Lake House Decor Ideas: How to Create a Cozy and Inviting Retreat

9 Cozy Lake House Decor Ideas and Tips for the Perfect Retreat

Whether you’re hosting family and friends or just enjoying some quiet time by the water, these tips will help you create a relaxing and stylish lakeside retreat. 

1. Make comfortable beds with cozy linens.

You want your guests to feel comfortable and leave your lake home feeling rested and restored. One of the best ways to do that is to provide comfortable beds made with cozy bed linens. 

Soft quilts, cool sheets, and cozy comforters or duvets create a welcoming bed at the end of a day on the lake. 

Quality pillows make a big difference in a good night’s sleep. 

Guests have different comfort levels and sleep preferences, so layering your beds with a variety of bed linens accommodates for a wide range of bedding preferences when sleeping.

2. Personalize your lake house decor.

Lakehouse decor should be fun, personal, and reflect who you are and what’s important to your family. It’s a great place to add fun or silly memorabilia that has special meaning to you. 

Can you guess what this wall art says? Here’s a hint. It’s from the game, Mad Gab, and it describes what you should be doing on a weekend at the lake. Let me know in the comments if you figure it out.

Just seeing this sign makes me smile because it represents a special memory filled with lots of laughter from a girls’ trip a few years ago! 

3. Create a gathering place in the kitchen.

You’re sure to spend lots of time around the table for special meals at the lake – from big family breakfasts, to grill outs, or a fish fry from the day’s catch.

4. Stock a functional kitchen for easy meal prep.

Make sure your home-away-from-home still has all the comforts and conveniences of home with a well-stocked kitchen. You’ll need cookware, bakeware, dishes, glasses, flatware, utensils, dish towels, table linens, and cleaning supplies! Make it easy to prepare those special meals in your home away from home.

5. Provide a well-stocked game closet.

Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate for outdoor or water activities, so be sure to have a well-stocked closet full of games for all ages, as well as books and magazines for the readers in your crew.

6. Select a relaxing lake house color palette.

A classic look will stand the test of time, and these beautiful shiplap walls painted Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17) are the perfect look for a soothing lake house wall color.

 

The kitchen cabinets painted Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn (SW 7674) are a nice rich color which adds contrast to the warm white, and create a fresh look that’s timeless for the kitchen.

If you’re looking for more inspiration on selecting the best colors for your kitchen, check out my guide on The Best Sherwin-Williams Paint Colors for Kitchen Spaces.

 

The natural wood interior doors add warmth to the space with all of the white and dark gray paint color.

In the lake house bedrooms create restful, spa-like areas for you and your guests to retreat to at the end of the day.

A soft neutral shade on the bedroom walls with soft blue or green undertones is the perfect wall color for bedrooms at the lake. Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt (SW 6204), or Silver Strand (SW 7057) are perfect options for creating a restful and relaxed feeling in the bedrooms.

7. Boost curb appeal with a welcoming front door.

When our friends were building their home and selecting exterior colors four years ago, they wanted colors that would feel earthy and blend with the natural environment. White exterior time was not an option for them.

It wasn’t that they didn’t like white, but it was more of a practical reason. Their home is nestled in the woods, and they wanted exterior colors that would be easier to maintain. It’s really hard to keep white exteriors clean in the woods, especially with so much moisture from the lake.

They went with green siding, that was one of the manufacturers predetermined colors. It’s a sage green color very similar to Sherwin-Williams Livable Green (SW 6176).

We paired it with trim painted Sherwin-Williams Urbane Bronze (SW 7048) for a “woodsy” look that is easy to maintain. 

 

They wanted a fun pop of color for their front door, and we chose Sherwin-Williams Eastlake Gold (SW 0009) . The color still needs to be a somewhat toned-down color to use with the sage green siding color, so Eastlake Gold provides enough of a “pop” without overwhelming the sage green siding.

We also chose SW Basil for the series of exterior doors across their lower level balcony. It’s a rich green that complements the color of the siding. 

8. Personalize your lake house with meaningful art.

A weekend at the lake should be restful, restorative, and inspirational. Add fun touches of art to remind your guests of the important things in life. 

I love the simple reminders in this little print to prioritize what’s important and make intentional choices for a well-lived life!

9. Maximize lake views in your decor.

Your greatest contribution to your lake house decor is the amazing view of the lake, so make sure you have unobstructed views of the lake through your windows! 

Feel free to leave your windows uncovered. However, if you choose to hang draperies or window treatments, make sure they are mounted outside the windows. If you need some type of shade for privacy, make sure it’s one that can raise completely to keep the view completely clear. Raise them every morning for those glorious lake views!

Surrounded by the beauty and serenity of nature, a trip to the lake is a perfect getaway to relax and restore your mind, body, and spirit!