There is a specific palette that belongs only to the Great Lakes. It is found in the silver-grey of weathered cedar docks, the deep indigo of the water just before a storm, and the warm, sandy ochre of the towering dunes. When we spend time along the shore, we often find ourselves wanting to bottle that sense of serenity and bring it back to our own four walls. By leaning into a timeless Great Lakes home decor aesthetic, you can evoke the calmness of the shoreline in any space you call your own.
Creating a home inspired by the lakes is not about “nautical” decor; it’s about a connection to the landscape. It is about choosing materials that feel as though they were shaped by the same wind and water that define our coastlines.
1. The Palette of the Shore
The most successful lakeside interiors draw directly from the horizon. Instead of bright, primary blues, look to the muted, complex tones of the water.
- Superior Deep Blue: A deep, moody yet neutral navy with subtle hints of green hues that ground a room.
- Our Top Pick: View Sherwin-Williams Waterloo (LRV 12.29)
- Driftwood Grey: A soft, neutral grey that mimics the sun-bleached wood found along the beaches of the Upper Peninsula.
- Our Top Pick: View Sherwin-Williams Mindful Grey (LRV 48)
- Dune Grass Green: A pale, desaturated olive that brings the softness of the shoreline indoors.
- Our Top Pick: View Farrow and Ball Bancha (LRV 13.8)
- What is LRV?
- LRV stands for the light reflective value, meaning the percent of light a particular color reflects and spans 0-100. The lower the LRV, the more light a color absorbs and the darker it will appear, and vice versa. This is important to keep in mind if you are looking to paint a space with a lower LRV that does not receive much natural light during the day.
2. Tactile Textures
In a region where the weather can turn on a dime, home should be a sanctuary of texture. The goal is to balance the “hard” elements of the landscape with the “soft” comforts of a harbor.
- Stone and Slate: Incorporate smooth river stones or raw slate in entryways or hearths. These materials hold the coolness of the lake and provide a physical weight to the space.
- Linen and Wool: Layering is essential. Heavy wool blankets in traditional patterns provide warmth during cool lake-effect nights, while breathable linens keep a bedroom feeling airy during the humid heights of July.
- Our Top Pick: View The Ashby Wool Throw Blanket by Faribault Mill, located in Minnesota
- This wool blanket comes in a beautiful navy blue and is the perfect way to add blue lake tones to your home with a functional piece.
- Our Top Pick: View The Ashby Wool Throw Blanket by Faribault Mill, located in Minnesota
- Copper Accents: A nod to the heritage of the Keweenaw, copper elements, like a hand-hammered pitcher or light fixtures, add a warmth that glows beautifully against cool blue walls.
3. Bringing the Outside In
The Great Lakes lifestyle is defined by the blurred line between the porch and the parlor.
- The View as Art: Rather than cluttering walls, allow windows to be the focal point. Frame views with simple, light-filtering curtains that move with the lake breeze.
- Our Top Pick: View IKEA Ritva curtains provide the perfect amount of privacy while also letting light stream through. These are also 100% cotton, with a beautiful linen-like texture, perfect for lakeside cottages.
- Found Objects: A simple glass vessel filled with beach glass or a single, perfectly smooth piece of driftwood acts as a sculptural reminder of a day spent at the water’s edge.
- Natural Wood Tones: Avoid overly polished finishes. Instead, opt for matte, wire-brushed, or reclaimed woods that show their grain and history.
- Our Top Pick: View Great Lakes Reclaimed, which handcrafts all its pieces in Petoskey, Michigan. All materials are locally sourced, leading to sustainable, heirloom pieces that will last a lifetime.
4. Scent and Atmosphere
Our sense of place is often tied to scent. To truly bring the lake home, consider the aromas of the North Woods:
- Evergreens and Fir: The scent of a crisp forest trail.
- Our Top Pick: View Antique Candle Co., located in Lafayette, Indiana
- Scent: Tree farm
- Our Top Pick: View Antique Candle Co., located in Lafayette, Indiana
- Line-Dried Linen: Evoking the feeling of sheets snapping in a fresh Great Lakes gale.
- Our Top Pick: View Unsalted Candle Co., located in Rockford, MI
- Scent: Lakeside Cottage Candle
- Our Top Pick: View Unsalted Candle Co., located in Rockford, MI
- On the Shore: Scents of sand and sundried driftwood evoke nostalgic summer lakeside memories.
- Our Top Pick: View JKM Soy Candles, located in Wyandotte, MI
- Scent: Lake Michigan Shoreline Soy Candle
- Our Top Pick: View JKM Soy Candles, located in Wyandotte, MI
Designing a home around the Great Lakes is an exercise in restraint and reverence. It is about creating a space that feels as timeless and enduring as the water itself; a place to retreat, to breathe, and to wait for the next summer morning.
