By Courtney Pittman
With easy access to the great outdoors, lake house designs and mountain home plans make living easy. These rugged (and sometimes modern) designs are great for vacations or living in the wilderness (if that’s more your thing). Boasting open floor plans that bring the outdoors in, these house designs excel at bringing nature closer to home. We've gathered some of our favorites below.
Browse our collection of lake house designs
Lake House Design with Eye-Catching Exterior
Plan 928-304
This spacious yet cozy lake house floor plan from Visbeen Architects boasts an eye-catching exterior that includes a distinctive side entrance and stone accents, as well as an abundance of windows for both outdoor views and interior rooms bathed in natural light. A spectacular angled front porch allows for plenty quiet afternoons with a book.
Check out these house plans with a view from Builder Online
Lake House Plan with Farmhouse Style
Plan 928-310
Take a look at this lake oasis! A large screened porch (with retractable screens) features ample room for lounging and an outdoor dining space that opens to the kitchen and living areas, making hosting guests a breeze and brings the outside in (and we are here for it).
Large and in charge, the kitchen (pictured above) is loaded with features (just look at all that storage space!). The generously sized kitchen island seats up to twelve and provides plenty of room for entertaining friends and family. Vaulted ceilings in the living room make the space feel bright and airy, while wood beams evoke cozy touches. An elegant floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace warms the room and allows for relaxed evenings in.
Bunk beds (pictured above) are a smart option for sleeping multiples in vacation homes (such as a lake house floor plan). Combining function and fun, bunks are space savers and provide dreamy sleeping quarters for kids and guests alike.
Discover these bunk bed ideas from Family Handyman
Mountain House with Three-Sided Fireplace
Plan 1042-17
Designed to maximize sweeping views, this mountain home plan spreads out over two stories (with a finished walkout basement to give owners plenty of elbow room). The main floor holds the master suite, which treats owners to a private deck, luxurious bathroom, and walk-in closet. The study nearby would make a handy nursery, home office, or quiet reading space. In the middle of the home, a three-sided fireplace sheds warmth to both the great room and large dining area.
An island adds more prep space in the kitchen, while the well-organized mudroom makes it easy to take dogs on a walk and then rinse their muddy paws in the nearby shower. Three bedrooms rest upstairs, while the finished lower level holds a versatile multi-purpose room with a wet bar. You'll also find a full bathroom, a large laundry room, and even a workshop on this level.
Rugged House Design with Impressive Porch
Plan 942-30
Natural materials and plentiful outdoors spaces on this rugged home suit it beautifully for a scenic location in the mountains or by the lake. Inside, the open floor plan makes it easy for family members to gather, whether relaxing by the fireplace in the great room, hanging out in the kitchen, or enjoying a fresh breeze on the impressive back porch.
Lake House Design with Large Windows
Plan 47-871
Drenching the home with sunlight, large windows provide expansive views and comfortable outdoor living in this lake house design (above). Designed to maximize space, a vaulted ceiling in the living room includes full-height windows that overlook the deck and connect the interior and exterior.
Additional highlights to this plan include: three beds, two baths, fireplace, sliding glass doors to the deck, and private access to the deck from the master suite.
Cool House Plan with Large Deck
Plan 47-937
This lake house design makes sure you get plentiful amounts of natural light (with an expansive wall of glass overlooking the front deck), while the main living areas flow organically into one another for an easy livability.
A triangular snack bar in the kitchen provides space for casual meals (or makes a great spot for kids to do homework). With a split bedroom design, you can escape chaos and retreat to your own private master oasis.
Traditional House Plan with Open Floor Plan
Plan 23-2609
Imagine relaxing on the porch of this lake house design, holding a cup of coffee and enjoying the crisp autumn air (sigh). On chilly evenings, head inside to the open living areas. The kitchen's large island makes cooking a social activity, while windows over the sink continue the outdoor connection.
The master suite sits on this floor and invites you to relax in the large shower. Upstairs, three additional bedrooms and a hall bathroom offer plenty of room for family. Other highlights include: the large walk-in pantry, a walk-in closet in the master suite, and the spacious laundry room.
Lake House Plan with Spacious Porch
Plan 137-295
Imagine building this dream vacation home by the lake. Actually, this woodsy design would look good just about anywhere, with its super-spacious porch. The layout inside showcases the great room, which flows into the kitchen. Don’t miss the flexible sleeping loft upstairs.
