Dream Spaces: Homes on the Water to Whet Your Appetite
From a tranquil stream at the bottom of the garden to a lake lapping at the terrace, these waterside homes have the wow factor in gallons
Owning a home by the water’s edge is a much shared fantasy, and for good reason. Watery views and abundant wildlife on your doorstep are huge attractions, plus you have the chance to swim, fish or putter about in boats in the summer, too. In addition, there is something about the ebb and flow of the tides or the sound of the water gently rippling against the river bank that instantly sets a relaxed mood. Unsurprisingly, waterside properties are highly coveted and sell at a premium in the UK, putting most of us oceans away from owning one. But we can all dream, though, and these beautiful homes with wonderful, watery views are sure to sharpen any aquatic ambitions!
Build a tree house
If your home is set back from the water’s edge, but you have trees on the bank, why not built a tree house? They are not just for children, after all, and can make a fun, rustic base for enjoying riverside life. You can escape the real home and retreat to the tree house, to enjoy the peace and views over water.
If your home is set back from the water’s edge, but you have trees on the bank, why not built a tree house? They are not just for children, after all, and can make a fun, rustic base for enjoying riverside life. You can escape the real home and retreat to the tree house, to enjoy the peace and views over water.
Be inspired by water
You don’t need Niagra Falls outside your window to find inspiration from water. Even a simple pond, when designed to lap up against a broad deck, brings some watery magic to your home. Here, an artist’s studio is situated in a room with huge windows overlooking a naturalistic pond and the kind of deck that feels more like a jetty than a standard terrace.
Discover ways to bring water to your garden
You don’t need Niagra Falls outside your window to find inspiration from water. Even a simple pond, when designed to lap up against a broad deck, brings some watery magic to your home. Here, an artist’s studio is situated in a room with huge windows overlooking a naturalistic pond and the kind of deck that feels more like a jetty than a standard terrace.
Discover ways to bring water to your garden
Turn up the heat
You want to be able to enjoy your waterfront location morning, noon and night, but it can get chilly when the sun goes down, even in the height of summer. So remember to factor in a heat source. Here, a wood burning fire keeps this waterside deck toasty. Hurricane lanterns dotted around provide illumination and all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the sunset.
You want to be able to enjoy your waterfront location morning, noon and night, but it can get chilly when the sun goes down, even in the height of summer. So remember to factor in a heat source. Here, a wood burning fire keeps this waterside deck toasty. Hurricane lanterns dotted around provide illumination and all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the sunset.
Stand out on stilts
Why live by the water when you can live over it? A home that juts out over a lake on striking stilt-like supports looks stunning and will take your experience of living by the water to a whole new level.
Why live by the water when you can live over it? A home that juts out over a lake on striking stilt-like supports looks stunning and will take your experience of living by the water to a whole new level.
Lean towards the view
It’s easy to take an amazing view for granted when you see it every day, but this clever home owner has set aside a corner specifically for sitting, relaxing and contemplating the waterscape. What better place to unwind after a day at work?
It’s easy to take an amazing view for granted when you see it every day, but this clever home owner has set aside a corner specifically for sitting, relaxing and contemplating the waterscape. What better place to unwind after a day at work?
Gaze from the rooftop
A rooftop deck is one of the most luxurious ways to enjoy riverside living. If you live in the city and your river views are flanked by an urban landscape, keep furniture simple and contemporary to suit. Some well chosen greenery in planters will help create an oasis-style environment.
Learn how to make the most out of a small urban garden
A rooftop deck is one of the most luxurious ways to enjoy riverside living. If you live in the city and your river views are flanked by an urban landscape, keep furniture simple and contemporary to suit. Some well chosen greenery in planters will help create an oasis-style environment.
Learn how to make the most out of a small urban garden
Go natural
In a large garden, a natural swimming pond is a real treat. Forget the stink of chlorine and the sound of filters and instead bathe in a more natural way. Here, the area around the pool has been kept clear of planting so this wonderful watery feature can be enjoyed when you are in the house, as well as in the water.
In a large garden, a natural swimming pond is a real treat. Forget the stink of chlorine and the sound of filters and instead bathe in a more natural way. Here, the area around the pool has been kept clear of planting so this wonderful watery feature can be enjoyed when you are in the house, as well as in the water.
Frame the view
Make the most of your waterside views by using an archway with roses climbing up its sides to frame the scenery beyond. It’s a great way to focus attention on a particularly beautiful spot, especially when you are spoiled for choice and surrounded by stunning waterside scenery.
TELL US…
What is your favourite view of the water? Share yours in the Comments below.
Make the most of your waterside views by using an archway with roses climbing up its sides to frame the scenery beyond. It’s a great way to focus attention on a particularly beautiful spot, especially when you are spoiled for choice and surrounded by stunning waterside scenery.
TELL US…
What is your favourite view of the water? Share yours in the Comments below.
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If your property has floor-to-ceiling windows and a vast view over water, you have pretty much hit the waterside living jackpot. So give your glazing the naked treatment and keep windows free from fussy curtains that will obscure your view. If you really crave some kind of window treatment, simple roller blinds are your best bet, as they roll away to almost nothing by day, allowing the view to become a living backdrop to life inside.