If you had asked me last year about one of my dreams, it would have been to get a beach house for our family. Somewhere we could enjoy and also rent out to our CLJ community, so you could enjoy it too! We even toured some beaches in N.C. But somewhere along the line—after a visit to the mountains midsummer—that dream started to evolve into a different dream.
That NEW dream is filled with visions of cool evenings huddled around a fire under blankets, having long talks with family, watching the sun go down. A quiet early morning watching the mist rise off of the lake with our pup at my feet. And so, the dream for a beach house turned into a lake house! I can already picture the memories being made, and it takes my breath away. Now we just have to find the right one!
What’s On Our Lake House Checklist
- Oversized windows overlooking the view from multiple rooms in the house
- A cozy fireplace with riverstone surround
- A space for a charming bunk room
- A peaceful spot outdoors to watch the sunrise (or sunset)
- Two primary bedrooms with en suite bathrooms
- A kitchen open to a gathering space.
- A screened-in porch to enjoy the outdoors even when it’s raining
- With space to build an epic bonus game room (I’m envisioning a vintage-style pool table!)
- A double boat dock that’s at least 10-feet deep at the end
- And a firepit area surrounded by adirondack chairs would be just perfect
Not too much to ask, right? ;) I know it’s a long list. And we know we won’t get everything on it, and that’s OK. Someone over on Instagram asked why we don’t just build. Building is not entirely off the table, but a mature lot and a quirky house that we can bring back to life with moody, modern, traditional style gets me going.
Last month, we packed up the girls and headed to a lake area we’d been eyeing. We toured five potential lake homes, all completely different — each with its own charm, quirks, and view. Here’s the breakdown of each one, along with the names we gave them so we could stop saying “Wait, which one had the outdoor shower?”
We Toured 5 Lake Houses – Here’s What Stole Our Hearts…
Lake House No. 1: Cabin in the Cove
Audible gasps. This one felt like home. The inside was dated in the best way—cozy, well-kept, and full of warm wood tones. Five bedrooms and a basement with a billiards table that walks right out to the lake? Come on. It came furnished (charming), Greta claimed the hammock (immediate joy), and we fell hard for the castle-like brick steps, outdoor shower, and winding brick paths that made it feel like a storybook escape. Tucked into a quiet cove with a boathouse—it’s pure magic.
Lake House No. 2: Mainlake Estate
Okay, this one was huge. Like, 7,900-square-feet kind of huge. Right on the water with uninterrupted lake views from literally every room, including the shower. It had double fireplaces, an open floor plan, and enough bedrooms to get lost in (no, literally, I did). It had a theater room, a bunk room, and even a second kitchen in the basement. But with all its grandeur, it didn’t have much yard or tree cover, so it felt a little exposed. Gorgeous and impressive, but maybe not cozy.
Lake House No. 3: Walk-Out Cottage
Imagine if Nancy Meyers directed a lakeside rom-com—this is that house. Charming stone paths, traditional trim, wallpapered nooks, and the sweetest little boathouse. The outdoor space was beautifully manicured and every detail felt intentional. Not the biggest home, but the kind you instantly want to throw a dinner party in. Cozy, inviting, and so, so pretty.
Lake House No. 4: The Meadow House
This one had a more traditional layout, with a fireplace flanked by big windows and a view of both trees and the lake (a rare combo we loved). The kitchen had a bold leaf-patterned floor—fun, but we’d change this—and the floor plan had a few quirks: long hallways and narrow nooks. BUT! The lot. It sat on a double lot with a huge grassy yard to the side, which opened up a lot of potential. With a bit of love and a few layout tweaks, this could be a forever kind of home.
Lake House No. 5: The Lookout
Vaulted ceilings. Arched wooden doorways. A sun-drenched primary suite. This house felt so expansive, with multiple wings and the kind of floor plan that invites extended family weekends. There were beautiful angles everywhere. And the view from the kitchen? A panoramic sweep of water and dock. We could see the dock from nearly every room (a dream for kid-watching), and the water was deep—like, jump-right-in deep. The ceilings in the basement could be raised, the bunk rooms upstairs were ready for cousin sleepovers, and the dining room begged for long, loud meals. It didn’t have everything we imagined, but it offered so much more than we expected.
Each house had its own magic. Some felt like a ready-made escape, others felt like a project we’d love to take on. We actually put in an offer on one of them, knowing it would need significant work (which we are down to do, obviously!). The asking price was above that of comparable properties in the area, and it had been on the market for a year without offers. They countered barely under their listing price, and when we didn’t accept, they offered their 25-year-old boat, which we declined. It was a nice gesture, but honestly, I’d want a newer boat with more safety features and less age-related maintenance. Even if we love the place, it wouldn’t be smart to overpay when we could find something that’s more in line with comps (and we’d need to invest in upgrading it).
While that’s a bummer, we’re still hoping to find the ONE. We’re keeping our Zillow alerts on, especially as new properties appear every weekend! I just can’t to find a lake house to style our way!
Related posts:
The Hunt is On for a Beach House!
What I Learned from Buying a House for the First Time
House 2 would make you neighbors. Agree on the assessment. We kept the trees but appreciate limited yard work so we can maximize our on water time.
My extended family lives on this lake full time and it is truly paradise! I vote for anything in a cove or off the main channel for better swimming by the dock and if there’s anyway you can create a “beach” then do that! but whatever you do it will become your favorite place!
Did you note the green built ins in house number two? Inspired by you, perhaps? :)