Find living room interior ideas from our lake cottage living room designed to feel light and airy, modern yet traditional and most importantly, a gathering place.
You’ve seen bits and pieces of our living room at the lake cottage over the past few years, but it really started coming together over the summer. Below is the realtor photo for reference. You can learn more about how we transformed this space in the video in this post.
I’ve received a lot of questions about sources – especially those not available in my shop. These living room interior ideas are a blend of high and low and as always, blend function and design.
Since the lake cottage is a gathering place we share with family and friends, I wanted to incorporate plenty of seating.
A standard size slipcovered sofa and 4* slipcovered chairs (both from IKEA) offer comfortable seating for up to 8 with the ability to easily clean when needed. I accessorized them with pillows available in the shop.
Two folding stools offer flexible seating when needed and can easily be folded and stowed away. I’m considering having them recovered in leather to add another layer.
An oversized square raffia coffee table offers plenty of space for guests to kick up their feet or set a drink, storage for magazines and more, without the need of consuming additional space for side tables in walkways. The combination creates an intimate seating area. It also adds a layer of texture.
I also added a chandelier overhead to create more ambience and add much needed light at night.
While we love the lake and wanted to incorporate some lake elements, we didn’t want it to feel too kitschy either. We also didn’t want it to feel like a dark, musty home often synonymous with the words “lake house”. I incorporated 3 things to combat this – a light paint color with reflective quality, fresh, light patterned carpet and rock (yes, rock!).
A painting from Martha’s vineyard and photographs of a bridge buried beneath the water nearby grace the walls. Framing your photographs is one of the most inexpensive ways to add art to your home. The true art in this living room is the view that will be enhanced with a new deck in the spring.
The living room had two previously awkward nooks – one with a cabinet we store games in. To define it and add a little height, I incorporated a lamp. To hide our speaker I added a framed etsy print. In the other nook, a bar cart adds function. We frequently mix cocktails here for guests.
Early this fall removed the tile from our entryway in favor of an indoor outdoor rug to make it feel up to date, allow the eye to continue and protect the carpet.
We’ve since added a dutch door – more on that to come! I hope you enjoyed these living room interior ideas and found some to incorporate into your home!
*we purchased the last 3 Jennylund chairs at our IKEA this spring. After several phone calls assuring they would return and 6 months, they have discontinued the chairs. I’m desperately hoping to find another (I have the slipcover already). I set up a Craigslist alert and wanted ad and continue to scour ebay regularly.
Beautiful and Classic as always. I just love how you seem to do minimal changes to a room yet it’s completely transformed!
I was surprised to read that Ikea discontinued the Jennylund chair – so I had to go see for myself. I noticed a new chair that looks very similar – the Gronlid. Have you checked the dimensions? Looks like the only difference is the slipcover – could you use the one you have on it?
Thank you, Kelly, I’ll check it out! It was so disheartening! I appreciate your kindess!
How pretty! I love the neutral palette as it does enhance the light, breezy atmosphere. And slipcovers are a must! I redid our great room at the lake in whites and subtle blues for contrast. In the fall and winter I simply add some darker pumpkin colored pillows or navy.
I’m wondering where you fount the little canvas seats. They would be perfect for me to add for space when we are having those evening conversations around the fireplace!
Jane x
Thank you, Jane! They’re available in my shop. We love them because they also work in a guest bedroom as luggage racks or a stool for guests to put their shoes on.
I love the neutral palette and slipcovered furniture is the way to go. I have the same at our lakehouse, and when I know children are going to be romping around in wet bathing suits or someone’s pup is going to decide to take a nap on the couch, I throw sheets on!
I am loving the canvas covered seats…can you tell me where you found them?
Jane
YES! So true!
Julie,
We are painting the outside of our house the Realtist Beige from SW, as far as the front door and the garage door, what color should I paint those??
I paired ours with everyday white – you can learn more about that color here as well!
Your pop up ads are very distracting from your blog and your pictures
Hi Laura! Thank you for your feedback. I don’t have pop up ads, but in content ads (between photos/text) or one of my most popular videos. Having ads affords me the opportunity to create quality content on a regular basis, thank you for supporting my site and I by visiting and sharing!