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20 Impressive Floating Homes That Go With the FlowView 21 Photos

20 Impressive Floating Homes That Go With the Flow

All aboard! These stylish vessels might just inspire you to set sail, and leave land far behind.
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Welcome to Beach Week, a celebration of the best place on earth.

Throughout history, the call of open water has inspired many to live the life aquatic—and for good reason. There’s nothing like the sense of freedom, simplicity, and self-sufficiency that comes from charting a course and casting anchor in a sea, lake, or river. Floating homes are also resilient by nature, and they can help address some of the most pressing issues of our time, like flooding and rising sea levels. Read on to explore 20 charming dwellings that make a strong case for nautical living.

A Pint-Sized Houseboat Provides a Peaceful Refuge for a Budapest Couple

Inspired by the form of local fishing boats and waterside huts, Architect Tamás Bene designed this 65-square-foot floating home on Eastern Hungary’s Lake Tisza. The boat is propelled by a small, 9.9-horsepower internal combustion engine, and two rooftop solar panels power the headlights, interior lighting, and a small refrigerator.

Inspired by the form of local fishing boats and waterside huts, Architect Tamás Bene designed this 65-square-foot floating home on Eastern Hungary’s Lake Tisza. The boat is propelled by a small, 9.9-horsepower internal combustion engine, and two rooftop solar panels power the headlights, interior lighting, and a small refrigerator.

Floating on a skeleton of steel pontoons, this prefab structure by MOS Architects was towed on-site, anchored, and constructed in stages. Cedar envelops the home inside and out. The home is protected by slatted rain screens, which filter light as it enters and reduce exposure to the elements. 

Floating on a skeleton of steel pontoons, this prefab structure by MOS Architects was towed on-site, anchored, and constructed in stages. Cedar envelops the home inside and out. The home is protected by slatted rain screens, which filter light as it enters and reduce exposure to the elements. 

This prefabricated floating house was designed by a team from the University of Coimbra in Portugal. It can be built to order and shipped to almost anywhere in the world, and it’s designed to be entirely self-sustainable for up to a week at a time, enabling its occupants to take up residence in some of the world’s most remote lakes and rivers.

This prefabricated floating house was designed by a team from the University of Coimbra in Portugal. It can be built to order and shipped to almost anywhere in the world, and it’s designed to be entirely self-sustainable for up to a week at a time, enabling its occupants to take up residence in some of the world’s most remote lakes and rivers.

Mjölk Architekti’s Houseboat in Prague 

This two-story residence by Mjölk Architekti floats in the heart of downtown Prague. The ground floor contains the kitchen, living areas, and bathroom, while the top floor houses a cozy bedroom nook with a skylight. The project was reconstructed from an old houseboat, and is anchored at the sailing club in Smichov.

This two-story residence by Mjölk Architekti floats in the heart of downtown Prague. The ground floor contains the kitchen, living areas, and bathroom, while the top floor houses a cozy bedroom nook with a skylight. The project was reconstructed from an old houseboat, and is anchored at the sailing club in Smichov.

OK, so this isn’t technically a home—but we still had to share designer Brendan Ravenhill’s tiny floating sauna. Ravenhill resides in Los Angeles for most of the year, but when he returns to his family’s homestead on Little Cranberry Island, a short boat ride southeast of Acadia National Park, he tends to personal projects like this little retreat—a love letter to New England’s functional but cozy architecture.

OK, so this isn’t technically a home—but we still had to share designer Brendan Ravenhill’s tiny floating sauna. Ravenhill resides in Los Angeles for most of the year, but when he returns to his family’s homestead on Little Cranberry Island, a short boat ride southeast of Acadia National Park, he tends to personal projects like this little retreat—a love letter to New England’s functional but cozy architecture.

Known as the Andante, this 1984 houseboat was treated to a complete renovation, and it now features two bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, and a large top deck. While the Andante has a nautical-inspired exterior, the interiors are finished in warm oak with Corian kitchen counters and stainless-steel appliances. 

Known as the Andante, this 1984 houseboat was treated to a complete renovation, and it now features two bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, and a large top deck. While the Andante has a nautical-inspired exterior, the interiors are finished in warm oak with Corian kitchen counters and stainless-steel appliances. 

Built in 2013, the Chinampa Houseboat has a large, timber-framed skylight that bathes the space in light, while creating the perfect place to grow plants. With four 130-watt solar panels, the home can also operate 100 percent off the grid. Thoughtfully designed by its current owners, the Chinampa Houseboat's interiors include a curated collection of antiques and reclaimed furniture.

Built in 2013, the Chinampa Houseboat has a large, timber-framed skylight that bathes the space in light, while creating the perfect place to grow plants. With four 130-watt solar panels, the home can also operate 100 percent off the grid. Thoughtfully designed by its current owners, the Chinampa Houseboat's interiors include a curated collection of antiques and reclaimed furniture.

Built in 2010, the Eco Sea Cottage is a darling houseboat in Seattle. Floating off Westlake Avenue, the 728-square-foot property includes a beautifully designed kitchen (with a dishwasher), a quaint master bedroom, a sleeping loft, and a spacious living area with a fireplace. 

Built in 2010, the Eco Sea Cottage is a darling houseboat in Seattle. Floating off Westlake Avenue, the 728-square-foot property includes a beautifully designed kitchen (with a dishwasher), a quaint master bedroom, a sleeping loft, and a spacious living area with a fireplace. 

Studio DIAA designed a 650-square-foot floating home that embraces its placid location along the waterfront in northeast Seattle. Numerous sliding glass doors connect the interior with a wraparound deck, inviting residents to spend time outside during warmer months.

Studio DIAA designed a 650-square-foot floating home that embraces its placid location along the waterfront in northeast Seattle. Numerous sliding glass doors connect the interior with a wraparound deck, inviting residents to spend time outside during warmer months.

Port X is a buoyant dwelling designed for modular, modern living. Prague’s Atelier SAD developed the 1,076-square-foot houseboat with flexibility in mind—layouts can range from single-person dwellings to family-friendly homes. 

Port X is a buoyant dwelling designed for modular, modern living. Prague’s Atelier SAD developed the 1,076-square-foot houseboat with flexibility in mind—layouts can range from single-person dwellings to family-friendly homes. 

The cofounders of The Brooklyn Home Company took their skills to sea and gave this 1983 Lord Nelson Victory tugboat a bow-to-stern revamp. The remodel took the couple nearly a year, and it involved rewiring electrical systems, restoring moldy and corroded parts, refinishing the teak and holly wood floors, and painting the interior in Farrow & Ball’s crisp Schoolhouse White. 

The cofounders of The Brooklyn Home Company took their skills to sea and gave this 1983 Lord Nelson Victory tugboat a bow-to-stern revamp. The remodel took the couple nearly a year, and it involved rewiring electrical systems, restoring moldy and corroded parts, refinishing the teak and holly wood floors, and painting the interior in Farrow & Ball’s crisp Schoolhouse White. 

This 495-square-foot houseboat in Australia features a soft, calming color palette. In the kitchen, sage laminate kitchen cabinets are paired with leather recessed pulls to emphasize the home’s light and airy characteristics. 

This 495-square-foot houseboat in Australia features a soft, calming color palette. In the kitchen, sage laminate kitchen cabinets are paired with leather recessed pulls to emphasize the home’s light and airy characteristics. 

Life for the owners of this floating home centers around an open kitchen/dining/living area. Nautical references are kept to a minimum, but a few touches nod toward the home’s habitat. A Rais wood-burning stove recalls a ship’s furnace, and soft green and blue fiberglass Eames chairs echo the color of the sea, which is a constant presence thanks to floor-to-ceiling glass doors. The custom dining table sits beneath a sculptural Titania pendant by Alberto Meda. The owners’ yellow Labrador, Buster, rests next to a Hay sofa.

Life for the owners of this floating home centers around an open kitchen/dining/living area. Nautical references are kept to a minimum, but a few touches nod toward the home’s habitat. A Rais wood-burning stove recalls a ship’s furnace, and soft green and blue fiberglass Eames chairs echo the color of the sea, which is a constant presence thanks to floor-to-ceiling glass doors. The custom dining table sits beneath a sculptural Titania pendant by Alberto Meda. The owners’ yellow Labrador, Buster, rests next to a Hay sofa.

This 59-foot houseboat was designed in 2019 by its architect owners on Regents Canal in London, England. Despite its tiny footprint, the dwelling is fully equipped for modern-day living with bright and airy interiors.

This 59-foot houseboat was designed in 2019 by its architect owners on Regents Canal in London, England. Despite its tiny footprint, the dwelling is fully equipped for modern-day living with bright and airy interiors.

In London’s Poplar Dock Marina sits a 1924 barge that has been transformed into a contemporary floating home with simple, sophisticated interiors. The historic Humber Keel cargo boat now contains two bedrooms, two baths, open living space, and terrace views. The open plan at the center provides spacious living and dining quarters with a galley kitchen. 

In London’s Poplar Dock Marina sits a 1924 barge that has been transformed into a contemporary floating home with simple, sophisticated interiors. The historic Humber Keel cargo boat now contains two bedrooms, two baths, open living space, and terrace views. The open plan at the center provides spacious living and dining quarters with a galley kitchen. 

Avid outdoorsman Richard Daigneault set out to create the ultimate compact houseboat—and it was so favorably received that he launched a boatbuilding company shortly thereafter. His handsomely crafted Le Koroc vessel is 26 feet long and 8.5 feet wide, with a 110-square-foot cabin that opens up to a spacious outdoor patio.

Avid outdoorsman Richard Daigneault set out to create the ultimate compact houseboat—and it was so favorably received that he launched a boatbuilding company shortly thereafter. His handsomely crafted Le Koroc vessel is 26 feet long and 8.5 feet wide, with a 110-square-foot cabin that opens up to a spacious outdoor patio.

Designed and created by its owners in 2005, this contemporary houseboat features a central heating system, a contemporary kitchen and bathroom, and a wood-burning stove in the living room. 

Designed and created by its owners in 2005, this contemporary houseboat features a central heating system, a contemporary kitchen and bathroom, and a wood-burning stove in the living room. 

This floating home was custom built in the Thousand islands of Upstate New York. The focus was on sustainability and using local materials, as well as living as close to the water as possible.

This floating home was custom built in the Thousand islands of Upstate New York. The focus was on sustainability and using local materials, as well as living as close to the water as possible.

Amid the motley of architectural styles in Sausalito—from nautically inspired to shingled country cabin—Herbie Schlaepfer and Barbara Haeusermann’s newly built, 2,894-square-foot home is like a palate cleanser for the eyes. One zinc cube cantilevers off the other, with great walls of glass that slide open and disappear.

Amid the motley of architectural styles in Sausalito—from nautically inspired to shingled country cabin—Herbie Schlaepfer and Barbara Haeusermann’s newly built, 2,894-square-foot home is like a palate cleanser for the eyes. One zinc cube cantilevers off the other, with great walls of glass that slide open and disappear.

Architect Eric Cobb was hired to design this 1,800-square-foot floating home for a Seattle couple. The house was prefabricated at a shipyard in Port Townsend, Washington, and it traveled by tugboat to its final destination in Lake Union.

Architect Eric Cobb was hired to design this 1,800-square-foot floating home for a Seattle couple. The house was prefabricated at a shipyard in Port Townsend, Washington, and it traveled by tugboat to its final destination in Lake Union.

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