden bowls. Each of these adds emotional warmth to the home.

4. Decorating a lake house with nature in mind.

One of the great things about lake living is the ability to enjoy nature right outside your door. While it’s easy to get carried away with all the possibilities, it’s important to remember that you’re living in nature. Here are some tips for decorating your lake home with nature in mind:

1. Use natural materials. Stone, wood, and plants are all great choices for materials because they are all found in nature.
2. Add neutral colors. You’ve already chosen a gorgeous color palette, right? (See #2 above.) Now add earth tones like green, brown, and beige to help your home reflect its surroundings. Neutral colors create a calming and relaxing environment.
3. Use plants and flowers to add color and life to the space. Plants not only add beauty, but they can also help to purify the air.
4. Use water features such as fountains and ponds to create a sense of tranquility.
5. Carefully plan lighting. If you don’t have much natural light in your home, consider using light, airy colors like whites, pale blues, and greens. These colors will help to reflect any natural light and make the space feel brighter. If your home is has more natural light, you can use richer colors like browns and deep reds to make the space feel more cozy.
6. Consider the furniture. Furniture with lighter colors will reflect light and help brighten up a room. Darker furniture can help to create a cozy, intimate atmosphere. And make sure the style and function matches your chosen lake vibe: beach, coastal, bungalow or lodge/cabin.

5. Make the most of your lake view.

When decorating a lake house, it’s important to make the most of your view. Consider adding large windows that look out onto the water or choosing furniture and colors that complement the landscape.

Avoid obstructing the view you have. Limb up tall trees, remove unnecessary plantings, and keep window treatments out of the viewing area. Valances are a great way to highlight your windows without blocking the view.

6. Keep it simple.

Regardless of the style you’ve chosen, it’s way too easy to overdo all the fun decor that’s available. Yes – you want the “Welcome to the Lake” sign, the anchor couch pillows, the lighthouse lamp, the starfish dish and the other thousand accessories you found at Hobby Lobby. Of course you do. It’s fun!

But for the love of all mermaids, STOP YOURSELF.

There’s a fine line between interesting accessories and seaweed overwhelm.

Lake homes are often built on a smaller scale than other homes, so you don’t need to go overboard when decorating lake house. Choose a few statement pieces and then add accessories that reflect your personal style and complement the room’s overall design.

Most homes don’t have a bearskin rug, a cozy plaid throw and a moose mount. If yours does, guests will feel your cabin/lodge vibe just fine.

 7. Decorate with some lake art.

If you’re looking for a way to add a touch of nature to your home without sacrificing style, then you should consider lake art. By using prints or photographs of different bodies of water, you can create a look that’s both calming and stylish.

Lake prints are perfect for anyone who loves spending time outdoors but wants to bring a piece of that beauty inside. You can find pieces with everything from gentle waves to rushing waterfalls. Plus, there are plenty of sizes and styles to choose from, so you can find the perfect addition for your decorating style.

Creating your own natural art is another way to go. If you’re a DIY person, there are endless ways to get creative. Bring the outside indoors by using driftwood, rocks, and leaves.

A quick and easy way to get started with lake art is to use driftwood. All you need is a few pieces of driftwood and some nails or screws. Simply nail or screw the driftwood to a piece of wood that’s the same size or bigger, and then hang it on your wall for a gorgeous statement piece.

8. Decorate your lake home with relaxing games and activities.

When you have a lake home, there are endless possibilities for fun and relaxation. You can swim, boat, fish, and more, but there are also a few ways to add a little extra fun and relaxation to your home. One way is to decorate it with games and activities.

Games and activities can provide a fun way to spend time with your family and friends, and they can also help to create a relaxing atmosphere. Here are a few ideas for games and activities that you can use to decorate your lake home:

• Pool table – A pool table is a great way to keep guests entertained. Whether you are having a party or just a casual get together, this game is great for all ages.
• Ping pong table – A ping pong table is another great option for guests. It’s perfect for rainy days or warm summer evenings.
• Board games – A ready-to-play board game is so inviting to visitors. It’s a welcome invitation to relax and stay awhile. And isn’t that what lake life is all about? Consider Checkers, Chess, Cribbage and the Horse Racing Board Game. Also, a deck of cards is perfect in any space.

Conclusion: Ideas for Decorating a Lake House

We’re huge fans of the lakeside life, and we know that you are, too!

In this short article, we’ve shared some easy and affordable ideas for decorating a lake house. We’ve given ideas for creating the perfect lake vibe, how to choose the right color palette, how to incorporate lake art, and more.

Also, don’t forget to add some relaxing games and activities to your lake space – both indoor and outdoor.

Please don’t forget to Pin, Follow and Comment. Let’s be Lake Buddies!