Houzz Tours
6 Dream Homes with Lakeside Views
Be inspired by this roundup of the most beautiful waterside homes from our Houzz Tours
If you fancy a bit of armchair travel, treat yourself to a tour of this collection of lakeside homes on Houzz. From a tiny rural hideaway in Ireland to contemporary style in Montana, USA, these properties all have one thing in common – spectacular views out over the water and clever design that allows those views to shine. Have a browse and make sure to save your favourite photos to an ideabook.
2. Modern rustic style in Ireland
This rustic lakeside chalet had been in designer Egon Walesch’s family since the 1970s. So when he inherited it in 2010, he was keen to respect the heritage of the building while giving it a modern refresh. For the previous few years, it had been rented out to fishermen using the lake and it was due an overhaul.
The first thing Egon set out to do was maximise the incredible views. “The house has always been in a gorgeous location,” he says, “but I didn’t feel it made the most use of it. In the sitting room, for example, the window was high up, so when you sat in an armchair, you couldn’t see the lake. So the first thing we did was fit floor-to-ceiling doors in the living space and main bedroom.”
Egon also had a larger deck built to fit a table and chairs, and this wraps around the lake side of the property, so the living room and main bedroom (seen here) open out on to it.
“The point of this project,” he says, “was to create somewhere to escape to – a peaceful haven.”
Learn more about this Irish lakeside cabin.
This rustic lakeside chalet had been in designer Egon Walesch’s family since the 1970s. So when he inherited it in 2010, he was keen to respect the heritage of the building while giving it a modern refresh. For the previous few years, it had been rented out to fishermen using the lake and it was due an overhaul.
The first thing Egon set out to do was maximise the incredible views. “The house has always been in a gorgeous location,” he says, “but I didn’t feel it made the most use of it. In the sitting room, for example, the window was high up, so when you sat in an armchair, you couldn’t see the lake. So the first thing we did was fit floor-to-ceiling doors in the living space and main bedroom.”
Egon also had a larger deck built to fit a table and chairs, and this wraps around the lake side of the property, so the living room and main bedroom (seen here) open out on to it.
“The point of this project,” he says, “was to create somewhere to escape to – a peaceful haven.”
Learn more about this Irish lakeside cabin.
3. An open-plan home in Montana, USA
The owners of this spectacular house has been visiting this area for decades and wanted to create a place to draw all the generations of their family together, so they asked Pearson Design Group to create the home of their dreams.
A clever open-plan layout is key to maximising the breathtaking lake views. As shown here, the kitchen is open to a living area with an oversized picture window facing directly out across the water. A deep recess around the window creates a generous window seat for lake gazing.
Just visible in this photo is an adjoining dining room that also has floor-to-ceiling windows with minimal glazing bars to allow the views to take centre stage.
Large windows also wrap around a corner of the main bedroom, providing beautiful panoramic views for the homeowners to wake up to, while a guesthouse benefits from both a balcony and a roof terrace from which to enjoy spectacular sunset views.
Take a closer look at this contemporary lakeside home.
Find reviewed interior designers in your area on Houzz.
The owners of this spectacular house has been visiting this area for decades and wanted to create a place to draw all the generations of their family together, so they asked Pearson Design Group to create the home of their dreams.
A clever open-plan layout is key to maximising the breathtaking lake views. As shown here, the kitchen is open to a living area with an oversized picture window facing directly out across the water. A deep recess around the window creates a generous window seat for lake gazing.
Just visible in this photo is an adjoining dining room that also has floor-to-ceiling windows with minimal glazing bars to allow the views to take centre stage.
Large windows also wrap around a corner of the main bedroom, providing beautiful panoramic views for the homeowners to wake up to, while a guesthouse benefits from both a balcony and a roof terrace from which to enjoy spectacular sunset views.
Take a closer look at this contemporary lakeside home.
Find reviewed interior designers in your area on Houzz.
4. A 1940s boathouse in Cumbria
This pretty boathouse, dating back to the 1940s, is in a picturesque setting right on the shore of Lake Windermere. But when owner David Booth bought it in 2010, it was in need of a total redesign. Many years of neglect, as well as a flood, had taken their toll and it needed carefully bringing back to its former glory.
David called in expertise from interior designer Sarah Jane Nielsen and architects Cassidy + Ashton and the house was reconfigured and extended on one side to create a more practical, light-filled space.
The living space now has incredible views of Lake Windermere as well as a balcony immediately above the water. “It faces south-west, so it’s a nice aspect,” David says. “We do get bad weather of course, but when the weather’s good, it’s worth it.” There’s also an outdoor dining area on the ground floor, right on the lake. A dining set is kept in the lower section of the new extension, ready for use in the open air when the weather’s fair.
The interior decor was influenced by homes on the other side of the Atlantic. “I love American style,” David says, “and took inspiration from California and Florida, where interiors respond to the light and the weather.”
See more of this boathouse.
This pretty boathouse, dating back to the 1940s, is in a picturesque setting right on the shore of Lake Windermere. But when owner David Booth bought it in 2010, it was in need of a total redesign. Many years of neglect, as well as a flood, had taken their toll and it needed carefully bringing back to its former glory.
David called in expertise from interior designer Sarah Jane Nielsen and architects Cassidy + Ashton and the house was reconfigured and extended on one side to create a more practical, light-filled space.
The living space now has incredible views of Lake Windermere as well as a balcony immediately above the water. “It faces south-west, so it’s a nice aspect,” David says. “We do get bad weather of course, but when the weather’s good, it’s worth it.” There’s also an outdoor dining area on the ground floor, right on the lake. A dining set is kept in the lower section of the new extension, ready for use in the open air when the weather’s fair.
The interior decor was influenced by homes on the other side of the Atlantic. “I love American style,” David says, “and took inspiration from California and Florida, where interiors respond to the light and the weather.”
See more of this boathouse.
5. A stone cottage in the Lake District
The owners of this pretty cottage had enjoyed family holidays here for several years before they decided to renovate it with the help of designers Jessica Gibbons and Kat Turner of Field Day Studio. They loved the cosy feel of the property, but wanted to open up the interior in order to maximise the incredible views.
To do this, the builders had to knock down and rebuild a lot of the walls. “The footprint of the house was almost completely changed,” Jessica says. “We kept the central stonework, but rebuilt most of the original building.”
The designers removed the central wall that divided the kitchen and dining room to create a large, open space, which has double doors opening onto a breathtaking lake view. There are now plenty of other cosy spots dotted around the house where the owners can sit and enjoy the scenery, watch the weather, or plan their next walk.
Take a look around this cottage.
The owners of this pretty cottage had enjoyed family holidays here for several years before they decided to renovate it with the help of designers Jessica Gibbons and Kat Turner of Field Day Studio. They loved the cosy feel of the property, but wanted to open up the interior in order to maximise the incredible views.
To do this, the builders had to knock down and rebuild a lot of the walls. “The footprint of the house was almost completely changed,” Jessica says. “We kept the central stonework, but rebuilt most of the original building.”
The designers removed the central wall that divided the kitchen and dining room to create a large, open space, which has double doors opening onto a breathtaking lake view. There are now plenty of other cosy spots dotted around the house where the owners can sit and enjoy the scenery, watch the weather, or plan their next walk.
Take a look around this cottage.
6. A 17th century flat beside Lake Como in Italy
This characterful apartment is located within an ex-convent dating back to the 17th century. The location was spectacular, but the existing layout wasn’t working for the homeowners, so they brought architect Chantal Forzatti on board to help them bring it up to date.
A clever redesign of the internal layout improved the flow of the space, maximising light and views. The kitchen has the only balcony in the apartment, and it has a view directly over Lake Como, so this has been maximised with tall, slim glazed doors opening onto it. A table and two chairs make it the perfect spot for coffee or evening drinks.
Discover more of this compact lakeside apartment.
Tell us…
Which of these lakeside homes calls to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
This characterful apartment is located within an ex-convent dating back to the 17th century. The location was spectacular, but the existing layout wasn’t working for the homeowners, so they brought architect Chantal Forzatti on board to help them bring it up to date.
A clever redesign of the internal layout improved the flow of the space, maximising light and views. The kitchen has the only balcony in the apartment, and it has a view directly over Lake Como, so this has been maximised with tall, slim glazed doors opening onto it. A table and two chairs make it the perfect spot for coffee or evening drinks.
Discover more of this compact lakeside apartment.
Tell us…
Which of these lakeside homes calls to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
This newly built lake house in Minnesota has been designed entirely to showcase the spectacular views. While the street-facing side of the house has regular-sized windows, the rooms next to the water have floor-to-ceiling glazed panels to frame the lake beyond.
As well as a living room with lake views, the home also has a screened-in veranda just off the kitchen and dining area (pictured). Sliding vinyl window panels make it comfortable to sit and admire the scenery in three seasons, while keeping any unwanted flying guests, such as mosquitoes, out, says Kelly Caruso of Regarding Design, who revamped the property.
There’s also another covered veranda that extends along the back of the house, furnished with thick-cushioned outdoor chairs that invite lake-gazing when the weather is good.
Take a tour of this lakeside retreat.