If you live in South East Queensland, coastal living is a way of life. A good modern coastal home design should feel calm, light and easy to live in, without feeling themed or overdone. Think clean lines, smart layouts and materials that work with a subtropical climate, not against it.
Below are five modern coastal home styles our team keeps coming back to, and how they can translate to your block, lifestyle and budget.
1. The minimalist coastal pavilion
This is coastal living at its most simple and refined.
- Long, low forms that sit lightly on the site
- Strong connection to the garden, pool or view
- Large sliding doors that open the whole living area
- A restrained colour palette with white, warm neutrals and timber
Inside, the layout usually has an open living at the centre, with bedrooms grouped to one side for privacy. Concrete or tiled floors stay cool underfoot. Texture comes from linen, woven pendants, timber battens and soft sheer curtains, not clutter.
This style suits narrow or wider blocks that want a calm, gallery-like feel, where the outlook and natural light do most of the work.
2. The family coastal home with indoor-outdoor flow
This one is made for real life with kids, pets and visitors.
Key features often include:
- Open-plan kitchen, living and dining that spill to an alfresco
- A second living room or rumpus for noise control
- A practical mudroom or drop zone near the garage
- Durable finishes that hide sand, wet swimmers and everyday wear
The colour and texture story is still modern coastal, just more relaxed. Think oak or hybrid timber flooring, pale stone benchtops, soft blues and greens, and plenty of built-in storage.
Orientation matters here. Planning the layout around sun, shade and breezes gives you outdoor spaces that feel comfortable most of the year.
3. The elevated coastal retreat
Perfect for sloping or view blocks where you want to feel above it all.
Typical design moves:
- Living spaces on the upper level to capture views
- Generous decks or terraces for outdoor dining and lounging
- Bedrooms and secondary spaces tucked below
- Slender structural elements so the home feels light, not bulky
A modern coastal home design like this often uses a mix of vertical cladding, batten screens and stone. The result feels like a small boutique hotel, but made for daily life. Light, ventilation and privacy need careful planning so neighbours, outlook and sun all work together.
4. The urban coastal townhouse
Not every coastal home sits right on the beach. Many are in walkable suburbs close to the water, on compact sites where every square metre counts.
For these blocks, the focus shifts to:
- Smart vertical layouts with good zoning
- Courtyards and light wells that bring sun and breeze inside
- Built-in joinery to keep spaces clean and clutter-free
- A softer, coastal-inspired palette over a crisp, urban base
Think off-white render, warm timber accents, stone-look tiles and soft coastal textiles. The feeling is fresh and contemporary, but still relaxed. Street presence also matters, with facades that balance privacy and openness.
5. The coastal entertainer’s home
This home is all about hosting. Long lunches, evening drinks and weekend stays.
Key ingredients:
- A central kitchen with a large island and butler’s pantry
- Stacking doors that open to a generous alfresco and pool area
- Considered lighting for both task and soft evening ambience
- Guest bedroom or suite, separate from the main family zone
Material choices often lean a little more luxe. Think textured stone, timber ceilings, feature tiling and statement lighting. The layout should manage noise and privacy, so sleep zones stay calm even when the living area is busy.
What makes a modern coastal home design actually work
Across all these styles, the same core principles apply:
- Orientation and layout. Plan for shade, breezes and natural light.
- Colour and texture. Keep the base palette simple, then layer texture.
- Material choices. Use finishes that handle humidity, salt and harsh sun.
- Connection to the outdoors. Design living areas that flow to usable outdoor spaces.
- Real life. Storage, circulation and zoning that match how you live day to day.
Modern coastal is less about shells and themed decor, more about how the home feels and functions.
Ready to design your own modern coastal home?
Every site, family and lifestyle is different. The right modern coastal home design for a quiet bayside block will look and function differently to one on a steep hillside or inner-suburban street.
CU Design’s building and interior design team work together from the start, so exterior form, interior layout and finishes all align. Our studio in Brisbane lets you see, touch and compare a huge range of tiles, flooring, stone and fixtures in one place, while our virtual reality space helps you walk through your new home before construction begins.
If you are planning a new home or renovation and want a modern coastal feel that still feels like you, book a consultation with the CU Design team and start mapping out what coastal living looks like for your life.