Modern Beach House Refresh

This Modern Beach House refresh was a thoughtfully planned transformation of a 3-bedroom, 2-bath beach home that was ready for a new chapter. While the home had great bones and a fantastic location, the interiors felt dark, dated, and disconnected from the relaxed coastal lifestyle the homeowners envisioned.

From the beginning, this project was approached in phases. That allowed us to be intentional with each decision, balancing timing, budget, and long-term goals while keeping a clear design vision front and center. Now that the refresh is complete, we’re excited to share the finished home—and take a look back at where it all started.

Design Intent & Direction

The design intent for this home was to create a modern beach house that felt clean, relaxed, and welcoming without relying on obvious coastal themes. The homeowners wanted a space that felt lighter and more current, but still comfortable and practical for everyday living and hosting family and friends.

Rather than leaning into traditional beach elements, the focus was on subtle coastal influence paired with modern simplicity. The design direction centered on:

A light, neutral foundation to brighten the home and reflect natural light
Soft, nature-inspired color to add warmth without overwhelming the space
Clean lines layered with texture to keep the home from feeling stark
Elevated materials that feel durable, livable, and timeless
Improved flow between spaces to support daily life and entertaining

Every decision was made with longevity in mind. The goal wasn’t to chase trends, but to create a home that would feel just as good years from now as it does today.

The Finished Space

With the design direction established early on, the completed home now feels cohesive, open, and intentionally connected from room to room. One of the biggest changes came from updating the overall color palette. Lighter paint colors throughout the home immediately transformed how the spaces feel, making them brighter and more inviting.

Lighting also played a key role. Updated fixtures throughout the home act almost like jewelry—adding personality and warmth while improving function. By carrying similar finishes, tones, and textures throughout the house, each space feels unified, even though each room serves a different purpose.

Functional updates, including custom closet improvements, also helped the home feel more organized and easier to live in on a day-to-day basis.

Kitchen & Living Area

The kitchen was one of the most impactful transformations in the home and a major focus of the refresh. Previously, the space felt heavy and dated, with darker finishes that absorbed light and made the kitchen feel smaller than it actually was.

To address this, we introduced crisp white cabinetry to immediately brighten the space. Seeded glass upper cabinets were added to break up the solid cabinetry and bring in visual interest without overwhelming the clean design. Champagne-toned hardware was selected to add warmth and a subtle contrast against the white cabinetry.

The island became a focal point, painted in a soft, nature-inspired green that grounds the space and ties back to the home’s coastal setting. Granite countertops were replaced with quartz for a cleaner, more modern look that’s also easy to maintain. Handcrafted zellige tile was used for the backsplash, adding texture and movement while still keeping the palette simple.

Opening up the kitchen to better connect with the living area improved both flow and function, making the space more conducive to everyday living and entertaining.

Primary Suite

The primary bedroom was refreshed with the goal of creating a calm, restful retreat. The existing space felt tired and disconnected from the rest of the home’s new direction.

We simplified the palette, introduced softer finishes, and updated the lighting to create a more serene atmosphere. New carpet adds comfort underfoot, while the restrained color scheme allows texture and subtle contrast to shine. The result is a space that feels peaceful, uncluttered, and intentionally designed for rest.

Lower Level & Guest Rooms

The lower level and guest spaces were updated with functionality and comfort in mind. These areas needed to work hard—serving as welcoming spaces for guests while also supporting the realities of beach living.

Fresh paint and new carpet helped brighten and modernize the rooms, while custom built-in storage near the entry provides a dedicated place for beach gear, shoes, and everyday essentials. This added storage was key in keeping clutter contained and maintaining the clean, cohesive feel throughout the home.

Closets throughout the home were also refreshed to improve organization and usability. By reworking the layouts and adding more intentional storage solutions, the closets now function better for both everyday living and guest use—something that’s especially important in a beach home where storage needs can quickly add up.

Guest bedrooms were designed to feel relaxed and comfortable without being overly styled, making them easy, inviting spaces for family and friends.

In the lower level, we also carved out a small office nook near the entry—creating a dedicated workspace without sacrificing square footage. This area previously felt underutilized, and adding a built-in desk and storage helped turn it into a functional spot for work, planning, or catching up on emails during longer stays. Thoughtful details like this allow the home to better support how the homeowners actually live and use the space.

Screened Porch & Finishing Touches

The screened porch was refreshed to better support indoor-outdoor living and to feel like a true extension of the home rather than an afterthought. Updated furnishings and finishes help the space feel intentional, comfortable, and well-suited for both relaxing and gathering.

As with any project, the finishing touches made a significant difference. Furniture, window treatments, rugs, bedding, and accessories helped layer in warmth and personality, bringing the entire design together and making the home feel complete.

When this project began, the home had great potential but lacked the light, cohesion, and functionality the homeowners were looking for. Tackling the renovation in phases allowed us to thoughtfully address each space while staying aligned with the original vision.

Looking back at the early photos alongside the finished home highlights just how transformative intentional design choices can be—and how impactful it is to start with a clear plan.

A Look Back at Where We Started

The original kitchen felt dark and heavy, with finishes that absorbed light and made the space feel smaller and more closed off than it needed to be.

Deep wall color and heavy window treatments made the living space feel darker and less connected to the outdoors.

The stair landing and transition area lacked cohesion and didn’t reflect the modern coastal direction planned for the home.

This recessed area near the entry was underutilized before becoming the foundation for a more functional office nook.

Bold wall color and dated finishes made this guest room feel visually heavy and disconnected from the rest of the home.

The screened porch existed but lacked the comfort and polish needed to feel like a true extension of the living space.

Bathroom updates were underway as finishes and details were refreshed to align with the home’s lighter, more modern direction.

Adding beadboard to the ceiling instantly brought texture and a subtle coastal element while brightening the space.

The kitchen was in transition as we prepared to replace heavy finishes with a brighter, more modern palette.

Installing the new island and countertops marked a major turning point in opening up and modernizing the kitchen.

The existing cabinetry was refreshed with new paint and paired with warm champagne-toned hardware to brighten the kitchen and add subtle warmth.

Material deliveries signaled progress as key selections arrived on site to bring the design vision to life.

Handcrafted zellige tile was selected to add texture and movement while keeping the backsplash light and timeless.

Fresh paint and updated ceiling details helped visually lift the space and reflect more natural light throughout the home.

Fabric and finish selections were carefully layered to balance durability, texture, and a relaxed coastal feel.

Coastal-inspired textiles were chosen to introduce color and personality without overpowering the overall design.

The entry landing was reworked to include built-in storage, creating a designated place for beach gear and everyday items as you enter the home.

Deep cleaning the existing tile floors helped refresh the space and create a clean, cohesive foundation for the updated design.

Final Thoughts

This Modern Beach House refresh is a great example of how a phased renovation can still result in a cohesive, beautifully finished home. By focusing on thoughtful updates, purposeful materials, and a clear design direction, the home now feels modern, relaxed, and perfectly suited for coastal living.

If you’re considering a renovation or refresh and aren’t sure where to start, a clear plan and phased approach can make all the difference. Thoughtful design decisions early on help ensure the finished result feels intentional, cohesive, and built to last.