50 modern lake houses we’d gladly call home

Yeah, beach houses are great, but if you’ve ever lived in a landlocked state, you know that lake houses are actually where it’s at. Whether they’re cabins designated for weekend getaways or full-time homes, these modern lake houses—interiors AND exteriors—are sure to get you excited to be on the water this summer. Keep reading for our 50 favorites.

(Pst, see more of this Michigan lake house in the next slide!)

Everything about this lake house is kitschy-chic perfection—including these red-painted twin beds. We can only imagine the fun-filled family weekends spent in this space.

Technically, this all-white home is located in Montauk, but the water still counts, right? It perfectly mixes modern design and decor while maintaining the feel of an old farmhouse.

Not only is this lake house totally modern and beautiful, but it’s energy efficient. The owners scrapped their old place to make new for this new home that naturally has a cool exterior, too.

The view from the top floor of this home might be stunning, but just wait until you see the photos of the exterior. This home floats on Lake Huron, which is undeniably very, very cool. Talk about easy access to the lake!

Yep, those are aqua-painted floors. Designer and HGTV star Sarah Richardson updated this Lake Huron home to better fit her personal style.

Surprisingly, the kitchen is the most neutral space in this Connecticut lake home. (Click to find more reds and purples tied throughout the house!) Our favorite piece from this open-shelved, fire place clad kitchen is the multifunctional, open island.

Ever heard of Lake Okoboji? That’s where this Iowa lake house is located. Besides the breathtaking view, the modern headboard is really catching our eye. (We think we need to touch it and/or see it in person to fully comprehend the design.)

The before and after pictures of this Hot Springs, Arkansas home are hard to believe. And though the cottage is only 900 square feet, you’d never be able to tell. But really, who needs space when you have the lake, a patio, and the outdoors!

Missed our Spring 2016 issue? Choosing not to tour our cover star, designer Jenni Kayne’s Lake Tahoe home would be a mistake. Our absolute favorite piece of her home (trust us, it was hard to choose) is this perfectly on purpose, rustic kitchen.

This Mississippi lake house impressively mixes casual and chic decor, resulting in a kitschy interior that is intentionally lake-chic.

We have a thing for floor-to-ceiling windows, and this cabin is no exception. Though the panes slightly obstruct the clear view of the lake, it adds definite visual interest and most importantly, let’s in copious amounts of natural light. (See more here!)

Everything about this Arkansas home feels so right. It’s the perfect mix of new and old, from the exterior to every detail right down to the…

…Master bathroom. The chandelier! The curtains! The tile floor. The tub…

Wood paneling of old cabins and lake houses are common, but these huge floor-to-ceiling windows? Not so much. See the rest of one eclectic cottage-style home at Apartment Therapy.

This Michigan house, that a young family calls home, might be down the street from the lake, but no matter. They have a pontoon boat, so it definitely counts.

There’s just something alluring about modern architecture located in the depths of nature. Maybe it’s the contrast or simply the full length windows, we can’t tell. What can we do? Thank Min | Day for this gem.

This is one cool home—just wait till you see the views. Located in Switzerland, this compact, cliffside home boasts impressive design and decor.

The structure alone is impressive enough to make anyone want to steal this home away from its owners and live there—like, forever. The inside? It evokes similar feelings. See for yourself.

These “Two Black Sheds”, as the designer calls them, was designed for a couple’s lakeside home on Madeline Island in Wisconsin. A lot unique and a little dreamy, we’d freak out if we could call this space our weekend getaway destination.

You’re currently looking at designer Thom Felicia’s Upstate lake house, complete with a rope handrail that leads upstairs to more rustic, but sophisticated decor.

This home has it all, including a slatted wood-designed exterior and design elements from almost every design style. (Don’t worry, it works.) We just loved these practical twin beds! Sleeping as many people as you can (comfortably) when entertaining friends and family is a big priority, and this stylish option makes it possible.

When we first laid eyes on this beauty, our eyes opened a bit wider, our breath shortened, and we were speechless. You’re going to want to take a peek into the inside.

The architect of this gigantic home nailed the ideal aesthetic for a modern lake house. From the details to the overall vibe, it just feels and looks like a truly beautiful space that is meant to be called home.

Scandinavians have lake houses, too, and it’s just like you imagined it would be—consistent with their general design disposition!

Mixed dining room seating? Check. A totally chic lake house to host friends and family? Double check.

More of the floating Lake Huron house—we couldn’t help ourselves! Browse more photos and prepare to develop a new form a jealousy you didn’t know you were capable of.

Anyone need a Shelter Island getaway? If you’re not raising your hand, you need to think twice about your vacation home goals. We toured designers John and Christine Gachot’s weekend family home and couldn’t get enough.

This home, located on the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York, is designed by Thom Felicia and includes this waterside shed that doubles as an entertaining space. See more of the space here!

We could get used to hanging out in a space like this. But honestly, though this reading nook looks perfectly comfy (for a rainy day), we’d most likely be outside.

Just a short walk away from the lake, this Tahoe City Airbnb has a stunning, uncommon interior. The bedroom you see here is simply a smidgen of what makes the home so unique.

Cliffside AND lakeside, this box-shaped home boasts a completely white and black interior. Chic amenities and accessible to the water, just they way we like it.

Fact: This is the coolest lake house design we might ever see. There is a pivoting picture window that opens with the help of a crank that is like the view you see here, but times ten.

This home, built in 1959, has already survived four remodels, the latest leaving it in wildly impressive condition. We truly cannot decide what is more impressive: The inside, the outside, or the scenery.

Modern meets cottage style—inside and out—with this Kent, New York home.

Good news: You can stay in this Ridgedale, Missouri Airbnb. We’re looking to see a sunset like the one you see here, ASAP. The home sleeps ten and looks cozy, newly furnished, and a great place to getaway.

We guess if you live in a lake house, you’re going to have to do some work at some point. It might as well be in a room where half the walls are actually windows so you feel like you’re in a treehouse.

Table Rock Lake is a classic Missouri destination for those in the Midwest, with this home being a rare modern gem.

If you think this kitchen is cool, just wait till you see the rest of the house! This 2,800-square-foot home sits on five acres of waterfront land in Texas. Bonus: It has a pool that kind of resembles a moat.

This Central Texas home is more similar to Mediterranean villas and less like your typical cabin, but that’s not a problem! You won’t regret touring the large estate, which covers 550 acres.

This 5,000 square-foot Alabama lake house is filled with welcoming cottage-style decor. The neutral colors and fabrics look cozy and evoke a feeling of home.

Is a modern lake home a modern lake home if it doesn’t have HUGE windows? (Yes, but you get it.) This Minnesota home makes use of a sprawling lawn overlooking a bluer-than-blue lake with just that.

This tropical-seeming lakeside retreat is located just outside Mexico City. Trust us, the views are just as impressive as the interior.

Prefab and fabulous, this Lake Iosco home had only one requirement: Bunkbeds, a request naturally made by the owner’s son. We highly suggest flipping through these photos for inspiration for your home—it’s a good one.

The blueprints to this spot are worth taking a peek at. Watch the home being placed onto its foundation for an eye-opening experience that will make you happy you’re on solid ground.

Serene is the only word that comes to mind when touring this Mercer Island home. Okay, we admit it. Sleek, light, and airy also inundated our brains while viewing photos of this space.

This barn-like Michigan home might be old school in structure, but holds the most modern decor out of any lake house we’ve seen, which is definitely not a bad thing.

You’re going to want to take a look at this Austin home from ALL angles, trust us on this one.

If staying in a Catskills cottage is on your to-do list, this is for you. Check out this Airbnb for an affordable Mid-Century furnished stay.

If we had a mostly glass home, we’d frame it with bright, almost neon colored window frames, too.

White and wood is one of our favorite pairings, this Lake Wisconsin home included. Tour for all the light and airy inspo you could ever need.