Floating home ‘Cottage on the Lake’ lives up to its name

Docked just off Westlake Avenue, this cheery, blue cottage, built in 1920, has many of the trappings of some of the cuter houses on land—only its backyard is Lake Union.

Because this little house is just one floor, it means being right on the lake at all times. Inside, that means that every room can benefit from vaulted ceilings with exposed beams under the peaked roof. In the living room, the ceiling peak emerges with a little porthole-shaped window.

A sliding-glass door opening to the water and a wood stove, surrounded by colorful tile, sits in the corner of the room for chillier days.

The beams continue into the open kitchen, which is larger than many kitchens in a conventional house, with plenty of cabinet space and full-size appliances.

Back in the bedroom, the vaulted ceilings continue. A closet has plenty of built-in shelving to save space.

The tradeoff of an adorable roofline is no rooftop deck, but it’s no big deal with a dock surrounding the entire house for lakeside lounging.

The home, which is part of a co-op dock, is listed for $625,000. HOA dues will run you $500 a month extra.

• Seattle Floating Home: Cottage on the Lake [SAR]