Cottages
August 12, 2022
13 Gorgeous Canadian Docks From The H&H Archives
Whether you spend your cottage weekends reading by the water or taking frequent dips into the lake, nothing beats sitting dockside with a cool or warm beverage in hand. Throughout the years, House & Home has featured some gorgeous Canadian docks that stretch from the shores of Vancouver Island to the lakes of Muskoka.
Which dock style is your favorite? Scroll down to find out!
The Seating Nook
Designer Anne Hepfer turned the lower level of this Muskoka boathouse into a covered seating area that seamlessly transitions into the dock. A built-in sectional keeps things functional, while nautical touches like woven accents and blue and white textiles make this dockside lounge extra stylish.
Japandi Flair
Tucked into a small bay, this dock on Vancouver Island has beautiful views and even includes a small studio space for making art and music. The dock is understated with wood railing and wires, while the studio has a Scandi-style feel with its ribbed exterior and flat roof.
Boathouse Glamor
On the shores of Lake Joseph, you’ll find this Muskoka cottage and its all-white boathouse with a wrap-around dock. This dock has a built-in ladder, flower pots and of course — plenty of Adirondack chairs.
Iconic Red Chairs
This Georgian Bay cottage features a classic dock style with red Muskoka chairs to complete the Canadiana look. It’s the perfect place to enjoy some “docktails” and take in the beautiful Canadian shield.
One With The Water
The same cottage pulls double dock duty with a second dock attached to the boathouse. For this design, the focus was all about blending into the rocky shores of Georgian Bay.
Surf’s Up
This chalet on Lake Libby, Quebec puts the focus on outdoor sports, with a paddle board that’s ready for use and adds to the laid-back feel of the space. The minimal dock design is accented with birch trees and plenty of greenery that invite a few loons to swim by every summer.
Sailing Up River
In this private island retreat on the St. Lawrence River, a pair of boathouses are connected by wraparound docks, making it easy to travel between the two. A stone walkway with ample flower pots blend right in with the surrounding rocks and foliage.
Hang In There
Designer Lorraine Franklin had some fun with the seating for this dock in Muskoka by suspending an oversized chair swing from the ultramodern boathouse. The dock has a grey wood tone that contrasts nicely with the black siding on the boathouse.
Boathouse Blues
The expansive deck on this Muskoka boathouse spills out to the water so you get the best of indoor-outdoor living.
Sun Lounging
Take cues from this gorgeous dock that has a resort-like feel thanks to the six loungers, towels and side tables that face beautiful Lake Joseph. Wood panelling on the boathouse exterior and ceilings bring a rustic element to the modern space.
Wrap-Around
The same dock wraps all the way around the boathouse, so they can take refuge from the sun or rain in a moment’s notice.
Sail Away
Designer Sam Sacks took us inside her cottage in Frontenac County, Ont. where her two sons can be seen on a sailboat. She kept it simple with this dock style, but embraced the natural surrounding by adding a rustic wood bench.
Grass Is Greener
The focus of this Mulmur, Ont. cottage is less on hardscaping and more on natural elements like grass, rocks and sitting by the campfire so you don’t have to choose between sitting lakeside or fireside.