“My dream is to be on my boat. Or in my house in the country. That’s my dream.” – Cameron Mackintosh
The majority of boathouses are clearly made to serve as a vacation home or a weekend getaway. However, the 10 boathouses we’ll look at today are the best of both worlds.
They’re livable – full-time – and are also a dream vacation destination.
1. What’s a Boathouse?
It’s a house built upon a shore. It’s usually set upon a platform above the water, and its main purpose is to garage boats.
Some boathouses are built to float, others aren’t. Either way, they’re not to be confused with houseboats which are livable boats and ships.
2. The Muskoka Cottage at the Lake of Bays
This wonderful boathouse – evidently much larger and more luxurious than your average cottage – makes for a true adornment of the lake shore.
2.1 The Muskoka Cottage at the Lake of Bays
From the waterside, it absolutely stands out, but from the other side, its green color compliments the surrounding trees.
2.2 The Muskoka Cottage at the Lake of Bays
The balcony offers a principal overview of the lake. It’s the perfect setup for a roof party or a simple pleasure like morning coffee.
2.3 The Muskoka Cottage at the Lake of Bays
The boat garage is as carefully and cleanly designed as the rest of the cottage and receives up to two boats.
3. The Modern Beauty of the Lake Rosseau
Named “White Pines”, this boathouse can garage three boats at once. Its spacious platform makes one feel as though they’re standing on their own personal dock.
There’s even a set of ladders to take if you’d like to go for a swim in the lake.
3.1 The Modern Beauty of the Lake Rosseau
The balcony is fenced by glass, which elevates the whole modern look its designers were going for.
3.3 The Modern Beauty of the Lake Rosseau
Can you imagine a more picture-perfect place to sip your morning coffee?
4. A Proper Country Home (And a Boathouse)
The bricked wall as well as the spacious garden give this boathouse a warm, cozy look of a family home.
From the front side, it doesn’t even look like a boathouse, but as a simple, classic home.
4.1 A Proper Country Home (And a Boathouse)
There are certain nautical details, such as the steering wheel of a boat.
4.2 A Proper Country Home (And a Boathouse)
This country home slash boathouse offers the best of both worlds!
5. The Storybook Boathouse of Worcestershire
The vintage exterior, complete with the carpentry design and the warm brick reminds us of something we could’ve seen in old Disney movies.
The rich greenery, as well as the lake ahead, make this boathouse feel like something from a fairytale.
5.1 The Storybook Boathouse of Worcestershire
The petite balcony and the view it offers are nothing short of picturesque.
5.2 The Storybook Boathouse of Worcestershire
The interior is no less magnificent. The designers packed all the homey warmth they could in this lake getaway.
5.3 The Storybook Boathouse of Worcestershire
Traditional, timeless, classy – this boathouse is the ultimate retreat.
6. The Colorado Luxury Boathouse
At 2200 sqft, this boathouse is a true luxury giant. It’s got a rooftop terrace, a sunroom, an incredibly stylish design, and much more.
6.1 The Colorado Luxury Boathouse
The strong, minimalistic construction of metal and glass is complimented with soft furniture and numerous house plants.
6.2 The Colorado Luxury Boathouse
Even the bedroom floor was carefully stylized. It’s a natural mossy acid wash floor, designed to match the surrounding water.
7. A Nautical Sanctuary
This incredibly detailed and symmetrical boathouse is located in Ontario, Canada.
7.1 A Nautical Sanctuary
It can garage three boats in the incredibly spacious garage which opens into the living room.
7.2 A Nautical Sanctuary
The interior, as well as the exterior, was made harmonious with bright, calming colors, such as white, gray, and blue, with an occasional wooden detail.
7.3 A Nautical Sanctuary
The inside of the home is furnished and decorated in the manner of English countryside, with nautical streaks.
7.4 A Nautical Sanctuary
This classy white-on-white kitchen looks absolutely fabulous!
8. Enormous Luxury Property on the Lake Rosseau
This boathouse in Ontario, which is a hub of modernity and minimalism, belongs to a larger property.
8.1 Enormous Luxury Property on the Lake Rosseau
It’s backed by a huge house built firmly on land, and the boathouse represents its lakeside extension.
8.2 Enormous Luxury Property on the Lake Rosseau
The boathouse was designed to maximize summer fun, with wide docks and a comfortable seating area.
Its monumental windows reflect the sun and the lake, which puts an even greater emphasis on its vacationing purpose.
8.3 Enormous Luxury Property on the Lake Rosseau
The interior itself is designed to receive as much sunlight and water as possible. The boat garage goes straight into the living room itself.
9. Villa d’Este: Italian Boathouse from the 1500s
This beautiful villa was constructed for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio. The construction was completed in the year 1570.
It’s set upon Lake Como, in Lombardy, northern Italy.
9.1 Villa d’Este: Italian Boathouse from the 1500s
Its specific architectural style and the arcades unmistakably remind of Venice and create a similarly romantic ambiance.
9.2 Villa d’Este: Italian Boathouse from the 1500s
It’s got a grand driveway and garden, clad in paved trails and greenery.
10. The Gypsy Boathouse in Texas
From afar, though intriguing, the design of this boathouse seems completely modern.
It’s not until one comes closer to see the incredible boho details that went into its design.
10.1 The Gypsy Boathouse in Texas
Shabby furniture and ethnic patterns contrast the strictly cubical, metal construction.
And the ceiling is where the ultimate decor of this boathouse is to be found.
10.2 The Gypsy Boathouse in Texas
What a perfect blend of boho and modern decor this boathouse is!
11. Lovely Boathouse in Kashmir, India
Similarly ethnic in its design, this boathouse is rich in carvings and color streaks.
From the striking green railing to the orange flysheet, the whole exterior contributes to the boathouse’s authentic design.
The wooden ladder takes the guest straight from the patio and into a boat.
The base of the boathouse is hidden in the tall grass, making it seem like a floating little island on top of the water’s surface.
A Boathouse Is a Status Symbol in Lake-Rich Areas
All the houses shown here are built upon a lake shore. Lakes are, in fact, the safest choice for a boathouse, as there are no changing tides to consider during construction.
There are many small boathouses for rent and for private use, though the owners and designers of the boathouses listed here went all out to showcase the luxury they can afford.
From roof terraces, and multi-spot garages down to literal sunrooms, these boathouses are truly something else.