Throughout the pandemic, health professionals have encouraged us to stay inside more often. And when engaging in outdoor activities, we should stay at least 6 feet away from those who aren’t in our household.
Thankfully for those of us who live at the lake, social distancing is easier than ever. We have the luxury of a remote location, surrounding nature, and plenty of space to enjoy the lake lifestyle.
During the winter, it’s easy to get bummed about the impending cold weather. However, the chill outside shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a variety of socially distant winter activities! If you’re having trouble picking an activity for today, check out this flowchart we’ve created. Just start at the top, answer each question, and determine what activity is right for you today!
If your result landed on one of the indoor winter activities, we hope you’re excited about a cozy day inside, full of hygge and relaxation. As fellow lake lovers, we know there’s nothing more relaxing than snuggling up with a blanket while looking out your window at falling snow around your lake’s shoreline. It’s the essence of winter comfort.
If you’re feeling like lounging around, try starting the fireplace and picking up one of the popular books in 2020. If you’re interested in a DIY project, start a winter-themed craft such as paper snowflakes.
Today, for those of us who love baking, it may also be a great day to begin a new cooking project. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party over Zoom or baking cookies for one, there’s something about homemade dishes that warm the soul during this cold season.
Outdoor Activities
If your quiz results settled on an outdoor activity, make sure to bundle up! Depending on your lake house’s region, you might be in for some snow activities.
If you live in a northeastern lake area such Lake Placid, you might be lucky enough to hit the slopes. Skiing is one of the winter activities that are COVID-ready. It already requires an eye shield and neck warmers that can double as face masks — win-win for social distancing!
For a stationary adventure, you can try ice fishing. Especially if you’re an avid angler, this winter version of your favorite hobby is sure to be a fun adventure.
If you’d rather stay at home, you can still enjoy being outside in your backyard. For a more low-key day, gather around the fire pit with some blankets. For a more active afternoon, enjoy the snow layers by building a snowman or playing footprint tag.
If you’re not familiar with footprint tag, it’s the same as the traditional game — except you can only walk in each other’s snow footprints!
Enjoy Your Winter Wonderland
Regardless of which kind of winter activities you pick for today, we hope you make the most of your time at the lake. Even in the cold weather, embracing both the cozy indoors and the exciting natural world is what the lake lifestyle is all about. From our lake house to yours, we hope you enjoy your winter wonderland!
Since the start of the pandemic in March, we’ve been forced to spend more time indoors. As a result of lockdowns and distancing, the importance of personal space has become crucial. Now, more people are investing in lake houses, hoping for much-needed outdoor space and a remedy for that familiar “cooped up” feeling.
Due to spending ample time at home, many of us are paying more attention to interior design. After all, if you’re going to spend all day working from home, you might as well enjoy the decor! If you’re looking to re-evaluate your lake home’s feng shui, we’ve got some tips for you.
We spoke with interior designer Karen Parziale, the lead designer of The Real Estate Staging Studio in New York, to learn more. Recently, she’s been redesigning her family’s home on Lake Paradise, and she has advice on the latest interior design trends for lake lovers.
A combination of the root words “bio” (life) and “philic” (love of), this concept of biophilic design refers to embracing nature in your interior decor. This concept does not just refer to pictures or representations of nature, but rather incorporating actual pieces from the outdoors inside of your home.
Although the biophilic design trend has been popular since the ’70s and is especially trending this year, it dates back to ancient times. The hanging gardens of Babylon are perhaps the first depiction of biophilic design in action.
In your lake home, one manifestation of biophilic design might be adding live plants inside your home. And not just potted desk plants. Karen says that it’s trending for plants to be the “big focal point of the room.” She adds, “from a feng shui perspective, the lake has water and earth energy already. Incorporating natural elements like plants, distressed wood, and twigs into your home design helps with balance. You want to have a mix of everything.”
It’s always great when interior design trends align with sustainability. Green design has been trending for many years, but it’s becoming prevalent now and will continue in 2021. Like biophilic design, green design is about connecting with nature. However, while biophilic design is more about the connection itself, green design focuses on environmental well-being more broadly. “It’s all about a healthier home,” Karen explains. “This trend involves being intentional about using eco-friendly materials in construction.”
This popular notion of ‘going green’ applies to both interior decorating and landscaping designs. It’s becoming trendy to opt for ground covers over grass to conserve water and choosing furniture that uses recycled materials. In other words, what’s in style is also good for the environment — win-win!
Lake houses are not meant to be cold, detached environments. They’re a place of connection with friends and family. In the world of interior design trends, it’s becoming popular to reflect this sense of warmth into the design intentionally.
Karen specifies that a home’s warm feel should not be conveyed through a country aesthetic. “The plaid patterns and ‘deer-on-the-wall’ look is over,” she says. “Instead, incorporate congruous, earthy tones in a sophisticated way. You also want it to be warm without being modern and glitzy.” In keeping with a sense of warmth, open-concept spaces are trending. The idea of removing walls and borders and installing big, expansive windows evokes a laid-back, welcoming feel consistent with the lake lifestyle.
Overall, the biggest interior design trends for 2021 are all about the incorporation of nature and sustainability. In keeping with this idea, it’s no coincidence that Pantone’s color trend report for Spring 2021 names “a range of shades inspired by the beauty of nature” as colors to watch out for next year.
The theme of nature is also timely, given what we’re all craving during the pandemic. “With COVID, people are realizing they’re tired of living in little spaces,” Karen comments. “They want to be outside more and have outdoor space.” She explains that her business has become busier recently, as she’s designing these outdoor spaces and helping people connect with nature.
Whether it’s through using recycled wood, creating an open concept living room, or replacing plaid patterns with warm tones, we hope you can incorporate these trends into your decor. After all, this connection with nature is what lake living is all about.
There are three particularly important aspects you must give extra consideration when you’re thinking of buying or selling a lake home.
In this video, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn S. Phillips goes over why the points are more important when it comes to lake real estate.
Water. How deep is the water? How far is it from the main body of water? How is the boat traffic? Does the water level vary by season? Every lake has its own water characteristic, in fact, different areas of the same lake may vary so these factors can affect the price of a home when buying or selling.
Sun. Which way the home faces relative to the sun is important to the value of a lake home. Some might prefer sunrise or sunset views. If a lake home is situated due north, or in a cove with hills and trees, it views of sunrises or sunsets may even be fully obstructed.
Earth. The terrain on which the home is situated is important to consider. Is it waterfront or water access? Did you know some property is waterfront without water access? What kind of septic system will this property support (as many locations are rural)?
Because lake real estate is unique with many factors to consider when buying or selling, it’s important that you have a lake expert by your side.
Here at Lake Homes Realty, we’ve got our own licensed agents who are highly specialized in all facets of the lake and the lake lifestyle. If you need help with lake real estate questions or are looking for an expert to help you buy or sell your lake home, be sure to contact us!
Have you heard the phrase “form follows function?” This famous architectural philosophy, coined by skyscraper inventor Louis Henry Sullivan, means that a building or object’s shape reflects its intended purpose.
This principle certainly applies to outdoor furniture; an outdoor chair’s height depends on its designated function. For instance, high counter stools are for entertaining because hosts can chat with their seated guests at eye level. By contrast, lounge chairs’ low height and reclining backs facilitate ultimate relaxation.
However, seating for fire pits is unique. Lower than a dining chair but higher than a lounge, this low outdoor seating should cater to casual conversation among guests.
For lake homeowners with fire pits, there’s a myriad of types of chairs to pick! From benches to Adirondacks, these differing forms all reflect the same function — enjoying a fireside chat with your friends and family.
Named for the mountainous region in New York, Adirondack chairs are simply a classic. The classic wooden frames and reclining backs are designed for relaxation. Further, their low height makes them perfect for fire pit seating.
One brand specializing in Adirondack chairs is Polywood, a leading manufacturer in sustainable furniture. Their goal is to incorporate 1 million pounds of ocean-bound plastic into furniture by 2021. If you’re seeking a timeless, simple look, an Adirondack chair is unbeatable.
For square and rectangular fire pits, sectional sofas are an ideal low outdoor seating choice. As an angular piece of furniture, their form naturally matches a fire pit’s edges. This form matching creates a seamless, congruous design.
The good news is that it’s possible to find sectional sofas at any price point. For the best of the best, look to Brown Jordan, a renowned luxury outdoor furniture provider. Their selection of outdoor sectional sofas is built to last.
Who says that swings are reserved for front porches? Low-hanging outdoor swings add a laid-back flare to any fire pit. If you’re good with woodworking, you can create a DIY hexagonal swing set for your backyard.
If woodworking is not your thing, there’s plenty of other swing options. These wicker egg chairs from Belham are great for social distancing, as they only accommodate one guest per swing. On a cool fall evening, it’ll be easy to drift to sleep with the rocking motion of these swings.
For outdoor fire pits, picking the right chair height is ideal. Dining chairs are too high, but lounge chairs are too low. Enter the euro chair — a “chat height” designed for having casual conversations and roasting smores around the fire.
While many brands carry euro chairs as a low outdoor seating option, Summer Classics has a particularly strong collection. This luxury brand of outdoor furniture specializes in durable, high-quality pieces built to last. Add a few plush cushions for maximum comfort.
If you don’t mind backless furniture, curved benches are a great option for low outdoor seating around a fire pit. Multiple benches create a design where each guest can have their own space, and the flat planed seat doubles as a drink holder.
Bench style seating has become a popular trend in recent years. They’re effortlessly stylish, they blend well with nature, and they’re easy to build. If you’d rather not build your own, Wayfair has plenty of options in multiple price ranges.
Regardless of the specific kind of low outdoor seating furniture, your guests will love gathering around the outdoor fire pit at your lake home. For more backyard landscaping ideas, check out our blog at Lakehomes.com!
Despite its reputation as a boring pastime, bird watching is anything but dull. It’s a popular hobby that over 45 million Americans engage in, according to the U.S. Fishing and Wildlife Service. Bird watching is especially thrilling if you own a lake home. “At the lake, you have a greater range of potential bird species to interact with,” says Dr. Julian Avery, a conservation biologist at Penn State University. “I get excited thinking about different species (waterfowl, sandpipers, and sparrows) that might show up around a lake that would not enter urban areas.” Besides the joy of high-flying guests, tangible benefits to attracting birds include pest control and pollination. Ultimately, it’s worth the extra effort to attract birds to your lake house. Here are some foolproof strategies for bringing in more winged guests this season!
Choose the Right Seed
Birds are not hard to please. Just like humans, birds must fulfill their basic needs to survive. If you can provide food, water, and shelter, they’ll start congregating around your lake home. Food is an excellent place to start. Since different birds prefer different seeds, the question of how to choose the best bird seed depends on the types of birds you’d like to attract. If you want to bring in multiple species, diversify your seed types. “Make sure you use a variety of foods and clean regularly,” Dr. Avery advises, “As you increase the number of seed types, you should see an increase in species variety.” When choosing a feeder, remember to follow guidelines ,so your birdseed doesn’t attract predators.
Set up a Bird Bath
Birdbaths are not just for decor. While these shallow stone basins are a charming look for your outdoor space, they’re also a major bird magnet. For birds, these baths serve a dual purpose– drinking and preening. Just keep in mind that you must maintain it regularly. Scott, a bird enthusiast ,and blogger, writes on his website Bird Watching HQ: “Birds love having fresh water so much that typically within a few days, they have made the water in your bath pretty gross. This means that you will have to commit to changing the water every few days and cleaning with a scrub brush every few weeks.” In the winter, purchasing a heated birdbath will attract birds to your lake house. When most of their water supply is frozen, they’ll quickly gravitate towards the warm water.
Litter Some Leaves
Not all birds rely on feeders. Species like starlings, doves, and quails typically search for their next meal on the ground. To attract these birds, try raking fallen leaves underneath your shrubs to create mulch. Dr. Stephen Kress, the National Audubon Society’s vice president for Bird Conservation, told All About Birds how this strategy works. According to Dr. Kress, earthworms, roly-poly bugs, insects, and spiders will thrive in this pile of leaves, providing a delicious dinner for ground-feeding birds. “In general,” he says, “overly tidy gardeners are poor bird gardeners!”
Provide Shelter
Whether it’s snowing outside or blistering hot, birds need protection from extreme weather conditions. This need for cover will drive them away from a barren yard and closer to one filled with trees and shrubs at varying heights. “Having some vegetation and cover will enhance your feeding and viewing opportunities,” Dr. Avery says. “We tend to clear the shoreline of vegetation, but this makes it less likely you will have wildlife on your property. Waterfowl will not nest unless there is some cover, and you have a unique opportunity to help these species raise young in your backyard!” When choosing plants, be sure to pick ones native to your hardiness zone as they’ll attract native insects that birds eat. Evergreen plants are also good choices that provide shelter for birds year-round.
Put these tips into action, and your backyard will become a bird sanctuary in no time! Bird watching provides hours of enjoyment for its practitioners.
Imagine that you’re looking to buy your first house or apartment. More than likely, it’s in an urban or suburban area, and the most picturesque views that you’ll get is of your neighbor’s backyard or the recycling bins outside. But of course, it has its benefits — it’s near work, it’s close to the city, and it’s just practical. Perhaps thoughts of a luxurious lake home seem more like a pipe dream than a reality. Something to save up for and wait several years before even thinking about it. But who says that you have to postpone your lakeside living fantasies?
According to CNN, there’s a rising trend of people buying vacation houses as a first home. For many new homeowners, this method is the ideal way to obtain real estate without sacrificing all their assets in one purchase as you might in an expensive city. From saving money to stressing less, there are several perks that come with buying a lake home as your primary investment property.
It’s no secret that major cities like New York or San Francisco are very pricey for small units of space. Not surprisingly, both were ranked among the top 25 most expensive cities in the U.S. For good reason, many people are now opting to buy properties at vacation spots adjacent to these major cities while continuing to pay rent for their small urban apartments. This way, new homeowners can get the best of both worlds — an investment in real estate while also living in the city. For example, New York dwellers might choose to buy a house on Lake George, about a three hour drive from the hustle and bustle. When the work week gets stressful and a weekend retreat is in the cards, there’s nothing better than a nearby destination that you can proudly own. Buying a lake house as a first home solves this issue.
2. Rent it Out
If you aren’t planning to live at your lake house full time but still want to invest in the property, there’s a great opportunity to rent your vacation home to others who are looking for a weekend getaway. Since it’s going to be left unoccupied when you aren’t there, you might as well be making a profit. According to the data studio Priceconomics, AirBnb hosts make $924 per month on average. By including your lake home on a platform like AirBnb, you can offset the mortgage cost each month and make your investment a little more affordable. Plus, with amazing views of a nearby lake and serene nature surrounding the house, you’re bound to get plenty of booking requests.
When it comes to buying a house, there can be a lot of pressure to make sure it’s the right decision. After all, you’re placing roots in a space that you expect to enjoy for years to come. But if you’re living in an expensive city, the stakes are high and dropping more than $150,000 on a downpayment (based on the average listing price of $779,000 in New York City) is not a decision to be taken lightly. If you’re ready to be a homeowner but can’t commit to city prices, choosing a more affordable vacation home is a great way to lower your stress and buy some time before investing in city property.
4. Invest in the Future
If retirement is already on your mind, imagine the kind of place where you’d like to spend the years following your career. Likely, it’s a place where relaxation is the name of the game. By investing in lake house property early on, chances are that you’ll be far enough on your mortgage payments where you can retire comfortably at your vacation home. Not to mention, you’ve secured a vacation destination and weekend getaway for all those pre-retirement years when you need to take a break.
Of course, the decision to buy a vacation home as a first home comes with a few considerations. For example, the upkeep is your responsibility and this may be harder to keep track of when it isn’t your primary residence. However, those who have taken the plunge and bought a vacation home while renting in the city say that it helps to keep close ties with neighbors who can alert you if anything suspicious is going on. And if your property is just a few hours away, you should be able to make it for a maintenance day one weekend a month. If you decide that you’re ready to take on the homeowner responsibilities, consider all the benefits of making your first home one with an incredible lake view.
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
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
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.
To be honest, most of the time spent at your lake home is spent outdoors – as it should be. But the second-most popular place at your lake home is inside: It’s your kitchen, and when you’re entertaining your family and friends, a cramped space just won’t do.
Construction crews aside, there are many simple ways to make your kitchen feel bigger. Take a look at the few examples below to see how you can update your space this lake season!
Lightening up the color of your kitchen may sound simple, but it’s effective.
Lighter colors, such as creams and whites, are better at reflecting light, which helps create the illusion of a larger room.
To take your upgrade a step further, interior designers suggest putting up trim around the top of your space, painted an even lighter color than the walls.
Add texture to your kitchen by paneling your walls with whitewashed wooden planks, commonly known as shiplap.
Popularized by the HGTV show “Fixer Upper,” shiplap can not only help make your kitchen feel bigger, but it can also make your space feel warm and cozy, like a comfy lake cabin.
Or, when accented appropriately, can give your kitchen a coastal vibe.
Let the Light in
Another technique to making your space feel bigger, is increasing the amount of natural light that flows into it.
Do away with your dark colored window shams and thick, heat-blocking curtains, and spring for a set of indoor shutters that can be opened and closed at your leisure while still inviting in ample sunlight.
You can also incorporate reflective surfaces in your kitchen. Similar to how lighter colors can make a space feel roomier, so can reflective surfaces like stainless steel appliances and metallic backsplashes.
Eliminating low-hanging chandeliers and frosted light fixtures can also open up a room.
Redo Your Floors
Installing patterned flooring is another option to consider when attempting to make your space feel bigger.
One way to achieve this is to use over-sized tiles in your kitchen. The size of these will help to create a sense of wideness to the area.
In selecting these tiles, choose similar colors that are slightly different, such as a slate and a lighter grey. Dark floors will contrast well with your light walls.
If you want hardwood floors, install planks of alternating colors. As with your tile, be sure not to very the color drastically. Slight variations will achieve the look you desire without being visually jarring.
Another tip is to install your hardwood floors vertically, rather than horizontally. This will help make your space look as it longer.
Incorporate Open Shelving
Ditch your boxy ceiling-to-counter shelves and opt for several open shelving units.
This will help add depth to your kitchen by optimizing the amount of light in your space and help make better use of your wall space.
Often thick and dark, closed cabinetry can also have an oppressive effect on a space.
Open storage aides in functionality of your kitchen by eliminating the time you take hunting down that pot or pan, as well as makes the room more inviting.
So before you call the contractor, try out one of these simple upgrade suggestions for making your space feel bigger, and be sure to check out our other home improvement articles here and here!
Anyone buying or remodeling a lake home has a myriad of decisions to make. Many times, flooring is one of the last things you want to think about. Even so, lake home flooring is a very important decision!
If you are buying or remodeling a lake home, chances are you are already familiar with the effects of the elements. Lake homes withstand a huge amount of moisture, humidity and wear and tear.
Here are the most common flooring types and how they stack up against those elements.
Carpet
Best for: Bedrooms, living rooms, upstairs hallways Worst for: Kitchens, bathrooms, entryways
Many people think carpet is an automatic no-go for a lake house. Far from it! If your heart (and your soles) are set on having carpet in your home, never fear. Just keep a few things in mind.
The main worries for carpet on the lake are water, mud, and humidity. Those muddy footprints can add up pretty quickly!
But if your property isn’t waterfront, this might not be a serious problem. Many builders compromise by using hardwood or synthetic flooring in main entryways and kitchens, then carpet in the main living areas.
Carpet also gives comfy insulation during the winter months. Having a soft, comfy floor is a big plus on those chilly winter nights!
One hidden drawback of carpet is its absorbency. Carpet absorbs moisture, pet hair, dust, pollen, and mold. Many of these are in abundance at a lake house! If you are buying a previously owned lake house, be sure to clean the carpets when you move in.
Best for: Living rooms, dining rooms, foyers, hallways, bedrooms Worst for: Basements, bathrooms, kitchens, wet areas
Many lake homes have hardwood floors. There is a wide range of hardwood flooring options, from bamboo to pine, to oversea exotics such as mahogany and rosewood. These can be attractive, durable, and increase your home’s value.
The two primary concerns with hardwood on the lake are cost and the chance of water damage. Hardwood can be extremely expensive, depending on the wood chosen. Water damage from flooding, the elements, or just years of wet feet can be expensive to replace.
Hardwood is also vulnerable to humidity, especially in basements or other “below grade” areas. Many builders only use hardwood on or above the ground floor. Or you can use engineered wood. This uses a top layer of finished wood over multiple, thin layers of plywood or fiberboard. Amy Matthews, the host of HGTV’s Sweat Equity, says, “depending on the thickness of the veneer, engineered wood can be finished once or twice.”
Best for: Entryways, hallways, living rooms Worst for: Bathrooms
Lake homes often sport vinyl or laminate flooring in parts. These are more affordable and durable than carpet or hardwood. Better yet, they have advanced greatly since the 1970s, when vinyl flooring, floral wallpaper, and lava lamps went hand-in-hand.
Laminate is a synthetic flooring with the appearance of hardwood. Vinyl is a synthetic flooring with far more options and can have the appearance of tile, wood, stone or other materials. Both come in panels of various sizes.
Many of these can beautify a home at a fraction of the cost used by hardwood or tile flooring. They can easily shrug off spilled drinks and muddy footprints, too.
Remember that these flooring options are not perfectly waterproof. They typically require a perfectly clean, level floor. Seams between the panels can let water in, as well, that could soak into the underlayment or subflooring. Be careful when using these in a bathroom, where small puddles of water are almost a daily occurrence.
Best for: Entryways, kitchens, bathrooms Worst for: Sunrooms, bedrooms, rooms with rough concrete flooring
Another flooring that has seen a resurgence is linoleum. This synthetic flooring can come in either glue-down sheets, panels, or tiles.
The main difference between linoleum and laminate is the materials used. Linoleum is made from natural products, including linseed oil and sawdust.
Linoleum is more waterproof than laminate or vinyl tile. Because of this, it is more commonly used in areas like kitchens where spills happen frequently. When installing linoleum, be sure to waterproof the seams and edges.
Avoid installing linoleum flooring in any room with direct sunlight. The flooring will fade with time, and could even peel or warp. Install linoleum flooring in a sunroom, and you will most likely need to replace it in a few years’ time.
Best for: Entryways, outdoors, kitchens, bathrooms Worst for: Bedrooms
Many homeowners on the lake solve these water damage issues with ceramic or stone tile. Tile flooring is attractive, easy to clean and completely waterproof. It also comes in a wide range of textures and colors. A tile floor can give your home a warm, old-world charm; a crisp, clean surface; or any other look you desire.
Tile floors are more durable than nearly any other finished flooring. You can use it in entryways, kitchens, patios or anywhere you like.
The only true drawbacks to tile are cost, hardness, and temperature. Depending on the type, tile can easily cost more than hardwood. Tile can also be very unforgiving if you plan to stand for long periods of time, or if someone slips and falls. This is especially true for gloss finish tile.
Tile gets very cold in the winter, too. This is why builders rarely use tile in bedrooms or hallways.
Location, Location, Location
Whatever your preference, a mix of flooring types will probably work best for your lake home.
Many builders use grading to determine what type of floor to use. “Grade” refers to ground level. Rooms at ground level are “on grade,” above ground level are “above grade” and below ground level is “below grade.”
Most builders never use hardwood, or other floorings susceptible to water damage, in below-grade rooms such as finished basements. Due to the proximity to the lake and the water level, this can bring persistent dampness or even water seepage. Any flooring susceptible to damage from moisture (such as hardwood) should not be used below grade.
For more home improvement and DIY tips, read more of our articles here.
