This article explores the exterior design characteristics of 26 distinct coastal cottage properties. Coastal architecture often integrates with its natural surroundings, utilizing materials and features that withstand the marine environment while providing functional outdoor living spaces.

The examples presented showcase a variety of approaches to achieving the coastal aesthetic, highlighting different siding materials, roof types, window styles, and outdoor elements such as decks, porches, and landscaping.

Reviewing these varied designs provides insight into the practical and visual considerations involved in developing coastal residential exteriors.

1. Beautiful Coastal Cottage with Blue Shingles and Expansive Deck

This charming coastal cottage features light blue shingle siding. The house has a dark roof and white trim around the windows and door. There are dormer windows on the upper level. A large wooden deck extends from the front of the house, offering ample outdoor space. Downspouts are visible on the exterior. Surrounding the deck and house are various plants and greenery. A large evergreen tree is seen in the background.

2. Charming Coastal Cottage with Blue Shutters and Ocean View

This delightful house features light gray shingle siding and a gray roof with some moss growth. Bright blue shutters adorn the windows, adding a pop of color. A red brick chimney is visible on one side. The front entrance includes a small covered porch with a white rocking chair. The house is surrounded by lush green grass and an abundance of vibrant flowering plants in shades of pink and red. A stone pathway leads to the front door. In the background, there is a clear view of a beach and the ocean under a blue sky with clouds.

3. Rustic Cottage with Shingle Siding and Green Roof

This house has natural wood shingle siding and a distinctive green metal roof. The main entrance features a wooden door with windows, covered by a small green awning. There are windows on the ground floor and a smaller window in the gable above the door. The house is set amongst large rocks and tall grasses and bushes. Evergreen trees are visible in the background.

4. Unique Coastal Retreat with Thatched Roof

This building showcases a unique thatched roof design with pointed gables. The walls appear to be clad in horizontal wooden siding painted grey. It features a covered porch area with exposed wooden beams. A large wooden deck extends out, furnished with chairs and tables, offering views of the water. The structure is built close to the water, with plants and vegetation in the foreground and background. Wooden steps lead up to the structure.

5. Grand Coastal Home with Wraparound Porches and Green Roof

This is a larger, multi-story house with light-colored shingle siding and a striking green metal roof. It features extensive wraparound covered porches on both the ground and upper levels, supported by white columns and adorned with white railings. The porches are furnished with multiple chairs and tables. Numerous windows with white frames and green shutters are present across the facade. A chimney is visible. The house is surrounded by manicured landscaping and a gravel driveway. Trees are seen in the distance.

6. White Cottage with Large Windows and Wooden Deck

This white-painted house has a dark grey roof and features large windows across the front, including multi-pane windows and French doors. Dormer windows are present on the upper roof level. Outdoor lights are mounted on the exterior walls. A substantial wooden deck provides a large outdoor living area at ground level. The surrounding area includes grass and various plants.

7. Idyllic Coastal Cottage with Stone Base and Red Door

This picturesque coastal cottage features white shingle siding on the upper portion and a visible stone base. It has a light-colored roof and dormer windows. The main entrance has a bright red door and is covered by a small porch supported by white posts. Light blue shutters frame the windows. Flowering rose vines climb the side of the house near the entrance. The house is situated on a grassy slope overlooking the ocean. There is a stone pathway leading up to the porch.

8. Classic White Cottage with Black Shutters and Gables

This classic white cottage features black shutters on its windows. It has a brown shingle roof with prominent gables and dormer windows. The front entrance has a small covered porch with white railings and steps. The house is set on a grassy lawn surrounded by bushes in the foreground. Large, characterful evergreen trees frame the house. A body of water is visible in the background.

9. Grey Shingle Coastal Cottage with White Trim

This coastal cottage is clad in grey shingle siding with white trim around the windows and front door. It has a grey shingle roof with gables and a prominent archway detail above the front door. The house is set on a landscape with gravel and bushes in the foreground. A simple wooden fence runs along the side. Evergreen trees are in the background, and a body of water is visible in the distance.

10. Beautiful Coastal Cottage with Bright Blue Door and Flower Boxes

This beautiful coastal cottage features natural wood shingle siding and a grey shingle roof. A bright blue door serves as the main entrance. Windows on the ground floor and dormer windows above have white trim. Red flowers fill window boxes on the dormer windows. The house is located on a grassy area with a stone pathway leading to the door. The ocean is prominently visible in the background under a bright blue sky.

11. White Cottage with Green Shutters and Deck Overlooking Water

This white house has a dark shingle roof with dormer windows. Green shutters are installed on many of the windows. Outdoor lights are mounted beside the front door. A large wooden deck with railings extends from the side of the house, offering a view of the water and distant landforms. The house is situated on a hill with surrounding vegetation.

12. White Cottage with Red Door and Garden Pathway

This symmetrical white cottage has a dark roof and prominent dormer windows. The central feature is a vibrant red front door. Dark green shutters frame the windows on the ground floor. Outdoor lights are present near the door. The house is approached via a wooden pathway flanked by meticulously planted gardens. The ocean is visible behind the house.

13. White Cottage with Steep Wooden Stairs

This white house has a grey shingle roof with multiple dormer windows. The front entrance features a white door and is accessed via a long, steep set of wooden stairs and landings. Windows have white frames and trim. Outdoor lights are mounted beside the door. The house is surrounded by vegetation, and a body of water is visible in the distance under a light sky.

14. Grey Shingle House with Large Deck and Water View

This house is clad in natural wood shingle siding with white trim around the windows and doors. It features a large wooden deck with railings that wraps around a portion of the house. French doors lead out onto the deck. Wooden chairs are placed on the deck. The house overlooks a marshy area or body of water. Large evergreen trees are visible.

15. White Cottage with Multiple Sets of Steps and Railings

This white-sided cottage has a light-colored roof and features a steep set of wooden stairs leading to the main entrance, with multiple landings and wooden railings. Windows have white frames. An outdoor light is mounted near the door. The house is surrounded by dense greenery and gravel. A portion of another building is visible to the side.

16. Shingle Cottage on the Water’s Edge

This house features natural wood shingle siding and a grey shingle roof. It has large windows and glass doors opening onto a wooden deck or patio area. The house is situated directly on the rocky edge of a body of water. Greenery is present behind the house and on the nearby slope.

17. Shingle Cottage with Wooden Steps and Railings

This house is clad in natural wood shingle siding and has a grey shingle roof. The main entrance features a wooden door with a small window. Access is via a set of wooden stairs with railings. An outdoor light is mounted next to the door. Windows have white trim. The house is surrounded by grass and bushes, with trees visible in the background.

18. Bright Blue Coastal Cottage with Stone Pathway

This beautiful coastal cottage features vibrant blue shingle siding with white trim. It has a grey shingle roof with dormer windows. The front entrance has a small covered porch with white columns and railings. A pathway made of large stones leads up to the house. Rocks and coastal vegetation surround the pathway and the front of the house. The sky above is clear and blue.

19. Large Shingle House with Prominent Windows

This is a larger house with natural wood shingle siding and a grey shingle roof. A prominent feature is the large, multi-paned window in the gable end. Windows have wooden frames. A wooden staircase leads up to the entrance. The house is set among rocks and dense green bushes. A rocky hillside is visible behind the house.

20. White House with Metal Roof and Multiple Dormers

This white house has a distinctive silver-colored metal roof with multiple dormer windows. The siding appears to be vertical planks. Large windows and a central white door provide access. Outdoor lights are mounted near the door and windows. A wooden staircase leads up to the entrance. The house is surrounded by green bushes and rocks.

21. Shingle Cottage with Wooden Deck and Beige Doors

This cottage features natural wood shingle siding with light-colored trim, possibly beige or light wood. It has a brown shingle roof with dormer windows. The ground floor features large French doors painted a light beige color, opening onto a wooden deck. Wooden stairs with railings lead up to the deck. The house is surrounded by coastal vegetation and sand.

22. Shingle House with Large Deck and Dormer Windows

This house is clad in light grey shingle siding and has a light grey shingle roof with multiple dormer windows. Large windows and French doors open onto a spacious wooden deck. Outdoor lights are mounted on the wall. The house is situated in a landscape with grass, bushes, and trees, including a large evergreen tree.

23. Coastal Structure on Stilts with Dock

This appears to be a smaller structure, possibly a boathouse or cottage, built on stilts directly over the water. It has grey shingle siding and a dark roof. A large digital display showing ’88’ is mounted on the gable end. Windows are present on the front and sides. A long wooden dock extends from the front of the structure. Rocks and vegetation are visible near the water’s edge.

24. Large Shingle House with Extensive Multi-Level Deck

This is a larger house with light-colored shingle siding and a dark roof. It features extensive multi-level wooden decks with railings. Large black-framed windows and doors are prominent across the facade. Outdoor lights are mounted on the walls. The decks are furnished with outdoor seating. The house is set on a slope with abundant greenery.

25. White House with Green Metal Roof and Bay Window

This white-sided house has a bright green metal roof. It features a large bay window unit with multiple panes on the ground floor. Windows generally have white frames. There is a deck or balcony with white railings on the upper level. French doors are visible on the ground floor. Part of the base appears to be stone. The house is located on a rocky slope with vegetation and overlooks a body of water and hills in the distance.

26. Small Coastal Cottage with Thatched Roof and Water Access

This smaller coastal cottage features light yellow horizontal siding and a prominent thatched roof. It has a white door with glass panes, flanked by windows. Outdoor lights are mounted beside the door. A small wooden fence runs along the front, next to the water. Two wooden chairs and a small table are placed outside. Trees and greenery are in the background.

Conclusion

Having examined these 26 examples, it is evident that coastal cottage exteriors encompass a range of designs, from traditional forms to more unique structures.

Common elements observed include the use of durable siding materials like shingles, varied roof profiles often featuring dormer windows, and the incorporation of significant outdoor areas such as decks and porches that facilitate engagement with the coastal environment.

The selection of colors, materials, and architectural details varies across the properties, reflecting different scales and site conditions.

Collectively, these examples illustrate diverse strategies for creating functional and aesthetically relevant coastal home exteriors.