20 Charming Carolina Homes Made for Waterfront Living

With thousands of miles of shoreline — both coastal and riverfront — Carolina is the land of beautiful waterfront homes. Find inspiration to fill your abode with the same relaxed atmosphere, abundance of texture and watery hues.

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March 03, 2022

By: Chelsey Bowen

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Photo By: Chris Frick Photography

Photo By: Andrew Sherman

Photo By: Intracoastal Realty Corporation, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Photo By: Chris Frick Photography

Photo By: Andrew Sherman

Photo By: Tongue & Groove Design + Build, Tongue & Groove Design + Build, Tongue & Groove Design + Build

Photo By: Andrew Sherman

Photo By: Chris Frick Photography

Photo By: Intracoastal Realty Corporation, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Photo By: Liz Carroll

Photo By: Joshua Curry; Design by Tongue and Groove Design + Build

Photo By: Joshua Curry Photography

Photo By: Allen Tate Realtors, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Photo By: Silver Creek Real Estate Group, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Going Modern yet Staying Classic

Classic Carolina design gets a major upgrade at this waterfront home. The elevated home is built to protect from rising seawater, as well as to take in the surrounding views. With not one, but two wraparound porches and additional balcony on the top level, you'll have an unobstructed sightline no matter where you are. Cedar shake siding and traditional architectural elements combine with more modern metal porch railing. However, it's duly noted that the seawall is topped in a white picket fence.

From: Big Sky Design

Bring in Moments of Water

Sophisticated and enchanted, this bedroom delivers watery elements to reflect its Carolina coastal vibe. Bedecking the space in subtle blue-greens are wave-like headboards, a coral-inspired chandelier and an abstract ceiling that looks like the surface of the ocean. Design by Lindsey Cheek of Gathered.

Create Kids' Space With Style

Bunk rooms are a common occurrence in vacation homes — the better to corral all those kiddos together. Try a sophisticated nautical theme: blue-and-white striped bedding, shiplap walls, a propellor-inspired ceiling fan and a variety of blue fabrics. Not only does the theme nod to the home's location, but it's also kid-friendly without being kitschy. Design by Lindsey Cheek of Gathered.

Lean Into Airy Neutrals

You'll never go wrong with soft whites in a waterfront design. The muted palette instantly creates a relaxing environment — a necessity for any bedroom. And if the cozy sleeping quarters aren’t enough, hide away in the roomy built-in reading nook. Design by Lindsey Cheek of Gathered.

Down by the Channel

This modern take on southern design has quintessential exterior elements, such as cedar shake and board-and-batten siding. For a more contemporary aesthetic, the architectural lines of the home are squared-off and clean. Coastal landscaping softens the design.

From: Intracoastal Realty Corporation and Luxury Portfolio International®

Get Outside

This is truly the best part of living at a waterfront locale. Just a short walk from your home is a dock ready for relaxing and playing. Though its main purpose is to house the boat, this dock has a southern gazebo structure, complete with comfy sofas to enjoy life on the water.

From: Big Sky Design

Find the Right Materials

When you live close to the water, durable materials are a must — and not just for your exterior. Ground your rooms in indoor/outdoor rugs, which will stand up to tracked in water, sand and dirt. For dining rooms, stay away from upholstered chairs and stick with wood, wicker or rattan. You won't have to worry about wet bathing suits ruining your favorite fabric. Design by Lindsey Cheek of Gathered.

Pull Hues From Nature

Waterfront locales are surrounded by a wealth of brilliant colors, making them the ideal shades to bring into your design. Delicate shades of linen, driftwood and taupe are a neutral jumping off point for a room's design. Layer in blues and greens to imitate the vista outside the window. Design by Lindsey Cheek of Gathered.

Start Small, Go Big

Powder rooms are the perfect spot to go all out with pattern. The small space doesn't require a lot of investment to try something new, so focus on adding texture directly to the walls. Here, a geometric wallpaper in subtly turquoise hues has maximum impact. For an understated ocean-like vibe, designer Lindsey Cheek of Gathered incorporated a coral mirror and a basin sink that has the appearance of sea glass.

Embrace the Grandness

Located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Wilmington, N.C., this incredible home offers stunning water vistas and multiple levels of porches and balconies, as well as a picturesque pool, from which to take it all in.

Pick a Statement Piece

Just because your home is by the water doesn't mean every room has to scream, "Beach!" One statement piece, such as the minimal shell artwork in this dining room, establishes the theme without overwhelming the space in beachy decor. Design by Lindsey Cheek of Gathered.

Acquire a Laid-Back Look

Natural weathering is a part of living by the shore, particularly on a home's exterior. Give your interior the casual, lived-in atmosphere by including distressed furnishings and accessories. Easy to find when shopping, distressing is also easy to create with a little elbow grease and sandpaper.

From: Big Sky Design

Work With Your Location

This charmingly coastal home sits on Figure Eight Island off the North Carolina coast and offers four floors of luxury, as well as two expansive wraparound porches off the back. Completed in soft shades of linen and white, the exterior merges seamlessly with its beachy location.

From: Intracoastal Realty Corporation

Pick a Favorite Color

Ready for a minimalist waterfront design? Stick to one hue and create a monochromatic palette. The subtlest of blue-greens is the basis for this utterly restful bedroom. Paired with light neutrals, the space evokes simplicity and balance.

From: Liz Carroll

All in the Details

Light, airy and completely cozy, this living room would feel at home almost anywhere. To let you know its fortunate site though, designer Liz Carroll sneaks in little nautical details: a end table wrapped in rope, small coral accents, and cane and wicker furnishings.

From: Liz Carroll

Blend Styles Together

A well-designed bathroom combines form and function seamlessly, and this all-white retreat has the best of both worlds. From an expansive glass shower with the just-right amount of patterned tile to a clawfoot bathtub and traditional double vanity with underlighting, the space has a delightful mix of classic and modern fixtures.

From: Tongue & Groove

Opt for a Different Hue

White plank walls were in style at Carolina waterfronts long before Fixer Upper hit the air, and they still are. Jazz them up a bit by painting them blue to add depth and dimension to your room, and then balance them with white furniture and trim work, as well as warm wood shelving. To top off this space, a compass medallion centers the ceiling.

From: Tongue & Groove

Utilize All the Light

Whether sitting beachfront or riverside, floor-to-ceiling windows flood your home with natural light and provide stunning views of your surroundings. An exposed wood pitched roof brings the height down and adds instant warmth to the sunroom.

From: Tongue & Groove

Living the Lake Life

This stately house on Lake Norman in North Carolina pulls inspiration from Charleston to create a beautiful southern home on the water. Overlooking a private shoreline, the stone veranda and saltwater pool is ready for relaxing both day and night.

From: Allen Tate and Luxury Portfolio International®

Take Advantage of Your Surroundings

This North Carolina home takes living on the water literally. The 6,000-square-foot home makes the most of its locale by straddling Knob Creek and providing beautiful views of a series of waterfalls. The rustic exterior practically blends into its environment, feeling right at home in the mountains.

From: Silver Creek Real Estate Group

HGTV Smart Home 2022: Insider's Look

20 Charming Carolina Homes Made for Waterfront Living

Shop This Look

Going Modern yet Staying Classic

Bring in Moments of Water

Create Kids' Space With Style

Lean Into Airy Neutrals

Down by the Channel

Get Outside

Find the Right Materials

Pull Hues From Nature

Start Small, Go Big

Embrace the Grandness

Pick a Statement Piece

Acquire a Laid-Back Look

Work With Your Location

Pick a Favorite Color

All in the Details

Blend Styles Together

Opt for a Different Hue

Utilize All the Light

Living the Lake Life

Take Advantage of Your Surroundings

Tour the Exterior of HGTV Smart Home 2022 After Construction 30 Photos

Time-Lapse Photos From HGTV Smart Home 2021 63 Photos

Time-Lapse Photos of HGTV Smart Home 2023 50 Photos

Get to Know the HGTV Smart Home 2021 Design Plan 6 Photos

Explore the Interiors of HGTV Smart Home 2023 After Construction 69 Photos

Explore the Exteriors of HGTV Smart Home 2023 After Construction 24 Photos

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