Coastal Home Design Blog

Biophilic Design

So what is biophilic design and why is it pertinent to designing and building a home? Biophilic design is the practice of connecting people and nature within our built environments and communities (International Living Future Institute). Over time humans have become increasingly disconnected from nature. We live in a modern world with daily stresses. Biophilic […]

Maximize Your Outdoor Space for your Elevated Beach House

Make Use of That Great Space Underneath Your Deck

You’ve bought your dream house by the coast, with a beautiful deck and gorgeous water views. In addition, the deck has a decent amount of space underneath it. Of course, this under-deck area is ideal for storage, but what about utilizing that space to create your perfect outdoor oasis?

Ten Tips for Building on the Coast

Thinking about building on or near the coast? There are a few additional hoops to jump through that you’ll want to understand and consider as you are planning to build your beach house. Here are ten tips for getting started. Before You Buy Your Property 1) Know Thy Elevation. When you purchase a property, be […]

The Inverted House Plan

Ruminations on Living at the Top Here at Coastal Home Plans we offer up a good many home designs that feature what we call an “inverted floor plan.” Also called “Reverse Story” or “Upside Down” house plans, This type of plan positions the living areas on the highest floor while allocating space for the sleeping […]

Hurricane Strap & Tie Primer: Building in High Wind Zones

Residential Construction and Wind Loads Building on the coast in high wind zones requires adhering to a more robust set of building codes. The standards have changed dramatically over the past twenty years. Important testing and guidance comes from a variety of government agencies including the Department of Energy, FEMA and even the Department of […]

Coastal Driveways and Concrete Pavers

Understanding Your Local Codes and Why Concrete Pavers May Be Your Friend Relief. After months of searching, you finally found the perfect seaside lot. You can see it now – a two story home with three bedrooms, large swimming pool, wide spacious driveway, and a porch with an amazing view of the ocean. Next step–finding […]

About Blueprints, Reprodicible Masters and AutoCAD Files

Coastal Home Plans offers house plans from 65+ different architects and designers each offering a variety of purchase options for their plans. To learn more about the options and to help you decide the best format for your project read more below. One of the biggest factors will revolve around the number and complexity of […]

Coastal Design Element #1: Exposed Rafter Tails

What Makes a Beach House Look Like a Beach House? Choosing a design for your coastal property presents the opportunity to explore home styles that are a bit more unique than the designs found in most subdivisions. As you search for a coastal or beach house design that fits your lifestyle, you’ll begin to notice […]