Coastal Style Before/After Case Study

This comprehensive case study showcases the complete transformation of a dark, heavy traditional home into a light, airy Coastal style residence. The project focused on creating a relaxed seaside atmosphere with natural materials and breezy aesthetics throughout a 2,800 square foot family home.

Project Overview

Initial Conditions

Property Type: Single-family home
Size: 2,800 square feet
Original Style: Traditional with dark, heavy finishes
Location: Inland suburban neighborhood
Renovation Scope: Full home renovation
Timeline: 19 weeks
Budget: $175,000

Goals and Objectives

Create light, airy atmosphere reminiscent of seaside living
Incorporate natural materials like wood, rattan, and natural stone
Design spaces that feel relaxed and resort-like
Maintain functionality for modern family living
Achieve timeless coastal appeal without being themed

Before: The Dark, Heavy Traditional Home

Living Room

The original living room featured:

Dark brown carpet that absorbed light
Heavy crown molding and ornate trim work
Dark wood paneling on lower walls
Traditional furniture with formal arrangement
Small windows with heavy drapes
Warm beige walls that felt dated
Overall feeling of being closed-in and heavy

Kitchen

The kitchen included:

Dark wood cabinets with ornate hardware
Laminate countertops with busy pattern
Small windows with no natural light optimization
Outdated appliances in stainless steel
Vinyl flooring that showed every footprint
Overall feeling of being cramped and dark

Bathroom

The main bathroom had:

Small, compartmentalized layout
Yellowed fiberglass tub/shower unit
Outdated vanity with laminate top
Busy patterned tile flooring and walls
Poor lighting and ventilation
Basic fixtures with no style or character

Bedrooms

The bedrooms featured:

Dark carpeting that matched living areas
Heavy wood furniture with traditional styling
Small windows with inadequate natural light
Built-in closets with wood-slatted doors
Overall feeling of being generic and uninspired

Renovation Process

Phase 1: Planning and Design (4 weeks)

Hired designer familiar with Coastal design principles
Created detailed plans emphasizing light, airy spaces
Selected authentic coastal materials and finishes
Obtained necessary permits for structural changes
Finalized budget and timeline with contractor

Phase 2: Demolition and Structural Changes (3 weeks)

Removed dark carpeting and heavy window treatments
Stripped out all existing finishes, fixtures, and appliances
Installed larger windows and French doors
Prepared spaces for new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
Added covered porch for outdoor living space

Phase 3: Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Updates (2 weeks)

Updated electrical panel and ran new circuits
Installed smart home technology infrastructure
Upgraded plumbing to support coastal fixtures
Added zoned heating and cooling system
Installed energy-efficient LED lighting throughout

Phase 4: Finishes Installation (7 weeks)

Installed light hardwood floors throughout main areas
Applied smooth white paint to walls and ceilings
Installed shiplap walls in select areas
Added natural stone and large format tiles
Installed painted cabinetry with clean lines
Completed all coastal-style fixtures and hardware

Phase 5: Final Details and Styling (3 weeks)

Installed coastal-inspired lighting fixtures
Added natural fiber rugs and textiles
Completed all hardware and final touches
Styled spaces with coastal accessories
Conducted final inspection and punch list

After: The Light, Airy Coastal Residence

Living Room

The renovated living room now features:

Light oak hardwood floors with natural fiber area rug
Smooth white walls with shiplap accent wall
Large windows with light-filtering treatments
Open floor plan with clear sightlines
Natural wood coffee table with simple lines
Light linen sectional sofa with coastal blue accents
Woven rattan pendant lights with natural appeal
Open connection to kitchen and dining areas

Kitchen

The transformed kitchen includes:

Painted cabinets in white with minimal hardware
Quartz countertops in soft white with subtle veining
Open floor plan with large island and seating
Subway tile backsplash with classic white tiles
Natural wood barstools with woven seats
Woven pendant lighting over island
Outdoor connection with French doors
Open connection to living and dining areas

Bathroom

The updated main bathroom showcases:

Large format tiles in soft white and blue
Smooth white walls with shiplap accent
Floating vanity with vessel sink
Freestanding tub with coastal fixtures
Natural stone flooring with minimal grout lines
Woven pendant lighting with warm glow
Heated floors for added comfort
Natural fiber bath mat and towels

Bedrooms

The renovated bedrooms feature:

Light oak hardwood floors with area rugs
Smooth white walls with natural wood accents
Platform beds with light wood frames
Built-in wardrobes with painted doors
Woven pendant lighting with dimming
Light-filtering window treatments
Natural linen bedding with coastal colors
Woven accessories and natural elements

Materials and Finishes

Flooring

Main Areas: Light oak hardwood with natural finish
Kitchen: Same hardwood with area rugs
Bathrooms: Large format tiles in soft whites and blues
Bedrooms: Same light hardwood with natural fiber rugs

Walls

Living Areas: Smooth white with shiplap accents
Bedrooms: Smooth white with natural wood accents
Bathrooms: Smooth white with minimal texture
Trim: Clean, simple profiles in white

Cabinetry and Storage

Kitchen: Painted cabinets in white with minimal hardware
Bathrooms: Floating vanities with clean lines
Built-ins: Custom storage with painted doors
Hardware: Simple knobs and handles in brushed nickel

Countertops

Kitchen: Quartz in soft white with subtle veining
Bathrooms: Same quartz or soapstone options
Island: Same quartz with waterfall edge
Breakfast Bar: Quartz with natural finish

Budget Breakdown

High-End Elements ($105,000)

Wide-plank light hardwood floors throughout
Natural stone and large format tile installations
Designer coastal lighting fixtures
Quality natural fiber rugs and textiles
Professional design and installation services
Large windows and French doors

Mid-Range Elements ($45,000)

Quality painted cabinetry
Quartz countertops throughout
Good coastal lighting fixtures
Natural fiber rugs and textiles
Standard fixtures with coastal styling
Professional installation of major elements

Budget-Friendly Elements ($25,000)

Paint in coastal color palette
Basic shiplap installation
Affordable coastal accessories
Standard fixtures with clean lines
DIY installation of selected elements

Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Avoiding a Sterile or Cold Appearance

Solution: Incorporated warm wood tones throughout, added natural textiles and layered bedding, included plants for organic elements, and used warm lighting with dimming capabilities.

Challenge: Making Coastal Style Feel Authentic Rather Than Themed

Solution: Focused on natural materials and relaxed elegance, avoided literal nautical elements, emphasized light and airy atmosphere, and incorporated subtle seaside references.

Challenge: Maintaining Light and Airy Feel in Smaller Spaces

Solution: Used mirrors to reflect light, selected light colors for all surfaces, installed layered lighting with dimming controls, and chose window treatments that maximized natural light.

Results and Impact

Design Success

Achieved light, airy atmosphere reminiscent of seaside living
Created flowing, open floor plans that feel welcoming
Successfully incorporated natural materials and relaxed elegance
Maintained family-friendly functionality while achieving coastal look

Lifestyle Improvements

Increased natural light by 45% through larger windows
Improved traffic flow and space utilization
Enhanced indoor-outdoor connection with new French doors
Created more flexible, multifunctional spaces

Market Value

Increased home value by approximately 18-22%
Coastal aesthetic appeals to broad range of potential buyers
Energy-efficient updates reduced utility costs by 28%
Unique character sets property apart from conventional homes

Key Takeaways

Design Principles

Light is Everything: Maximizing and reflecting light creates coastal atmosphere
Natural Materials: Wood, rattan, and stone create authentic coastal appeal
Relaxed Elegance: Sophisticated yet casual aesthetic is key
Timeless Appeal: Classic elements won’t go out of style

Practical Considerations

Professional Guidance: Working with designers familiar with coastal principles was valuable
Quality Investment: Investing in good materials paid dividends in longevity
Phased Approach: Completing renovation in phases helped manage disruption
Personal Touch: Adding natural elements created unique character

This Coastal style transformation successfully converted a dark, heavy traditional home into a light, airy residence that maintains family functionality while achieving the relaxed elegance and natural beauty characteristic of coastal design. The project demonstrates how thoughtful renovation can completely change a home’s character, creating a resort-like living space that feels both comfortable and stylish while increasing both livability and market value.