8 Laid-Back Lakeside Cabins, Cottages and Retreats
Daydream about lake life while perusing these photos of cozy, rustic and modern getaways on the water
Whether your idea of the perfect unplugged vacation focuses on fishing and canoeing or curling up with a book on a screened-in porch, your happy place exists at one of these lake homes found on Houzz. Dotting the country from Washington state to North Carolina, the cabins, cottages and retreats range from small and rustic to spacious and modern, but they all exude a “no shoes, no problem” attitude. Take a tour — click the images to see more of each project — and let us know in the Comments which one floats your boat.
The furnishings are simple, which lets the beautiful wood-clad interior and view of the lake shine. A simple hog wire fence keeps sightlines open.
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Shop for rustic-style furniture
A kayak sits at the ready in front of a deck sheltered by mature cedars. A small wooden dock stretches into the lake beyond.
2. Fallen Leaf Lake, California
Designed by architect George Homsey of Sea Ranch fame, this spectacular waterfront property (uploaded by K. Donavan) on Fallen Leaf Lake, just south of Lake Tahoe, is large. But its connection to the landscape gives it an intimate, secluded feel.
Designed by architect George Homsey of Sea Ranch fame, this spectacular waterfront property (uploaded by K. Donavan) on Fallen Leaf Lake, just south of Lake Tahoe, is large. But its connection to the landscape gives it an intimate, secluded feel.
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Plus it has two smaller guest cottages (one of which is pictured here) that have all of the extraordinary design but on a much more approachable scale.
Who wouldn’t want to take a running leap off that dock?
3. Whitefish Lake, Montana
Just west of Glacier National Park, this lakeside log cabin (uploaded by Sierra Pacific Windows) is the quintessential vacation retreat on one of Montana’s most beautiful lakes.
Just west of Glacier National Park, this lakeside log cabin (uploaded by Sierra Pacific Windows) is the quintessential vacation retreat on one of Montana’s most beautiful lakes.
Family members can sidle up to the breakfast bar to eat their cereal overlooking the water.
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Shop for counter stools
The exterior and interior finishes, including the rough-hewn fireplace, wood paneling and plaid accents, fit right in with the trendy “cabincore” aesthetic, which glorifies all things authentically cabin-y and cozy.
Zoom in to see the lovely lake view.
Zoom in to see the lovely lake view.
4. Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin
This timber-frame home by Deconstruct Architecture and interior designer Leah Ogden of O&O Studio references the region’s Scandinavian influences in its clean-lined design.
Note the view clear to the lake through the entrance and double-height atrium.
This timber-frame home by Deconstruct Architecture and interior designer Leah Ogden of O&O Studio references the region’s Scandinavian influences in its clean-lined design.
Note the view clear to the lake through the entrance and double-height atrium.
Huge windows in the combination living room, dining room and kitchen give the homeowners views of the whole property. The mantel was reclaimed from the original home on the site, adding a rustic touch.
The home’s silhouette may be modern, but it blends into its Northwoods Wisconsin setting thanks to the vertical cedar siding and black metal fencing and trim.
Houzz Tour: Nordic Nods and Heirlooms in a Minnesota Lake House
Houzz Tour: Nordic Nods and Heirlooms in a Minnesota Lake House
5. Whitefish Lake, Wisconsin
A hundred miles west of Lake Tomahawk, this waterfront house by Lake Country Builders sits on another Whitefish Lake.
A hundred miles west of Lake Tomahawk, this waterfront house by Lake Country Builders sits on another Whitefish Lake.
The furniture, wood beams, wood-burning stove, pops of primary color and full facade of glass give the living spaces Scandi-meets-midcentury modern vibes. Check out the kitchen‘s fresh blue, wood and white color scheme too.
The generous screened-in porch is the perfect mosquito-free spot for lakeside relaxation.
6. Pleasant Lake, Maine
On the site of a former girls camp an hour north of Portland, this four-season cabin designed by Whitten Architects shares a waterfront and driveway with the owners’ parents’ 30-year-old cottage.
On the site of a former girls camp an hour north of Portland, this four-season cabin designed by Whitten Architects shares a waterfront and driveway with the owners’ parents’ 30-year-old cottage.
Although new, it hearkens back to early-20th-century Maine cabins, with an exposed timber frame, fieldstone chimney and a hearth made from granite found on site.
A wraparound screened-in porch features exposed Douglas fir rafters and multiple seating areas.
One can imagine spending rainy days here playing games or dining on meals cooked in the cabin-chic green-and-wood kitchen.
10 Stylish Screened-In Porches
One can imagine spending rainy days here playing games or dining on meals cooked in the cabin-chic green-and-wood kitchen.
10 Stylish Screened-In Porches
7. Lake Champlain, Vermont
With its white cedar siding and simple gabled roof structure clad in black metal, this 850-square-foot Scandinavian-style house by architectural firm Birdseye Design cuts a crisp silhouette on the eastern shoreline of Lake Champlain.
With its white cedar siding and simple gabled roof structure clad in black metal, this 850-square-foot Scandinavian-style house by architectural firm Birdseye Design cuts a crisp silhouette on the eastern shoreline of Lake Champlain.
The interior is similarly minimalist and modern, and it mostly echoes the stark exterior palette. A few colorful accents, like these metal bar stools, resist an overtly “lake-y” look.
After all, with a view like this, there’s no need for reminders of where you are.
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Shop for fireplaces and fireplace accessories
8. Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina
A getaway for designer Kelly Kole of Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs and her family, this modern-farmhouse-style home features easy-care finishes like vinyl siding and flooring.
Read more about this home
A getaway for designer Kelly Kole of Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs and her family, this modern-farmhouse-style home features easy-care finishes like vinyl siding and flooring.
Read more about this home
The starry skies viewed from the telescope in the family room earned the house the nickname Stargazer, displayed on a salvaged piece of wood next to the flat-screen TV.
The custom-ordered pink resin Adirondack chairs are another Stargazer signature.
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Measuring just over 800 square feet, this dark-stained cedar cabin by OTO Design and Lindal Cedar Homes peeks out from a second-growth forest north of Seattle.
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