Designing for your lifestyle: how coastal living shapes your home

Life by the coast has a rhythm all its own. The sea breeze, the sound of waves, and the soft coastal light have a way of shaping how we live and, in turn, how we design our homes. At YDM Design Studio, we believe coastal design isn’t about a particular look, but a way of living. It’s about creating spaces that embrace natural light, have an easy flow between indoors and out, and integrate materials that age gracefully in the elements.

Orientation

Orientation is an important aspect of any home that is not often considered. However, the orientation (the way a house sits on the block) can completely transform how a home feels to live in. Some of the major advantages of carefully considering the orientation of your home are:

• Maximising natural light, particularly in living spaces. In Victoria, this is the northern light that you want to capture.

• Maximising coastal breezes to help cool your home, by aligning windows and doors to allow for cross-ventilation.

• Protect your home from strong winds, salt spray, and intense western sun.

• If your home faces a beautiful view, make sure to frame the views as you move through your home. This connection to nature is what gives coastal homes their signature serenity!

Homes that are oriented well are also naturally more energy efficient, as they require less heating, cooling, and artificial lighting.

Outdoor areas that enhance your home and lifestyle

Coastal living is all about embracing indoor-outdoor spaces. Large sliding or bi-folding doors that open up from a main room onto your outdoor area can help you make the most of both spaces by treating the outdoors as an extension of your home. Some of the more obvious additions to help you embrace indoor-outdoor living is a small outdoors kitchen, dining and lounge area. If you have a pool, you can also consider adding an outdoor shower or outdoor bathroom to avoid dripping water through the house.

We also invite you think about how the outdoor area can enhance other types of daily rituals and activities. Examples could be a firepit for cosy gatherings, a hammock or daybed for reading, a meditation or exercise zone, a herb or vegetable garden, or even an outdoor workspace to use when the weather is right. By thinking about these possibilities you can create spaces that are even more personal and suited to your particular lifestyle, allowing you to enjoy the spaces even more.

Selecting finishes and fixtures that withstand the elements

The salt air, humidity, and sand in coastal areas can take their toll on your finishes and fixtures if not selected correctly. This is particularly important for the finishes and fixtures in your outdoor area, as everything there will be affected. Some of the main things to consider are:

• Where possible, aim to select a stainless steel finish for your fixtures, such as tapware, lighting, and door handles.

• Natural materials like stone and solid timbers will age and patina beautifully, but will require some maintenance.

• Select cabinetry, furniture and fabrics that are explicitly noted as safe for outdoor use.

The aim is to select materials with longevity in mind. Designing for life by the sea means designing for resilience!

When every choice considers light, airflow, materials, and lifestyle, your home becomes more than a backdrop, it becomes part of how you live each day. By designing with intention, you can create a home that feels effortless, enduring, and uniquely yours — a comforting sanctuary that captures the spirit of coastal life.

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog post. Have a wonderful week!

Nina xx