Ever dreamed of waking up to the tranquil vibes of a lakeside retreat every day? You don’t need waterfront property to capture that relaxed, nature-inspired feeling.
Lake house style combines rustic charm with breezy comfort, creating spaces that feel like a permanent vacation.
It’s time to explore how to transform your home into a serene lakeside haven with these creative decorating ideas.
1. Weathered Wood Accents
Nothing says ‘lake house’ quite like the character of weathered wood. Consider installing a reclaimed wood accent wall in your living room or bedroom to instantly add warmth and rustic charm.
For smaller commitments, incorporate driftwood art pieces, wooden oars as wall decor, or a reclaimed wood coffee table. These elements bring the outdoors in while telling a story through their worn textures and natural imperfections.
2. Nautical Color Palette
When it comes to creating a lakeside atmosphere, your color choices set the foundation. Embrace a palette of blues, whites, and sandy neutrals to mirror the water, sky, and shoreline.
Soft aqua walls paired with crisp white trim create a fresh, airy feel. Add depth with navy blue accents and warm the space with natural wood tones. This color scheme naturally evokes the peaceful feeling of being near water.
3. Rope and Jute Elements
Imagine the simple pleasure of tying up a boat at the dock! Rope and jute elements bring that authentic lake life feeling into your decor.
Look for light fixtures wrapped in rope, jute rugs that add natural texture underfoot, or decorative knots displayed in shadow boxes. Even small touches like drawer pulls made from twisted rope can transform ordinary furniture into lake-inspired statement pieces.
4. Vintage Fishing Gear Display
Those old fishing rods gathering dust in the garage? They’re design gold! Create a conversation-starting display with vintage fishing gear that connects your space to lakeside traditions.
Arrange antique lures, reels, and creels on open shelving or mount fishing rods on walls as unexpected art. Even if you’ve never caught a fish in your life, these nostalgic items add authentic character and storytelling elements to your lake-inspired home.
5. Shiplap Wall Treatments
You’ve seen it in countless lake cottages – that charming horizontal wood paneling that instantly creates a casual, waterside vibe. Shiplap walls bring texture and dimension to any room without overwhelming the space.
Whether painted crisp white for a fresh coastal look or left natural for rustic appeal, these planked walls evoke boat construction and lakeside cabins. Try it in bathrooms, as kitchen backsplashes, or as accent walls in bedrooms.
6. Oar and Paddle Décor
Wondering what to do with that wall space above your sofa? Crossed oars or vintage paddles make for stunning wall art that instantly communicates lake house style.
Hunt for authentic weathered pieces at antique shops or opt for decorative versions painted in coordinating colors. These elongated shapes work wonderfully above doorways, across mantels, or arranged vertically in narrow wall spaces.
Their simple lines and inherent connection to water activities make them perfect lake house staples.
7. Lake-Themed Artwork
A stunning sunset over still waters can transform your living space every day of the year. Invest in artwork that captures the essence of lake living – from serene water landscapes to wildlife prints featuring ducks, fish, or herons.
Local photography of nearby lakes adds a personal connection, while vintage lake maps create interesting focal points. Frame these pieces in distressed wood or simple white frames to maintain that relaxed lake house aesthetic without creating visual clutter.
8. Stone and River Rock Features
Bring the shoreline indoors with natural stone elements that echo the rocky edges of your favorite lake. A river rock fireplace surround creates an impressive focal point that grounds the space with natural texture.
For smaller touches, try stone coasters, pebble bath mats, or decorative bowls filled with smooth lake stones. These elements connect your home to the natural landscape while adding tactile interest that begs to be touched.
9. Wicker and Rattan Furniture
Close your eyes and picture the perfect lakeside porch – chances are, there’s wicker furniture in that mental image! These woven natural materials have long been associated with waterside relaxation.
Incorporate rattan chairs, wicker baskets, or a statement peacock chair in your living spaces. The lightweight, airy quality of these pieces keeps rooms feeling casual and invites lingering conversations. Even indoor spaces benefit from these textures that remind us of lazy summer days by the water.
10. Nautical Lighting Fixtures
Lighting sets the mood in any space, and lake-inspired fixtures can transform ordinary rooms into waterside retreats. Consider lantern-style pendants that mimic dock lights or rope-wrapped chandeliers that bring coastal charm.
Table lamps with transparent glass bases that can be filled with shells or pebbles make for personalized touches. Even simple replacements like nautical-inspired sconces in bathrooms or hallways can reinforce your lake house theme without a major renovation.
11. Cozy Textile Layers
Those chilly evenings by the lake call for layers of comfort, and your home should capture that same inviting warmth. Pile beds and sofas with soft throws in plaids, cable knits, or faux fur that beg to be wrapped around shoulders.
Layer rugs for added texture and warmth underfoot. Look for textiles featuring subtle lake motifs like fish, canoes, or water patterns. These soft elements balance harder surfaces like wood and stone while creating the ultimate cozy retreat.
12. Canoe and Boat Inspired Elements
Have you ever considered a bookshelf shaped like a canoe? Unexpected boat-inspired furniture pieces make delightful statements in lake house decor. Look for canoe shelves, rowboat coffee tables, or boat-shaped wine racks.
For smaller nods to boating life, incorporate miniature wooden boats as tabletop accessories or boat cleat hooks for hanging items. These whimsical elements bring playfulness to your spaces while celebrating classic lake activities.
13. Open Shelving with Lake Treasures
Memories collected from lakeside adventures deserve to be displayed rather than hidden away. Install simple open shelving to showcase your collection of found objects, vacation souvenirs, and natural treasures.
Arrange interesting driftwood pieces, special stones, vintage bottles, or lake-themed collectibles in thoughtful vignettes. The key is curating rather than cluttering – select items with varied heights, textures, and personal significance to create displays that tell your unique lake story.
14. Indoor-Outdoor Flow
Lake living is all about blurring the lines between inside and outside spaces. Maximize natural light with minimal window treatments that frame water views or garden scenes rather than hiding them.
Create easy transitions to outdoor areas with consistent flooring materials or color schemes that flow from inside to out. Strategically place indoor plants to bring greenery inside, especially varieties that thrive in humidity like ferns that might naturally grow near lakes.
15. Vintage Lake Signs
A touch of nostalgia goes a long way in creating authentic lake house atmosphere. Hunt for vintage-style signs featuring lake names, “gone fishing” sentiments, or classic cabin rules to add personality to your walls.
Custom signs with your family name or favorite lake coordinates make meaningful personalized decor. Weather them slightly for that perfect worn look that suggests they’ve witnessed many summers of lakeside memories. These text elements add storytelling and character to your spaces.
16. Natural Fiber Window Treatments
Sunlight dancing across water is one of lake living’s greatest pleasures, and your window treatments should honor that natural light. Skip heavy drapes in favor of woven wood blinds, bamboo shades, or simple linen curtains that filter light beautifully.
These natural materials complement lake house style while providing privacy when needed. Their textural quality adds warmth without the formality of traditional window coverings. Look for options in natural tones or soft blues that enhance your color scheme.
17. Lakeside-Inspired Bathroom
Your daily routines can feel like a mini-vacation when your bathroom captures that spa-like lake retreat feeling. Consider a vanity made from reclaimed boat wood or a mirror framed in rope or driftwood.
Incorporate blue glass accessories that mimic water tones and add pebble flooring in showers for a natural lake-bottom feel underfoot. Complete the look with towels in navy, aqua, or sandy neutrals and artwork featuring water scenes or vintage lake maps.
18. Adirondack-Style Furniture
The iconic silhouette of Adirondack chairs instantly signals relaxation and lake living. While traditionally outdoor pieces, these distinctive chairs can work beautifully indoors too, especially in sunrooms or casual living spaces.
Look for scaled-down versions or modern interpretations in unexpected colors. The angled back and wide armrests that make these chairs perfect for lakeside lounging also create comfortable indoor seating that maintains that vacation vibe year-round.
19. Screened Porch Elements Indoors
What if you could enjoy that screened porch feeling even in your indoor spaces? Bring elements typically found in these transitional areas inside by incorporating porch swing seating in living rooms or daybeds piled with cushions in sunny corners.
Ceiling fans with wooden blades evoke the gentle breeze of lakeside evenings. Add natural fiber rugs, casual director’s chairs, or even hanging plants typically found on porches to create that same relaxed, indoor-outdoor ambiance throughout your home.