How to make the most of your home’s view at the Shore

Sandwiched between the ocean and bay, Katie and Randy Zakreski’s Strathmere home has stunning views from nearly every window. When they were planning a complete rebuild in 2023, optimizing those views was top of mind.

Working with architect James Chadwick and Oliver Home Builders, they built a three-story, three-bedroom house with the garage on the first floor. From the bedrooms on the second floor, they see dunes on the ocean side and marshland on the bay side.

The open-concept third floor includes the kitchen, dining room, and living room, where glass windows and doors offer vast water views. A fourth-floor loft that serves as Randy’s office is also surrounded by glass.

“We decided we’d give up picture space and wall space to have as much glass as possible on each floor,” Katie said. “It feels like the outside is inside.”

It’s why many people dream of owning a Shore house — to witness sunrise and sunset over the water, spy on local wildlife, and enjoy the ever-changing views of the ocean and bay.

“When a view is one of a property’s greatest assets, every design decision should work to celebrate and preserve it,” said Laura Glantz, partner at Asher, Slaunwhite + Partners based in Jenkintown.

From the earliest stages of planning, the home’s floor plan, windows, doors, decks, and outdoor spaces are carefully positioned to optimize the views. That often includes creating a seamless relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces.

For the Zakreskis, it influenced the entire layout of their house. Abundant ocean and bay views are also visible from their five exterior decks — two in the front and three in back.

“At night, especially after daylight savings time, we’re making dinner and out back you see this orange ball as the sun is setting,” Katie said. “It takes your breath away.”

Many homeowners enjoy their Shore homes year-round. Designing interior spaces to maximize views ensures they can appreciate the beauty of the Shore in every season and all weather.

The orientation of a waterfront home can dramatically influence its natural light. Oceanfront homes facing north or northeast greet the day with morning sunshine and sunrises, while bayfront homes facing south or southwest enjoy sun-filled afternoons and colorful sunsets.

Open floor plans allow light to pass through without obstruction. Layouts that include a main living area and kitchen with a wide, sweeping view of the horizon, make it feel like you’re outside while sitting on the couch or at the kitchen table. The most compelling views are often found from upper levels of the home.

When Mary Simmonds and Richard Stewart rebuilt their bayfront home in Avalon in 2021, they hired Clermont-based Blane Steinman Architects and J.G. Popper Custom Builders. The floor plan included an open concept with high ceilings to capture as much light as possible.

“We are not boaters, but there’s something special about being on the bay,” Simmonds said. “We have a bay view on two sides of the house, and we can see the sun rise.”

The home features plentiful windows and sliding glass doors to three water-facing decks. The living room on the second floor, oriented for a dramatic bay view, is Simmonds’ favorite spot to relax. Stewart prefers reading in the sunroom, which also enjoys spectacular views of the bay.

Window and glass door placement are key for optimizing views. The size and placement of windows should balance daylight, privacy, and visibility of outdoor features. Sliding glass doors can serve as a huge picture window with an unobstructed view to the world outside.

Carefully composed windows should frame the landscape as one would frame a work of art, making the surrounding environment an integral element of the room itself, Glantz said.

“There are companies who make glass that turns opaque with just the press of a button, so you don’t even need blinds,” said Mallory Oliver Stampone, president of Oliver Custom Home Builders in Strathmere. “But it’s very expensive.”

When houses are built very close together, as is often the case at the Jersey Shore, side walls just feet from the next-door neighbor’s house can have limited windows. The Zakreskis have decorative shutters for privacy.

Large lift-and-slide door systems with minimal frame profiles are often employed to blur the boundary between inside and out, allowing the landscape to become the focal point, Glantz said.

Outdoor spaces, including decks, balconies, and porches, create additional opportunities to enjoy beachy surroundings.

As with the home’s orientation, outdoor spaces facing the ocean will enjoy morning sun while those facing the bay will catch sunsets.

“We’ve seen a definite shift from maximizing the size of a deck to maximizing the experience of being on it,” said Jodi Lee, senior vice president of marketing at Virginia-based Trex Co., which makes decking products. “Rather than simply building larger decks, homeowners are creating thoughtfully planned spaces that optimize sight lines while supporting multiple activities.”

Those features include multilevel layouts, built-in seating, strategically placed planters, and designated zones for dining, entertaining, and relaxing.

Homeowners can employ railings made with glass slats or panes, stainless steel rod systems, and cables, which are less obstructive. Be sure cable systems include components that won’t rust, and for safety, be sure kids can’t climb on them.

Landscaping should enhance the setting without blocking views. Some homeowners prefer a natural look with native plants and trees. Avoid planting trees that may obstruct the view as they grow larger.

“Thoughtful planting strategies can frame desirable views, soften transitions between architecture and nature, provide privacy where needed, and direct attention toward key focal points,” Gantz said. “Hedges, shrubs, and carefully composed planting beds can create outdoor spaces that are as welcoming and thoughtfully scaled as the rooms within the home.”