Are you planning to build a house in a coastal area? Whether for a holiday retreat or your permanent residence, choosing the right design is crucial.
In this article, we share our best advice for designing a beach house as well as our top house designs and layouts for a coastal environment.
Beach house design
Exterior design ideas
The exterior of your home should blend well with the surroundings and showcase your style. This is your opportunity to create first impressions and set the tone for the rest of the home. You’ll also need to choose a cladding material that can withstand the harsh coastal environment. For example, Colorbond cladding is a great low-maintenance option.
To help you get started, take a look at our exterior façades, including the following:
- Cubehaus
- Modern Gable
- Single Skillion
- Split Skillion
- Modern Split Skillion
Interior design ideas
Inside your beach house, you need a design that suits your lifestyle and includes beach-friendly features. For example, start by asking yourself the following questions:
- Is it easy to clean and remove sand from the floor?
- Do you need a garage to store vehicles away from salt spray?
- Do you need additional storage for surfboards, umbrellas, and other beach essentials?
- Can you maximise natural light and views of the ocean?
Outdoor living design
Finally, we want to emphasise the importance of outdoor living in a coastal location. Not only will you want to spend more time at the beach, but you’ll also need a space on your property to enjoy summer evenings, host guests, and soak up the coastal atmosphere.
When choosing your house layout, think about the following:
- Will it be easy to move between indoors and outdoors?
- Is there a transitional area to clean sand and saltwater off before entering the home?
- Do you want an outdoor kitchen, BBQ, or outdoor fireplace?
- How will you maximise the view?
Best modular designs for coastal homes
Below, we’ve shared some of our most popular house layouts for coastal areas and highlighted what makes them so suited to these environments.
Suburban
If you’re looking for a compact design, you can’t go past the Suburban. The large windows are perfect for taking in ocean views and the raked ceiling gives a spacious and airy feel to the central open-plan living area.
The two bedrooms are located at opposite ends of the house for privacy. Both have sliding door access to the optional verandah, providing the ideal place to relax with a cool drink after a day at the beach.
Learn more about our this featured project »
Portsea
The Portsea range is available with two, three, or four bedrooms. The popular gable façade features large windows at the front of the home, creating a welcoming entrance and adding to the street appeal. The living zone opens out to the large optional L-shaped deck, making relaxing or entertaining outdoors a breeze.
Learn more about this featured project »
Newhaven
The Newhaven range features a private wing for the primary bedroom, complete with an ensuite, walk-in robe, and parents’ retreat/study. In the central living zone, the raked ceiling and windows allow for plenty of natural light. The addition of a pergola at the front and optional decking at the back further extends the space, enhancing your outdoor living.
Learn more about this featured project »
Hampton
The Hampton range is available with two, three, or four bedrooms. The Cubehaus façade gives it a modern look and allows for 2700 ceilings throughout. The living zone has a cosy, relaxed atmosphere and the large sliding doors lead outside to the optional deck. The kitchen also includes a walk-in pantry to help you keep things organised.
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Sorrento
With four bedrooms plus a study, the Sorrento has plenty of space for a large family to live comfortably. The central open-plan living zone leads out to a stunning undercover alfresco, which is semi-enclosed and ideal for spending time outdoors all year round. The home theatre provides another flexible living space that can be used for a range of purposes.
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Tambo
The Tambo is well suited to couples, small families, and retirees because it is compact and modern. The open-plan living zone includes an island bench, a large walk-in pantry, and sliding door access to the optional front decking along the length of the house.
The bedrooms are spaced for privacy and the master includes a walk-in robe, ensuite, and sliding door access to the deck. The Cubehaus façade creates a striking exterior and allows for 2700 ceilings inside for a sense of luxury.
Learn more about this featured project »
Anglesea
With three bedrooms and three bathrooms, the Anglesea has plenty of room to host your family and friends. The two-storey design makes great use of space and the large living area has access to the optional deck for effortless entertaining. Upstairs, the first floor includes a bedroom with a walk-in robe and ensuite.
There is also an optional double garage, which makes it easy to store all your beach gear and vehicles safely out of the elements.
Learn more about this featured project »
Custom modular homes
The Anchor Homes team can also design a custom modular home to suit your individual needs. If you can’t find the perfect layout in our standard range, just reach out to us with your ideas and we’ll bring it to life.
For inspiration, check out our custom projects in Patonga Beach and Frankston.
Benefits of modular homes
The modular construction process is well-suited to coastal projects because it causes far less site disturbance and offers faster build times. Plus, each home can be customised to include suitable materials and finishes that can withstand the coastal environment.
- Customisable designs
- Predictable and efficient construction
- Minimal disruption to your block
- Built to last
- Low maintenance
- High-quality construction materials
House Design Inspiration Guide
If you're looking for more coastal home inspiration, be sure to download our free Inspiration Guide. You'll find completed projects all over Victoria and Southern New South Wales, including modern home designs, layouts, and customised features.
