Beach house plans may be the most distinctive of all house plan styles. Something about their appearance brings to mind the smell of salty ocean water on warm summer breezes. At the mere sight of a beach house, the imagination dances with bare feet on hot sand with the roar of ocean waves tumbling in the background. Just what it is about beach house plans that make them so immediately recognizable, rendering the soul full of carefree nostalgia? Here are some of the basics of beach house plans.
• Porches. Beach houses are all about enjoying the ocean and the view, so it’s not surprising that they offer a window to the world around them – literally. Rambling porches, often stacked one on top of another, beckon residents to enjoy the expansive outdoor living spaces. Decks may feature amenities such as hot tubs and built in seating, with outdoor stairs easily connecting one level to the next.
• Elevated living spaces. Beach house plans, not surprisingly, are designed to be built on or near the beach. When tropical storms or other weather depressions draw near, it’s not uncommon for unruly ocean waves to leap tidal boundaries. To avoid damage from the salt, debris, and strong currents of ocean water, most beach homes are built on pylons, commonly called stilts, so that the primary living spaces are well out of harm’s way. While the ground level is occasionally left open, it’s much more common for a garage or storage area to fill the space.
• Multiple master suites. With resort towns and tourists in mind, beach house plans are often designed with several master suites. In some plans, every bedroom has a private bathroom. This feature was likely crafted for the benefit of vacationers pitching in to share a rental, but it serves as an added convenience for homeowners as well. This is especially true of homeowners with older or grown children, or for those living with other adult family members.
• Stairs, stairs, and more stairs. Beach houses are not just elevated -- larger homes have floors stacked on top of floors on top of floors. With oceanfront real estate at a premium, lots tend to be narrow so more of them can be sold. For this reason, larger beach homes are built up, not out. The larger the home, the more floors…and stairs. Another interesting side effect of catering to the tourist crowd is an unexpected luxury: many beach house floor plans include elevators! An elevator is a rare sight in a 4,000 square foot traditional plan, but don’t be surprised to find one in an otherwise comparable beach floor plan.
• Beach homes tend to be narrow and deep. This is another result of typical waterfront subdividing techniques. Lots tend to be narrow and deep, making it possible to pack more homes in along a shoreline. Beach house floor plans mirror this trend as a necessity so they’ll fit on the lots. Narrow lots have also prompted garages to be front loading, as space constraints make may side loading impractical.
From the basics, of course, the sky is the limit – literally. Beach house plans, perhaps like no other style of home, attempt to blur the line between indoors and out. Whether your view is of the ocean or of an expanse of green, there’s no better way to see it than from one of the many vantage points of an open, flowing beach house plan.
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Added: Sat Oct 11, 2008 8:12 am GMT 