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How to Maximize Space in Your Newport Beach Coastal Home

Living in areas like Balboa Island, Balboa Peninsula, and Corona Del Mar comes with incredible perks—beaches, ocean views, and the coastal lifestyle. But if you’ve got a home here, you’re probably familiar with the challenge of limited space. Lot sizes in these sought-after areas are often tight, meaning maximizing every inch of your home is key to making it functional and comfortable.


At HomeKeep Builders, we’ve worked on countless coastal projects, so we know how important it is to find creative ways to open up these smaller homes without sacrificing style or functionality. Here are some remodelling solutions we’ve found to be effective when dealing with space constraints in Newport Beach homes.


Vertical Expansion: Building Up Instead of Out


If expanding the footprint of your home isn’t an option, going vertical is one way to gain significant square footage. Adding a second or third story can give you more living space while maintaining your home’s existing footprint. In areas like Newport Beach, where zoning regulations can limit outward expansion, vertical building is often a great solution.


A vertical expansion, however, isn’t as simple as just stacking another floor on top. From structural support to city regulations, there are a lot of factors to consider. Homes need to be evaluated for their structural integrity to ensure they can handle the added weight of a new level, and you’ll need to navigate Newport Beach’s specific building codes and height restrictions.


This approach works especially well for homeowners looking to add bedrooms, a home office, or even a second-floor deck with an ocean view. It’s something we’ve tackled on multiple projects, and while it involves careful planning, the payoff in added space is worth it.


Rooftop Living Spaces: Turning Your Roof into an Entertaining Area


With homes near the coast, you’ve already got the views—so why not make the most of them? Rooftop decks are a fantastic way to create additional living space while embracing the beachy outdoor lifestyle.


We’ve seen rooftop living spaces used in a variety of ways: some homeowners opt for a lounge area with seating and shade, while others go all-in with outdoor kitchens and dining spaces. And because coastal weather in Newport Beach is mild, these rooftop spaces can be functional year-round.


Selecting materials that can withstand the elements is crucial. Salt air is a persistent challenge for any outdoor structure, so we always recommend incorporating weather-resistant materials like composite decking and marine-grade hardware. Learn more about how to protect your home from the coastal environment in our post on Salt Air Damage Protection.


Open-Concept Layouts: Creating a Spacious Feel Without Adding Square Footage


When it comes to maximizing space, an open-concept layout is one of the simplest ways to make your home feel larger. By removing walls between living spaces—such as the kitchen, dining, and living rooms—you can create a much more expansive, breathable environment.


Natural light plays a big role here as well. When walls come down, the light flows more freely through the home, making it feel bigger than it actually is. We’ve found this particularly useful in homes with narrow lots, where windows are often limited to one or two sides of the house.


Of course, structural considerations come into play—if you’re knocking down load-bearing walls, you’ll need to make sure the proper supports are in place. It’s a balance of design and functionality, something that takes experience to get right.


Multipurpose Rooms: Smart Design for Small Spaces


Homes in areas like Balboa Island often require some creative thinking when it comes to room design. When space is limited, multipurpose rooms can offer flexibility that makes your home more practical.


For example, we’ve helped homeowners turn a spare room into a space that doubles as a guest room and home office. Murphy beds, built-in desks, and foldable furniture can make a huge difference in creating versatile rooms that serve multiple functions without cluttering the space.


These solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all, though. Each home has its own quirks and limitations, so custom-built furniture and thoughtful layout planning are essential. Tailoring a space to fit your specific needs is something we always emphasize with our clients.


Smart Storage: Hidden Solutions to Declutter Your Home


Space-saving solutions aren’t just about adding rooms—they’re also about getting clever with storage. We often find that built-in shelving, under-stair storage, and custom cabinetry can free up more space than you’d think.


Take stairs, for example. The area underneath often goes unused, but we’ve designed storage spaces beneath stairs that act as hidden cabinets or even wine cellars. Another common request we get is for custom closets with built-in shelving, drawers, and compartments to keep everything organized.


This kind of storage allows you to keep the clutter out of sight and maintain a clean, streamlined look throughout your home. In Newport Beach homes, where every square foot matters, this is a game-changer.


Expanding Outdoor Living Spaces: Bringing the Inside Out


In a place like Newport Beach, where the weather is beautiful year-round, extending your living space outdoors is a no-brainer. Sliding glass doors or retractable walls that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces can make your home feel twice as big when opened up to the backyard or patio.


We work closely with Discount Windows and Doors and Miter Craft, trusted vendors with whom we have long-standing relationships, to create custom sliding glass doors and windows. Their high-quality products not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home but also stand up to Newport Beach’s coastal elements. These vendors consistently help us ensure that the doors and windows we install seamlessly integrate with your interior while offering durability and protection against the elements.


Creating these transitions between inside and outside is more than just an aesthetic choice—it can truly add to the functional space of your home and make entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet evening that much more enjoyable.


Light Colors and Reflective Surfaces: Tricks to Make Small Spaces Feel Larger


One often-overlooked aspect of maximizing space is the use of color and reflective surfaces. Lighter color schemes—whites, creams, and light grays—help make rooms feel brighter and larger by reflecting more light.


Mirrors and glossy surfaces also work wonders in small spaces, bouncing light around and creating the illusion of more depth. We’ve seen homeowners take advantage of this technique in hallways, bathrooms, and living spaces where natural light might be limited.


Incorporating these subtle design elements into your remodel can go a long way in making your home feel airy and spacious, even without adding physical square footage.


Conclusion: Making the Most of Your Coastal Home’s Space


Maximizing space in Newport Beach homes takes a combination of smart design, creative solutions, and an understanding of the unique challenges posed by coastal living. Whether it’s expanding upward with a new story, creating multifunctional rooms, or simply opening up your home to the outdoors, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the space you have.


At HomeKeep Builders, we’ve worked on projects throughout Newport Beach, so we know firsthand what works and what doesn’t in these compact, high-demand areas. If you’re looking to get the most out of your home’s space, we’d be happy to offer our insights and help bring your vision to life.


Contact us today to explore how we can maximize your Newport Beach home.

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