Coastal style design and décor is loved by almost everyone. It reminds us of the fun and relaxing times frolicking in the sun, sand, and water at the beach. While there are different types of coastal styles, similarities include a love of ocean hues, warm whites, natural materials, nautical décor, soft furnishings, and natural light.
The American coastal style is growing and has branched into Cottage and Contemporary Coastal styles. It focuses on comfort and relaxation with warm colors, lots of light, and cozy spaces.
Customs, colors, and beliefs of its natives define the Tropical Island Coastal style. It’s known for cultural décor, bright colors and patterns, and natural elements.
Terracotta, bright sunbaked colors, heavy woods, carved detailing, black metals, and natural light describe the Mediterranean Coastal style.
Every day can be a beach day, no matter where you live! Below are some ideas and tips for bringing coastal style to your home.
- Let the sun shine in. Hang sheer curtains to create the airy quality we love in coastal homes. They are a perfect beach window treatment to close off an area or shade a bright room, while still providing some privacy.
- Enjoy the view. Open up your rooms with less cabinetry and more open shelving. The view is the key to create a bright and spacious feel.
- Be bold. Coastal homes use fresh, bright colors to showcase their surroundings. Get inspired and pick an area or room to go bold. A bold front door makes a big impact and adds to your home’s curb appeal.
- Use natural fiber. Incorporating textures and woven materials will bring the outdoors inside for a more natural, casual environment.
- Mix it up. Vary your shades and textures. Don’t be afraid to mix colors or find a pattern in the same color family and layer florals, stripes, and geometrics of similar weights. Decorate with different textures like old wood, new wood, and stone, as well as linen, jute, and grasscloth.
- Be cautious with accents. Avoid too many nautical and sea-inspired accents. Bamboo, shells, sea glass, etc. are fine, but use them as small touches to bring a balanced beachy style. Repurpose driftwood into a centerpiece with candles to create a rustic feel.
- Bring the indoors outside. Create a warm, cozy outdoor living room with comfortable furniture, rugs, greenery, and artwork. Add an outdoor fireplace to re-create a beach firepit for making s’mores.
- Don’t make it perfect. The best thing about a beach home is its relaxed vibe. Imperfect is perfect for a home on the coast. Use materials with natural imperfections to create a relaxed, “make yourself at home” environment.
- On the outside: Plant grasses, hydrangeas, roses, palms, and other indigenous plants to add color and texture to your landscape.
- Room for a crowd. A coastal home is a natural gathering area, so create spaces that are easily shared by many people. From ottomans to garden stools, furniture and seating that can be used for multiple purposes is a great investment.
- Slip it on. Sand, lotion, water…all can play havoc on furniture. Coastal upholstery needs to be durable, as well as pretty. Slipcovers are versatile and easy to clean, making them every coastal home owner’s best friend.
- Coastal flooring. Rugs in high traffic areas take on a lot of wear and tear. Add some charm to your floors by painting them for a beachy appeal. Whether a solid color or stenciled pattern, easy to clean paint will be sure to make this area pop.
- Tropical vibe. Use oversized plants with glossy, wide leaves and tropical flowers in large pots to create a lush and vibrant look, with just a touch of extra drama.
