The House Plan Shop Blog

With summer fast approaching, our minds start drifting to dreams of building a beach house for our summer retreat or maybe as a permanent residence where we can enjoy the sights and sounds of the ocean each day. For others, a beach house is a great place to spend long weekends with friends and family, but it can also serve as source of income if used as rental property. Below are seven things to know about beach houses that might help you decide if building a beach home is right for you:

1. Designed for shoreline living with the main living areas typically raised one level above the ground to accommodate rising tides and prevent flooding. This is achieved by building on a pier foundation (or pilings).
2. Usually, the parking area is located beneath the home and made possible by the pier foundation.
3. Floor plans feature large, strategically placed windows to maximize the coastal or shoreline view.
4. Floor plans incorporate large decks and porches for outdoor living space and provide an opportunity to soak up the sights and sounds of coastal living.
5. Often feature an open floor plan to allow gentle sea breezes to flow throughout the home.
6. Often incorporate specialized design elements, materials and construction methods to meet building requirements and specifications related to marine/coastal environments, geographic factors and regional climates.
7. Floor plans range in size and style offering everything from a simple beach vacation bungalow to a luxurious oceanfront home.

Browse or beach house plan collection to find the design that will satisfy your needs and lifestyle.

Tags: beach home plans, beach house plans

At some point in time, we all need to escape our busy lifestyles and demanding work schedules. For some, this means a getaway to the mountains or relaxing a favorite fishing lake. For others, it means soaking up the sun on the beach or eating dinner on the deck while listening to the ocean waves crash in the distance. Whether you prefer a warm vacation or mountain escape, we have the vacation house plan for you! So if you’re the type who wants to have your own vacation home in your favorite city or town or in your favorite secluded space, considering building one of our vacation homes.

Our vacation house plan collection features floor plans that offer 1500 square feet of finished living space or less. Though small and accommodating, these designs are used for recreational residences or secondary homes. They are perfect for long weekends with the kids, mini-vacations, and hunting/fishing retreats. Also, they can serve as a source of income to those who choose to rent them out to others looking for a break from our fast-paced world. Vacation floor plans generally include one or more bedrooms and baths and modest features. The living areas are often open to one another creating as spacious feel for an otherwise small space. Also, this allows for flexibility and maximum use of the space. Though special amenities may be lacking, the basics such as a compact kitchen and a stackable washer/dryer unit deliver cozy yet comfortable space.

Our vacation home plan collection includes:

Cabin plans

Cottage home designs

Beach house plans

Coastal homes

Waterfront house plans

A-Frame house plans

Mountain house plans

Typically, vacation house plans blend well with their surroundings and are designed to make the most of panoramic views, natural features and location. They commonly encourage the enjoyment of nature by incorporating walls of windows, sweeping porches and large decks strategically positioned to take advantage of the surrounding landscape and stunning scenery.

Low maintenance is “key” when it comes to vacation homes. The exterior requires little upkeep and the interior provides simple accommodations. Fashioned with efficient living spaces, vacation homes are designed to promote relaxation and comfort giving you a place where you can get away from it all!

Tags: Cabin House Plans, cabin plans, vacation home plans, Vacation House Plans

Suitable for any narrow piece of property, this narrow lot house plan has much to offer. It is especially well suited for long and lean beach lots found along US coastal areas. The home is built on piers (or stilts) raising the living areas one level to protect against rising tides and flooding associated with tropical storms and hurricanes. There is room for parking underneath the home. Now take a look at the floor plan. It was truly designed to make the most of oceanfront property with plenty of porches and decks to enjoy the view, beautiful sunsets and the gentle ocean breezes. And for those who like to spend time at the beach or catching waves, there is an outdoor shower to rinse away sand and salt before entering the house. On the ground level, you’ll find a carport and finished space with laundry area and access to the main levels of the home. One level off the ground, you’ll find two comfortable family bedrooms that share a full bath, and Master Suite 2, just right for a guest suite or conversion to a den or office. A private bath outfits this space. The upper level of the home holds the main living areas. Windows wrap the back of the home delivering stunning views. The gathering areas are open to one another offering a spacious and airy feel. An angled counter overlooks the great room and dining area. Master Suite 1 enjoys a private bath and two closets. Ideal for a waterfront vacation home, this narrow lot beach house plan is sure satisfy your needs for warm weather getaways!

To view more narrow lot designs, check out our narrow lot home plan collection.

Tags: beach home plans, beach house plans, home plans, house plans, narrow lot home plans, Narrow Lot House Plans