Luxury Houses on the Water: Design Tips For Best Lake Views

Posted by Dave Kotler on Tuesday, May 31st, 2022 at 9:08am.

Construction Styles to Maximize Water Views

There's no denying that a new construction home in British Columbia comes with a bit larger price tag than others in the country — but most buyers find the additional expense well worthwhile. With pricing ranging between $400 and $500 per square foot, anyone investing in a luxury waterfront home will want to make the most of their views. Whether the property faces a winding river or spectacular shorelines along a lake, take a dive into these luxury home construction tips to optimize views and your enjoyment of the property.

Which Rooms Do You Spend the Most Time In?

When connecting the indoors with the outdoors, taking advantage of every vantage point from the home's interior is optimal. With a brand new construction home, buyers can work with their builders and architects to ensure the house has excellent waterfront views. While water vistas are often a priority, there might be other opportunities to experience the sights in different directions.

The best way to approach the design process is to determine how the sun moves throughout the day. Doing so allows owners to experience ample natural lighting, sunsets, and sunrises, with the waterfront views serving as a bonus. However, this will require a bit of attention by owners and architects working together to determine which rooms occupants will spend the most time in.

Great views from kitchens and living rooms are almost a staple, but those who like to sleep in might want to minimize light with a western-faced bedroom. Yet, those who love great views in the morning over a cup of coffee might enjoy an eastern-facing patio. The key is having the home customized to your preferred lifestyle.

Windows, Windows, & More Windows

Windows facing the water and the best views are essential for new homebuyers on waterfront properties. Rather than having a slew of small windows, go big with wall-to-wall window installations, large sliding glass doors, bay windows, and custom-cut selections.

While oversized windows might lack energy efficiency, several Energy Star windows help maintain indoor temperatures and comfort levels.

Keeping environmental efforts in mind, buyers might not want all of the excess light all the time. This is where intrusive glares can be curbed by investing in high-visibility screens or smart glass panes that can be operated on command or via pre-settings through a connected app.

Open Up the Indoor Space

Open Floor Plans Mean Fewer Walls to Block Your View

One of the most basic ways to have exceptional views is by committing to an open-concept floor plan. This type of layout minimizes the installation of interior walls that might impede views of the outdoors.

Imagine being able to soak in the views from the kitchen while cooking a meal or while relaxing in the family room. This is easily accomplished with a bit of forethought during construction. Should the home be pre-owned or a model home, it could be possible to remove non-load-bearing walls to showcase the outside views.

Be sure to situate the furnishings to avoid blocking the best views. Keeping chairs and sofas to the side will invite guests to look outside and enjoy the views you're working so hard to create.

Invest In a Luxurious Outdoor Space

A waterfront property is a perfect place to entertain guests. Therefore, going a few steps further to make the outdoor areas more comfortable and inviting is a worthwhile investment.

Constructing an outdoor living area such as a patio, deck, waterside dock, or gazebo is pivotal, but the design details are make or break. Luxury waterfront properties tend to have a few staples, from the furnishings and lighting to the outdoor landscape. Key inclusions for outdoor living spaces include:

  • Padded seats and rockers
  • Benches and love seats with storage options
  • Porch swings & hammocks
  • Nesting tables
  • Coloured accent rugs & shading implements
  • Radiant heating elements

Another remarkable addition that makes an outdoor respite stand out is the presence of an outdoor kitchen. While a modest outdoor kitchen can cost as much as $10,000, lavish options can run as high as $20,000. Ultimately, it comes down to choices like refrigeration, heating elements, and other features when considering costs.

Want to bring a few more elements in beyond the norm? Contemplate installing a few additional water features like fountains, colour-changing LED lights, and a fire pit. The good times can roll on long into the night!

Take Advantage of the Views From Your Luxury Waterfront Property

Enjoy a vacation-like lifestyle every day in a remarkable waterfront property as an owner-occupier, or make a solid real estate investment in such a home as an investor for short or long-term rentals. Maximize those impressive views that please everyone and showcase the environment with these easy outdoor design tips to create an oasis that all guests will appreciate.

Dave Kotler

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