Summer Lake Ideas

Still plenty of summer left to spend at the cabin. So, it’s not too late to take your outdoor living space to the next level. Whether you have a deluxe waterfront property or a rustic cottage nestled in the woods, you can still enhance your slice of paradise with the summer lake ideas – complete with step-by-step building instructions. 

Stealth Cabin by superkül, photo by Shai Gil Fotography.

4 DIY Projects that To Enhance Your Summer at the Cabin

How to Build a Cooler Stand 

This mini mobile bar is the perfect beverage cooler for cottage dwellers. For smaller spaces, it’s a compact drinking station that can fit just about anywhere and still leave plenty of room for seating and the all-important BBQ. And for sprawled out lakeside homes, it keeps thirsty guests from having to run back and forth from the beach campfire to the cabin kitchen every time they want a top-up. 

Despite its size, this design boasts a lot of features including glassware shelving, storage space for a cooler as well as some prep space on the side for slicing limes. Plus, it’s not only fun to use, it’s also fun to build. That’s because it’s made with Real Cedar, which is easy to work with. It’s lightweight, yet durable, takes fasteners exceptionally well, and the tools love it. See how to build it here.

How to Build a Dockside Storage Bench 

If the lake is a bit of a trek from your cabin, wouldn’t it be nice to store your noodles, paddles, goggles etc. right by the water? This storage solution by Paul Lewis also provides extra seating and makes for an easy clean-up. So, when you’re just sitting on the dock watching the sun set or rise, you can focus on taking in the scenery – as opposed to all the clutter left behind at the end of a big swim day.

This design calls for beautiful, top-performing Western Red Cedar, which is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects. So it’s ideal for all your outdoor projects, even structures that come into direct content with water. That’s why so many cottagers turn to Real Cedar for their docks. 

How to Build a Lookout Bench 

Along with reconnecting with friends and family, cabin life offers ample opportunity to reconnect with nature. That’s one of the reasons we love this lookout bench by Paul Lewis so much. The elevated seating for two provides optimal views and it’s a small structure that can be perched on your favorite spot with little disruption to the surrounding habitat.

Since this project is all about harmonizing with nature, you want a green building material. And it doesn’t get any greener than wood harvested from 3rd party certified sustainably managed forests. Accordingly, the design specifies Real Cedar. 

photo by Chris Campbell

How to Build a Guest Cabin

Looking to build a mini cabin or maybe you want to add a guest cabin on your property? Either way, this Bunkie design by Paul Lewis is a great project to take on if you got a couple of extra helping hands. The modest floor-plan includes a demi attic for extra storage or extra sleeping quarters. As well, there’s a low-maintenance cedar deck attached.

The entire structure is clad in cedar, so it’s going to last you a long time with minimal maintenance. It also means you can create any look you want with a vast array of cedar siding patterns, grades and sizes.