Every home decorating job is different, and when considering how someone wants to design their secondary homes down the Jersey Shore, this is especially true. People want their Shore homes to reflect the light, airy coastal vibe that surrounds them, but they still want the amenities and comforts of home.

Local professionals in the design and build space understand this, and they're at the ready to help find that perfect down-the-Shore feel.

"We try to keep it neutral, keep it light, keep it practical," Michael Robinson says, as his wife, Carrie, adds, "It's incorporating the things they want to keep along with the things that they need to add, and having that all flow together."

The Robinsons own Townehaus, a furniture and design business that is "basically a one-stop shop for anything you need interior-wise." And while they service plenty of local clients with their custom furnishings, reupholster and interior design services in and around their showroom's home base in Moorestown, N.J., they are no stranger to bringing their expertise to homes by the beach.

"The key is listening to the clients and understanding their needs," Michael says.

And the needs at the Shore? Beauty with durability.

"A lot of our products are maintenance-free," says Kristi Reading, of The Buxton Complex in Ewing, N.J., adding this includes custom furniture, outdoor play structures, sheds and more.

Greg Miele, owner of American Flooring Direct in Manahawkin, N.J. is used to doing business at secondary Shore homes along the coast, from Monmouth to Cape May counties.

"We work with custom builders along the coast to give the new homeowners their dream floors but we also work with full-time homeowners looking to upgrade their worn-out floors or floors that are just in need of a refresh," he says.

Furniture colors and materials "vary a lot" among clients, Michael Robinson says, but overall choices tend to be lighter colors and natural tones for Shore homes. Matte finishes are popular, too, with a lot of white oak and white paint.

"There's a whole color scheme geared toward Shore homes," Reading adds. "The Shore homes bring in more beach-themed colors, tones like seashells and turquoise and birch."

Durability is another big draw for down the Shore, where furniture needs to stand up to sun, sand and sea.

"You get the elements down the shore," Reading affirms. "We have poly outdoor furniture made from recycled plastics. Some look like wood, others are colored—and they're colored all the way through, not just a paint or stain. It's very durable and maintenance-free. No splinters. No staining, no painting."

When it comes to fabrics, high-performance Crypton is a top choice, as is anything that is coated and can protect against sand and suntan lotion, Carrie Robinson says.

Being easy to clean is key, too.

"There are luxury vinyl products that are waterproof, easy to maintain and super practical for people's lifestyles. A lot of people have pets, too, and take them to the Shore. They just want things to hold up," Michael Robinson says.

Flooring Choices
When considering flooring, Miele says there actually isn't a lot of difference between what clients choose for Shore homes and primary residences.

"The products the client chooses for their primary versus their Shore home locations are very similar. They are looking for the same high-quality product," he says. "They typically don't distinguish between the home locations unless they will be renting out their Shore home. In this case, the waterproof luxury vinyl flooring is a very popular selection."

As far as colors, lighter choices by the beach are popular with flooring much like in furniture.

"A lot of our clients are going with a luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or a wide plank engineered wood flooring in light, airy colors—light beiges, grays and natural wood," Miele explains. "The trend is LVP or wood flooring throughout their home with carpeting in the bedrooms and/or carpet runners on stairs."

Outdoor entertaining
Outdoor space is a premium at the Jersey Shore, where homes on the barrier islands often have small decks and even smaller yards. The Buxton Complex knows this, which is why Reading and her colleagues offer customizable play structures, sheds and furniture.

"We offer vinyl siding on sheds, vinyl swing sets so you don't have the rotting, element exposure of real wood. All the sand and the salt. Wood doesn't hold up as well in that kind of climate," Reading says.

Another popular pick for a Shore home—and primary residences—is the Big Green Egg.

"It's a grill, a smoker and an oven all in one. That's definitely been a big trend we've been seeing for the 15-plus years we've been selling it," Reading says. "You can cook a pizza on it. You can cook a steak on it. Or you can slow roast all day long. And there's six different sizes too depending on how much space you have."

No matter what look and feel you desire for your Shore home, there are no shortage of ways to find a customized approach that will be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

RESOURCES
American Flooring Direct
Manahwkin, N.J.
(609) 994-0475
AmericanCarpet1.com

The Buxton Complex
Ewing, N.J.
(609) 771-0274
TheBuxtonComplex.com

Townehaus
Moorestown, N.J.
(856) 581-0378
Townehaus.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 25, Issue 10 (Spring 2026)
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