Oh My Styled Life

Our interior designers’ preferred paint colors are inspired by the lakes, woods, and sunsets of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

O’Hara Interiors’ designers have decades of experience selecting the best lake house paint colors. These nuanced shades reflect the tones of calm lakes, bright skies, and lush woods. Below are six of our favorite colors for lake house interiors; each one is loved and used in real lake houses across Minnesota and Wisconsin. 

Searching for more paint color inspiration? Read our annual paint guide blog that explores what shades are inspiring are designers from Texas to Minnesota.  

Hale Navy  

A classic navy never goes out of style, and Hale Navy is one of our go-to lake house paint colors when our clients want drama and depth. This is a versatile color that can be used in both private and shared spaces, including kitchens, offices, or powder baths. It pairs beautifully with crisp whites, rich woods, and both modern and traditional furnishings. 

Paint colors are an important and impactful tool when updating your home. Read the Beautiful Design Made Simple article about this historic Lake Minnetonka remodel, featuring a kitchen painted in Hale Navy. 

Bonsai  

Bonsai, seen here in the kitchen cabinetry of the Hayward Summer Home, is one of those chameleon colors that somehow works in just about any light. It’s a forest green with a touch of warmth, perfect for open-concept living areas or transitional spaces like mudrooms and hallways. We especially love it alongside natural stone, leather, and handmade ceramics. 

Knoxville Gray  

This hue beautifully balances notes of blue, gray, and green, reminiscent of dusk falling over the forest. Knoxville Gray has a richness that feels bold, yet in step with other calming, nature-inspired colors. We love using it on built-ins, office cabinetry, and here, in a mudroom used for storing clothes and equipment needed to enjoy the great outdoors. This lake house paint color pairs beautifully with natural wood, antique brass, and warm neutrals. 

Tour OHI senior designer Gabe Lindberg’s Lake Minnetonka home in this feature from Minneapolis-St. Paul Home & Design magazine.  

Chestertown Buff  

In a Wisconsin laundry room, this warm yellow brings a confident glow to a space that needs an extra infusion of energy. It feels vintage in the best way, making it a great fit for traditional kitchens, cozy breakfast nooks, or lakeside cottages with historic charm. Pair it with unlacquered hardware, aged copper, or vintage textiles for a layered, lived-in look. 

Serenata Blue  

The ceiling of this award-winning powder room is painted bright, sky blue. Often used for lighter, airier spaces—think guest bedrooms, sunrooms, or a breezy upstairs hallway—Serenata Blue instantly makes a room feel fresh and invigorating, like a day at the beach.  

Remodeling in Edina? This powder bathroom is part of a home transformation that continues to inspire us. Read the Edina Magazine article to learn more.  

Carolina Gull 

Carolina Gull is subtle but unforgettable. It’s a light gray-green with a hint of blue—like a foggy lakeside morning just before the sun peeks out. It’s stunning in intimate spaces like guest rooms or reading nooks and works beautifully with creamy whites, natural stone, and darker metals.  

The coast is calling, and O’Hara Interiors has answered! Our recent blog post shares our team’s approach to designing vacation homes in Port Aransas along the Texas coast.  

O’Hara Interiors has been refreshing multi-generational family cabins and working with builders to design new lake houses across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North and South Dakota for thirty years. Our favorite tried-and-true lake house paint colors are thematically appropriate for their natural settings and loved for their enduring charm. Reach out to the O’Hara Interiors team today to discuss your next lake house project.