Decorating & Design
10+ Essential Muskoka Cottage Design Ideas
Published on June 27, 2024
Fans of the Muskoka region are legion, and for good reason. The area’s natural beauty and laid-back vibe has attracted stars like Cindy Crawford, Simu Lui, David and Victoria Beckham and Austin Butler. Some elements of this look are equally famous (think Muskoka chairs and Muskoka rooms). Scroll through to see 10+ Muskoka cottage design ideas – from stone fireplaces to screened porches – that pop up repeatedly in the cottages we’ve featured over the years.
Stone Fireplace
Substantial fieldstone fireplaces often form the centrepiece of Muskoka cottages and reflect the boulders outside, emphasizing the connection to nature. In the Muskoka room of this Lake Joseph cottage, a chiseled beam is inset into the fireplace to form an impromptu mantel.
Muskoka Chairs
Muskoka chairs are an essential piece on any dock, or around any firepit. The wide-back slat chairs have wide armrests to balance a bevvie and are laid back by definition (Adirondack chairs typically have a steeper back). This chair set on Don Tapscott’s Lake of Bays dock are perfect for a sunset and Sundowner cocktail.
Party-Friendly Dock
This Muskoka boathouse dock lounge was inspired by designer Anne Hepfer’s own cottage’s cozy covered seating nook. “It’s like an outdoor living room,” says Anne. A built-in sectional (with a porthole-esque mirror just above) maximizes seating and provides 180-degree views of the water. “You can lie on the banquette and take a nap, or pack people onto it for cocktails.”
Dining Room That Can Host A Crowd
In their Lake Joseph cottage in Muskoka, these homeowners created a place to host their growing, multigenerational family. The dining table — ringed by Wishbone chairs — is a communal cottage hub, and gets warmth from the live-edge table and rich wood envelope.
Intuitive Kitchen
During mealtimes, guests who want to pitch in appreciate a layout that lets them set the table or put away dishes. The well organized kitchen in Cory DeFrancisco’s Lake Joseph cottage has an open concept design so it’s easier to interact and stay connected. The island breakfast bar allows for casual seating, perfect for grabbing a quick snack or chatting with the cook.
Serene Bedroom
A cottage bedroom doesn’t require much more than the sound of the lapping waves to be relaxing. In this cottage on Muskoka’s Lake Joseph, large glass windows capitalize on the forest view. The expansive windows, complemented by natural materials and ample glazing, give the impression of being outside when indoors to amp up the serenity.
Spa-Like Bathroom
Cottages are all about relaxation, and this soaker tub gives new meaning to the term “forest bathing.” This standalone tub is raised on a platform and surrounded by windows which flood the space with natural light with unencumbered views of the trees.
Screened Porch
A screened porch can extend the season, or make the nights more tolerable when the black flies and mosquitos are biting. In this Muskoka room, a stone floor helps blur the divide between indoors and out and is heated for chilly evenings.
Welcoming Guest Room
A painted board-and-batten-style wall treatment brings rustic texture to this guest bedroom in Muskoka.
Picturesque Boathouse
This shingled boathouse is a classic Muskoka signature. Boathouses range from simple, single-storey wood frame buildings to those with envious upper-level living quarters and open sundecks.