Over the past few months, I’ve been lucky enough to work with a client who’s turning a plain prefab into a jaw-droppingly charming Airbnb coastal cottage. Imagine this: a home with great bones, a layout that totally works, and views that make you want to quit your job and write poetry full-time. But… the house itself? Let’s just say, it needed a little TLC (and a lot of imagination).
Let’s Talk About That Exterior (aka Beige’s Not a Vibe)
The original home and its detached garage came in everyone's least favorite color: builder-grade tan. Combine that with a total lack of architectural flair, and you’ve basically got two oversized cardboard boxes. Not exactly dreamy coastal cottage material.
So where did we start? With color. A fresh coat of paint can work wonders! I recommended two beach-friendly shades: a cozy blue or a light, breezy gray. Both tones are perfect for a coastal setting and are basically begging to be Instagrammed.
Option 1: Modern Coastal Vibes With a Pop of Personality
For the bold and beachy route, we went with a moody modern blue exterior paired with crisp white trim. Not only does this combo scream "chic seaside retreat," but the darker siding helps hide those little imperfections (hello weather-worn prefab panels everywhere).
The house had some trim already running from the windows down to the ground, so I used that to our advantage and added cedar shingles as an accent. Instant warmth, texture, and a whole lotta charm.
Then came the window boxes—because every cottage deserves a few flirty florals, right? We went with classic white boxes with raised panel details. Bonus: they double as flower holders and add fairytale level charm. To finish the look, I added a modern twist on the traditional lantern light. Think timeless, but make it trendy.
Option 2: Classic Cottagecore with Nantucket Dreams
For the alternative design direction, we took a page from the Nantucket playbook—you know, the one with all those dreamy cedar shingle homes that belong in a Nancy Meyers movie. I chose a light, cool gray with white trim to keep things timeless and elegant.
Then, I brought in some classic shutters with a raised panel design, painted in a yummy coastal blue for contrast. Of course, the window boxes stayed, but this time I gave them an upgrade with charming corbel details. The finishing touch? A black lantern-style light fixture to seal the deal.
How to give your home that iconic nancy meyers aesthetic
What’s Next for This Not-So-Prefab Paradise?
We’re only just getting started with this coastal Airbnb renovation. Next time, I’ll spill the beans on which exterior design the homeowner picked and walk you through the backyard makeover plans—including ideas for the perfect guest hangout zone.
