home decor Archives

Spring is in the Air: Decorate with Foraged Wreaths!

Posted on April 18, 2024April 17, 2024 Jayden Marable

What is a Foraged Wreath?

With March behind us, it’s safe to say Spring is finally in full bloom. One of the best parts about lake living in the Spring is the florals and greenery, making Spring the perfect time to get crafty. If you like DIYs or art projects, or if you love the lake lifestyle, this one is for you! Keep reading to learn how to craft the perfect foraged wreath for your lake home.

A foraged wreath screams Spring. Not only do you get to add your personal flare to your home with goods and materials collected right from your yard, garden, or shoreline, but it’s also a great way to spend more time with nature. Being outside and being in nature are known to aid in stress relief and mindfulness. Luckily, because you live on the lake, there’s plenty to do and find outside! That includes foraging. Making a foraged wreath is a good way to reuse and recycle goods in a unique, trendy way. This can be great to take on as a solo project and even better to involve your friends and family! With the world as your oyster, try to think outside the box and create something you never thought you would.

Inspiration

One of the many benefits of lakeside living includes easy access to foraged goods and materials. Materials like pinecones, flowers, stems, dried fruits or vegetables, or even leaves and roots can all be used to spruce up your home. When starting your project, it’s best to go into it with a different perspective. Try finding materials to find beauty in that you wouldn’t necessarily reach for. Or, you could try something totally new by upscaling materials. A few inspirations to draw from include pinecone flowers and dried fruit garlands. These can be quick and easy while adding fragrance to your home as well as bringing an interesting style element to your piece.

Assembly

The trickiest part of this DIY is the assembly process and even that is easy! Before you start, you will need to ensure that you have a wire frame, gardening clippers or scissors, green wire, or something else to tie the foraged materials to the frame, and last but not least, you will need your foraged materials! If wanted, glue could suffice for the wire, though the wire will ensure a tighter hold and allow for a longer wreath life.

As said, assembly is quite easy. Follow these three simple steps for a successful foraged wreath!

First, piece together bundles of flowers, stems, and other foraged goods or greenery.
- We suggest using the bigger pieces first, as they take up the most space and will be harder to adjust when the wreath is fuller.
Next, you will need to use either wire or some form of string to tie the bundles onto the frame.
- It is a rule of thumb to separate each bundle by an inch or so to ensure a full wreath. This will also make the wreath appear more symmetrical.
- Do this until the entire frame is covered.
Lastly, it is time to add the special touches.
- Use flowers, pinecones, etc. to fill in the empty spots.

Wreath Care

Taking care of your wreath is as simple as can be. Either you can choose to leave it alone as is, or you can periodically mist your wreath. If properly taken care of, a foraged wreath can last several months. Of course, this depends on the climate and temperature of your home. Wreaths in warmer climates tend to not last as long as those in colder climates. Similarly so, wreaths placed indoors tend to not last as long or tend to dry out faster.

A tip for wreath care to pay attention to in the beginning is the care of your cut stems and greenery. By immediately placing the cut stems in a bucket of water, you are preserving the wreath. Doing this allows for excess water to be absorbed before the assembly of the wreath. As we know, all living things need water to survive, so this is an easy and effective step to take. While doing so, make sure to aim the water towards the back end of the wreath or towards the cut ends of the stems.

As you can see, making a foraged wreath is a fun and easy way to add a personal touch of your lake home to your decor. Whether you choose to make something new or make something you know you’ll love, you are sure to spruce up your home!

Tabletop Centerpiece Ideas

Posted on April 4, 2022April 1, 2022 Camille Smith

When hosting guests at your lake house, creating a beautiful centerpiece can do wonders for your space. But instead of buying an expensive decoration, you can easily create a DIY centerpiece that shows off your creativity and personal style. If you’re seeking ideas for a sophisticated dining table aesthetic, we’ve got you covered.

The Tin Can Succulents

Designing your centerpiece around plants is a great way to foster a biophilic aesthetic in your home. Especially with succulents, you can add greenery to your home in a stress-free way. These plants are low-irrigation, making them super easy to care for. Add a few upcycled tin cans, a tray filled with decorative rocks, and you’re all set.

The Leafy Greens

Photo courtesy of Southern State of Mind Blog

To create a nature-based centerpiece, you don’t need to look further than your own backyard. Using various clippings of leaves from your lakeside property, you can create a beautiful centerpiece that evokes a natural aesthetic. Quick to assemble, you can replace your foliage every so often with new hand-picked plants. For an extra unique flair, try adding some lemons and limes to the base of the vase. It’s also a great opportunity to dig in your craft basket for a beautiful ribbon to wrap around the vase.

The Candle Corner

Nothing evokes a sense of warmness, comfort, and overall hygge quite like a collection of candles. Rather than arranging candles sporadically in various corners of your house, try compiling them to create an elegant centerpiece for your table. This DIY idea from Liz Marie’s blog features a pottery tray with wood bead garland, topped with nine pillar candles of varying heights. The combination of various materials such as wood figures, a ceramic plate, and a woven tray table creates a dynamic look.

The Fruity and Delicious

Photo courtesy of Julia Winkler via brides.com

Don’t underestimate the decorative power of that fruit bowl sitting in your kitchen. With the right amount of creative touch, fruit bowls can make lovely tabletop centerpieces. For a pristine look, get a smooth, white, or silver bowl with a wide base. Then, pair jewel-toned fruits with a variety of sizes but with similar coloring. For example, plums and pomegranates complement each other well, with their dark reddish shades. For a more interesting look, you can also pair it with florals from your garden.

The “I Want Candy”

Want to create a good-looking centerpiece with a whimsical touch? Try filling a glass jar with Hershey’s Kisses wrapped in silver. While unconventional, this idea creates a fun and inviting atmosphere, and the silver wrappers create a cohesive, shiny look that goes with any lake house aesthetic. The best part? Your guests will always have a sweet treat to munch on.

Of course, these are just a few ideas. When it comes to creating your own centerpieces, the options are endless. Use whatever materials are at your fingertips — greenery, used mason jars, fruit, flowers, craft paper — and get creative! Your interior design style is personal, and it’s all about cultivating the right look for you!

2022 Pantone Color of the Year: Harmonize Your Lake Home with Very Peri

Posted on January 22, 2022March 6, 2023 Jeanne Delathouder

Photo courtesy of Huge, Inc. for Pantone

Released in early December 2021, Pantone’s highly anticipated Color of the Year 2022, Very Peri, “is a symbol of the global zeitgeist of the moment and the transition we are going through,” say the experts at the esteemed Pantone Color Institute.

“As we move into a world of unprecedented change, the selection of PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri brings a novel perspective and vision of the trusted and beloved blue color family, encompassing the qualities of the blues,” says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Yet at the same time with its violet-red undertone, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expressions.”

Impossible to ignore, this captivating blue hue most certainly captures our attention as well as our creative spirit. So, how do we introduce this curious color to our lake homes? Whether you want to make a big splash, or apply little pops of color throughout your rooms, here are some ideas to inspire you—and perhaps tempt you to break out your creative paintbrush.

Palette Play

To help you use this wonderful new shade in your home, Pantone has created four unique color palettes intended to work in harmony with Very Peri. “Each palette conveys a different mood, illustrating PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri’s versatility,” say the color experts. “Each palette additionally features three suggested color combinations integrating PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri.”

Choose from the subtle tones of Balancing Act, the nature-infused greens of Wellspring, the classic neutrals of The Star of the Show, or the whimsical color bursts of Amusements when designing the perfect palette to reflect your personal taste.

“The Pantone Color of the Year reflects what is taking place in our global culture, expressing what people are looking for that color can hope to answer,” says Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “Creating a new color for the first time in the history of our Pantone Color of the Year educational color program reflects the global innovation and transformation taking place. As society continues to recognize color as a critical form of communication and a way to express and affect ideas and emotions and engage and connect, the complexity of this new red violet-infused blue hue highlights the expansive possibilities that lay before us,” she notes.

Artful Accents

Want just a splash of Very Peri without committing to an entire room? Instead, paint an accent wall that will instantly liven up your space and truly immerse you in this vibrant hue. Amplifying just one wall is an ideal way to add color to your room without going too bold. In addition, your decorative furnishings—artwork, lighting, furniture, and collections—will suddenly pop if you use contrasting or complementary colors like white, black, neutrals, and varying shades of blue.

Kitchen Charisma

Photo courtesy of Shelley Metcalf via *HGTV*

Combine this powerful periwinkle hue with bright orange for a dazzling and unexpected WOW factor in the kitchen. Here, streamlined cabinetry, contemporary furnishings, and sleek accents lend themselves to this ultra-modern aesthetic.

Bathroom Beauty

Photo courtesy of David A. Land via *HGTV*

Freshen up your lake house bathroom with this pretty periwinkle shade. Combine with visually impactful embellishments like a patterned shower curtain and some new towels in a vibrant complementary color—try citrine or spring green—to give your bathroom a dose of cottage charm.

Off the Wall

Photo courtesy of Sarah Dorio via *HGTV*

Use this irresistible periwinkle tone as your foundation shade for a layering of sophisticated blue hues. But this time, take it all the way to the ceiling, wrapping your entire room in this soothing and mesmerizing color. Here, the harmonious mix of blues works to unify the space and blend the whimsical fusion of design styles.

Bold & Beautiful

“Displaying a carefree confidence and a daring curiosity that animates our creative spirit, inquisitive and intriguing PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri helps us to embrace this altered landscape of possibilities, opening us up to a new vision as we rewrite our lives,” say the Pantone color experts. “Rekindling gratitude for some of the qualities that blue represents complemented by a new perspective that resonates today, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri places the future ahead in a new light.”

So, start dreaming now and infuse a bit of this delicious hue into your lake home spaces. The palette possibilities are virtually limitless, with an endless array of color combinations. From all of us at Lake Homes Lifestyles—may your 2022 be filled with joyful color!

Lake Inspired DIY Candles

Posted on November 13, 2021January 8, 2022 Camille Smith

Photo courtesy of TheYummyLife.com via Pinterest

Throughout the past several years, one of the biggest trends in interior design has been bringing the outdoors in. Oftentimes, this takes shape through incorporating nature-inspired furniture such as driftwood, adding biophilic elements to your living room, and using wallpaper tones that resemble the outdoors. However, visuals are not the only way to create a natural feel in your home. One often-overlooked way to “bring the outdoors in” is through scent. Besides the pleasant ambiance, lighting candles has other health benefits such as stress relief, memory stimulation, and mood improvement. But before you rush to your local Bath and Body Works, consider creating a DIY candle for a craft project and an amazing scent, rolled into one. Check out these lake inspired DIY candles for recipe recommendations!

Fresh Pine Candle

This candle recipe comes from Ann’s Entitled Life, a blog full of crafts, cocktails, gardening, and travel tips. Just in time for the holidays, a DIY fresh pine candle is the perfect project. Whether you wrap it up as a gift to yourself or another person, you’ll enjoy creating a smell reminiscent of a beloved evergreen.

Materials:

2 cups of soy wax
1 candlestick
1 large nonstick pot
Wooden spoon
Chopstick, woodstock, pencil
1 crayon (any color) or candle dye
10 drops of pine essential oil or wintergreen essential oil
1 mason jar

Directions: Place a candlewick into a jar, allowing it to sit at the bottom. Wrap the top around a pencil to hold it in place. Then, heat soy wax on low heat, and continue to stir. Add pine essential oil and the crayon. Remove the mixture from the stove and pour into the jar. Let sit for 3-4 hours.

Maple Scented Candle

This recipe from the Vin Yet blog features one of our favorite autumn scents — maple. Whether it reminds you of leaf peeping season or of pancakes, the smell of maple immediately evokes a sense of comfort.

Materials:

Soy wax flakes
Wooden wick
Glue gun
Double boiler
Kabob skewers
Maple flavored extract

Directions: Set up your workstation with craft paper. Put a pyrex measuring cup inside the pot to create a double boiler. Pour wax into the Pyrex dish, boil the water, stirring occasionally until the temperature has reached 185. Remove from heat, add maple extract, and pour into containers when heat has reached 125 degrees. Cool.

DIY Floral Candle

When thinking about the best natural scents for your lake home, we’d be remiss to exclude florals. Especially if gardening is an activity you enjoy, you’ll appreciate a botanic scent in your living room. This DIY floral candle from the One Good Thing Blog is fun and colorful, yet elegant.

Materials:

Soy candle wax
Candle jar
Candle wicks and wick stands
Flowers of your choice
Essential oils of your choice

Directions: Melt the soy wax over the stove using a double boiler. Allow the wax to melt, then remove from the heat. Then add your essential oils (around 15 ml bottle). Once the wax is scented, dip flower petals into the wax and press to the edges of your candle jar until they’ve stuck. Finally, pour the wax and allow it to set in completely and cool.

Ocean Scented Candle

Although ocean scents reflect a different kind of coastal atmosphere than a lake, this DIY candle’s smell is emblematic of the laid-back vacation lifestyle. Using an oyster shell in place of a traditional candle jar, this DIY sea shell candle from Atta Girl Says will make your guests feel relaxed and “at home” as soon as they step into your living room.

Materials:

Oyster shells
6 ounces of candle wax
0.3 ounces of fragrance oil
Candle boiling bag
Measuring cup
Saucepan
Wicks
Wooden skewers
Rimmed baking pan with aluminum foil

Directions: Place a wick in the middle of each oyster shell using adhesives. Set the shells on a baking pan lined with aluminum foil and use a double boiler to melt candle wax. Measure the wax into the candle bag and secure with rubber band. Add water to the bottom, then add the sealed candle boiling bag. Bring water to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Once the wax has turned into liquid, remove and place it in a measuring cup. Open the bag and fold edges down. Finally, add the fragrance oil and stir!

We hope these lake-inspired DIY candles motivate you to create your own!

DIY Dried-Flower Crafts

Posted on April 9, 2021April 11, 2021 Camille Smith

On the Lake Homes Realty blog, one of our most popular DIY posts is about brightening your lake home with dried flowers. Repurposing withered blooms can spruce up your home in a simple yet sophisticated way while adding a touch of biophilic design. Although hanging dried flowers create an elegant look (it’s incredible what you can do with a little twine and hairspray), it isn’t the only option for your lake home. This week, we’re thinking outside the box. There are many ways to incorporate dried flowers into your crafting projects, including decor, utilities, and accessories. From wall art to coasters, you can’t go wrong with these DIY dried-flower crafts.

Pressed-Flower Monograms

Once flowers begin to dry, pressing them is a great idea to preserve the natural colors. This involves using a book or another heavy object to push the remaining moisture out of flowers so the flat pieces can be used to create a design. These framed monograms made from delicate dried flowers add an element of creativity to your lake home. Plus, they’re easy to DIY. Check out this video for the instructions.

Dried-Flower Terrarium

Need a new centerpiece for your table? Or a flowery decoration for your mantle? This simple, DIY dried-flower craft is a perfect addition to your lake home. The geometric glass container with a stylish brushed metal accent will add a contemporary feel to your living room. All you need are dried flowers and sand to complete the look. At Afloral.com, you can get the full tutorial.

Dried-Flower Sachets

While driving to your remote lake house, you’re spending plenty of time in the car. And nothing is worse than an unpleasant smell on a long road trip. Rather than buying an air freshener from the gas station, try using some leftover dried flowers to create these beautifully scented sachets. You’ll need a few other materials, such as wax molds, but this elegant end product is well worth the effort. Hearth & Vine’s blog features more detailed instructions on these DIY dried-flower sachets.

Dried-Flower Bath Salts

Looking to repurpose those dried roses you’ve been saving? Mix in some Epsom salts, sea salt, baking soda, and essential oils for a decadent bath-salt mixture. Using this tutorial from Almost Makes Perfect, you’ll be able to make dozens of batches at once. Besides treating yourself to a bubble bath at the lake, these bath salts also make excellent gifts!

Floral Phone Case

For this craft, all you need is a clear phone case. You can even coordinate the color of your phone to compliment the flowers you choose. To create this easy DIY phone case, as outlined by LouisWei, just take a few dried flowers and press them on the inside of a clear phone case. Then, snap it onto your phone and — voila! For a more involved version, check out these instructions that incorporate a clear resin to hold the dried flowers in place.

Dried-Flower Coasters

When dining at your lake house, these coasters are the perfect accessory to showcase your connection to nature. Plus, the brushed metal and glass look is fresh and stylish. Ideal for a friend who loves the lake, they make an easy and thoughtful gift. You can even pick their favorite flowers to use in your coaster creation.

Pressed-Flower Lanterns

During the pandemic, we’ve become experts at hosting guests outdoors. When gathering friends around a fire pit, this collection of DIY dried-flower lanterns evokes an elegant ambiance. Especially around dusk, this soft lighting will bring out a sense of warmth at your lake house. To create them, you need pressed flowers and greenery, wax paper, a cutting board, and an iron. These instructions from A Practical Wedding will help guide you!

We hope these crafts inspire you to put those dried flowers to use this spring!

Evergreen Ideas: Five Tips for Bringing the Outdoors In This Winter

Posted on December 20, 2019November 11, 2020 Camille Smith

Evergreen trees on lake with cloudy sky over mountains

What do the names arborvitae, white pine, fir, cedar, and cypress have in common? Depending on the region of the U.S. where you live, these are evergreen trees you might find outside the window of your lake house. At a time of year, when dreary skies are typical, these trees evoke a sense of comfort and warmth. They also can inspire holiday decorations such as wreaths and garlands that invite a sense of cheer into your home. As a general trend, lake homeowners often look for ways to bring the outdoors in.

Incorporating elements from the great outdoors into every room of your house is a great way to establish a rustic, comfortable feel. In keeping with this theme, incorporating evergreen plants into your décor is sure to bring a little extra brightness to your lake house this season. Further, according to David Ewart, director of Pavilion Broadway, “an increasing number of studies show that houseplants, flowers, and foliage improve our physical and mental environment by reducing our stress levels, encouraging relaxation and making us feel closer with nature.” So, for the sake of your tranquility, we have some tips for incorporating natural elements by bringing the outdoors into your lake house décor this Winter.

Wreaths and Garlands

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A post shared by Rebekah Westover (@rebekahwestoverphotography) on Dec 14, 2019 at 6:13pm PST

A great thing about these decorations is that they can work in any area of the home. Whether you hang an evergreen wreath around your entry mirror or wrap a garland down the banister of the stairs, they are sure to liven any room. It’s also an easy DIY project. Stephanie Plymale, CEO of Portland-based Heritage School of Interior Design comments that you can “utilize leftover branches from the base of your Christmas tree or cut fresh evergreen branches from around your neighborhood. We recommend shaping your wreath around a wire base and using a natural burlap to complete the look.”

Branches

Although the vibrant, dark green color of evergreen leaves is enticing, don’t forget about the branches too. Even without the foliage aspect, branches can make great decorations by themselves. If you have small branch pieces, home décor blogger Jeneva Aaron recommends repurposing a vintage mason jar as a vase set on an end table with evergreen branches inside. “Depending on how long winter lasts in your area, you might have to swap out the branches from time to time because they’ll dry out,” she notes. “However, this is such an easy and inexpensive way to decorate your lake house during wintertime.” Kathie Emhof, a Buffalo New York-based interior designer with Transitions Home Staging Designs, also recommends incorporating branches into your look, especially driftwood and birch branches. For the latter, she recommends placing greenery behind them and tying them in a bow to dress up the house. For tips on incorporating driftwood into your décor, check out this article from our website.

Accent Pieces

Not all of your winter evergreen decorations need to be large wreaths or branches. Small accent pieces can go a long way to increase a room’s vibrancy. As another way to bring the outdoors in, Plymale recommends cutting small trimmings of evergreen plants and grouping these in mason jars with sprigs of cranberries and twigs. She also suggests adding fresh evergreen swags to bookcases or mantels. “You may opt to mix in cranberries or holly for a more traditional holiday look or leave pure evergreens for understated elegance,” she offers. If you need an accent piece for a coffee table or end table, you can place small pieces of evergreen plants on table trays. Emhof adds, “on my coffee table I have a wooden tray with ornaments and use evergreens as a filler. It looks pretty and festive.”

Flowers

Dried hydrangeas on mantle christmas decor — *Photo courtesy of* *House and Garden*.

Although flowers may be the last word that we’d associate with the middle of Winter, they are certainly not off-limits for your decorating this time of year. One method of incorporating flowers into your December décor is by drying them. Emhof specifically comments that “dried hydrangeas look spectacular in your house in the Wintertime, and they typically fade to a pink, purple, or golden color.” You can also include a combination of dried plants and lowlight house plants such as amaryllis or an orchid in your arrangements. The bright pop of red or purple, depending on the flower you choose, will signal to your guests that Spring is just around the corner.

Scents

Christmas stove potpourri — *Photo courtesy of* *A Pretty Life in the Suburbs*.

Immediately after hanging up a freshly cut garland, that comforting smell will waft through your house. To enhance this homey scent that is a hallmark of the holiday season, Plymale advises making a simmering potpourri. She instructs, “In a large pot of water, simmer evergreen clippings, fresh orange peel, cloves, and cinnamon sticks for a DIY holiday diffuser.” There’s also nothing wrong with choosing a holiday candle to mimic this warm Winter scent. Whichever you choose, you’ll be bringing the outdoors in by appealing to more than one of the five senses.

We hope these tips help inspire your green thumb, even in the middle of December!

Life in Living Coral: Using the 2019 Color of the Year in Your Home

Posted on February 22, 2019October 30, 2019 Staff

Pantone Color of the Year 2019 Living Coral

Pantone hit it out of the ballpark with their 2019 Color of the Year, Living Coral. This vibrant, brilliant hue is a dreamy complement to all things nautical and shore-side.

Here are five tips for using the Pantone Color of the Year in your lake home.

Textile Touches

Living Coral Furniture Decor Lake Front Home — Photo courtesy of ComfyDwelling.

The beauty of textiles is they allow you to make bold or subtle statements with color.

For a low-key look, why not stock your bathrooms with some sumptuous coral-toned bath towels?

Some luxury throw pillows in coral will brighten up your living room, and at the very least some coral placemats or napkins can spice up the dining room table.

Be careful with bright draperies though–your view is one of the most precious things your lake home has to offer, and bright drapes can pull the eye away from it!

Accent Walls

Adding an accent wall in coral is one way to celebrate this color loudly.

While some homeowners may say, “Go big or go home,” with a color this boisterous, prevailing wisdom holds that less is indeed more.

Perfect for warming up any space, Living Coral speaks to us most when used as an accent in a breakfast nook, bathroom, or mudroom.

Statement Pieces

Adirondack Chairs in Living Color — Photo courtesy of Fifthroom.

For a bold furnishing set for those with no fear of commitment, these Adirondack chairs in coral will give your outdoor lounging area a delicious burst of color.

Some retro appliances in Living Coral can also brighten up a kitchen dramatically. A classic coral bedspread will give you or your guests an exciting feature to sleep on for years to come.

Wall Art

Consider a piece of art featuring the pigment. An abstract painting or a vintage print can give you just the right amount of coral flair you need to feel like your home is on-point with this trend.

Sometimes, a tiny amount of color will tie a room together in a sophisticated way. Wall art featuring some coral accents will really shine when incorporated with some textile touches nearby.

Floral Accents

Maybe you find the idea of committing to Living Coral long-term a little daunting. If so, consider adding some living touches to your living space.

A few stems of amaryllis, coral roses, and tuberose look great in a vase and can add just a touch of the color to the room on a short term basis.

There are also many beautiful orchids whose coral blooms are great for warming up your home’s interior.

Outdoor flower gardens are becoming more trendy as homeowners to improve curb appeal and increase the value of their homes and vacation houses.

Creating a garden can do just that and will give you a lovely outdoor hobby, as garden maintenance is a must for thriving blooms.

Try planting a Coral Wings Rhododendron or a Knockout Rose in Coral. These gorgeous bloomers will add some seasonal flair to your yard and can even provide some stems for indoor bud vases.

Whether you’re a slave to trends and can’t wait to paint the lake house coral, or you prefer to keep things more subtle, these five tips for using the Pantone color of the year in your lake home will freshen up your 2019 look with very little work.

For more home improvement or DIY tips, read more articles here.

Article Contributed by: Sarah Miller, Lawnstarter.com

Sarah Miller is a writer, self-claimed nutritionist, and CrossFit junkie. She spends most of her time meal prepping and actively trying to beat personal records in the gym, but always enjoys a meditative walk through a nearby woodland area or near a lake.

Lake Home Decor: Living in Style

Posted on June 29, 2018June 5, 2019 Staff

There’s a lot that goes into purchasing a lake home, and the process can be stressful at times. However, there’s more to it than just business. One of the most exciting aspects is knowing you get to start off with a clean slate, explore your style and re-create your living space.

Home decor can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. From minimalist to opulent, free-flowing to sophisticated, the way you choose to decorate says a lot about you.

Personal style is about as subjective as it comes, and we’ve looked at a few ways to add some unique charm to lake living in a way that won’t impede on your own personality stamp.

Nautical

Appropriately, the first lake home decor style we’ll explore is inspired by the water.

Light and breezy, this particular mode of interior design incorporates navy, white and grey hues.

When it comes to this coastal theme, think rustic meets aquatic. It’s important to make sure you include lots of natural light to the look, considering the whole point is to bring the outside in.

Vintage Accents

Wine isn’t the only thing that gets better with time.

There’s nothing wrong with a little wear and tear when it comes to home accessories, and some aged items like old ship helms, distressed wood or even framed vintage swimsuits add a subtle flair of nostalgia.

Incorporate some old family photos, particularly those that took place at the lake, around these items for a personal touch.

Aquatic Life

What’s more nautical than actual fish?

A fish tank or bowl is one of the most underrated decorative pieces. If positioned strategically, this eye-catching statement piece can be a great focal point in any room.

Color Coordination

Decoration involves so much more than just wall hangs and picture frames.

The color scheme you choose is just as important as art and knick-knacks. As stated before, the nautical theme uses specific hues to invite an airy, beachy vibe into your home.

Sheer curtains help with this breezy illusion. Opt for grey, navy and white to serve as base colors, with accents of light blue and gold to bring some depth to those neutral tones.

Classic, Country Cottage

Country chic, sometimes known as shabby or vintage chic, has humble beginnings in the world of interior design.

Remember the days of slamming screen doors and tire swings in the front yard?

A style that exudes warmth and comfort, country chic brings us back to a simpler time before stainless steel and granite counter tops were essential for modern living.

It’s a smart move for a lake home since they’re often the place where memories are made, traditions are started and familial history abounds.

This style includes vintage furnishings, wood paneling, and mixes of patterns and plaid. Here are some ways to hit a home run and create your very own cottage.

Farmhouse Decor

Any respectable country kitchen is a place where home-cooked meals are born and families come together. It should be a space filled with comfort and familiarity.

Try a gingham table cloth to bring the farmhouse aesthetic into your home.

Checked patterns have withstood the tests of time and become hallmarks of traditional country living.

Add a vase of fresh flowers to the center of the table and some matching kitchen caddies on the counter for a truly timeless appeal.

Mason jars are impressively versatile and can be used for almost anything: drinking glasses, utensil holders or just decorative accessories. Inexpensive and easy to get, these pay homage to the times when homemade jams were still a common feature of everyday life.

Warm, Natural Lighting

When you walk into a cottage, it should feel friendly and welcoming.

The use of candles, and a lot of them, is a guaranteed way to turn a house into a snug little home.

Play off the candlelight by incorporating hues of sunny yellow, burnt rust and forest green into your furnishings.

To compliment the warm glow, use wide, open windows to let in as much natural light as possible.

Repurposed Accessories

Distressed wood, old lake signs and thrift store finds.

The best part about this lake home decor is that it doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, much of what’s used can be found in the attic or garage. The trick is to find weathered, well-loved items and reuse them in unique, unexpected ways.

For instance, grandma’s old couch might be hideous, but it’s got a sturdy build. Try reupholstering it or throwing on a slipcover.

Repaint an old dresser or convert a vintage suitcase into a coffee table. Nothing really needs to match, because you’re going for informal, not perfect.

Bohemian Chic

Lake living is known to be laid back and casual, so it’s only right to have a home that matches that free-flowing nature.

Popularized in the 1960s and 1970s, this is the true style of the flower child. Bohemian chic channels a laissez-faire, carefree attitude by being part indie, part gypsy and all charm.

When it comes to interior design, there are no actual rules other than you must love it. Some staples of this theme include fairy lights, globally-inspired art pieces and souvenirs, and a good mix of vintage furniture and contemporary statements. Use of color is imperative.

Live Plants

To emphasize the natural aspect of Bohemian living, spring for live plants. Fresh and organic, greenery is a simple step to breathe some life into your home.

The presence of flowers, ferns and succulents adds a grounded, earthy vibe by bringing nature inside. They also improve air quality, so in this case, more is more.

Throw Pillows

Use a vivid mix of tones and patterns by infusing these tastefully placed pops of color to create an inviting, bold look to any room.

Throw pillows are great for forging an eclectic, “lived-in” appearance.

Add some eye-catching tapestries and blankets of varying textures (tweed, wool, velvet), and you’ve got yourself a mellowed out retreat brimming with culture.

Wall Gallery

A wall gallery is a charmingly cluttered way to show off your unique personality.

This is an unconventional design element that gives you artistic license to be fun, spontaneous and totally unique.

It could be a variety of different picture frames, or perhaps a couple of mirrors and some graphic art. Feel free to throw in some dream catchers or handmade accessories because this is all about personal expression.

Decorating your lake home can be a ton of fun, but it helps to know which direction you want to go in.

Lake home decor is a signature of personality. What do you want your space to say? How do you want your guests to feel? Most importantly, what does lake living in style mean to you?