We’ve got 14 dreamy coastal beach house exterior styles to share with you! If you love the idea of a coastal retreat but need more space than a tiny home, a small beach house is the perfect solution. Generally under 1,200 square feet, these homes offer charm, functionality, and stunning curb appeal, all while keeping a cozy, low-maintenance footprint. Whether you’re designing a full-time residence, a vacation getaway, or a backyard ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) for guests, these small home exterior ideas will help bring your dream beach house to life.
From classic Cape Cod cottages to modern coastal farmhouses, here are 14 stunning small beach house exteriors to inspire your coastal retreat. So grab a coffee, get comfy, and let’s dive into some dreamy small beach house inspiration!
1. Pacific Northwest Craftsman Cottage
Inspired by the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest, this craftsman-style beach cottage features shingle siding, tapered columns, and a gabled roof with decorative brackets. The earthy color palette includes shades of olive green and deep brown, with stone accents and a charming front porch that creates a cozy, nature-inspired retreat.
2. Modern Coastal Surfing Cottage
For those who love clean lines and contemporary finishes, a modern coastal cottage is the perfect choice. With flat or gently sloped roofs, large glass windows, and a sleek combination of wood, metal, and stucco, these homes feel fresh and airy. Exteriors often feature white or light gray tones, black window frames, and natural wood elements to create a minimalist yet cozy coastal vibe. And who doesn’t love these rattan chairs!
3. Modern Coastal Farmhouse
For a fresh take on the classic farmhouse, the modern coastal farmhouse blends board and batten or shingle siding, metal roofing, and a large front porch with wood columns. These homes are often painted in soft neutrals like white, light gray, or taupe, with black-framed windows for bold contrast. Farmhouse-style lanterns, coastal shutters, and quaint flowering bushes and greenery add to the perfect beachy charm.
4. Backyard Bungalow: Island-Inspired Small Home
Inspired by island-style living, a bungalow backyard home is all about relaxation. With a thatched roof, wide overhangs, and an open-air front porch, this small coastal home is designed to let the ocean breeze flow through. The exterior features natural materials like wood and stucco, painted in breezy tropical colors or earthy tones. Add palm trees and a hammock, and you have the perfect small tropical retreat.
5. Prefab Small Beach House
A prefab small beach house is perfect for those who want a stylish and eco-friendly coastal retreat with minimal construction hassle. These homes often have a simple rectangular design with large windows, metal or wood-paneled exteriors, and a spacious deck to take in ocean views. Painted in modern neutrals like white, gray, or deep blue, they offer a sleek, low-maintenance escape by the sea.
6. Cozy Backyard ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)
A backyard ADU can be a small in-law suite, guest house, or private retreat that blends beautifully with its surroundings. These compact homes often feature a charming front porch and sliding glass doors for a seamless indoor-outdoor feel. Whether used as a backyard cottage or modern guest retreat, this small ADU maximizes both space and style and would make a great airbnb rental.
7. Backyard Casita Guest House
A small backyard guest house is the perfect casita-style retreat for visitors or family members. Designed with coastal charm, these homes often feature stucco or wood siding, Spanish-style roof tiles, and arched windows or doorways. Whether painted in soft coastal pastels or warm earth tones, these guest houses add an inviting touch to any beachside property.
8. Cozy Coastal Shingle Cottage
A timeless coastal cottage features wood shingle siding and crisp white trim. Inspired by Cape Cod and New England-style homes, these small beach cottages often have gabled roofs, dormer windows, and soft coastal colors like seafoam green, pale blue, or sandy beige. Add flower boxes and a picket fence to create the ultimate cottage by the sea.
9. Charming Low Country Cottage
Found in South Carolina’s coastal regions, a low country cottage is designed for hot, humid climates with elevated foundations, wide wraparound porches, and large windows for ventilation. The light-colored exteriors, wooden shutters, and classic Southern charm make this a dream beachside home perfect for oceanfront breezes and marshland views.
10. Japanese Inspired Beach Home
A Japanese-inspired beach home blends zen-like simplicity with coastal elegance. Featuring a low, sloping roof, natural wood siding, and large glass doors that open to a peaceful deck, this home invites harmony with the ocean. The warm wood and charcoal gray decking, paired with minimalist landscaping, enhances its tranquil seaside appeal.
11. Small Coastal Maine Cottage
A Maine coastal home is perfect for rocky shorelines and misty ocean views. Featuring weathered cedar shingles, a steep gabled roof, and white trim, these homes are designed to withstand harsh coastal conditions while maintaining a cozy cottage charm. This Downeast Maine classic style creates a rugged yet timeless aesthetic.
12. Small Boathouse Guest House
For those who love life on the water, a small boathouse is the ultimate oceanfront retreat. Built on stilts or along a dock, this home features nautical-style wood siding, large sliding glass doors, and an extended deck from the pier. Painted in classic navy blue and white it blends seamlessly with the coastal surroundings.
13. Cottage-Style Pool Guest House: Hamptons Style
A cottage-style pool guest house is a charming retreat by the water, perfect for hosting visitors or enjoying a private oasis. Featuring wood-shingle siding, a cozy front porch, and French doors that open to a sun-drenched patio, this small home is both stylish and functional. The lush landscaping completes a relaxed, pool-side vacation-ready vibe that you’d find in the Hamptons or Nantucket. Check out these highly rated recliner chairs – so comfy!
14. Modern West Coast Small Beach House
Inspired by laid-back West Coast living, a California coastal beach house features a mix of wood, and glass, with a flat or gently sloping roof and large open-air decks. Often painted in warm white or soft sandy tones, these homes embrace indoor-outdoor living with sliding glass walls, lounge chair seating, and breezy covered decks for shade and relaxation.
Designing Your Small Dream Beach House
From the timeless charm of a coastal cottage to the more modern vibe of a West Coast retreat or the relaxed feel of a beachside bungalow, there’s a small beach house style to match your vision. Hopefully, these small home inspiration ideas show that less space can bring beauty, simplicity, and connection to the ocean. Which small beach house style would you choose for your perfect coastal escape?
Looking for even more compact beach home ideas? Check out Tiny House Inspiration: 12 Dream Beach House Exteriors for small but stunning designs! And if you’re looking for some interior inspiration, make sure to check out this blog – 12 Waterfront Home Interior Design Styles to create a seamless flow from the outside in.
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