Decorating & Design
Breathtaking Boathouses You’ll Want To Live In
Author: Wendy Jacob
Published on August 16, 2022
We wouldn’t blame you for wanting to take up full-time residence in these luxe boathouses. They are lavished with elevated design and amenities like full kitchens, bathrooms and best of all, tranquil bedrooms. Falling asleep to the sound of the waves underneath is just an added bonus.
Scroll down for a look inside some of H&H’s best boathouses!
This Muskoka boathouse is designed to echo the main cottage. A covered cabana provides shelter so the dock can be enjoyed in rain or shine.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home July/August 2022
Designer: Anne Hepfer
Designer Anne Hepfer layered the main living space on the upper level with white furniture and woven pieces. Lighting casts a discreet glow at night.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home July/August 2022
Designer: Anne Hepfer
A quintet of pendants offers a playful moment over the island while caned stools and a rope-framed mirror are a beachy note.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home July/August 2022
Designer: Anne Hepfer
In a covered area downstairs, striped upholstery, nickel lanterns and a porthole-style mirror add nautical flair.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home July/August 2022
Designer: Anne Hepfer
A row of anchor-shaped hooks hold towels, making them easy to grab before jumping in a boat for a lake excursion.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home July/August 2022
Designer: Anne Hepfer
The downstair bar has a pass-through with pocket windows for serving snacks and refreshments to guests outside. The porcelain tile is weatherproof.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home July/August 2022
Designer: Anne Hepfer
With its soaring rafters and walkout deck, this breezy Muskoka boathouse could masquerade as a whitewashed beach house (right down to the supersized white sofas and beadboard). The main house is set back from the shores of Lake Rosseau, up a steep set of stairs and obscured by pine trees.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Anne Hepfer
Designer Anne Hepfer chose blue and white upholstery for the dockside seating area, mixing tones and prints to create interest and depth.“If colors start to match too much, the whole scheme falls flat.” The two-storey boathouse optimizes its waterfront perch with a wraparound balcony and dock-level seating.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Anne Hepfer
In the living room, Anne used the location on the shores of Lake Rosseau as inspiration for the color palette. In 2017, she used pops of watery blue to invigorate the boathouse’s white envelope. Back-to-back sofas provide ample seating, while an open-concept floor plan maximizes natural light and boasts uninterrupted views of the lake.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Anne Hepfer
In this breakfast nook, a fresh striped banquette matches the waves outside.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Anne Hepfer
The boathouse’s main rooms were updated with new windows and doors, and light oak floors. Anne created a custom banquette for the bay window and covered it in a durable outdoor fabric.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Anne Hepfer
A pair of polished-nickel task lights mounted on either side of the island are the stars of the kitchen, and are a subtle nod to outdoor dock lighting.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Anne Hepfer
Bookcases lined with pale blue grasscloth bookend the living room window’s leafy vista. The sand-toned rubberized rug resembles sisal but won’t stain or show dirt, making it ideal for carefree cottage living.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Anne Hepfer
A pastel palette in this boathouse’s principal bedroom encourages guests to unwind and recharge — and soak in the panoramic view. “At dusk and dawn, you get purply hues in the sky that reflects on the water,” says Anne.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Anne Hepfer
Twin beds with built-in storage underneath steal the show in the smaller bedroom. “You want your guests to have an element of surprise,” says Anne. “This makes them feel special and excited about the space they’re going to stay in.”
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Anne Hepfer
This Muskoka boathouse serves as a fully-equipped guest house as well as a double slip, reminiscent of boathouses from a bygone era. Designed by Cory DeFrancisco of Muskoka Living , it’s lavished with classic nautical architectural details, from the cedar shake roof to the arched French doors and oculus windows.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Designer: Muskoka Living
A diamond-painted deck adds interest and makes the space feel almost as polished as the graceful wood boats moored within. Screen doors lead into the adjacent living area.
Designer: Muskoka Living
Comfy seating makes it easy to enjoy the view from the living room. Board and batten panelled walls are a classic nautical treatment, accented by a model sailboat and rope-embellished pillows. Black hardware pops against the room’s white palette.
Designer: Muskoka Living
A generous deck and substantial Craftsman style columns lead to the second floor.
Designer: Muskoka Living
Large French doors can be thrown open to take full advantage of the water’s proximity and lake breezes.
Designer: Muskoka Living
This two-bedroom boathouse, designed by Jennifer Worts , is distinguished by graceful windows and a lake-blue exterior paint. The wraparound deck gives barbecues and weekend sunbathing a cruise-ship vibe.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home July 2006 issue
Designer: Jennifer Worts
A pretty cupola and stone fireplace top Tom and Suzanne White’s buttercream confection of a boathouse. The “Muskoka Victorian” architectural style is defined by substantial window casings, wraparound porches, and bay windows.
Photographer: Andrew Waller
Source: House & Home July 2006 issue
Products: Architecture, D’Arcy Dunal Architect
The rough-hewn pine siding is in keeping with a traditional Muskoka look. A granite path leads from the cottage to the boathouse, which has an east-facing wraparound deck and a swimming dock below.
Photographer: Andrew Waller
Source: House & Home July 2006 issue
Designer: De Jong Designs
Designer Elizabeth de Jong based the watery palette of the living room (complete with fireplace) on the ottoman’s upholstery.
Photographer: Andrew Waller
Source: House & Home July 2006 issue
Products: Armchairs,
De Jong Designs
Designer: De Jong Designs
The glass cupola on the top floor draws natural light into the space. Oculus windows are flanked by sailboats to underscore the nautical flavor. A window seat is ideal for appreciating the lakeside view.
Photographer: Andrew Waller
Source: House & Home July 2006 issue
Designer: De Jong Designs
A cozy sleeping area is nestled at the bottom of the T-shaped layout. A vaulted 12-foot ceiling, tongue-and-groove panelling and exposed painted beams lend character.
Photographer: Andrew Waller
Source: House & Home July 2006 issue
Designer: De Jong Designs
In the bathroom, a pine floor breaks up the creamy white space. A tasseled valance reflects the well considered design details of these lakefront living quarters.
Photographer: Andrew Waller
Source: House & Home July 2006 issue
Designer: De Jong Designs
On his boathouse, Cory DeFrancisco captures the quaint charm of the area with a collection of paddles, a sliding barn-style door and full flower boxes for color.
Photographer: Michael Graydon
Source: House & Home July 2013 issue
Products: Siding color, Soot (2129)
Benjamin Moore .
Designer: Muskoka Living
Designer Michelle Lloyd Bermann of Lloyd Ralphs Design and her husband, painter David Bermann, raised the structure of their Lake Simcoe boathouse 3 feet to accommodate his sails and boards. French doors were installed on the lower level and inexpensive stock sliding doors were added to the top floor.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home July 2007 issue
Products: Exterior colour, Cozy Cottage (740C-2),
Behr
Designer: Michelle Lloyd Bermann
Hinged french doors open out to the dock. Built-in storage boxes that double as benches are functional additions, and art dresses up the utilitarian space.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home July 2007 issue
Designer: Michelle Lloyd Bermann
Hotel-style loungers and tray tables make this dock an even more hospitable spot to hang.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home July 2007 issue
Designer: Michelle Lloyd Bermann
In the narrow, upper level bedroom, Michelle installed floating ledges flanking the bed and painted the antique French sconces white. “I don’t want to take decorating too seriously up here. It’s all about mixing things that are precious and simple with things that are rough and unexpected.” Raffia cushions give the space a distinctly tropical vibe that’s reminiscent of St. Bart’s, one of the designer’s favorite destinations.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home July 2007 issue
Designer: Michelle Lloyd Bermann
Tucked at the bottom of a dramatic hillside, the boathouse belonging to David and Heather Beaton of Studio b seems to sprout from the rock itself.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home July 2011 issue
Designer: David Beaton
David’s collection of new and vintage boats includes this 1928 Hacker-Craft. Contrasting trim accents the boathouse’s large windows and distinctive muntins.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home July 2011 issue
Designer: David Beaton
Don Tapscott’s log cabin-style boathouse is topped by a large deck with a built-in stereo system, and seats two for sunset cocktails, or 90 for dinner and dancing.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home May 2011 issue
Products: Chairs,
Limberlost
An inky-green exterior paint makes this Muskoka boathouse seemingly melt into the trees behind it.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home May 2013 issue
Designer: Lloyd Ralphs Design
Designers Christine Ralphs (right) and Michelle Lloyd of Lloyd Ralphs Design dressed up this sunny two-bedroom boathouse with an all-weather rug, as well as ample Muskoka chairs, throws, and a basket of towels.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home May 2013 issue
Products: Towels (in basket),
Ginger’s
Designer: Lloyd Ralphs Design