Turn Your Lake House Into a Relaxing Oasis
Turn Your Lake House Into a Relaxing Oasis
It’s lake season, everybody! We’d like to share our favorite ways to make your lake house cozy but practical, fun but relaxing. Imagine the best parts of summer camp, but elevated.
Whether you own a lake house, are thinking of designing one, or just love the lake, this post is for you. Here’s our quick guide for creating an elegant oasis of a lake house:
1. Opt for a built-in sofa.
If you aren’t already familiar, a built-in sofa is exactly what it sounds like. Built along one or two walls, these sofas are especially cozy and can be layered with lots of throw pillows. They’re typically bigger than the average couch, which means you can fit lots of people comfortably. Remember when we mentioned the best parts of summer camp? That “togetherness” factor that a built-in sofa provides is exactly what we mean. Plus, the cozy vibes invite you and your guests to lounge and fully relax. Positioning your built-in sofa near windows is a great choice, so you can stay connected with the outdoors from inside.
2. Pick unique doors at entrances.
Whenever you have a door that moves from outside to inside, use a door that’s beautiful and memorable. Choose French double doors to maximize your view or doors that open on the top to the outside, which will contribute an outdoor-indoor living approach. For a more rustic feel, a well-designed wooden door with some paneling and a good finish will make a statement any time you’re entering or exiting.
3. Be clever about storage.
Having great storage can make or break the vibe at your lake house. To ensure full peace and relaxation, you’ll want plenty of space to store equipment for outdoor activities, yard games, and more. Ideally, storage for outdoors-related items will be located near the doors adjacent to the spaces you’ll use them. In other words, consider the flow when it comes to things you’ll be carrying! Nobody wants to carry a kayak longer than they have to.
4. Fabrics choices are everything.
One of the main ways color palettes and personality come into play are through fabrics. This includes your bedding, carpets, drapery, furnishings, and more! Make sure to take plenty of time and care to choose fabrics that work together and weather well (especially for any fabrics going outside), because they will set the tone for your lake house. For great vacation vibes, we love to use patterns with a relaxed or bohemian feel; we’ve found amazing patterns even for those who prefer more muted color palettes.
5. Don’t forget the bedrooms.
While bedrooms may be simpler than other involved rooms like a kitchen—and thus feel easier to design, you still need to give them some TLC. Small details and accessories in bedrooms will make a huge difference in your family and friend’s stay at the house. To avoid the kitschy feel that some lake houses have, choose a few modern or meaningful accessories, like a hanging lantern lamp next to a comfy reading chair or dried reeds in a colorful vase. One product we’re obsessed with is Pendleton’s classic wool blankets, which are perfectly warm and cozy: a lake house ideal. It’s all about thoughtfulness, and how each guest or family member will experience their room. If you’re designing a kids’ room, consider bunk beds; they’re classic for a reason!
At Uma Stewart, we custom design all kinds of homes: including lake houses. This means our team will coordinate everything, from the architectural plans and construction down to each small design detail. We help with hiring, oversee the project, and ensure everything comes together perfectly, so your exact lifestyle and aesthetic goals for your home are reached.
If you’d like to bring on our team to design your lake house, we invite you to schedule a call using the link below. We look forward to connecting with you.