Whether you have finally decided to renovate the beach house that you’ve been overlooking for years, or you have just purchased a new beach home that needs a little affection, you will need a few practical tips to help you out.
While decorating your beach house might be the easiest part of the process, renovation takes a bit more patience, time, and investment. However, with these helpful and functional renovation tips, you will be able to make the whole process worthwhile in a few simple steps. Surely you will find some advice to help you along the way.
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Prioritize Quality Materials
Regardless of your beach house location, whether it’s on an exotic island or in South Carolina, you might need to break the bank when purchasing construction materials. Since you’re remodeling a beach house, you need to think about the additional wear and tear factors as compared to a townhouse.
The materials you purchase need to be strong enough to withstand wind, sun, salt, and sand. That’s why the MGO boards are considered to be the perfect base for beach houses because of their sturdiness, natural-looking finish, and durability. All the more, these boards are resistant to mold, mildew, termites, water, and impact, among other things.
Firm Flooring
Surprisingly, flooring is a low-cost expense compared to other projects related to renovation. On top of that, good flooring choices can significantly increase your house’s value if you decide to sell in the future. There are a few flooring options that are beach-friendly, so take a look at these practical choices:
- Stained cement — A bit on the expensive side when it comes to installation, but very durable and the perfect choice for both indoor and outdoor spaces;
- Painted wood — One of the best choices for humid environments and great for hiding strayed sand particles. Perfect in combination with marine-grade deck paints;
- Oak flooring — Limed oak flooring is filled with grained lines that are constructed to withstand moist and damp elements. The most common choice for beach houses.
Do Not Forget Ventilation
It might sound like a basic step when remodeling a beach house, but many people take ventilation for granted. Since you are staying or living so close to the sea (or the ocean), you will be that much susceptible to wind and cold breezes.
That’s why it is essential to usher the breeze in a way that suits you. A top-notch ventilation system should surround your home, allowing the breeze to enter the house and keep it cool during the hot summer months. Not only will you save on utility bills, but you will also have a chill house filled with fresh air.
Light is Key
Beach houses have many perks, one of them being the natural light. It is crucial to use this light to your advantage, and there are many ways to do that with both minimal investment and more expensive renovation plans.
If you want to utilize the natural light entirely, you can install larger windows or skylights to let the light in. If that is not an option, you can also remove walls to enlarge the space and let more light flow through the room.
More affordable options include repainting your home by using lighter colors and opting for furniture in the same color scheme. The key is to enjoy all the beach elements, including the light and the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
Conceal the Mechanicals
A beach house should represent an oasis of serenity and peace, and one of the quickest ways to ruin that is by forgetting to conceal the visible mechanical and electrical components, as they do not give out a natural and airy feeling — quite the opposite.
Try to do your best to hide your TV’s electrical wires and cords. There are a number of ways to do this, including hiding them behind the wall, hooking them to the back of your furniture, using tubing, or stashing them behind books and other nooks and crannies.
You can find similar solutions for the drain pipes in your kitchen or yard. Or you can come up with creative ways to make them chic and interesting.
Similarly, think about installing ductless air conditioning systems as they are smaller and can be easily hidden. Of course, natural wood covers are the top choice to complete your beach house look, too, as they are bound to contribute to the serene feeling you are striving for.