Lakehouse decorating is casual and comfortable.
Lake house decorating is all about casual, carefree and easy maintenance. Your time at the lake house should be filled with fun and family activities, not worrying about the upkeep. Choose styles and colors that you enjoy, with ease of care in mind, and you can spend time at your lake house creating many happy memories. Does this Spark an idea?
Colors
Light and pastel colors work well in lake house decorating to keep an airy and open feeling. Colors such as white, off-white, tans and pale blues provide an airy atmosphere. The fresh look of a pastel or white background color with splashes of vibrant blue and red can give a crisp feel to the room. Natural woods work effectively and add a touch of authenticity to the room; wood stains should be natural, light or white-washed. White bead board on the ceilings and beams can help create an open, lodge look.
Floors
Keep the flooring easy-care in a lake house. Opt for wood floors with a polyurethane finish that look great with a quick sweep and damp mopping. Tile also works well on the floor of a lake house. Floor mats placed at entrance ways will cut down on dirt.
Furniture
Leather furniture cleans up with a damp cloth making it pet and kid friendly. Sleep sofas serve a dual purpose; becoming an extra sleeping area when needed. Dining is often an outside event with lake house living, but prepare for rainy days, too. A simple farm house style table with benches allows for roomy seating for unexpected guests. Choose a table with a Formica finish or a wood top with multiple coats of polyurethane for easy spill clean-up. Keep some folding chairs stashed away in a closet for extra seating. Bedrooms will often need to accommodate multiple guests. Bunk beds work well for the kids and air mattresses can be used for extra adult sleeping areas.
Fabrics
Wash and wear fabrics are a necessity for a lake house. Choose fabrics such as: denim, twill and canvas for extra wear-ability. Slipcover upholstered pieces with washable covers and so you can toss them in the washer or quickly change your look. Outdoor furniture fabric is also an option if you don't want a slipcover look.
Windows
Leave your windows uncluttered and open; the outdoor view should become part of your lake house decor. Opt for simple louvered shutters that open wide or pull-up roman shades. Soft sheers framing the windows and left to blow in the breeze create an airy, carefree look.
Accessories
Keep accessories simple and to a minimum. Bring the outdoors in with framed photographs of the lake, woods and local landmarks. You can also frame maps of your locale to hang on the walls. Boat anchors, ships wheels and compasses are nautical touches that help add to the lake house decor. Bring colorful life preserver cushions inside and place atop simple storage cubes for extra seating as well as storage. Allow your everyday necessities to become natural accessories. Place vivid towels in baskets or rolled up and stacked on bathroom shelves for an added pop of color. Old canning jars filled with colorful marbles, jacks or playing cards, provide a decorative accent as well as storage. Colorful game boards hung from the walls or placed on tables are always ready for a quick game and double as a decorative accent.
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