3 ways to enhance lake views with interior design

It amazes me every time I see how transformative a few simple and smart interior design choices can be for a home. I have seen this occur on countless occasions when I work with my friend and interior designer, Marcie Blanco. Marcie is not only extremely talented, but also strategic when it comes to designing homes. She can create high-end luxury spaces, but she is also so good at coming up with easy to executive and cost effective ideas that make a huge difference. 

I recently chatted with her about several of our listings with lake views, wondering if there are any interior design tricks she knows that can help enhance and highlight incredible views. She had so many ideas! 

Window treatments
A lot of the buildings along the lakeshore in Chicago feature stainless steel window frames, a lot of which are from the 90s. To help soften the overall look and add more texture, Marcie recommends incorporating ripple fold curtain panels in front with a sheer layer behind. Bi-layered curtains are a great way to help make a home feel cozy, add dimension and also provide flexibility with both opaque and sheer options.

In terms of length and mounting, Marcie advocates for a ceiling mount whenever possible because it maximizes the perception of ceiling height. For color, Marcie says to look out the window and highlight your favorite parts of what you see. Maybe it is the winter lake, or sunset, or the steel of neighboring buildings. Drawing colors from the outdoors inside creates a cohesive feel. You can see a great visual example at our listing at 229 E Lake Shore Drive.

Lighting
By default, homes with lake views usually also have incredible natural light, which is something you can’t recreate with any amount of interior design. To help create a feeling of quiet luxury, Marice advocates for layering different types of lighting including sconces, floor lamps, and table lamps. With numerous options, natural light is still the star. Smart home technology makes it easier to manage different sources of lighting with just a few buttons, making layered lighting as convenient as overhead cans. Our listing at 1100 N Lake Shore Drive’s expansive rooms are the perfect blank canvas for several types of lighting. 

Color
When decorating to highlight a lake view, Marcie recommends incorporating elements of contrasting colors such as burnt siena, pumpkin, paprika – all of which will make the lake appear brighter. She also advocates for considering color on the ceiling! It may sound counterintuitive, but painting the ceiling in a neutral or neutral adjacent (think charcoal or a deep brown) really frames a space and creates the effect of a warm and cozy envelope. Go bold on furniture and items you take with you when you ultimately move again! 

A few highlights from all of our listings with lake views: 
229 E Lake Shore 10E: Spacious and prestigious 4-bed, 4-bath, 10th floor East Lake Shore Drive home with soaring unobstructed views of Lake Michigan, large formal living room, elegant dining room, and luxurious primary suite Learn more>>

435 N Michigan 620: Prestigious Chicago Tribune 2-bed, 2.5-bath home in the preferred south tower with a coveted split floor plan and gorgeous river and city views Learn more>>

132 E Delaware 5601: First-time opportunity to own this meticulously maintained, spacious home featuring incredible lake, city and sunset views perched atop the Four Seasons Hotel with access to the hotel’s unparalleled amenities Learn more>>

1100 N Lake Shore 24B: Thoughtfully renovated and gently lived-in south-east corner unit with incredible lake,Lake Shore Drive and city views Learn more>>

600 N LSD 3601: Designer home with the most desirable split bedroom floor plan, plus rare unobstructed lake and city views and private balcony Learn more>>