25 Best Lake House Plans For Your Vacation Home
Select the right lake house design, and you'll feel right at home.
A weekend at the lake can make all the difference for the rest of your week. Finding a refresh and taking it to work until you can once again escape to your lakeside Eden is life-affirming. Those times when you can share the experience with friends and family only enrich the experience.
Perhaps it's the laidback "schedule" that aids most in making the lake house your special retreat. Floating on the perfectly still water is penciled in every afternoon, ice-cold sweet tea is always ready to be sipped on the dock, and bare feet are a given. If you like the slow speed of life on the lake, a lake house just might be the ticket to the peaceful oasis you've been dreaming of.
These lake house plans give you the natural, porch-wrapped abodes that embody the no-fuss lake spirit. Whether traditionally rustic or freshly modern, we've got the lake house inspiration you need to get going on your build.
Plan #1375: Tideland Haven
2,418 square feet
2 bedrooms and 3 baths
Sheltered by deep overhangs and a wraparound porch, Tideland Haven is detailed in comfort. Maximizing natural light, French doors with transoms above allow sunlight to enter the interiors for an open and spacious feeling. The outdoors beckon with a porch that is simply to die for.
Plan #1408: Tucker Bayou
3,554 square feet
5 bedrooms and 4 baths
See plan: Tucker Bayou
Inspired by historic architecture, this bungalow-style home combines the comfort of a vacation home with thoughtful features that make everyday life easier for today's busy families. Ample space within these walls feels luxurious and allows for privacy when needed.
Plan #1454: Pine Island Retreat
2,123 square feet
4 bedrooms and 3 baths
The influence here leans toward a Craftsman cottage, with just enough space to accommodate your family or visiting friends. Imagine a full day on the lake, followed by a peaceful snooze. Throw up a hammock to go along with this laidback cottage that has wood shutter siding along the sleeping porch.
Plan #1959: River Place Cottage
2,420 square feet
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
This plan feels fresh, especially for lakeside living. We like infusing the lake style with lighter colors, but keeping close to the laidback feel of the lake. The open-plan great room and outdoor fireplace are positioned perfectly for entertaining. Classic comfort is found throughout the dwelling.
Plan #1393: Harborside Hideaway
2,288 square feet
4 bedrooms and 3 baths
This stacked, modern lake house gives plenty of storage space for all of your water sports and boating equipment. A wraparound porch provides full lake views for those beautiful sunsets. Is this a weekend getaway or a plan for seasonal living all summer long? You decide.
Plan #1426: Captain's Watch
4,920 square feet
5 bedrooms and 6 baths
This stately lakeside retreat has something for everyone, but the most impressive feature is the large open great room that leads to a cozy screened porch complete with a fireplace. This is the best combination of classic Cape Cod and Southern Coastal architecture that we've seen.
Plan #1420: Tidewater Cottage
2,196 square feet
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
If you desire a more country-style cottage, this plan gives that traditional coziness with a low-key lake feel. The welcoming porch deserves a fleet of rocking chairs for each member of your family. We dare you to unplug as often as possible at this charming lake house.
Plan #224: Nautical Cottage
3 bedrooms and 2 baths
1,315 square feet
This home is warm, spacious, relaxed, and friendly. Inspired by small summer cottages built along the East Coast, this plan is adaptable in a variety of climates and locations. Cedar shakes for the exterior and the Nantucket star design for the porch detailing add to the authentic look and feel.
Plan #1809: Rustic Lake Cabin
1,426 square feet
2 bedrooms and 1 bath
See plan: Rustic Lake Cabin
This cabin features stone accents and clean lines to give a rustic vibe without going too log cabin-esque. The true heart of the home here is the kitchen. Equipped with a central island, you will find friends and family gathered here as you plan your day at the lake.
Plan #1873: Little Blue Farmhouse
2,011 square feet
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
This storybook cottage with a steeply pitched roof combines historical architectural details with modern amenities. An open floor plan, a flexible layout, and a wraparound porch maximize space indoors and out for a lake house that's functional, adaptable, and full of appeal.
Plan #1381: Shad Shack Retreat
1,826 square feet
3 bedrooms and 4 baths
See plan: Shad Shack Retreat
Designed in our collection for The Landing at Reynolds Lake Oconee, this home captures the country-style feel of many Southern vacation homes at the lake. The two fireplaces make sure you'll feel cozy all year round. Designated space for activity includes the playroom and the game room.
Plan #1824: New Tideland Haven
2,622 square feet
3 bedrooms and 4 baths
This slightly larger design of the original Tideland Haven plan still features the same cozy details like deep overhangs and a wraparound porch. Soaring nine-foot vaulted ceilings create a sense of light, air, and space. Large windows and French doors strive to let as much of the natural sunlight in as possible.
Plan #1799: White Plains
2,942 square feet
4 bedrooms and 5 baths
See plan: White Plains
We just don't think you can go wrong with this Carpenter Gothic-style home just about anywhere. If you want a fresher color palette and design for your lake home, this is definitely an intriguing way to go. It's inherently Southern but out of the box.
Plan #749: Silverhill
1,771 square feet
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
Cedar shake exterior gives this home a relaxed, natural appearance that's perfect for the lake. The symmetrical shape takes advantage of every usable space, allowing for a recessed laundry closet and spacious living and dining areas. The primary bedroom opens to a screened porch, allowing for the perfect mix of indoor-outdoor living.
Plan #1936: Gilliam
3,208 square feet
4 bedrooms and 3 baths
Within these walls are 10-foot ceilings that make this home feel expansive and open. You will play the role of super host when your family and friends take in not just the interior, but the welcoming porch that greets all visitors. Remind yourself that you're here to play in the lake, as leaving this comfortable abode will not be top of mind.
Plan #745: Bay Harbor Cottage
2,305 square feet
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
This farmhouse-influenced getaway impresses with two stories of porch space, and more than enough room for relaxation and play. The second story shares 3 bedrooms and includes a balcony adjacent to the primary bedroom. While solace can be found here, you may be drawn to the main floor great room to spend time with family and cozy down.
Plan #1976: Bayou Cottage
2,513 square feet
4 bedrooms and 4 baths
This Lowcountry design speaks to Southern roots and lakeside living. Featuring both a main porch and a screened rear porch, there are no excuses good enough to stay inside. Unless, of course, you are snuggling down by the fire after a long day of water play.
Plan #1211: Turtle Lake Cottage
1,871 square feet
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
The charm of the Turtle Lake Cottage's wraparound porch is irresistible. A porch swing or hammock will be a necessity. Inside this home, you will find a spacious living room with a cozy hearth and the bonus of the owner's suite being located in the back of the home. Privacy is all yours.
Plan #609: Lake Haven
915 square feet
2 bedrooms and 1 bath
Not every lake getaway needs to be large. For some, a retreat means a cabin-sized dwelling that still features just the right amount of amenities. With this design, you still have a fireplace to enjoy along with a bonus loft space that can accommodate guests.
Plan #283: Summer Lake
5,378 square feet
4 bedrooms and 5 baths
The traditional look of this design includes a wraparound porch, lap siding, and a metal roof. The family room features a fireplace that is flanked by built-in bookshelves as well as three sets of French doors that open to a covered porch. Once you and your guests have settled in, it will feel like a never-ending vacation.
Plan #2019: Brune
1,968 square feet
3 bedrooms and 2 baths
Designed as a weekend lakehouse, Brune feels like an intimate cottage but has plenty of airy, open spaces. Two main-level bedrooms provide plenty of space for guests, while the second level is devoted solely to a private owner’s suite.
Plan #595: Brunswick Cottage
1,184 square feet
2 bedrooms and 2 baths
Windows let in lots of light in this cozy cottage. A stone chimney, cedar shingles, and a metal roof give it a rustic charm. Inside, a two-story family room and spacious bedrooms create an inviting space for guests. Outdoor spaces extend the home’s flow.
Plan #1552: Allegheny
2,626 square feet
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
Vaulted ceilings in the main-level great room, foyer, and primary bedroom create a relaxing atmosphere for this lakeside home. Enjoy indoor and outdoor living with a great room fireplace that’s shared with one of two covered porches.
Plan #1897: Hilltop Lake
3,630 square feet
4 bedrooms and 5 baths
Weekends at this lake house mean lots of outdoor living with covered porches that wrap the home and a large outdoor fireplace and grill. The dining area opens to a large screened porch, the study opens to a covered porch, and the primary bedroom suite extends to the outdoors with a private covered porch.
Plan #943: Foxglove Cottage
1,718 square feet
3 bedrooms and 3 baths
You won’t want to leave this weekend retreat. Take advantage of views in every direction with side and rear porches. Welcome guests with two private bedrooms and a bath on the terrace level. The entire second level is dedicated to a private primary suite.
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