There are lots of theories about why coastal houses are painted bright colors—such as to help ships orient themselves to the coastline or to match the bright hulls of the ships. Whatever your take on it, living in Florida is a great opportunity to make a bold statement with your tiny home. Check out Sherwin Williams Southern Shores and Beaches color palette for inspiration.

An important consideration for your Florida tiny home is insulation and systems to keep your home cool and comfortable during the summer months. At Wind River, we use spray foam insulation and 2×4 framing. Spray foam has by far the highest R-value available for the tiny home application, and wooden construction allows less air infiltration than steel framing when the temperature rises. You’ll also need a reliable and efficient HVAC system in your home, and may want to explore other options for dehumidifying your tiny home as well.

Another key design element for Florida tiny homes is an exterior deck. We recommend a combination of sunning space as well as a covered area for hotter Florida days. The covered portion of your deck can also be screened if you live in an area with gnats and mosquitos. And an outdoor storage box to stash beach toys and other gear that might get sandy is also a good idea for Florida living. Your builder should be able to assist with your overall site plan, and may even be able to create a set of deck construction documents to be used for building your deck on-site.

Lastly, you might want to consider an outdoor shower for your Florida tiny home, especially if you plan on living close to the beach. We offer a signature outdoor shower design with copper piping and a hot-cold hose bib. This is a good example of how beauty can sync seamlessly with functionality.