You want your Lake Oconee house to be a sanctuary of relaxation and fun —  an escape from the everyday world filled with the people and things you love. On the outside, that doesn’t seem too difficult. However, once you get into the interiors, choosing the right look for your lake house can be more challenging than you may think. 

That’s why our team of Lake Oconee home builders at PAXISgroup has detailed a few design choices you might like to help you achieve an aesthetic lake house. From open-concept lake house kitchen ideas and rustic lake house interior design to modern lake house interior design ideas, we’ve shared our expert knowledge to get you started. 

Finding Your Style

One effective way to simplify the process of finding your style is to choose a specific design aesthetic and commit to it. However, before you dive into exploring the best home designs in Lake Oconee, consider these tips for accentuating the beauty of your lake house, no matter what lake house aesthetic you ultimately choose: 

• Embrace the Inspiration of Lake Oconee: Draw from the stunning surroundings by incorporating hues that reflect the landscape. Use shades of blue to mirror the lake and sky, green for the lush vegetation, and earthy neutrals or muted autumn colors for warmth. Additionally, bring the outdoors inside by incorporating natural materials like wood and stone into your design.

• Maximize Natural Light: Highlight your breathtaking views with many windows and sliding doors. This not only enhances the beauty of your home but also fills your space with natural light, creating a bright and lively atmosphere.

• Focus on Curb Appeal: The exterior of your lake house is just as important as the interior. So, you don’t want to overlook your outdoor spaces during the design process. We recommend extending the materials and motifs from your interior design to the exterior to maintain a cohesive look.

• Create Inviting Outdoor Areas: Georgia’s outdoors can be enjoyed year-round, so plan for ample outdoor space. We urge you to consider adding a spacious patio and to decide whether you prefer a screened-in or open-air setting. You might also want to enhance your outdoor experience with features like a summer kitchen and fireplace but don’t forget to incorporate thoughtful lighting and landscaping to complete the look.

The Rustic Retreat 

Rustic aesthetics are the go-to lake home interior design choice for nature lovers and anyone who wants their home to reflect their lifestyle. Typically, a rustic lake house interior incorporates colors and elements of nature while creating a homey atmosphere with antique or vintage details. When done correctly, this simplistic yet eclectic style can tie all your items together, making your entire home feel cohesive. 

Here’s how to get the look:

Wood, Wood, Wood

Wood is a staple of a rustic aesthetic, from the floors to your furniture and picture frames. For a genuinely time-worn look, use wide plank hardwoods for your floors, as they were common in 18th- and 19th-century interiors and can create a rustic home vibe. Also, don't be afraid to use wood to accent the walls and shelving. This adds tremendously to the rustic look. 

Accent With Opposites

For an eclectic rustic look, accent with opposing colors, textures, and materials. Stone tiling, for example, is an excellent accent to wood flooring because of the textural contrast it provides. Stone details also offer a sense of aged sophistication, which suits the rustic aesthetic well. 

However, you’ll want to balance the coolness of stone and wood accents with soft braided rugs and blankets that make the room feel cozier. 

Embellish with Bespoke Decor

The rustic style is about creating a personalized look. You can personalize your space by displaying distressed wood or hand-painted furniture, tapestries, old bottles, vintage photographs, metal frames, or other antique items. 

Or, try adding a structural element like an exposed beam or reclaimed barn doors. You’ll also want to carry the rustic theme into your lighting by installing a chandelier, wall sconces, pendant light, or a hurricane-style lamp. 

Get Nautical

You don’t have to if you don’t want to — but if you love a rustic nautical look, start with a blue, cream, and brown color palette. You can accent with green or try mixing in silver and brass metal details, like a porthole or lantern. Decorate with wooden paddles, vintage ship or ocean paintings, fisherman figurines, and anchors — just don’t overdo it!

The Cottage Dream

A rustic aesthetic and a cottage aesthetic are somewhat similar. They both showcase exposed beams, historic stone, and quirky decor. Plus, they both create comfortable interiors, in part due to their shared use of natural influences. Some subtle differences, though, set the two apart.

Here’s how to create a cottage aesthetic in your lake house:

Keep it Warm & Neutral 

Your cottage should take its cues from Mother Nature. Mix neutrals like creams, browns, and grays as a base to create a calming effect. Then, add warm, earthy tones such as terracotta, honey-yellow, and muted pink for an enchanting combination of cottage colors.

Flora & Fauna

Using flora and fauna in your decor is a great way to carry the cottage aesthetic into every room of the house. You can grow your own house plants and display them on shelves and tables, or give your room an accent wall with floral wallpaper. If you choose wallpaper, we recommend heritage prints. They are a style of flora and fauna prints from the late 19th century and are a fitting choice for a cottage-style lake house home. 

Mix Your Materials

Mixing and matching your materials gives your interiors visual diversity and a homey look. You can mix the type of wood used in your lake house style furniture, flooring, or cabinetry and mix different textures of rugs, blankets, and pillows. You can also achieve the same effect on your walls by mixing regular painted walls with an accent stone, wood, or wainscot wall. 

The Farmhouse

The country farmhouse aesthetic combines the functionality of traditional American farmhouses with charming design. Traditionally used as gathering places for friends and family, farmhouses prioritize spacious floor plans and storage, turning functionality into luxury.

Here’s how to bring the farm to your lake house:

Prioritize Functionality

Farmhouses started popping up in the U.S. in the 1700s. They were mainly designed to support the hardworking lives of farmers who required accessibility and functionality above all else. 

A variation of the farmhouse has been a popular design for the last few years, but it has a more modern look than the original farmhouses. Many features from the time continue to influence farmhouse design today, such as exposed beams, wide plank floors, reclaimed barn doors, and wide porches. These features prioritize functionality, so consider them for your lake home. 

Include Traditional & Luxurious Decor

In their heyday, farmhouses weren’t considered the most opulent of places. But today, you can elevate farmhouse living to a state of luxury. 

All you need to do is incorporate traditional farmhouse elements like gingham-patterned fabrics, painted or whitewashed wood furniture, glass bottles, ladder-backed chairs, or a trestle dining table with luxury finishings and furnishings. 

These can include cashmere blankets, wicker baskets, old-fashioned barrel lighting, candle chandeliers, and industrial pendant lights that can add luxury to your lake farmhouse decor. 

Accent with Vintage Details

Adding vintage signs, artwork, or other elements to a modern farmhouse interior adds character and whimsy, mimicking a rustic aesthetic. Start with wood—distressed or otherwise worn—and add classic silhouettes like gooseneck faucets, spindle leg tables, and milk glass pendants. You can further the look by decorating the kitchen with vintage cutting boards, ladles, or other utensils!

Make it Modern

Just because farmhouses date back to the 1700s, that doesn’t mean they can’t be made modern. For a while, all-white or gray color schemes helped modernize this aesthetic, but now rich jewel tones like greens and purples are being infused to give a color scheme more depth and sophistication for modern lake house interiors.

You can also freshen up the farmhouse look by adding elements of other aesthetics. A touch of coastal, industrial, or even mid-century modern decor will bring your farmhouse to the next level.

The Modern Lake House

At this point, you may be sick of hearing about wood. If that’s the case, don't worry! The modern home designs in Lake Oconee have a specific modern aesthetic that does not rely on wood nearly as much as other interior design styles. 

A modern lake house interior focuses on minimalist design, sleek finishes, and pops of color, pattern, or texture that generate a focal point.

Get the look:

Experiment with Your Materials

Mix it up by using modern materials. Instead of defaulting to hardwood floors and furniture, get a unique look using marble, ceramic, cork, patterned tiles, or vinyl in your interiors. Whatever you choose, we recommend sticking to a few main materials and repeating them throughout the house as a motif. 

We also think adding chrome and glass accents for a sparkle reminiscent of the lake outside your window is a good idea. Or why not pick something slick like iron, plastic, or leather? If you’re worried that these cool finishes might make your lakehouse feel too sterile, warm things up by adding wood details and soft textures.

Keep it Simple

Crafting a modern interior is all about simplicity in both design and functionality. For this reason, modern designs often have open-concept layouts and prioritize minimalism to keep your space uncluttered. You’ll want to start with a mostly neutral color palette as your base. Then, continue the minimalist theme by choosing furniture and decor with clean, simple lines that bring a sense of calm and paint that adds pops of color.

Bold Decor

Once you’ve chosen the base materials for your lake house, it’s time to show off your personality with bold decorations. Add elements of modern lake house decor like geometrical patterns, minimalist or abstract art, and vibrant colors. You can also accentuate the lake house feel by using accents of blue and green paint and decorating with modern takes on lake-themed figurines and art.

The Contemporary Retreat

The contemporary retreat aesthetic emphasizes clean lines, open spaces, and a harmonious blend of comfort and sophistication similar to the modern lake house aesthetic. This style is perfect for those who want a contemporary yet inviting feel in their lake house, emphasizing creating a tranquil environment that reflects the beauty of the surrounding nature.

Open Floor Plans

One of the hallmarks of contemporary design is an open floor plan that allows for seamless flow between spaces. This design choice makes the home feel more spacious and encourages social interactions and engagement among family and friends. Consider using large, unobstructed spaces for your living, dining, and kitchen areas to enhance the sense of togetherness and keep decor limited with statement pieces. 

Neutral Color Palette

Like the modern lake house aesthetic, start with a base of neutral colors such as whites, beiges, and grays to create a calming atmosphere. These colors serve as a backdrop for accent pieces and furniture. You can introduce pops of color through decorative pillows, artwork, or plants, allowing for personal expression without overwhelming the space.

Natural Light

You’ll want to maximize natural light by incorporating large windows and glass doors that frame stunning lake views. We recommend you also consider using sliding glass doors that open onto outdoor living spaces, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors. The abundance of natural light in Lake Oconee, GA, will create an airy ambiance, enhancing the overall tranquility of your home.

Minimalist Furniture

Select furniture with clean lines and a minimalist design. It's best to choose pieces made from natural materials like wood, metal, or stone that bring in elements of the outdoors. Just be careful to pick functional and stylish furniture, ensuring it complements the overall aesthetic without cluttering the space.

Speak With PAXISgroup Today About Finding A Design For Your Lake Oconee Dream Home

Are you ready to get the perfect Lake Oconee lake house style? Our custom home-building services may be just the thing you need! Check out our home-building guide or visit our blog for more inspiration on everything from home upgrades to open-concept lake house kitchen ideas.

Should you decide to build your own Lake Oconee home, you can contact PAXISgroup here, and we’ll guide you toward the right lake house interior design that meets your lifestyle. We have years of experience building custom homes in Lake Oconee, GA, so we know what works and what doesn’t.