How to Decorate a Lake Cottage on a Budget

yard sale find

A cottage at the lake or cabin in the woods can be a relaxing place to get away. Don't spend a fortune decorating it when casual accessories delight the eye and fit the vacation theme. Here are some ways to achieve this for just pennies.

Things You'll Need

• transportation to go to yard sales
• items like a calendar or gift bag
• flags

Instructions

1. 

   Since the 4th of July falls during summer months and is a prime get-away-to-the-lake time, use lots of flags and bunting. These cost very little at the local Walmart and can be put out for weeks each summer. Multiple flags have more impact visually.

2. 

   Look around in nature for pine cones, colorful dried leaves, feathers and other nature items in decorating. Since space is often limited, make some items serve a decorative purpose (a basket) and then use it for practical purposes when needed (a picnic).

3. Check out yard sales for decorative items that fit the theme. I've found moose-themed candlesticks and carved loon figures to use in my New England lake/woods theme.

4. 

   Look for items with appealing graphics that can be re-purposed. Here's a gift bag trimmed to hang on the wall. The special paper and great artwork make this as enjoyable as a more expensive art item.

5. 

   Be alert for decorative items in off-beat places. This chickadee towel hook caught my eye in a local hardware store. Price: just $3.95.

6. 

   Calendars provide colorful prints to put on the wall. If you want it a bit more formal, get simple picture frames from a place like Walmart to dress it up.

7. 

   Some useful items like bean pots are decorative as well. Save storage space by putting these out for view.

8. 

   Create your own personalized artwork to fill the walls. Take photos of the lake, of visitors, etc. Use a rainy day to make leaf prints or other crafts with the kids. Rotate these or frame some that are really special.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't add everything at once. Let the decorating evolve over the years through serendipity. Discovering treasures for your lake house will happen naturally as you enjoy the activities and explore the area.

Resources

• Nature crafts site