A lake house is an ideal retreat for homeowners looking to relax and recharge in a soothing and idyllic setting.
It’s a refreshing change of pace from the fast and unpredictable city life, where you can enjoy the beautiful view from your porch, soak in the sunlight during the day, and cozy up by the fire in the evening with friends and family.
Selecting the right flooring for your lake house requires careful consideration of both style and practicality, as it needs to withstand increased exposure to moisture and water activities that are uncommon in a city environment.
Without further ado, let’s look into the best flooring ideas for your lakeside sanctuary.
What to Look For
Lake houses are gorgeous escapes, but there are a few key considerations when choosing the right flooring for this unique setting. Here are some of the things you should keep in mind when selecting flooring for your lake house.
Exposure to water
The most important factor in choosing lake house flooring is its ability to withstand moisture – for obvious reasons. Things like wet swimsuits, dripping towels, and dirt are part and parcel of owning a lake house, so you should look for flooring that can handle constant exposure to water.
Porches and entryways are constantly exposed to humidity, rain, and damp air, creating the perfect environment for mold and mildew to thrive if your flooring isn’t designed to resist these conditions.
Weather Conditions
This is a more general consideration, as it entirely depends on where your lake house is located, but weather conditions should be kept in mind, as they can have a sizable impact on your comfort.
Some flooring options, such as stone and tile, can feel cold underfoot, and when it’s already chilly outside, it can add to the discomfort. In this case, options like carpet and cork are excellent indoor choices due to their soft and warm feel underfoot.
Alternatively, you can explore heated flooring options if you're comfortable spending more on increasing comfort during colder months.
Aesthetics
It’s not all about the practicality; the look of your flooring is equally important. After all, it can make or break the overall atmosphere of your lake house.
Your flooring should complement the natural beauty of the space, blending seamlessly with its surroundings. It can be a rustic, woodsy vibe or a sleek, modern aesthetic, but it’s important that it aligns with the overall vision you have for the space.
Flooring Selection by Room
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into what you should look for when choosing flooring for each specific room.
Since the demands of high-traffic areas like the living room differ from those of bedrooms or outdoor spaces, tailoring your flooring choices to each area is something you should pay close attention to.
Kitchen
Your kitchen floor needs to handle everything from heavy foot traffic to wet swimsuits dripping after a refreshing swim. This is where luxury vinyl planks (LVP) truly shine as an ideal choice for lake house living.
Not only are they completely waterproof, but they also capture the warm, inviting look of natural wood without any of the maintenance headaches that come with it. You'll find yourself appreciating their resilience every time someone spills a drink or tracks in water from the lake.
If you're looking for something with a bit more traditional appeal, porcelain tile is another excellent option that's been trusted in lakeside homes for generations. It's incredibly forgiving when it comes to water exposure, and you won't have to worry about it warping or deteriorating over time.
Modern porcelain tiles come in such a wide variety of styles that you can achieve virtually any look you're dreaming of, from rustic stone to sleek contemporary designs.
Bathroom
Your lake house bathroom requires special attention when it comes to flooring, as it's arguably the space that sees the most water exposure throughout the day. Here's where ceramic or porcelain tile really comes into its own.
Think about it – between post-swim showers, steamy baths, and the general splash factor that comes with bathroom use, you need something that can handle constant moisture without batting an eye.
Living Room
The living room is where you'll likely spend most of your time, making memories with family and friends, so the flooring here needs to strike the perfect balance between durability and comfort.
Engineered hardwood is a fantastic choice that brings the natural beauty of wood into your space while offering better resistance to moisture than traditional hardwood. It's perfect for those evenings when everyone gathers around for board games or morning coffee with a view of the lake.
LVP makes another strong showing here, especially if you're looking for something that can handle the inevitable wet footprints and occasional spills without sacrificing style.
Today's luxury vinyl planks can mimic the look of hardwood so convincingly that you might have trouble telling the difference, and they'll maintain their beauty for years with minimal upkeep – leaving you more time to enjoy your lakeside retreat.
Bedrooms
Your bedroom should be a peaceful sanctuary where you can unwind after a day of lakeside activities, and the right flooring can help create that calming atmosphere you're after.
Engineered hardwood works beautifully in bedrooms, offering a timeless appeal that adds value to your property while providing the moisture resistance that's so crucial in a lake house setting. The natural warmth underfoot makes those early morning walks to watch the sunrise over the water all the more enjoyable.
Conclusion
Choosing the right flooring for your lake house might seem overwhelming at first, but breaking it down room by room makes the process much more manageable.
Remember that while style is important, the unique challenges of lakeside living should guide your decision-making process just as much as aesthetics do.
Whatever materials you choose, proper installation is absolutely crucial, so don't hesitate to invest in professional installation to ensure your new floors will stand the test of time and weather.
With these considerations in mind, you're well-equipped to make flooring choices that will enhance your lakeside sanctuary for years to come.
