We’re relentless optimists when it comes to houses. Even as our beach house is literally coming apart — mold, termite damage, faulty wiring, no HVAC, a failing foundation and other serious issues that require careful rebuilding — we find it helps to focus on the fun design ideas that keep our renovation energy alive. We’ll share updates on the rebuild as things progress (it’s slow), but for now I’m opening the floodgates on the more exciting style concepts we’re dreaming about. Imagining the finished spaces is what keeps us motivated through the messy stuff. Welcome to my brain.
Before diving into the inspiration images, you might want to re-familiarize yourself with our layout and initial renovation plans in this post. There’s a full video tour there and the floor plan’s included below for quick reference. Note: our one major update since creating the plan is that we’ll move the downstairs bathroom door into the mudroom instead of accessing it from the dining area.
Our interior vision can be summed up as relaxed, uncomplicated, comfortable, and old-meets-new. We don’t want to overfill or over-style the house — it should feel light, easy, and welcoming, not meticulously staged. Because the home itself is old, we plan to celebrate that: keep the original doors and knobs, refinish the heart pine floors, preserve the curved wall and the original back staircase, and even expose an old brick chimney that we uncovered.
We will add modern comforts for guests — fresh mattresses, new bedding, curtains and some updated fixtures — but we’re avoiding turning the house into a period-set filled with antiques. Many of the inspiration photos skew very white; while we love a light, airy palette, we expect to introduce more color through textiles, painted lower cabinetry, or accent pieces so the house feels lively rather than stark.
Bedroom Inspiration:
Bedrooms — particularly those intended for guests or short-term renters — don’t need to be crowded. Our bedrooms are modest, so the goal is simple: build beds that look incredibly comfortable and unfussy. A pared-back nightstand, a single piece of art above the bed, and a smart wall light are all that’s needed. These images show how a minimalist bedroom can still feel warm and welcoming instead of cold and empty.
Bunk Room Inspiration:
Besides the three primary bedrooms, we’re carving out a compact bunk zone for kids. It will be tight — essentially wall-to-wall with a ladder or built-in steps — so we’ll likely keep the beds white to make the space feel larger. An Ikea hack or a simple built-in solution is the plan. We want the space to be relaxed and playful rather than formal and over-designed.
Bathroom Inspiration:
We actually have a clawfoot tub that’s similar to the ones pictured — but ours is scratched, rusted and unpainted on the outside. It has great potential and we can’t wait to reglaze and refinish it. Currently the tub is in a bedroom because the original bathroom was in terrible shape (one of the many renovation headaches), so the priority is getting it back into the proper room. We’ll introduce natural tones and colorful accents through vanities or floor tiles — John likes classic hex floor patterns in medium gray instead of black for a lighter feel.
Mudroom Inspiration:
The mudroom will be the beach gear hub: showers straight from the beach, a washer and dryer for sandy towels, and storage for toys and towels. It doesn’t need heavy-duty coat organization, so a mix of closed storage and practical open shelves and hooks will be plenty — simple, durable, and budget-friendly.
Kitchen Inspiration:
The beach-house kitchen will be straightforward and functional rather than gadget-filled. We like the idea of unfussy base cabinets, selective open shelving, and color on lower cabinets. But we don’t want to chase top-of-the-line finishes — a slightly rustic, lived-in look suits the house. We’re picturing butcher block counters (maybe on the island), some warm wood stools, and perhaps a freestanding cabinet as an accent piece.
Dining Inspiration:
“Dining room” feels too formal for what will be a casual eating area. We love combinations like a round pedestal table with bench seating, mixed-metal chairs, and warm textiles like peach pillows for cozy contrast. Natural wood tables and woven pendants add a relaxed, coastal vibe — though we’ll avoid delicate fabrics like sheepskin in a rental environment.
Door Inspiration:
I have an almost irrational love for the house’s old wood, chippy-painted doors. We have a wide array of originals, and we plan to reuse as many as possible. Our contractor has warned us about the challenges of making crooked, aged doors function properly, but we’re committed to restoring them because they lend unmistakable character and history.
Living Room Inspiration:
The living room is small and constrained by a distinctive curved wall, so we’re keeping furniture minimal and intentional: a sofa, chair, coffee table and TV. We appreciate clean-lined wooden coffee tables and the idea of a colorful sofa or upholstered piece that’s dark enough to hold up in a rental. It should feel inviting as soon as you step in.
Bookcase Inspiration:
Even while keeping the house simple, we want one or two book-filled nooks that feel lived-in. A well-stocked shelf of books, magazines and games turns rainy beach days into cozy, memorable moments. If we don’t have enough books to pack a shelf, a casual wooden rack in the bunk room with colorful kids’ titles will do the trick.
Stair Inspiration:
The main front stairs will remain wood (our risers and spindles are painted white), and restoring them will be rewarding. We’re also keeping a back staircase because we love the original character it offers, even if it complicates the layout. That back stair needs more work and could be a spot to introduce color — perhaps painted risers in a minty green or a bolder fully painted treatment if the treads can’t be salvaged.
And that wraps the daydream version of the beach house I keep in my head. There will be detours and compromises as we get closer to painting, furnishing and decorating, but it’s fun to collect these ideas and see what resonates. What’s certain: there will be built-ins, blue-green hues, original doors, light walls, peach pillows and lots of wood. Viva la beach house! Now back to the much-less-glamorous task of fixing the bathroom that’s basically falling off the house. Thanks for daydreaming with me.
*This post contains affiliate links*