Itty-bitty Wallingford houseboat listed for $285K

Houseboats come in different shapes and sizes, but while some are ambitious, they all tend small. This houseboat docked in Wallingford near Gas Works Park is among the smaller of the small—but the buildout uses its little space deliberately, building out careful storage and functional spaces to maximize what it has. It’s not just useful, it’s pretty—wood-slat walls and an exposed-beam ceiling go for the classic nautical look, and the built-ins match the aesthetic.

One way it stands out from your typical houseboat: The moorage is owned, not rented.

On entry, a small, but equipped, kitchen sits opposite a built-in dining booth, both creating a half-wall separating it from the living room visually without closing off the space. Plenty of drawer, cabinet, and shelf space keep the essentials stowed.

The living room has its own functional buildout, with a handsome wooden bench one one end and a row of shelves on the other, with a small stove to keep it cozy on cold nights. Round the corner to a semi-private sleeping nook with its own built-in storage, opposite a cabinet.

The small bathroom actually adds to the home’s aesthetic—not incredibly common in a houseboat head. A shower under a Deco arch is nestled one end of the vessel, its stained-glass windows shining into the rest of the home when the door is open.

A deck on either end provide a little outdoor space—one a welcoming front porch, the other a water-facing lounge or kickoff to lake adventures—but there’s always a roof to lay out on, flat or no.

Take a look—the boat and slip are listed for $285,000, with $363 a month in homeowners dues.

• 2143 N Northlake Way Unit 3, Seattle, WA 98103 [Windermere]