Landscape Design
5 Relaxed and Welcoming Waterfront Landscapes
Enjoy one last summer getaway with these inviting lakeside and riverfront retreats around the country
During the dog days of summer, few activities sound better — or more relaxing — than lounging outside on the water. This coast-to-coast collection of lakeside and riverfront landscapes, each designed to make the most of its locale while reflecting a distinct regional style, almost puts you there. Savor the last bits of the season and find inspiration for bringing a laid-back feeling to your yard with this virtual vacation.
Broad swaths of native, wildlife-attracting plants reflect and support the natural landscape and break up an expanse of lawn. Here we see native wild indigo (Baptisia sp.) and summer-blooming beebalm (Monarda sp.) and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia sp.).
The plants also screen less desirable landscape features and help guide views out to the lake. Other pollinator-friendly plants used in the project include rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium, zones 3 to 8), Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum, zones 5 to 10), coneflower (Echinacea sp.), goat’s beard (Aruncus dioicus, zones 5 to 7) and black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, zones 3 to 9).
The plants also screen less desirable landscape features and help guide views out to the lake. Other pollinator-friendly plants used in the project include rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium, zones 3 to 8), Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum, zones 5 to 10), coneflower (Echinacea sp.), goat’s beard (Aruncus dioicus, zones 5 to 7) and black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, zones 3 to 9).
A 90-foot-tall bluff behind the home rises to meet about an acre of untouched land. The designers planted trees to help bridge the height differences.
Read more about this waterfront yard
Read more about this waterfront yard
2. Three Seasons of Indoor-Outdoor Living in North Carolina
The owner of this home on Lake Norman in North Carolina had recently downsized from another property on the lake when she hired Sandy Kritzinger of Collaborative Interior Design to help her find new furniture. The project scope grew, and Kritzinger ended up overseeing the addition of a large new deck facing the lake to facilitate the indoor-outdoor lifestyle the new empty nester wanted.
The addition includes a screened-in dining and grilling porch on the left, an open area for sunning in the middle and a screened outdoor lounge with a fireplace on the right.
The owner of this home on Lake Norman in North Carolina had recently downsized from another property on the lake when she hired Sandy Kritzinger of Collaborative Interior Design to help her find new furniture. The project scope grew, and Kritzinger ended up overseeing the addition of a large new deck facing the lake to facilitate the indoor-outdoor lifestyle the new empty nester wanted.
The addition includes a screened-in dining and grilling porch on the left, an open area for sunning in the middle and a screened outdoor lounge with a fireplace on the right.
The open sun deck between the two porches provides views of the lake through the cable railing. Dimmable string lights overhead add to the ambiance at night.
The resilient composite decking material from Wolf Home Products stands up well in the environment and coordinates with the black railings and charcoal siding.
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The resilient composite decking material from Wolf Home Products stands up well in the environment and coordinates with the black railings and charcoal siding.
Shop for patio furniture on Houzz
The screened outdoor lounge also offers lakeside views, framed by leafy canopies that create a serene, treehouse feel. Bahamian shutters add privacy and lend a coastal, resort-like vibe. The roofs, screens, fans and heaters throughout this project mean the homeowners can enjoy this space for at least three seasons of the year, weathering rain, bugs and anything else.
The fireplace is painted brick and has a bluestone hearth. Many of the materials used outside are also featured in the house, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. Lounge furniture gives a luxe feel while still leaning into the relaxed, coastal style.
Read more about this lakefront makeover
The fireplace is painted brick and has a bluestone hearth. Many of the materials used outside are also featured in the house, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. Lounge furniture gives a luxe feel while still leaning into the relaxed, coastal style.
Read more about this lakefront makeover
3. Rugged River Retreat in Oregon
The back side of this home in Oregon offers sweeping views of and access to the Willamette River. In addition to wanting to take advantage of the views, the homeowners requested easy river access — no simple feat given the 50-foot drop between their home and the water.
Pistils Landscape Design + Build and LandCurrent Landscape Architects designed a series of dry-stacked native basalt walls ranging from 18 inches to 4 feet tall that wind down the slope at a gentle grade. The crushed basalt pathways are wide enough to accommodate the kayaks and stand-up paddle boards the homeowners use frequently on the river. The masons left small gaps between the stones in the wall that allow rainwater to drain without contributing to runoff.
The team also planted native pollinator-supporting salvias, coneflower (Echinacea sp.) and milkweed (Asclepias sp.), along with autumn moor grass (Sesleria autumnalis, zones 5 to 8), at the base of the walls and in the sloped areas between them to help manage erosion and beautify the space.
The back side of this home in Oregon offers sweeping views of and access to the Willamette River. In addition to wanting to take advantage of the views, the homeowners requested easy river access — no simple feat given the 50-foot drop between their home and the water.
Pistils Landscape Design + Build and LandCurrent Landscape Architects designed a series of dry-stacked native basalt walls ranging from 18 inches to 4 feet tall that wind down the slope at a gentle grade. The crushed basalt pathways are wide enough to accommodate the kayaks and stand-up paddle boards the homeowners use frequently on the river. The masons left small gaps between the stones in the wall that allow rainwater to drain without contributing to runoff.
The team also planted native pollinator-supporting salvias, coneflower (Echinacea sp.) and milkweed (Asclepias sp.), along with autumn moor grass (Sesleria autumnalis, zones 5 to 8), at the base of the walls and in the sloped areas between them to help manage erosion and beautify the space.
At the top of the slope, a stone patio with built-in bench overlooks the river valley (shown here in early autumn), with wildflowers, changing foliage and brilliant blue skies on full display. The rustic, elegant patio also features a hot tub perfectly positioned for taking in the view.
The landscape at the riverbank was left natural and undeveloped, except for a few native species planted for erosion control.
Learn more about this landscape
The landscape at the riverbank was left natural and undeveloped, except for a few native species planted for erosion control.
Learn more about this landscape
4. Breezy Backyard in Florida
Doors from a home in Naples, Florida, open straight onto this outdoor dining and lounging space overlooking a quiet lake. The homeowner, a retired writer who splits her time between Florida and New England, wanted a strong indoor-outdoor connection and a spot to entertain friends outside.
She worked with a team of pros to realize the space, with interior and exterior professionals collaborating to create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Landscape architect Edward Westwood of GardenBleu Landscape Architecture managed the landscape design and worked with Jonathan Kukk of Kukk Architecture & Design, which handled the home’s interior remodel.
Doors from a home in Naples, Florida, open straight onto this outdoor dining and lounging space overlooking a quiet lake. The homeowner, a retired writer who splits her time between Florida and New England, wanted a strong indoor-outdoor connection and a spot to entertain friends outside.
She worked with a team of pros to realize the space, with interior and exterior professionals collaborating to create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Landscape architect Edward Westwood of GardenBleu Landscape Architecture managed the landscape design and worked with Jonathan Kukk of Kukk Architecture & Design, which handled the home’s interior remodel.
A stylish lobster-trap-inspired wood pergola anchors the outdoor space, nodding to coastal style while casting shade over the central dining area during the day. Hanging lanterns enhance the space when the sun goes down.
Closer to the lake, a fireside lounge area gives guests a comfy spot to take in the view — and maybe catch a glimpse of the occasional alligator. ‘Green Island’ ficus (Ficus microcarpa ‘Green Island‘, zones 9 to 11) frames the seating area, creating a tropical and intimate feel.
Closer to the lake, a fireside lounge area gives guests a comfy spot to take in the view — and maybe catch a glimpse of the occasional alligator. ‘Green Island’ ficus (Ficus microcarpa ‘Green Island‘, zones 9 to 11) frames the seating area, creating a tropical and intimate feel.
Looking back on the yard from the lake, you can see how the designers kept the plantings simple to match the space and also to comply with the community’s planting guidelines. New ‘Malayan’ coconut palm trees (Cocos nucifera ‘Malayan Dwarf’, zones 10 to 11) sway overhead, with a dwarf variety of native gamagrass (Tripsacum sp.) blowing in the breeze below.
Learn more about this elegant entertaining space
Learn more about this elegant entertaining space
5. Contemporary Cool in North Carolina
A blank-slate landscape for a couple’s vacation home on Lake Norman in North Carolina offered many challenges and opportunities for landscape designer Jay Sifford.
Sifford played off the home’s standout architecture by weaving a tapestry of plant colors and textures that not only look good but also aid with site drainage and help manage erosion issues along the shore. In this photo we see the dry creek bed he designed along the front of the house that beautifully helps drain water away from the structure and into an existing box drain in the side yard.
A blank-slate landscape for a couple’s vacation home on Lake Norman in North Carolina offered many challenges and opportunities for landscape designer Jay Sifford.
Sifford played off the home’s standout architecture by weaving a tapestry of plant colors and textures that not only look good but also aid with site drainage and help manage erosion issues along the shore. In this photo we see the dry creek bed he designed along the front of the house that beautifully helps drain water away from the structure and into an existing box drain in the side yard.
On the waterfront side of the home, a balcony and fire pit lounge offer different vantages for taking in the serene lake view. Sifford added a gravel half circle and boulders around the existing fire pit to allow for more seating.
Grasses along the lakeshore help deal with erosion problems without blocking views from the patio, terrace or home, while also offering serene, rhythmic movement when the breeze blows. Ginger Wine ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘SMNPOBLR’, zones 2 to 7) shrubs and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’, zones 4 to 9) nod to the plantings in the front yard while also offering beautiful and relaxing movement.
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Grasses along the lakeshore help deal with erosion problems without blocking views from the patio, terrace or home, while also offering serene, rhythmic movement when the breeze blows. Ginger Wine ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘SMNPOBLR’, zones 2 to 7) shrubs and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’, zones 4 to 9) nod to the plantings in the front yard while also offering beautiful and relaxing movement.
Tour more of this yard
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Browse landscape photos
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On the shores of Lake Michigan near Port Washington, Wisconsin, LandWorks created a relaxing, nature-inspired landscape for a couple with college-age children. The team designed a series of garden rooms throughout the 3½-acre vacation property, including this thyme-infused bluestone patio for dining, entertaining and enjoying the waterfront views. There are also lakeside gardens, a zen-inspired labyrinth and a yoga studio.
The blues, grays and bronzes of the bluestone paving nod to the nearby water and complement the home’s exterior. The designers planted tufts of woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus, USDA zones 5 to 8; find your zone) between the dry-laid pavers for a pleasant fragrance when the plants are walked on.
Also, check out the pass-through window in the background, which makes it easy to move food and beverages from the kitchen to the outside and also creates a perfect perch for sipping drinks and taking in the views.
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