Coastal Style
There’s something about the salty air and lull of the tide that encompasses the charm of Coastal living. Casual yet crisp, coastal homes are welcoming to anyone and everyone. Coastal design is a decorating theme inspired by weathered furniture and nautical accents found in traditional coastal homes. It incorporates pale finishes, shades of blue, and maritime elements such as compasses, marine life, anchors, and helms. Natural details like stones and driftwood are also popular accents in a coastal home. Whether you long for a home on a golden Malibu beach or prefer the rugged, Atlantic vistas of Cape Cod, Coastal design is all about creating a fresh and light escape. With the perfect coastal color palette and nautical decor, every day in your home will feel like a day at the beach.
Coastal Colors
A Coastal color palette is inspired by the colors of the beach: seafoam green, ocean blue, driftwood grey, and sandy brown. Decorating with touches of crimson can help create a tailored, preppy look, while incorporating bursts of coral is a great way to add a pop of color to your soft tones. Add a breath of fresh air to punctuate sea hues, like sails on a horizon, with cream curtains and other linens.
Coastal Decorating Ideas in 3 Easy Steps
Coastal Style Elements
Wicker
Give your home a weathered look with the texture and comfort of wicker. Durability makes wicker and rattan furniture great for indoor seating and patio furniture, and the perfect accent on your porch or in your sitting room.
Glass
With the right glass accessories, your Coastal home can sparkle like sunlight on water. Glass bottles and decorative sea glass accent a room with subtle shine. Look for muted blue and green glass to capture ocean hues within your home.
Driftwood
Scrubbed and shaped by salty seas, driftwood’s ghostly silhouette and naturally soft finish gives a wild look to your space. Driftwood decor, like frames and lamps, adds an earthy feel to the natural fluidity of a Coastal space.
Rope
Natural fibers and rope accents are right at home in a coastal living space. Rope accessories lend a nautical touch to Coastal decor, setting it apart from other cottage styles. Look for rope baskets, curtain ties, or rope-wrapped lamps to infuse your space with this textured element.
Coastal Patterns
Stripes
Stripes are a tried and true way to give structure to your coastal design. Thick stripes and pinstripes lead the eye and create the impression of a larger space. Pull inspiration from vintage beach chairs and classic sailor outfits with wide cabana-style stripes to add balance to your Coastal decor.
Coral
Coral decor adds vibrant interest to your Coastal style. Inspired by the brilliant shapes and colors of a coral reef, coral accents give your Coastal decor a bohemian edge with a nod to nature and ocean life. Look for coral print throw pillows and wall art to bring your coastal home to life.
Nautical
Core nautical patterns like anchors, helms, sails, and compasses are essentials of Coastal decor. Incorporate these nautical decor classics using decorative accessories, wall art, and fabric prints.
Trellis
Trellis and quatrefoil patterns add complexity in Coastal home decor. With their woven, knotted shapes and Moroccan influences, trellis-print pillows, rugs, or curtains make a beautiful statement and add dimension to the space.
Coastal Living Room Ideas
Your Coastal living room is your retreat by the sea, so make sure it includes all the comforts you need to keep a light mood and easy atmosphere. This is a welcome space for coffee with friends, book club discussions, and catching up with family. Soft couches, poufs, throw pillows, and other comfy furnishings invite casual conversations and cozy nights in. Decorate with wood furniture and antique trunks which provide lots of space to store extra blankets and display collections of decor. You’ll get that signature Coastal feel in no time with these simple tips.
Coastal Living Room Essentials
Striped Rugs
A large rug with classic, wide stripes gives the appearance of a larger space–a design trick that works wonders in smaller homes. Pencil stripe rugs are a great way to subtly include this essential Coastal style, and easily incorporate multiple colors.
Hardwood
Hardwood furniture and hardwood floors are beautiful and timeless in a Coastal living room. Warm and elegant, hardwood is easy to style and cozies up a room with its classic look.
Pouf
The mobility of these miniature ottomans helps create a flexible gathering area with plenty of seating. Play with chunky knit poufs for texture, or check out poufs in preppy accent colors such as crimson, coral, or navy blue to capture the Coastal vibe.
Baskets
Woven baskets in wicker or rope are great ways to keep your Coastal home organized and stylish. Fill baskets with cozy blankets and extra throw pillows to keep your home and decor in shipshape.
Coastal Dining Room Ideas
From morning coffee to dinner parties, your Coastal dining room is the place where you can enjoy an intimate meal or host potluck gatherings on holidays. Natural and breezy elements are tied together with simple and structured pieces. Whether you have a crew to feed or you’re enjoying breakfast and a view in solitude, any meal is made better by this versatile and peaceful setting.
Coastal Dining Room Essentials
Jute Rug
Natural fiber rugs made of jute and sisal punctuate a Coastal design with their rugged, rope-like look and comfy texture. A jute rug is the perfect, structured complement to the light and airy elements of a Coastal decor theme.
Orb Chandelier
Light up your Coastal dining room and add a vintage touch with an orb chandelier. This light fixture centers your dining room with its sturdy structure, while the spherical shape softens the room’s look and creates flow.
Beadboard
Beadboard, wainscoting, shiplap, and reclaimed wood panels add dimension to your Coastal dining room, whether they’re used throughout or on a single accent wall. Keep your beadboard natural, or paint it white or grey to lighten things up. White panels go a long way in imitating the feel of a seaside cottage, whatever option you choose.
Nautical Decor
Take your Coastal dining room decor to the high seas with nautical accents and beach-inspired decor. Seashells, anchors, and rope details help create a beautiful tablescape or dress up a bare sideboard. Look for nautical wall decor that complements your color scheme, such as an anchor or sea urchin. Or, create an eye-catching centerpiece for your table out of beach-themed elements that will be the focal point of your room.
Coastal Bedroom Ideas
In your Coastal home, your bedroom is an oasis. After a beach BBQ, a day on the water, or dinner with friends, falling into bed may be the best part of your day. Let the sound of the surf and your favorite memories be your inspiration for a cozy retreat. With comfortable and restful sleep, you’ll be ready to take on whatever waves come your way.
Coastal Bedroom Essentials
Sheer Curtains
Sheer fabric is a beautiful transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, giving your Coastal bedroom an open and breezy feel. Sunlight through sheer curtains gives your bedroom a soft glow and creates a relaxing interior. Decorate with voile or polyester blend curtains to achieve this soft, translucent look.
Trunks
A trunk is the perfect Coastal style essential, striking a balance between rugged and beautiful. Keep a storage trunk at the foot of your bed for blankets or additional seating. Weathered wood and leather trunks add rich character to your Coastal bedroom, complement your bedroom furniture, and allow you to store your treasures in style.
Gallery Wall
Showcase your favorite seaside memories and Coastal wall art with a gallery wall. Gather favorite photos and hang keepsakes to make this space extra personal. Get inspired with our guide on How to Hang a Gallery Wall.
Layers of Bedding
Prepare your bedroom for four seasons by the sea with perfectly layered coastal bedding. Layer super soft sheets, quilts, and a duvet cover for a luxurious and cozy bed to fall into at the end of the day. Don’t forget to incorporate different textures and shades of blue bedding to add visual interest and customized comfort to your bed.
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