Living Well At Home

The Ultimate Guide to Coastal Style

It’s a quintessential style in any beach house or vacation home, but coastal style décor makes a statement in any space – whether you’re located at the shore or far from it. The fresh and casual atmosphere of coastal home décor is synonymous with a sense of freedom and relaxation, allowing all who encounter it to take a deep breath and unwind. Are you ready to transform your home into a beachy getaway? Here, we take a closer look at what defines coastal style and how it can inspire your interior design.

What Is Coastal Style?

Coastal design is a style that evokes the ocean and all its related elements. And just as the ocean is broad, coastal style is equally vast and can go in several different directions. While one nautical residence may be a minimalist retreat with modern trimmings, another might have a relaxed and beachy atmosphere with pops of bright color and nautical knick-knacks. But no matter how you personalize it, coastal décor creates a peaceful escape that evokes feelings of serenity, adventure, and fun.

A coastal style sideboard with linen door panels in a room with neutral tones and a sliding barn door in white.
Coastal style comes to life with this styling by blogger @mycanvashome.

Wherever you live, your coastal space should be simple and unfussy, with lots of open air and room to breathe. Refreshing and casual, it takes inspiration from natural and nautical elements to eliminate all of life’s stresses. Some defining characteristics often found in coastal interior designs include:

  • Simple, light color schemes with lots of white for an open, airy feel
  • Sandy neutrals, grays, and muted blues that evoke shallow water and sea glass
  • Crisp red, yellow, and blue primary colors, as found on signal flags
  • Stripes, like on a sailor’s uniform
  • Organic textured rugs, like rope or sisal
  • Weathered driftwood
  • Light, breezy linen
  • Nautical imagery
  • Lots of natural light

What Defines Coastal Style Furniture?

When it comes to interior design, furniture plays an essential role in establishing your desired aesthetic. Coastal style leans toward minimalism, and with fewer pieces to clutter a room, the ones you choose are even more impactful to the overall design. Furnishings should be light but practical, with an emphasis on open airflow. Common elements include:

Weathered textures

Gently distressed wood surfaces recall the natural beauty of driftwood or the chipping, splintered hull of a rowboat. It’s a rugged look that suggests years of loving use and the effects of salt and wind.

Brass knobs

Light brass knobs bring warmth and dimension to an otherwise cool-toned palette. The polished metal also continues the nautical theme by evoking the glint of spyglasses, navy uniform buttons, and other brassy elements of life on a ship.

Simple design

Coastal style isn’t overly ornate or formal, as it finds its freedom in simplicity. Coastal furniture can have some decorative elements, but it’s never busy or overdone. Instead, pieces are light, functional, and easy on the eyes.

White finish

The best base for nautical home design is lots and lots of white. Light furniture keeps rooms bright, which is essential for the open, breezy vibe reminiscent of a beach day under puffy clouds and crashing ocean waves. It’s simple, unfussy, and feels clean and free.

Gray accents

Though light colors dominate coastal design, they can be effectively contrasted by rich shades of gray. It’s a perfect finish for accent pieces like end tables and coffee tables, balancing the light palette and giving it depth and weight.

A single sink bathroom vanity with textured doors and a lower drawer in a room with rustic shiplap walls.
Textured doors on this vanity plus shiplap walls are the perfect coastal combination.

Styling a Coastal House

Coastal color palettes are mostly light and neutral with occasional pops of color. Whether you’re planning an entire home makeover or want to bring a beachy vibe to select rooms, keep these tips in mind when tending to the following areas:

Kitchens and dining areas

Think fresh and simple. A coastally-inspired kitchen is the perfect place to grab a quick sandwich before heading back out to the beach or for enjoying a spot of wine to relax and unwind during a sunset. Store your glasses in a striking glass-paned accent cabinet for easy access. The Luna Accent Cabinet has a Franklin Blue finish with Antique Brass finish hardware for a coastal cottage twist.

Family and living rooms

When designing your coastal living room, you’ll want textured fabric couches, some blue-and-white-striped throw pillows, and thin linen curtains to let in the natural sunlight. A louvered door TV stand with a built-in electric fireplace can become a spot to warm your toes in the winter or enjoy a family movie night.

Bedrooms for all ages

Coastal style is right at home in your master bedroom, where open space makes for bright mornings to start your day. A white-finished open bookshelf offers a place to store your bedside reading materials and display fond memories of your last family vacation. Meanwhile, your kids can relax with fun décor and accent walls finished in soft blue or vibrant turquoise.

Bathrooms

Nautical inspirations and bathrooms are a match made in heaven, where the water of your sink and shower echo the vaster waters of the open ocean. A vanity with wicker textured panels and a white finish can bring a modern twist to the coastal theme.

A TV stand with electric fireplace with louvered doors and open lower storage, in a room with neutral tones and a dramatic blue mountain scene on the television.
Warm your toes in front of this TV Stand with Louvered doors and an electric fireplace.

Create Your Coastal Style Getaway

Coastal style furniture and décor can transform any home into a nautical escape. Not only will it blow away your guests, but the simple design and breezy spaces are great for clearing the mind from mental clutter. If you’re ready to get started on your coastal home makeover, visit the Twin Star Home® blog for ideas and inspiration.

Cookie Notice — By clicking “I Accept,” you agree to this website’s cookies. You can learn more here. View more
Accept