10 Beach Aesthetic Exteriors for Coastal Homes

Coastal homes with a beach aesthetic are highly desirable and usually conjure memories of days spent boating or swimming in the sea. This style of house can be found in various areas throughout the United States, from New England to the Pacific Northwest to Florida’s Gulf Coast. Coastal style is as varied as the cities and towns you find it in, but a beach aesthetic is always at the heart of the design. Here, we’ve put together a roundup of some of our favorite coastal home designs with a beach aesthetic to inspire you. 

Contemplating updating your coastal home? Our expert team of designers can help you visualize a beach aesthetic for your dream home before you commit to any costly changes. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.

What Is a Coastal Home?

Coastal homes can range from contemporary to rustic to tropical, depending on the region they’re located in. A coastal home on the rocky shore of Maine will look different from a coastal cottage in Florida, for example. While a traditional coastal home in Florida might feel like a tropical vacation pad, a coastal property in the Northeast might lean more rustic and charming. And in certain parts of California, you’re more likely to find large modern homes versus quaint beach cottages.  

Generally speaking, though, all coastal homes share some similarities that give them their highly sought-after beach aesthetic. The color palette of coastal homes is typically reminiscent of the beach — think soft blues and greens, off-white tones, and washed-out wood stains.

#1 // Modern Coastal

This Florida home is the perfect example of a modern coastal house. With its combination of stucco, siding, and wood elements, this property would look right at home overlooking the ocean. The light exterior paint colors also play into the home’s beach aesthetic. 

#2 // Historic Shingle-Style Split-Level

Shingle-style homes like the one above are common on the East Coast and are a popular choice for beach retreats. This historic split-level home features gray shake siding and light brick painted in Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster. A relaxed seating area and loveseat swing on the porch make this home’s entry extra inviting.

#3 // Stucco and Storm Shutters Combo

Stucco is a popular cladding material for beach homes. Our designers achieved a beach aesthetic for the owners of the home above by pairing light-colored stucco with wood accents and storm shutters, also known as Bahama shutters, painted with Benjamin Moore’s Greyhound, a cool gray with beautiful blue undertones.

#4 // Quintessential California Beach Aesthetic

This modern beachfront house is quintessential California. This sleek design features multiple types of siding — all painted with Benjamin Moore’s Simply White — and modern touches like the glass railing enclosing the porch and patterned floor tile.

#5 // Coastal Cottage Beach Aesthetic

This 1920s home got a modern update to help it better fit in with the other beachy coastal-style houses in the area. Light exterior paint colors — Benjamin Moore’s Seapearl on the siding and Palladian Blue on the shutters — help achieve the coastal cottage feel the homeowner desired. Additionally, our designers created a comfy outdoor living space featuring a firepit and lounge chairs, and a porch swing.

#6 // Contemporary California Chic

This contemporary California home represents sophisticated beach living at its finest. This design features multiple outdoor spaces and folding doors on the first floor that make indoor-outdoor living a breeze.

#7 // Updated Ranch with Beach Aesthetic

Our designers created a coastal beach aesthetic for this home by updating the red brick chimney, shutters, and front porch area. A fresh color palette — new James Hardie siding in Light Mist and Benjamin Moore’s Simply White on the columns and trim — also help evoke a beachy vibe.

#8 // Beach Town Double Decker

This coastal home fits perfectly in the New Jersey beach town where it’s located. Outdoor planters, a large second-story deck, and a firepit surrounded by stylish lounge chairs make this home’s exterior a standout.

#9 // Waterfront Backyard Oasis

The front of this new build is stunning, but the backyard is where the beachy vibes really come to life. From the pool to the lounge area to the dock, this home features some of our favorite coastal design elements. The soft blue exterior paint color also helps the exterior blend beautifully with its surroundings.

#10 // Fresh and Modern Beach Aesthetic

Cozy outdoor living spaces — like the one seen in this design — are quite common in coastal homes. Multiple seating areas and a firepit add to the modern, beachy aesthetic of this California home.

The Bottom Line on Coastal Homes

Coastal homes come in many shapes and sizes — from beachy bungalows to cozy cottages. Whether you live on the ocean or a few blocks from the beach, consider a coastal design for your home.

The beach aesthetic you’ve been dreaming of is just a few clicks away. Our expert team of designers is ready to help visualize your coastal home. Get started today.

Subscribe for more content like this!

Subscribe Now