Western Australia’s coastline offers one of the most enviable lifestyles in the country, a blend of relaxed sophistication, sweeping ocean views, and timeless natural beauty. From Cottesloe to City Beach, coastal homes deserve renovations that enhance these qualities while standing up to the unique conditions of life by the sea.
With more than 30 years of experience across Perth’s coastal suburbs, Addstyle understands how to create homes that feel connected to their setting, beautifully resolved, and effortlessly functional. Our design team shares their insights to help you plan a renovation that celebrates coastal living and endures for generations.
Designing for Coastal Conditions
Coastal homes demand a considered approach. The ocean environment shapes everything from material selection to detailing, so it’s important to design with durability and longevity in mind.
Salt, Moisture and Water
Sea air accelerates wear on external finishes and fixtures, particularly around balustrades, frames, and exposed timber. Selecting materials designed for marine environments ensures your home maintains its appearance and structural integrity over time.
Sunlight and Heat
Perth’s coastal suburbs experience intense sunlight, which can lead to fading and heat gain if not managed thoughtfully. High-performing glazing, shading, and balanced natural light are essential to creating comfortable interiors throughout the year.
Wind and Airflow
The coastal breeze is part of Perth’s identity, especially in suburbs such as Trigg, Scarborough, and City Beach. Designing openings to capture cooling breezes, while ensuring structural elements respond to prevailing winds, makes the home feel naturally comfortable and connected to its environment.
Understanding these factors early ensures your renovation is not only beautiful, but also built to thrive by the ocean.
Material Choices that Stand the Test of Time
Selecting the right materials is key to creating a coastal home that remains elegant with minimal maintenance:
- Cladding: Masonry, fibre cement, and premium weatherboard alternatives provide a clean, timeless aesthetic while performing well in marine conditions.
- Roofing: High-quality steel roofing with coastal-grade coatings resists corrosion and complements contemporary coastal architecture.
- Windows and Doors: Aluminium or UPVC frames with double glazing enhance energy efficiency and withstand salt exposure.
- External Fixtures: Marine-grade stainless steel retains its appearance and durability in coastal air.
- Timber Features: Treated or composite timbers allow you to maintain the warmth of natural textures without the upkeep.
The goal is always cohesion, materials that feel at home by the sea and remain beautiful with age.
Learn more: Benchtop Materials in 2025: What’s Changed and What’s Trending in Australian Renovations.
Design Principles for Coastal Living
Our architects and designers specialise in homes that embrace the relaxed luxury of the coast. Key design considerations include:
Light, View and Connection
Positioning living areas to capture ocean aspects, framing views through well-proportioned windows, and creating seamless transitions to decks and terraces all contribute to a sense of openness and calm.
Soft Coastal Tones
Neutral palettes, textured finishes, and natural materials mirror the surrounding landscape and create a timeless aesthetic that complements both modern and character architecture.
Natural Airflow
Thoughtfully aligned openings, louvres, and cross-ventilation help interiors remain cool without relying solely on mechanical systems.
Sustainable Coastal Design
Features such as solar panels, thermal insulation and native coastal landscaping, think banksias, spinifex and hardy grasses, improve energy efficiency and add enduring beauty to the home.
Learn more: Home Renovation Trends for 2025: Colours, Materials & Styles.
Project Highlight: City Beach Home Renovation
Set high above the dunes of City Beach, this award-winning renovation demonstrates how thoughtful design and engineering can elevate coastal living to new heights.
The Challenge
The owners wanted to transform their existing three-level home into a modern retreat that captured panoramic ocean views while improving everyday functionality. The brief called for a new top-floor main suite and a complete reconfiguration of key internal spaces to create flow and light without losing balance or proportion.
The Solution
Addstyle designed a lightweight third-floor extension using EPS cladding in soft coastal tones to reduce load and enhance thermal performance. Inside, a luxurious main suite with Caesarstone finishes and a freestanding bath complements the reconfigured living areas and new alfresco zone.
The Results
The home now feels bright, balanced, and connected to its coastal setting. Expansive ocean views and refined detailing define a relaxed sophistication, earning the 2025 MBA Building Excellence Award for Best Alterations & Additions $450,000 – $600,000 and the highly coveted 2025 MBA National Building & Construction Excellence Award for Renovation/Extension $350,000 to $500,000.
Get inspired: Discover our award-winning projects.
How Addstyle Helps Coastal Homeowners
With more than three decades of experience, Addstyle has become Western Australia’s most awarded renovation company. Our team has completed numerous projects in Perth’s coastal suburbs, including Scarborough, Trigg, City Beach, and Cottesloe.
We combine architectural design expertise with technical precision, creating homes that feel luxurious while standing up to the rigours of the coastal climate.
From concept to completion, Addstyle offers a complete service, including:
- Design consultation to tailor your renovation to the location and lifestyle.
- Material and finish selection suited to marine environments.
- Planning and council approvals managed in-house.
- Construction delivered by experienced coastal builders.
By managing every stage, from design documentation to council liaison, Addstyle ensures your coastal renovation runs seamlessly and meets all local requirements.
Our trusted supplier partnerships provide access to premium coastal-grade materials, while our design team selects finishes that endure Western Australia’s coastal conditions with lasting elegance.
Transform Your Coastal Home with Addstyle
Renovating coastal homes in Western Australia is both an art and a science. The right mix of design vision, durable materials, and expertise transforms your seaside property into a sanctuary that withstands the elements with effortless style.
Partner with Addstyle to transform your coastal home into a masterpiece of style and durability. Call (08) 9345 2333 or contact us online for your complimentary consultation. Together, we’ll create a home that celebrates the ocean, elevates your lifestyle, and endures beautifully for generations.
