This post provides 17 photos worth of amazing lake cabin decor inspiration for you to incorporate in your lake house this summer. You’ll find visuals as well as decor tips so keep reading below!
I grew up in Minnesota where lake life is absolutely everything. The land of 10,000 lakes will teach a girl how to appreciate being lakeside.
I loved growing up in a state that put a lot of value in spending time outdoors, reconnecting with nature, and taking a step back from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
I live in South Dakota now, and though the pace of life is similar, there are very few lakes to be found. So I spend a lot of my time dreaming and scheming about my future lake cabin decor!
There are so many great design options out there, but I truly believe I’ve compiled some of the absolute best ideas in this list. You’ll be itching to start exploring the antique shops and thrift stores around you to apply these lake cabin decor ideas.
So whether you’re here like me, dreaming of the day you’ll own your very own lake home, or you’re one of the lucky ones that already has one, there’s something for all of us on this list.
17 Amazing Lake Cabin Decor Ideas
Related to Lake Cabin Decor Ideas:
1. Tackle Box as Wall Decor
If you’re finding the walls of your summer cabin are barren, but you’re at a loss with how to decorate them, get creative! This tackle box turned wall decor is to die for.
Wall decor doesn’t always have to look like expensive artwork or large gallery walls. Sometimes one statement piece is all you need.
Keep it classic by filling with fishing materials or repurpose it and use it to hang keys, jewelry, or anything else you can think of!
2. Bright Colors and Cozy Plaids
Plaids are a must when it comes to classic cabin decor! Nothing feels quite as cozy and country as a good plaid print on your furniture.
Especially if your cabin has primarily log walls, it’s important to find the places you can incorporate color in your decor.
Pair bright primary colored Pendleton blankets with your plaid prints for a fun vintage feel in your lake cabin decor.
3. Antique Lanterns and Vintage Finds
When shopping for your lake cabin decor this spring, let antique shops and thrift stores be your first stop.
Be on the lookout for vintage kerosene lanterns, old milk jugs that can be used for greenery, and any miscellaneous paddles and banners you can find.
The more beat up and well loved the antiques, the more character they will bring to your cabin!
4. Twin Beds and Bright Reds
If you’re cabin either has to house your whole family, or you rent it out when you’re not using it, it’s a good idea to have extra bed space!
Side by side twin beds always look great in a room and the bedding is all the decor you need. I love the pairing with the classic red curtains in the photo above.
Tie the red into your throw pillows and blankets to create a really cohesive look.
5. Camp Themed Decor
Credit: mountainliving.com
Make your lake cabin decor feel like you’re going to camp every weekend by adding campground touches to your space!
This can be extra fun if you personalize items to have your family name as the camp name.
Think banners, light fixtures, vintage signs, and of course a mess hall style table is a must.
6. Classy Neutrals
Credit: @jonathanjameshead
Even though your cabin is often used as a recreational space for you and your family, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on sophistication.
If you’re craving a more peaceful retreat style feel in your lake house, opt for a warm neutral color palette.
Bring in visual interest by mixing different textiles. The photo above illustrates this well between the velvet couch, wool rug, and warm toned wooden coffee table.
7. Fresh White Linens
Credit: @wrsphoto
The benefit of having a lake cabin over a beach shack is you don’t have to worry about sand getting on everything!
Lake houses in general are much easier to keep clean so don’t shy away from filling your space with beautiful white linens. This will instantly brighten up the room and make your lake cabin decor feel like a resort.
In the warm summer mornings when you can leave the windows open, just picture how lovely those white curtains will look fluttering in the breeze.
8. Browns, Tans, and Taupes
Credit: @aubreyhallphoto
Nothing screams summer cabin to me more than a warm woodsy brown color palette.
My favorite things about brown shades is how much you can layer them, without the look getting boring.
If you have a hard time with color coordinating or don’t want to put too much effort in to your decor this year, this color palette is the way to go. You’re guaranteed to get a sophisticated look!
9. Rustic Backyard Porch
Credit: @jimwestphalen
If there’s one place to take some time designing to perfection before the summer, it’s on your back yard patio.
Weather permitting, you will probably end up spending more time on your patio than inside the cabin itself!
Going to the lake house should be all about getting outdoors and enjoying the weather while you can. Optimize your space by making your patio the most inviting space of your home.
10. Classic Canoe Book Shelf
Credit: @whitearrowshome
If you’re lucky enough to find one of these canoe shelves at an antique shop or on Facebook marketplace, know that you should snag it no matter what!
These shelves will add so much character to your lake house and can be decorated multiple different ways.
Sourcing a canoe shelf is like finding a treasure chest so make sure you’re ready to purchase when the day comes you cross one.
11. Little Nautical Details
Credit: @thorn_cove_abode
The fun thing about decorating your cabin or lake house is that you can embrace the novelty of it a little bit! There’s decor for your primary home, then there’s fun decor for your cabin.
Don’t be afraid to play up the lake house theme with some fun nautical details. They can be sweet and subtle as seen above as to not overwhelm your design.
Have a little fun with your lake cabin decor this summer! A theme can make the place feel even more like a getaway from the regular.
12. Vintage Lake Signs
Credit: @campgilmore
A great way to play up the “camp” aspect of your lake cabin is to find vintage lake signs to use as wall decor!
You can either source these through vintage shops, or purchase prints on shops like Amazon or Etsy.
This is a great and easy way to add some visual interest to bare walls. Stick to a color theme like the green and white you see here for some added cohesion.
13. Fun Repurposed Furniture
Credit: @thewonderfulwhimsical0z
If you haven’t noticed by now, I am a huge advocate for shopping second hand. It’s the best hack for ensuring your home is filled with character and visual interest.
When shopping this spring, think outside the box with the pieces you find. Maybe an old mailer cabinet could be a coffee station that houses all your mugs.
Or check out the awesome repurposed buoy light hanging above the table. Get creative with what you see and if you’re attracted to a piece, trust that intuition.
14. Nature Inspired Design
Credit: @moonshinelampco
If you’re struggling to find inspiration for where to start, turn to your nearest window and become inspired by the great outdoors.
The whole point of having a cabin should be to feel reconnected to the outdoors and find a getaway from urban life.
Let this feeling become the base of your lake cabin decor. Use trees as background decor or create a stunning light fixture out of a piece of driftwood. The opportunities are endless and the inspo is literally all around you!
15. Bunk Beds and Wool Blankets
Credit: @christinasalway
I absolutely love bunkbeds for a lake cabin. A well designed vacation house is one that encourages its occupants to get closer and spend more time together.
Bunk beds are the perfect way to get your kids spending extra time together. Plus, they look great!
Adorn them with vintage wool blankets with stunning patterns and colors for ultimate effect.
16. Framed Vintage Suits
Credit: @roughingitinstyle
This is one of the coolest and most innovative lake cabin decor ideas I’ve seen in a long time. If you own or can find any vintage swimsuits, make them the focal point of your room by framing them.
This kills two birds with one stone by tying in a fun aquatic theme while providing a nice vintage aesthetic to the room.
This can be done with any type of clothing. Think old navy uniforms, swimsuits, or even bucket hats!
17. Layered Lakeside Antiques
Credit: @seacraftvintage
My favorite thing about decorating a space using primarily antiques is that it tends to only look better and better the more you add to it.
Let this room be the proof that as long as your antiques are all fitting a similar theme, you really can’t go wrong layering as many of them as you can find.
Bonus points if you can find and use pieces that all have a similar color palette as well!
