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Collection by Heather Corcoran

Life's a Beach in These 6 Minimalist Seaside Getaways

Surf, sun, and sand—what more do you need? At these understated beach houses, the answer is not much else.

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Part surf shack, part modernist dwelling, this 2,500-square-foot house on Sweden’s southwestern shore is no fussy show home. Board storage is integrated into the design, so residents just grab and go—and nobody worries about sand or wet footprints brought in from the beach on the concrete floor.
Part surf shack, part modernist dwelling, this 2,500-square-foot house on Sweden’s southwestern shore is no fussy show home. Board storage is integrated into the design, so residents just grab and go—and nobody worries about sand or wet footprints brought in from the beach on the concrete floor.
Don designed and built the white-oak kitchen table, which is cantilevered so knees don’t bump the underpinnings.
Don designed and built the white-oak kitchen table, which is cantilevered so knees don’t bump the underpinnings.
The best view of the sea comes from the master bedroom on the home's northern edge. Byron Bay is popular for surfing, so the residents can judge the surf conditions from the bedroom before heading out to the beach.
The best view of the sea comes from the master bedroom on the home's northern edge. Byron Bay is popular for surfing, so the residents can judge the surf conditions from the bedroom before heading out to the beach.
To maximize the limited square footage, there are few swinging doors in the house; instead, each bedroom has a pocket door that slides into the wall.
To maximize the limited square footage, there are few swinging doors in the house; instead, each bedroom has a pocket door that slides into the wall.
Designed for off-grid functionality out of necessity, the self-sufficient bach that Herbst Architects designed for their friend is a stellar getaway on New Zealand’s Great Barrier Island. Clad in cedar, the modestly sized abode embraces outdoor living and views of the Pacific Ocean.
Designed for off-grid functionality out of necessity, the self-sufficient bach that Herbst Architects designed for their friend is a stellar getaway on New Zealand’s Great Barrier Island. Clad in cedar, the modestly sized abode embraces outdoor living and views of the Pacific Ocean.