Waterfront properties are sought after for a reason, they bring a sense of real beauty from the moment you step outside. Something about being near water helps an ordinary garden or staging area feel more like a place to escape from the world. 

That’s why most waterfront homeowners find themselves spending more time outdoors than they ever expected, as listening to trickling water or waves is the perfect backdrop for entertaining, gardening or reading a book.

Keep in mind that setting up these spaces takes more thought than a regular backyard though. That’s because saltwater has a way of corroding things faster than expected, while strong winds (unimpeded) can send furniture flying, and that beautiful glare off the water might leave you squinting more than enjoying the view in the midst of the sunshine.

These problems aren't impossible to solve though, and the rewards of getting it right make the extra effort worthwhile. But how do you plan that in advance? In this post, we’ll discuss how to design exterior space on a lucky waterfront and get that final outcome correct:

Shelter & Wind Control

Walking from inside to outside should feel natural in a waterfront home, but don’t forget that you’ll be more exposed to wind unless you have trees blocking it too. Adding a verandah makes this transition feel more comfortable while also giving you shelter, a perfect spot to pause and take in those water views. Big sliding doors let you control how much breeze flows through, while giving you somewhere to duck behind when the weather turns nasty as well - even some can be flood reinforced in case a river grows after too much rainfall. Most waterfront homes benefit from having different spots to sit depending on the time of day and weather too, especially if anywhere near the ocean.

Managing The Realities

Weather hits very differently when you live near water, which is why many homeowners use window blocks, like well-placed screens or the right plants, to help create peaceful spots even on windy days. Adjustable shade covers can be good for changing seasons too, allowing you to decide the level of natural light you’re happy with. Moreover, picking materials that can handle salt spray saves headaches later. Water needs somewhere to go during storms too, so good drainage makes a huge difference there. This way, overall long term maintenance of your property will be maintained, and the exterior space will have assisted with that.

Considering Privacy

Living near water often means juggling great views with feeling a bit exposed to passing boats or neighbors, and that’s totally natural. You can begin playing with different ground levels can create natural screening without blocking your view of the water. Adding some well placed plants or wider fences that run down some, but perhaps not all of the garden can help you blog lesser attractive angles. Glass barriers work well for blocking wind while keeping sight lines clear, especially as a nice surround to a balcony or deck. On top of that, good garden lantern lighting keeps the space feeling cosy after dark without creating weird reflections on the water and potentially getting in disputes with your neighbors at any point.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily design your exterior space for your lucky waterfront use.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.