Decorating

How to create Coastal Grandmother Lake Cottage Look

I have put together some easy tips on how to create Coastal Grandmother lake cottage look. My favorite colors are greens, blues, salmon and of course a lot of white.

These colors mixed together just make you feel relaxed and calm.

I also like to bring in some texture with baskets, throws and glass because it adds depth to any room.

Start with a cool palette

Starting with white walls and white slipcovered furniture it was easy to bring in lots of color!

I chose blues, greens, turquoise, soft peach or you might call it salmon color for my throw pillows.

I love pillows!

Don’t you?

The rug is seriously my favorite thing in the room!

It is quite large 9X12 and it has all the colors of the room in it.

Lake Cottage looking pillows

The salmon colored pillows have lots of texture on them.

One has round little nubby circles on it.

The other pillow has thick embroidered swirls on it.

The navy pillows have an all over texture on each one.

The lime green pillows are a thick linen.

All those textures work so well together on the white sofa!

Textured Peach colored throw

Who doesn’t love to snuggle up on the sofa with a soft blanket?

This particular salmon colored blanket has a waffle texture to it and I love it!

We use it all the time.

Furniture

I think a key thing on how to create a lake cottage look is white furniture!

My white sectional sofa is from Ikea and I have had it for 10 years now!

They apparently don’t make the Ektorp line any more!

So sad!

This sofa has been amazing and we have loved having slipcovers that can be washed.

You might remember years ago this same sofa when I had a red slipcover on it here.

Or when I had it in the basement with a denim slipcover on it.

I keep a large textured basket on the side filled with extra blankets in the winter.

Two ektorp club chairs on the other side of this room with white slipcovers on them create a cozy look.


I was named an expert in a Rent. article. Check out the featured article: Coastal Grandmother: Exploring the Allure of This Trending Design Aesthetic | Rent.

This navy linen ottoman is great for extra seating when we have the whole family here.

Adding blue glass vase on a round wooden tray brings in a little shine and warmth.

On the other side of the room is my entertainment center that we chalk painted in duck egg blue!

It used to be black!

You can see the entertainment before photos here.

The room looked nice before we painted it white and added salmon colored pillows but I love the white walls now.

Lake Cottage Look Accessories

I know sea shells don’t really say lake cottage look, they are more the beachy look but I love them.

Use what you love!

I have placed them in glass apothecary jars, glass house terrariums and wire baskets.

It just reminds me of vacation time.

Isn’t a lake house supposed to feel like you are on vacation?

I want to feel like I am on vacation everyday! 🙂

I also have some favorite books and magazines on the shelves in my entertainment center as well this wood carved pinecone or is it a pineapple?

Whatever you want to call it I like it.

It is simple, white and distressed looking.

Lake Cottage Fireplace and white shiplap

This fireplace used to be red brick before we painted it white.

I painted it white and added white shiplap above.

Instead of it being kind of a dark corner it is now light bright and airy.

I love to decorate the mantle for fall or for Christmas.

I keep things simple for summer and spring with a vase full of dried hydrangeas, a small framed piece of art, two skinny gold candle sticks and a salmon colored pot with faux greenery and a wooden piece of art.

How to create a lake cottage look and feel in any room

I think you can create a lake cottage or beach feel in your house using my tips.

Even this family room that has some decorating issues that can sometimes be a pain to work around.

There is really only one full wall!

A corner fireplace…. which I actually do love.

One side of the room is open to a hallway (where the club chairs are) and the other is a large opening to the kitchen.

This room acts as a pass through to the kitchen, it is the TV viewing area and when our kids and grandkids come over this is the gathering spot and play area for the grand kids too!

It seems to fit all 12 of us and sometimes even more when nieces and nephews come to visit!

It gets heavy use as you can imagine and I wouldn’t want it any other way!

Well there you have it all my tips and ideas on how to create a lake cottage look in your home.

You can see the many different ways I have styled this family room on this post.

Spoiler alert It has been at least 5 different ways!

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Karins Kottage

Welcome to Karins Kottage! There is always something fun going on! You would think after becoming an empty nester couple that our nest would be very quiet and empty but our Kottage nest is usually more full than what we started out with! You might find me hosting a birthday party or graduation party and a baby shower on the same weekend or a big outdoor get together with 25 of our friends and family in the backyard or maybe I might be in the kitchen trying out a new recipe for my hubby and I to grill on the BBQ for a quiet night for the two of us. I am passionate about entertaining and setting a beautiful table! I may or may not have an addiction to cloth napkins and fun salad plates oh and goblets too! I think I will always have a home decorating DIY project in the works as long as my hubby is on board with me haha. We have painted A LOT in the 6 homes we have owned in the 35 years that we have been married as well as re-done multiple pieces of furniture, added wall and ceiling treatments, replaced lights, bathroom fixtures and even tiled floors! I have sewn what seems like a million window treatments for our home as well as for family, made slipcovers, and duvets and even a formal dress or two!

View Comments

  • Also a super sad Ikea-er about the Ektorp line. They seem to be replacing the classics with cheaper options. There's also a Hemnes look-a-like that is cheaper and doesn't look as good. That said I've discovered furniture restorers on Facebook marketplace who do a decent job of repainting old or antique furniture. Those REALLY give the cottage look, especially when combined with some modern pieces. The trick is to smell the inside because old furniture can get stinky in a way that is hard to fix. I also love the salmon! I think I'll need to shop around for that colour now!

    • I know! Why oh why did they discontinue the original Ektorp line. It was their most popular line!! I Love painted antique furniture too! It really brings in the cottage look for sure. Thank you for leaving me your sweet comment!

  • Karin, this room is just beautiful! I love all the pretty colors of your pillows and your rug is gorgeous!! It's such a pretty, cozy room, perfect for a lake cottage!

  • I adore cottage style. Thank you so much for sharing on Fabulous Friday Link Party. We sure appreciate you. Hugs and blessings to you.

    • Thank you Renae :) It just brings me so much joy to surround myself with these colors and the cozy feeling it brings. Your party is fabulous and I a so happy to join in the fun!

      Hugs,
      Karin

  • When I envision a cottage I think of comfort. You definitely nailed it with this home. Thanks for sharing your wonderful tips. #HomeMattersParty

  • You created a cozy cottage vibe in your family room. My favorite parts are the salmon pillows and the white slipcover!
    Have a great week.
    Hugs,
    Kippi

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