Seven lake house essentials to attract more bookings

Lake houses are undeniably nostalgic. It’s where time slows down, the water is calm, and the outdoors are always calling. A beautiful lakefront location goes a long way, but your vacation rental’s interior needs to be just as attractive to compel a guest to book.

(If you’re looking for room-by-room inventory checklists for your vacation rental, we have those, too.)

Must-haves for a successful lake house

1. Nature-inspired design

Rely on Mother Nature to steer your design, advises Kimberly White, Vacasa’s Head of Home Quality and Standards. Guests want the outdoor experience, both indoors and out. Milena Marzulo, Vacasa Design Associate, suggests selecting textures and colors inspired by the local environment. Think deeper teals and blues, accented with cream or white. Or, try various shades of brown for a woodsy palette, along with metal and wood furniture.

2. Sophisticated style, without the kitsch

The secret to modern interior design: don’t take your destination literally. Avoid cliche lake house paraphernalia, like paddle boards and compasses. Milena advises to take a more abstract and subdued approach. “Make it personal with a custom sign of your lake house’s name, mount a map of where your lake house is located, or show off a piece of art that subtly evokes the lakeside experience.”

3. An emphasis on the view

Let’s face it. No matter how stunning your lake home is, your guests’ favorite highlight will be the view. So, leverage it. If space allows, create a comfy lounge or conversation area near a window or on your outdoor deck overlooking the water, Milena advises.

Plus, avoid heavy curtains on sliding glass doors and windows. Let your guests have uninterrupted views of the lake from the warm comfort of the inside.

4. Durable furniture and fabrics

Your furniture (both indoor and outdoor) will have to put up with a lot time and time again. Think barbecue sauce stains, muddy paw prints, and wet bathing suits. Kimberly advises vacation home owners to invest in durable furniture that can withstand it all, like pieces made of teak or POLYWOOD®. Plus, look for performance fabrics that are easy to clean, like Sunbrella®. Avoid outfitting your space with inexpensive plastic chairs from your local hardware store. These flimsy pieces can wear down and break after just one season.

5. Intentional use of outdoor space

Your outdoor patio or deck will become the de facto social center of every stay. Your guests will likely spend hours soaking up the sun, watching their children splashing on the shore, and cooking out. Consider buying all-weather chaise lounges, in addition to an outdoor dining table and chairs. Don’t forget ambient lighting for evening happy hours and storage for your seat cushions.

6. Lake house amenities made for fun

Make it easy for guests to dive right into an adventure by providing thoughtful and playful extras. Items like life jackets, floating coolers, marshmallow roasting sticks, plastic plates and cups (picnic on the shore, anyone?), outdoor towels, and outdoor folding chairs allow guests to seamlessly live that lake life. “If you want your lake house to stand out from all the others, details like these matter,” Milena says.

7. Kid-friendly and pet-friendly essentials

Lake house getaways are almost always a family affair. Make the entire family—even four-legged family members—feel welcome and safe with the right amenities. Not only does that show you’re savvy about your guests’ needs, but you’re also allowing parents to pack lighter for their stay.

For children, offer items like a portable play yard, high chair, baby gates, and family-friendly games. Pet-friendly vacation homes tend to generate 10–20% more rental income than homes that aren’t. Keep the dogs (and their owners) happy with items like a dog bed with a machine washable cover, extra dog bowls and leashes, dog waste bags, and towels to wipe muddy paws.