A lake house should feel like a gentle exhale – a place where time slows down and every view invites you to linger.
The right decor turns a simple cabin or cottage into a cozy, memory-filled haven with nods to nature, rustic touches, and laid-back elegance.
These 20 decorating ideas celebrate the easygoing spirit of lakeside living, helping you craft a retreat that’s equal parts comfortable, stylish, and endlessly inviting.
1. Whitewashed Wood Walls
The soft, weathered look of whitewashed wood instantly evokes the relaxed charm of a classic lakeside retreat. This technique preserves the natural grain pattern while adding brightness to your space.
Unlike stark white paint, whitewashing creates depth and texture that changes subtly as daylight shifts across your walls. The result feels both rustic and refined—perfect for creating that laid-back lake house atmosphere.
2. Cozy Slipcovered Sofas
After a day of swimming and boating, you’ll appreciate sinking into something soft and inviting. Machine-washable slipcovers in natural cotton or linen make practical sense for wet swimsuits and sandy feet.
Choose relaxed styles with slightly rumpled looks rather than formal options. Neutral colors like ivory, beige, or soft blue create a casual elegance that never feels fussy or overdone.
3. Nautical Throw Pillows
Want to add personality without going overboard on the lake theme? Tossing a few carefully chosen nautical pillows onto your seating creates instant character.
Look for subtle patterns like small anchors, rope designs, or watercolor-style waves rather than cartoonish motifs. Mix in solid colors that echo your lake’s hues—perhaps deep blues for clear water or soft greens for a tree-lined shore.
4. Rustic Stone Fireplace
Chilly evenings by the lake call for gathering around a substantial stone fireplace. Using local stone creates an authentic connection to your surroundings and grounds the space with natural texture.
For a modern twist, try out a linear design rather than a traditional hearth. Add a simple wood mantel where you can display treasures collected during shoreline walks or family photos from summers past.
5. Oversized Woven Baskets
Keeping a tidy lake house means having smart storage solutions for everything from extra throws to water toys. Beautiful oversized baskets bring warmth and texture while hiding everyday clutter.
Place them beside sofas, under console tables, or stacked in corners. The natural materials complement other organic elements in your lake house and add visual interest through their intricate weaving patterns.
6. Shiplap Accent Walls
Longing for that quintessential lake house vibe? Horizontal shiplap paneling instantly creates coastal character without trying too hard. While white remains a popular choice, you can also opt for pale gray or a washed blue for subtle variation. Install on a single feature wall behind the bed or throughout your main living space. The linear pattern subtly references boardwalks and docks, reinforcing your waterfront setting.
7. Weathered Wood Coffee Table
Imagine propping your feet up on a coffee table that looks like it might have drifted in with the tide. Weathered wood with a gently distressed finish stands up beautifully to wet glasses and sandy magazines.
For authentic character, seek out reclaimed pieces with a story to tell. The imperfections and patina of age create conversation pieces that feel right at home in a casual lake setting.
8. Soft Blue and Green Color Palette
Ever notice how the most restful lake houses seem to mirror their surroundings? Borrow colors directly from your view—the soft blue of water, various greens from surrounding trees, and neutral sand tones.
These hues flow naturally from outdoors to indoors, creating visual harmony. Keep the palette limited to three or four complementary colors for a sophisticated, cohesive look that never feels themed or contrived.
9. Lantern-Style Lighting
Casting a warm, inviting glow across your spaces, lantern-style fixtures evoke memories of evenings spent by the water. Their nautical heritage feels appropriate without being clichéd. Hang a substantial lantern pendant over your dining table or flank your fireplace with wall-mounted versions.
For exterior spaces, go for weather-resistant metals like brass or copper that will develop a beautiful patina over seasons of lake air exposure.
10. Vintage Oars as Wall Decor
Wondering how to fill that long wall in your hallway? Vintage wooden oars or paddles create striking linear art that honors waterfront traditions.
Arrange them horizontally, vertically, or in a fan pattern for different effects. The worn wooden handles and faded paint tell stories of adventures past. For added meaning, collect oars from your own lake’s history or local antique shops.
11. Breezy Linen Curtains
Framing your gorgeous lake views requires a thoughtful touch. Sheer linen panels filter sunlight beautifully while maintaining privacy and softening architectural lines. Choose simple rod pocket or ring-top styles that move with lake breezes.
Avoid heavy treatments that block views or feel formal. When selecting colors, opt for barely-there neutrals like oatmeal, pale gray, or the faintest blue to complement rather than compete with your panorama.
12. Natural Fiber Rugs
Barefoot living calls for floor coverings that feel good underfoot while standing up to wet feet and sandy toes. Jute, sisal, and seagrass rugs bring organic texture and practical durability to lake house floors.
Their neutral coloring works with any decorating style, from traditional to contemporary. Layer with smaller washable cotton rugs in high-traffic areas for added comfort and protection against moisture.
13. Large Windows with Lake Views
Maximizing your connection to the water should be priority number one in any lake house design. If renovation is possible, consider replacing smaller windows with larger versions that frame your view like living artwork.
Keep window treatments minimal or use styles that fully retract. For privacy concerns, consider smart glass options that can switch from transparent to opaque, or install discrete blinds that disappear when not needed.
14. Antique Boat Models
Bringing maritime heritage indoors, carefully crafted model boats add character and storytelling to shelves and mantels. Look for vintage pieces with authentic details and natural aging.
Small wooden sailboats, canoes, or rowboats specific to your lake’s history make meaningful decorative touches. Group several different sizes together for visual interest, or showcase one special piece as a focal point in your living area.
15. Reclaimed Wood Beams
Few architectural elements add as much instant character as substantial wooden beams overhead. Salvaged from old barns or mills, these timbers bring history and warmth to lake house ceilings.
The rich patina and visible saw marks tell stories of their previous lives. Install as individual statement pieces or create a full grid pattern for dramatic effect. Their rustic quality balances beautifully with more refined furnishings.
16. Lake-Inspired Artwork
Celebrating your specific body of water through art creates a deeply personal connection to place. Commission a local artist to paint your lake’s distinctive shoreline or find vintage maps showing its contours.
Black and white photography of your water views in different seasons creates sophisticated gallery walls. For a modern approach, consider abstract paintings that capture the feeling of your lake through color and movement rather than literal representation.
17. Rope-Wrapped Accessories
Subtle nautical touches can be incorporated through rope-detailed accessories that reference boating traditions. Look for table lamps with rope-wrapped bases, mirrors framed with twisted natural fiber, or stair railings wound with substantial dock line.
These tactile elements add textural interest and maritime character without feeling themed. The natural color and organic texture of rope works beautifully with both traditional and contemporary lake house styles.
18. Porch Swing with Plush Cushions
Is any lake house truly complete without a spot to sway gently while watching the water? A generously sized porch swing invites lazy afternoon reading sessions and sunset viewing.
Choose weather-resistant materials like cedar, teak, or marine-grade polymer that withstand humidity. Add washable cushions in performance fabrics that resist fading and mildew. Placement is key—position your swing where it captures both breezes and views.
19. Driftwood Mirrors
Capturing reflections of your stunning lake views becomes even more special with mirrors framed in pieces of weathered driftwood. Each unique frame brings organic shapes and silvery-gray tones that complement any lake house style.
Hang in entryways to create the illusion of more space and light. For authentic character, collect pieces from your own shoreline walks or source from artisans who specialize in driftwood creations.
20. Indoor-Outdoor Dining Setup
Seamlessly blending living spaces makes your lake house feel larger and more connected to nature. Create a dining area that transitions easily from indoors to out with consistent materials and style.
Consider a large farmhouse table that works equally well on a screened porch or in your dining room. Add chairs that can handle occasional moisture, and lighting that creates ambiance for evening meals. Sliding glass doors or pass-through windows enhance the flow between spaces.