The coastal lifestyle along the Grand Strand is evolving — and so are how homes are built. In 2026, more and more buyers aren’t chasing the biggest house; they’re chasing the right-sized, intelligent home. If you’re looking in areas like Carolina Forest, the market near Market Common, or anywhere in Myrtle Beach and Horry County, this shift matters. Rising costs, changing family dynamics, and smarter tech integrations are making smaller, smarter custom homes not just a trend, but a practical choice.

Why 2026 Marks the Year of the Smart-Size Shift

Builders and buyers alike are waking up to the fact that bigger doesn’t always mean better. Industry reports show:

• The average size of new single-family homes is falling, as builders turn to smaller, more affordable footprints. Sacramento Bee+1

• Floor plans are being re-imagined: smarter, more functional spaces with fewer wasted square feet. Builder Magazine+1

• Smart-home tech and efficient systems now allow homes to feel spacious without being sprawling.

All of this makes sense in Myrtle Beach: you still want access to amenities, the beach, and a community feel — but you don’t want to bury yourself in maintenance or overpriced space.

The Appeal of “Right-Sized Living” on the Grand Strand

In places like Carolina Forest and Market Common, buyers are realising they don’t need 4,000 sq ft to live comfortably and stylishly. The advantages:

• Lower ownership costs – Smaller homes mean less roof, fewer materials, smaller HVAC systems; this is a big deal in coastal climates.

• Less time maintaining, more time living – If you’re spending your time at the beach or exploring the Grand Strand, you don’t want to spend weekends cleaning unused rooms.

• Flexible for different lifestyles – Families, retirees, second-home buyers: right-sized homes adapt well.
  The recent trend toward smaller homes is backed by data: affordability pressures and changing priorities are pushing the shift.Currently+1
  
  

Smarter Systems Replacing Extra Square Footage

The new luxury isn’t “more rooms”, it’s “better systems”. In 2026, a smarter home includes:

• Zoned HVAC and high-efficiency insulation, especially relevant for hurricane-prone coastal zones.

• Integrated smart-home tech: lighting, security, climate control — seamlessly built in instead of slapped on later. DC Structures

• Design and material upgrades that boost durability and value, not just size.
  For custom-home builders like Carolina Crafted Homes, this means building with purpose: every square foot serving a reason, every system integrated for coastal living.

Floor Plans Designed With Purpose, Not Extra Walls

When you build smart, your floorplan gets smarter:

• Flexible multi-use rooms – e.g., a guest room that doubles as a home office. Designers call this “purposeful spaces”. Munz Construction

• Open cores, allowing living/kitchen/dining to flow into one another, making smaller footprints feel larger.

• Outdoor extensions – covered patios, efficient porches, indoor-outdoor spaces that boost lifestyle without stacking more interior volume.

• Storage and smart layout built-in instead of relying on bumping up square footage.
  In the Myrtle Beach region, this means a home that fits your life — not one that forces your life to fit it.

Coastal Sustainability: Size + Smarts = Value

Living on the Grand Strand means you’ve got unique climate and maintenance factors. Smaller homes naturally help reduce environmental impact and cost, but pairing that with smarter design is key:

• Use impact-rated windows and durable siding suited for coastal weather.

• Upgrade to high-efficiency appliances and smart systems that monitor and manage energy use.

• Opt for low-water landscaping and efficient irrigation — especially critical in coastal zones.
  These aren’t just “nice extras”; they’re integral to long-term value and resale potential in coastal markets.

Lifestyle-Driven Design: Live Where You Love, Not Where You Clean

This is really the heart of the shift. With smaller, smarter homes you get more freedom — more time for the beach, for the trails at Market Common, for afternoon bike rides along the waterway. Choosing right-sized means:

• Prioritising experiences over excess.

• Investing in location and lifestyle instead of just square footage.

• Gaining a manageable home that fits your life today, and adapts into tomorrow.
  If you’re considering a custom home build in Myrtle Beach or any part of the Grand Strand, ask yourself: What do I want my home to do? And how much of that is just “extra space”?

2026 is shaping up to be the year of the smarter home on the Grand Strand. If you’re dreaming of a custom build in Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, or Market Common — remember: it’s not just about square footage. It’s about smart systems, intentional layout, coastal resilience, and a home that matches your lifestyle.
Ready to plan a right-sized, smarter custom home with Carolina Crafted Homes? Let’s talk about your vision — and build a home that fits how you want to live.

FAQs

1. Why are smaller custom homes becoming popular in 2026?
Affordability pressures, changing lifestyles, and new home-tech integrations are driving buyers and builders toward smaller, smarter homes instead of larger, less efficient ones.
2. How big is a “smart-sized” custom home in Myrtle Beach?
There’s no one size fits all, but many right-sized homes fall in the 1,600-to-2,200 sq ft range — built to be efficient, functional, and flexible.
3. Are smaller homes cheaper to build on the Grand Strand?
Generally yes — smaller footprints mean fewer materials, less labour, and lower energy loads. That said, premium finishes and technology upgrades can offset some savings.
4. Do smaller homes still suit families?
Absolutely. With thoughtful layout choices like multi-purpose rooms, open kitchens, and adaptable designs, smaller homes can work for growing families and multi-generational living alike.
5. Can smaller homes still provide good resale value in Myrtle Beach?
Yes — with the trend shifting toward efficient, manageable homes, right-sized custom homes are appealing to young professionals, retirees, and second-home buyers in the Grand Strand region.