Whether you’ve owned your beach house for years and it’s finally showing its age, or you have recently purchased a beach house that’s in need of a little love, a beach house renovation is a great opportunity to start fresh. The great thing about renovating a beach house is that just about anything goes, as even decor that might look chintzy or out-of-place in another home will look just right in a beach house. To help make your beach house renovation worthwhile, then, here are a few tips to help you along the way.
Don’t Be Afraid
As mentioned, there are things you can get away with in a beach house that you can’t get away with in other types of homes. When you’re doing your renovation, therefore, it’s important that you approach it without fear, willing to try new styles that you have never experimented with before. You also shouldn’t be afraid to mix and match styles, as a quirky beach house is the best type of beach house. Consider using this as a place to try out styles a little to ‘out there’ for your regular house, like beaded curtains and quartz geode tables.
Hide the Mechanicals
One of the fastest ways to ruin the aesthetic of a beach house is to have a bunch of visible electrical and mechanical components. A beach house should feel airy and natural, which is the exact opposite of the impression that visible mechanical components create.
Photo by Heritage Homes of Jacksonville
Do your best, then, to hide things like electrical wires for televisions and drain pipes for sinks. Additionally, when it comes to your HVAC system, you may want to consider ductless air conditioners to allow for a decentralized system with smaller units that can be more easily hidden. Plan for lots of natural wood panels to cover these systems and present a casual, easy vibe.
Create Plenty of Nooks
A beach house should feel like an escape from the stresses of everyday life. Most of the time, the large and open space of a beach house can accomplish this as everyone enjoys spending time together after a fun day at the beach.
Photo by Sean Litchfield Photography
On those rainy days, however, hidden nooks throughout the home make the perfect spot to enjoy a book, creating a personal escape that’s separate from the rest of the home. To provide that tranquil and relaxing feeling at all times, therefore, nooks are a must-have for your beach house renovation. Think about where you can stash throw pillows and turn areas into reading crannies.
Let the Light In
Another perk of a beach house renovation is that it gives you an opportunity to let in increased amounts of natural light. Whether you accomplish this through skylights, larger windows, the removal of walls, or simply by using light colors, it’s important to increase the natural light in your beach house however you can. After all, the whole point of a beach house is to enjoy the elements of the beach, one of the most spectacular of which is the sunrises and sunsets.
Photo by Mark Dziewulski Architect
Make it Yours
Whether you intend to rent your beach house or not, it’s important to focus your beach house renovation on yourself. If you create a space that appeals more to renters, then you’ll never feel at home when you come to enjoy your beach house for yourself. Start with your own needs and wants and you can be sure that others will appreciate your style, not to mention the proximity to the beach.
Photo by The Anderson Studio of Architecture & Design
Author Bio
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan