A lake house has a tough job. First off, it has to compete with the beauty of mother nature, and that’s a losing battle to begin with. Then, a lake house has to be fun, like a day out on the water, yet relaxing, like the gentle crackling of a campfire. And, to boot, it needs to convey your personality. While that may be a tall order, it’s nothing your lake house can’t handle — especially if you pick the right design aesthetic. 

So, before you go building a lakefront home, figure out an aesthetic that fits you. Need some food for thought? Scroll down to read home design trends for 2022 and explore three home aesthetics likely to be everywhere this year. 

The Nature Lover’s Abode

Just outside the window of your lake home, nature bustles. Waves stir the blue depths of Lake Oconee, trees swaying in the breeze as forest creatures flit about. You could spend the entire day out, soaking it all in. But what if you could bring that feeling with you when you go back inside? With biophilic design, you can! Nothing brings out the natural beauty of custom lake homes the way biophilic design does — plus, it’s one of 2022’s top trends. Biophilic design connects the outdoors and indoors using colors, shapes, materials, and decor inspired by nature.

Trend Tips:

• Keep it Natural

Emulate nature in your designs by incorporating natural materials, such as stone and wood, as well as nature-inspired colors like greens, blues, browns, and off-whites. Decorate with plants, flowers — basically anything you could find on a nature walk — and voila, your lake home will transform into a biophilic getaway!

• Engage Your Senses

Create an immersive experience by incorporating natural sights, smells, and sounds into your design. Start by centering your furniture around windows to maximize your natural light and view. Then light a fireplace, turn on an indoor water foundation, or simply open the window to create a natural ambiance. Or, you could bring your living space outside by adding a grilling patio or summer kitchen. Summer kitchens, which became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, stand separate from the main house and are coming back in 2022 as an extra space for outdoor cooking and entertaining.

The Rustic Retreat

In 2022, people are seeking comfort from the craziness of the world. And what better place is there to find reassurance than home? If you want to create a sanctuary of comfort for yourself, rustic is the way to go. Vintage and natural influences intermingle in the rustic aesthetic to produce a feeling of hominess. This is aided by the eclectic decor style that’s often associated with the rustic look, which makes it easy to include your personal style into your home design. 

Trend Tips:

• Bring Warmth to Your Walls

Though gray and white have been one of the top color trends for much of the past decade, the look is officially on its way out. It’s being replaced by warm neutral hues like beiges, creams, and browns with rich undertones. Accent these neutrals with shades of green and blue or grounded earth tones like deep red and terracotta to get the perfect color palette for your cozy lake cabin aesthetic. Then, if you want to add contrast and visual interest to your palette of neutrals, try painting your interior doors a different color than the surrounding walls and trim. 

• Try Vintage

The rustic aesthetic incorporates decor that speaks to your life, interests, personality, and style. Among a sea of rustic lake house decorating ideas, antiques, and vintage items stand out for the unique character each individual piece brings to your home. Try displaying family heirlooms or find your own pieces at a local flea market or antique shop near you. But, also, don't be afraid to balance your vintage elements out with something luxurious like velvet cushions or a wine niche. 

The Maximalist’s Playhouse 

Though minimalism has been one of the top interior design trends of recent years, in 2022, the minimalist aesthetic is being usurped by its boisterous counterpart: maximalism. Maximalism is about being ‘extra,’ going bigger and bolder with a more-is-more — rather than a less-is-more — mentality. From tiny decor details to furniture and lighting, maximalism is an exciting, hyper-stylized aesthetic that's at once effervescent and sophisticated. 

Trend Tips:

• Go Bold

To achieve the maximalist look, you need to make a statement, and there are plenty of ways to do that in 2022. Start small by choosing decor and furniture pieces that come in a variety of textures, colors, and patterns that complement one another. Then, you can go bigger by creating an accent wall. You can try something bright like a patterned wallpaper or dramatic like a dark brown or jewel-toned paint color. Or, for something more exciting, put your accent somewhere unexpected, like the floor or ceiling. In your kitchen, for example, instead of accenting your walls with a bold paint color, create a more interesting design by installing modern dark kitchen floors or cabinets. 

• Mix and Match

Do you have a hard time deciding on just one style for your lake house? Do you find yourself pulled in different directions, not knowing which way to go? The maximalist would tell you to stay right where you are and embrace the chaos. If you like bits and pieces of the rustic and modern aesthetics, for example, then try combining vintage furniture with modern lake house decor to make your own rustic contemporary style. Don’t hold yourself back. If you want to be especially on-trend for 2022, try mixing and matching your metals or the color of your kitchen cabinets! 

Do you want the inside of your lake home to be just as beautiful as the outside? PAXIS Group and our team of lakefront home builders create high-quality homes that blend into their natural surroundings. Plus, we have the portfolio to prove it! Contact PAXIS Group to learn more about what to expect or get started with your lake home construction.