A home near the lake brings to mind a peaceful, laid-back lifestyle, where the sounds of water and fresh air create the perfect escape.
Whether you live in a subdivision with a manmade lake, or in a woodside cabin, you can push the lakeside feel of your home, while avoiding cliche or kitsch.
What Makes a Lakeside Style?
The nicest lake houses bring a relaxed atmosphere into their interior design. You’ll often spot natural textures and colors inspired by the surrounding water and woods. Common elements include weathered wood, stones, and lightweight fabrics. And the color palette often draws from nature—think soft blues, greens, and neutral tones.
Window treatments play a key role in a lake house. They anchor a room’s design while maintaining the view, protecting furnishings from the sun, and standing up to occasional humidity.
Today, we’ll share some stylish window treatments you might enjoy in your lakeside retreat. 😊
Get a Modern Rustic Charm with Faux Wood Shutters
Living near a lake calls for window treatments that can stand up to moisture and humidity. Faux wood shutters are an excellent option because they don’t warp like real wood. Shutters also bring a rustic charm – you can swing them open to enjoy a lovely sea breeze.
Palm Beach™ Polysatin™ Shutters are ideal for lake homes. These shutters resist moisture, mildew, and UV rays, so they maintain their look without warping, cracking, fading, or peeling.
Plus, they’re available with PowerView® Automation. That means you can adjust your shutters on an automated schedule as well as with a remote, smart device, or voice control.
Add Earthiness with Woven Wood Shades
Woven wood shades add a natural, earthy texture to lake homes. You can use them to enhance your rooms with neutral tones and wooden accents.
Provenance® Woven Wood Shades are handcrafted from natural woods, bamboo, and grasses, so they truly bring the outdoors into your home. They filter sunlight beautifully, and they’re durable so they won’t stretch or break over time.
Use Solar Shades for a Minimalist Style
Solar shades are a great solution for managing the sun’s rays, especially in rooms with large lake-facing windows. Our clients especially love them in sunrooms and rooms that receive direct sunlight.
Designer Solar Shades provide UV protection while still preserving your view of the water. They offer a high level of light control and UV protection, while still allowing you to look straight through them and enjoy your view.
They block glare and reduce heat. They protect your furniture from fading. And they’re available in a range of openness levels so you can customize your light control and privacy.
Add Elegance with Drapery
Drapery can add a soft, elegant touch to any lake house.
We can help you find a wide selection of fabrics, colors, and patterns, so you can find the perfect drapery for your aesthetic.
Ideas for Layering Your Lake House Shades
When designing window treatments for your lake house, think about the overall look and feel you want to create.
Faux wood shutters, woven wood shades, and solar shades each offer unique benefits. You can add style and functionality by layering different treatments.
Here are some ideas for layering:
1. Pair blue plush drapery with neutral Roman shades
For a chic, coastal-inspired look, pair soft, plush drapery in deep blue alongside Roman shades in sandy, neutral tones. The combination gives you both elegance and warmth.
2. Combine solar shades with airy linen curtains
Create a minimalist, breezy aesthetic by layering sheer linen curtains over solar shades. This allows you to block out harsh sunlight during the day but still enjoy soft, filtered light when the curtains are drawn.
3. Layer woven wood shades with blackout roller shades
For a more rustic, earthy look, use woven wood shades for texture and visual interest, while adding a hidden layer of blackout roller shades for privacy and light control in bedrooms or media rooms.
4. Add a valance in a bold accent color above neutral shades
For a polished, sophisticated style, install a valance in a bold color like deep teal or forest green over neutral-colored faux wood blinds or shades. This pop of color adds dimension while maintaining a lake house vibe.
5. Use drapery panels in a soft, natural fabric with faux wood shutters
If you’re going for a traditional or farmhouse feel, layer natural fabric drapery, like cotton or linen, with classic faux wood shutters. This creates a cozy, welcoming space.
6. Pair Roman shades with subtle striped drapery
To add a subtle nautical touch, combine warm neutral Roman shades with striped drapery in soft blues or grays. This creates a sophisticated, lake-inspired look without overwhelming the space.
7. Use woven wood shades and frame them with thick blackout drapery
For a dramatic and luxurious style, pair handwoven wood shades with thick, blackout drapery in a rich color, such as navy or charcoal. The contrast of textures adds depth while providing ultimate light control for relaxation or sleeping.
Make Your Lake Home Spectacular
The right window treatments can enhance both the style, comfort, and functionality of your lake house.
For personalized advice and to explore the best window treatments for your Idaho lake house, reach out to our expert team today. We’re here to help you create a stunning atmosphere that you love!
