Top Design Considerations for a Waterfront Property

There’s something special about living on the water. Whether it’s the gentle sound of ocean or lake, the sweeping views, or the connection to nature, waterfront homes offer a lifestyle unlike any other. But designing a home on the water comes with unique opportunities and challenges that require careful consideration from the very start.

At Your Home Designs, we’ve had the privilege of working on stunning waterfront projects like Shoreline House, where every design decision was shaped by the property’s absolute lakefront position. Here are the top considerations we recommend when creating your dream waterfront home.

Maximising the View

The most valuable asset of a waterfront property is its outlook. Designing with a focus on sightlines ensures that key rooms, like living spaces and entertaining areas make the most of the scenery.

At Shoreline House, expansive glazing, strategic window placement, and reverse living open-plan layouts were used to ensure the lake was always in frame, whether you were relaxing indoors or enjoying the upper-level alfresco.

Indoor-Outdoor Flow

Waterfront living is about embracing the outdoors. Seamless transitions between inside and outside spaces help connect your home to the water, creating the perfect setting for entertaining or quiet mornings. At Shoreline House, large sliding doors open directly to the alfresco areas, allowing the breezes to fill the home and encouraging year-round outdoor living.

Materials for Coastal Conditions

The coastal environment is beautiful but can be harsh. Salt, moisture, and strong winds require careful material selection and thoughtful design to ensure the home remains beautiful and functional for decades.

At Shoreline House, we strategically positioned the pool area away from the harsh northerly winds so it could be enjoyed year-round, and specified operable aluminium louvres on the upper alfresco to provide flexible protection from the lakefront breeze.

Designing for Lifestyle

A waterfront home should reflect the way you live. For some, it’s a place to host family and friends; for others, it’s a peaceful retreat.

In Shoreline House, we incorporated versatile spaces, like a multi-purpose entertaining area and open living areas, that suit both lively gatherings and quiet moments by the water.

Designing a waterfront home is about more than aesthetics, it’s about enhancing the lifestyle the location offers. From maximising views to protecting against the elements, each decision should be guided by the unique character of the site.

Our work on Shoreline House shows how thoughtful design can create a home that is as practical as it is beautiful, perfectly suited to its coastal setting.