Here in the Midwest, we may not have access to ocean views but we've got some beautiful lakes...and some equally beautiful lake houses. The term "lake house" may conjure images of rustic log cabins or weekend cottages, but some of the best ones we've seen are actually modern homes. Floor-to-ceiling views and serene style can be the perfect compliment to a laid-back lakeside setting...

  • 1 This Iowa lake house by Min|Day Architects incorporates a storage wall designed with a ripple effect that mimics waves on calm water.
  • 2 A modern lake house by Murdock Young Architects features an all-white great room with glass doors that bring lake breezes through the home.
  • 3 This floating house on Lake Huron sits on top of a platform that straddles a narrow waterway in Ontario, Canada.
  • 4 James and Rui's LVL Home is a sunny prefab space with incredible views of the water's edge.
  • 5 The last example comes from the Andes, where dRN Architects specialize in modernist mountain lake homes.

For more inspiring vacation homes, click here.