Lovely Lake House Decor {inspiration}

These lake house decorating ideas will help you create a cozy yet rustic retreat, skillfully blending nautical decor with the natural beauty all around.

As you can imagine, since I love all things blue and turquoise, I’m also a big fan of coastal and beach house style. I try to bring some coastal influences into my home without going overboard – since, well … I don’t exactly live near a body of water. Ha!

See how I added coastal decor to my dining room a few years ago.

So I swoon a little when I get to vacation at the beach or the lake and see a home fully embracing nautical-inspired decor. That doesn’t mean there are anchors or shipwreck art covering every wall, just a more subtle nod to the sea outside the window.

Owning a lake house doesn’t mean you have to hang oars on the wall. But it’s highly recommended, and it’s totally adorable.

Lake life is similar to beach life in that it’s full of blues and natural elements. But when I think of beach decor, I picture blue-greens, turquoise and mint. When lake house decor comes to mind, I think more of a rustic cabin vibe with navy, white and natural wood tones. It has more of a camp feel than a vacation vibe.

I love the all-white look, but I also adore a natural wood wall and/or ceiling in a lake house. Something about those warm wood tones makes me feel rustic, as if we’re in a real cabin by the lake.

It’s the perfect spot for an exposed rock fireplace.

And a bunk room, for sure. I can’t explain it, but built-in bunk rooms make me weak in the knees. #Ihaveathingforbuiltins

Round porthole windows are also a wonderful nod to the nautical theme without looking cartoonish.

Enjoy these inspiring photos I gathered of some of my favorite subtle lake house looks!