Everybody dreams of a perfect getaway to unwind, relax, and de-stress. And where else would that perfect place be other than in a beautiful lake house surrounded by the magnificent view of the outdoors? Whether you’re a lover of lake house living, or you just want a quiet and peaceful vacay to recharge your mental batteries, the lake house is the ideal place where you can truly rest and slow down.

The key to a well-spent stress-relieving getaway is having a beautiful and tranquil setting of both the indoors and the outdoors. So, if you’re planning to spend the next family holiday at your lake house, make sure to have the house décor ready. Here are decorating tips and lake house decorating ideas on a budget to help you achieve the perfect lake house of your dreams.

Lake House Decorating Ideas on a Budget

Repaint

Perhaps the easiest visual update you can do to a lake house is to repaint it. If you haven’t been there in a while or you just purchased the property, check for cracked or flaked paint that needs to be removed and repainted. If you wish to change the exterior and the interior appearance of the house, you can repaint it with the paint color of your choice. The ideal lake house paint colors are wood tones – a pale cream to yellowish-brown. You can also opt for calming blue and gray tones. Repainting can be an overwhelming task especially when it comes to figuring out the appropriate color scheme. It might also not be a task that you can do yourself. However, it’s definitely worth the effort and investment. Not only does repainting increase the aesthetic look of the house but it also protects the house from the elements.

Use Refinished and Reupholstered Furniture

Another budget-friendly update you can do is to refinish or reupholster your furniture pieces. If you have old furniture, don’t throw them away. Gather all the old pieces in one area and look for creative ways to add a contemporary finish and bring them back to life. Re-upholstering is a sustainable way to restore furniture and update the style. Instead of buying new ones, try researching furniture flipping ideas and grab an inspiration photo you can follow to successfully restyle your furniture upholstery. You can also dismantle and reassemble antique wooden chairs and then paint them with a paint color that compliments the color palette of the interior design. 

Budget-Friendly Décor Finds in Flea Markets

Don’t stress yourself out with buying expensive home décor items. There are a lot of thrift stores, flea markets, and even affordable online shops where you can find lovely pieces that would be absolutely perfect for your lake house. But first, you need to figure out the design style that you want to achieve before purchasing décor items. If you want to go for a rustic-chic interior, opt for wooden or vintage-style lampshades, lighting fixtures, vases, trinket bowls, and mirrors. For a warm and cozy appeal, infuse a more contemporary approach by adding wooden geometric décor pieces, handmade or woven accessories like a macramé wall hanging, candles, glass flower vases, and books.

Decorate with Art Prints from Local Artists

Of course, interior décor and accessories are not complete without artwork. Somehow, a house does not look fully furnished without framed artwork hanging on the wall – whether small or large. Artwork is a great way to add your personal touch to your space. You don’t need a million-dollar painting to create a million-dollar-lake house interior design. You just need a brilliant concept and an eye for creativity to find that great piece that would be perfect for your wall. Support the locals and purchase original paintings and sculptures from them. It’s another creative way to incorporate a little dose of culture and community into your lake house interior design.

Update the Hardware

This is probably the simplest yet most overlooked budget-friendly design hack. Updating or switching the hardware of your cabinets and drawers can make a huge difference in the overall appeal of your lake house. When it comes to decorating, little details matter. Try to check for old rusty hardware and consider replacing them. It will give your interior a more stylish and refreshing look. Check kitchen sink and bathroom fixtures as well. A well-decorated lake house needs to be functional as much as it is visually appealing.   

Incorporate the View into the Design

Lake houses typically have floor-to-ceiling glass windows. And this is because, in lake houses, it’s all about the view. Everything that you actually need to create a stunning interior design of your lake house is just right outside the window. So, if you have huge windows, leave them bare or apply little to no window treatment to maximize the view. You can also repaint the interior window trim to make a clearer outline of the window and to highlight the view. Use the outdoor scene as the primary concept of your design scheme. Frame your furniture layout in complement to the view to create a focal point.

Add Indoor Plants

Decorating with plants is by far the most cost-effective way of bringing an interior space to life. No matter what design style you want your house to look, you can almost always add plants. Plants in vases are a beautiful addition to spruce-up console tables, coffee tables, and dining tables. Whether you like small potted succulents, indoor plant cuttings, or charming florals, such greeneries are a great way to add vibrancy and a pop of color to your home. Indoor plants also purify the air. Aside from that, there are numerous studies that show the psychological health benefits of plants. It is proven to relieve stress and anxiety and keeps us healthier and happier. However, if you’re not much of a green thumb, you can always opt for faux plants that look unbelievably real so that you can’t even tell the difference. The goal here is to decorate the space and make it a beautiful and comfortable home.

Now, you’ve got no excuses. If you think lake house decorating is expensive, think again. We’ve just outlined our top lake house decorating ideas on a budget in order to make that dream getaway a possibility. So, make it happen! Start the process of decorating and don’t forget to have fun in the process.

Be sure to explore other articles on owning a vacation home, including 8 Easy and Budget-Friendly Tips on How to Decorate a Mountain Cabin.