Take inspiration from the coast and create a timeless, relaxing, and sophisticated home that embodies all things soothing, gentle, and inspiring. Drawing upon colors of the sea and shore, organic earthy textures, and waterside shapes and motifs, you can mirror the serenity of the beach.
Whether it evokes classic Cape Cod house style, a contemporary beachside vibe, or a more boho look, coastal decor can make interiors feel modern and fresh. 'The coastal interior design style has been around for centuries, largely because it was the manner in which people decorated their waterfront or seaside homes,' explains Amy Leferink, founder and principal designer of Interior Impressions.
'Over time, this look has evolved to be less literal and more of an overall interpretation, subject to the designer or homeowner and how they choose to bring the outside in, regardless of the home being situated in a coastal location. It is meant to evoke a feeling of being near the water; bringing the relaxation, ease, and casual vibe of waterside living to everyday life.'
Whether on the East or West Coast, or more distant shores, coastal decor ideas can transform a home into a refreshing retreat. The beauty of these ideas is their versatility; they can nod to the aesthetic subtly or be enhanced for a full-blown coastal ode.
1. Opt for a traditional blue and white color palette
A staple coastal pairing, one of the most classic ways to honor the beachy look is by decorating with blue and white.
Representing the sea and sand, a scheme that combines these two shades almost always honors the coastal vibe. The beauty of decorating with this pairing is that it can be pared down with neutral, textured accents for a more relaxed feel or accentuated with grand, antique-style accents for a more traditional look.
Blue and white is a fail-safe way to make your home feel coastal. Whether you're simply adding some navy cushions on top of a cream sofa or going bolder with a deep blue accent wall, touches of blue against white almost always feel like a nautical-inspired set-up.
Andra DelMonico, the Lead Interior Designer for Trendey, says, 'Focus on selecting a color palette that reflects the type of coastal living you want to emulate. The colors you choose will look very different for a nautical northeastern theme and a southern or Caribbean tropical theme. You can’t go wrong with a white, blue, and neutral combination.'
To prevent your scheme from feeling too coordinated, use a spectrum of blue shades, from pale blue to navy. Using a variety of hues will create a sense of warmth and ensure your space feels layered rather than stark and staged.
Place this whimsical seat cushion on a dining chair or accent chair for a pop of color and pattern that radiates the coastal style with a flourish of country charm.
This charming, country-style table lamp encompasses the coastal vibe without feeling too themed. With its pleated shade and pale blue base, it's everything a sea-inspired space would want and more.
Elevate your photographs with this blue lacquered picture frame. This vibrant pop of blue would look best matched with other blue touches, like pillows or a throw.
2. Keep it serene with a neutral scheme
While you may not have considered decorating with neutrals for a coastal look, layers of natural shades are just as timeless as a blue and white scheme.
Sarah Brady, Founder and Creative Director of Salt Design Company, says, 'When it comes to coastal decor, blue tones are often the go-to choice. But for a fresh take, consider embracing a more earthy, neutral palette. Think warm whites, soft tans, sage greens, and creamy hues. It’s a subtle shift that brings a natural, grounded feel to coastal style.'
Neutral colors will honor the relaxed serenity of the beach and create a soothing atmosphere. When it comes to complementary hues, 'create a color palette that reflects the coastal nature of the space, whether that's injecting oceanic blues with sandy tans or accenting stormy slate gray with natural linen', says interior designer Allison Babcock. You want to keep the scheme grounded with a white or cream base and increase the warmth with neutral accents. Start by decorating with white as a base, then add in warmer neutral touches like beige soft furnishings, pale blue or sage green decor, and warm wood accents.
3. Keep it breezy with light curtains
Bringing softness and a relaxed, breezy feel, living room curtains in lightweight floaty fabrics are the perfect finishing touch to a coastal decor scheme, plus they can help balance the strong tonal contrasts, too.
'Rare is the coastal home that isn't flooded with light and airiness... it's all about evoking that breezy lifestyle,' says Corine Maggio, interior designer and founder of CM Natural Designs. 'In this room, the drapery offers a softening of the otherwise high contrast elements in the space and ties in the light ocean blue of the rug.'
A soft linen drape or a white sheer cotton curtain will allow ample breeze and fall beautifully against the light, allowing your coastal scheme to shine without dominating or overwhelming.
4. Scatter coastal trinkets
While too many seaside accessories and trinkets can overwhelm a room, a few carefully chosen accessories can introduce the coastal theme in an elegant way.
Ellen Fonseca from Blythe Interiors says, 'When it comes to designing a coastal-inspired space, we like to include a few literal nods to beach life, like a starfish pillow or vintage paddles mounted on the wall. This can be a fun way to lean into the vibe. The key, though, is not to go overboard; just a couple of well-placed pieces are all you need, too many, and you start veering into beach-themed souvenir shop territory.'
'Furnishings in coastal rooms often have a nautical feel, with rope accents, seashells, and other beach-inspired details. Decorative approaches can vary from room to room, but often include elements like wicker baskets, driftwood sculptures, and seascape paintings,' says Lily Wili, Founder of Ever Wallpaper.
However, be careful to avoid clichéd coastal accents, warns Alison. 'Instead, choose accessories that have a timeless coastal feel,' she advises. 'While a bathroom with seashell tiles or a living room full of anchors may quickly feel dated, keeping accents simple and natural, like driftwood, seaglass, and stone, means it will never go out of style.'
This luxurious shell trinket will elevate any coffee table or shelf. Simply place on a stack of books or beside a vase of flowers for an elegant, beachy-inspired display.
This delicate ceramic shell box would look beautiful on a nightstand or bookshelf. It nods to the coastal aesthetic without being too literal and will give any area a sense of enduring sophistication.
Bring some opulence into your coastal scheme with this Baroque-style shell object. Place on a console or coffee table for a grand accent that encompasses the nautical style.
5. Decorate with natural materials
Sarah says, 'To bring texture into your coastal decor, layer in natural materials like linen, rattan, seagrass, and whitewashed wood tones. These elements add depth and a relaxed beachy vibe that feels both organic and timeless.'
Ellen agrees, saying, 'When styling a coastal home, look for items made from organic materials. When you mix pieces made from things like rattan, wood, glass, and linen, you’re not just inviting the outside in, but you're also introducing subtle textures that will make your home feel calming and cozy.'
When creating a coastal interior, 'the focus should always be drawing the outside in,' says Allison, and with its wealth of natural materials, the interior of her Nantucket coastal holiday home does just that.
In this open-plan space, a pair of rope armchairs combine with a chunky wood side table and woven coffee table to bring warmth and appealing texture to the cool and breezy living room area, while cane bar chairs and wooden open shelves keep the natural materials running through to the kitchen area.
This woven runner will bring texture to your floors and pair beautifully with blue and white decor. Made from jute, it has a relaxed, earthy feel that any coastal scheme should harness.
This rattan scalloped shade is so chic and will stand proudly for years. It will give a room texture and earthiness and create a laid-back, beachy feel.
Organic materials like glass nod to the coastal aesthetic more subtly. This green glass bowl is reminiscent of sea glass and would look best on a coffee table or on a console in a hallway.
6. Create a nautical feature wall
If you want your coastal scheme to feel impactful, consider creating a feature wall, as this will create a sense of drama and luxury that works so well in this style of space. It's also a surprisingly effective way to bring interest and to a more minimal space, particularly if your scheme edges on the neutral side.
To make a wall attractive, you can hang a series of blue or green plates (pictured above) against a white paint color for a vintage-inspired feature that nods to the coastal theme without feeling too obvious. Or, for a more direct interpretation of the coastal look, try creating a mural wall with a hand-painted seascape or a printed wallpaper that contains coastal motifs.
7. Use the designer formula for coastal style
The key to coastal living room ideas is creating a light and airy space with light tones and neutral textures for a relaxed feel, then adding accents of bolder color to create lively focal points. Leah Keggi, founder of independent art studio CoastL Studio, explains:
'You can achieve this by focusing 70 per cent of your color (walls, furniture, focal patterns) in a room on lighter blues and neutrals that mimic the color of the ocean and beach. Then add in 20 per cent of greens and greenery, and 10 per cent of smaller decor and patterned pieces featuring richer pinks, corals, or navy.'
8. Use shiplap for a seaside look
Wooden paneling ideas like shiplap walls can transform the look of a room, and are a common feature of coastal interiors. Reminiscent of a beach hut, shiplap nods to the relaxed beach feel without feeling too literal.
'We love to use shiplap in our coastal decor ideas because of the nautical feel it gives,' says Owner/Designer Anissa Swanzy, of SKD Studios in Newport Beach. 'Don't just consider neutral tones; we've painted shiplap navy for a client in a beachfront apartment.'
Although shiplap has been thought to be out of style, reimagining the look with a refreshing neutral paint color will make the feature feel more sympathetic with a contemporary scheme. Refrain from shiplapping your entire home; instead, scatter it sparingly on a few walls.
9. Introduce pattern or texture to the walls
Nautical wallpaper gives a maritime makeover and creates a statement that pairs beautifully with more neutral, coastal-inspired decor.
A subtle printed shell wallpaper can uplift bare walls and nod to the coastal aesthetic in a charming, whimsical way. Similarly, a boat-printed pattern creates a sense of charm through illustration.
For a more classic, subtle look, consider a textured wallpaper in a coastal color to create a sense of warmth and earthiness. Referring to the coastal bedroom above, Ellen says, 'The key to creating a space that feels fresh, cozy, and classically coastal is layers. Think soft, inviting bedding, pops of greenery, and serene artwork. Extra bonus points for adding a layer of texture, like a grass cloth statement wall.'
10. Bring in some stripes
Although decorating with stripes can feel a little bold, they're a surefire way to honor the coastal aesthetic. Whether it's a striped pillow or rug, this classic pattern will give you scheme a playful, boldness.
'Striped patterns are a nautical staple but bring these in subtly – for example, in cushion covers or delicately striped curtains,' suggests Connor Prestwood, interior designer at home decor brand Dowsing & Reynolds. 'Light blues, whites, and hints of yellow are go-to colors for coastal, as they remind us of the beach and the ocean and naturally have a calming effect on us.'
For an elegant, subdued take on coastal decor ideas, introduce typical design motifs in an unexpected way. It might be a twist on the usual coastal color palette, or a reinterpretation of pattern and texture.
With bold navy and white stripes and a ruffled border, the Maeve pillow is a lasting choice that will elevate a neutral sofa, armchair, or dining chair with a dose of the sea.
This striped linen tablecloth is so classic and chic. Pair it with blue and white decor and gold accents for a sophisticated arrangement that will impress guests.
Upholstered in a beige and blue striped fabric, this chic armchair is the perfect coastal piece that radiates all things beachy without feeling too themed or trend-like.
11. Introduce coastal elements in the kitchen
When designing your coastal home, your first thought might be on the living room or bedroom, but don't forget that you can introduce coastal decor into other spaces, too. Coastal kitchen ideas are a classic pairing. This space welcomes all things sea-related, and can feel refreshingly bright and airy when done right.
A white kitchen is a classic choice and couldn't be easier to decorate, not to mention it's unlikely to date. Opting for white or neutral-colored cabinets, island, and countertops as your base allows for more vibrant pops of color, like a blue tiled backsplash or upholstered bar stools in a nautical fabric.
Take the coastal kitchen pictured above. Designed by interior designer Shani Core, this space feels refreshingly pared-back and beachy. She says, 'This coastal kitchen benefits from hand-painted, custom blue and white tile, rattan counter stools and accessories, and oversized palm branch cuttings from the backyard, which always bring in a coastal living element to any space.'
12. Decorate with coastal art
Interior designers often use an artwork as the basis for a room's color scheme, whether they pick out a single shade or incorporate the entire palette from the picture. This approach works particularly well when you're refining your coastal decor ideas, as you can use the image as your guide.
Decorating with art is an easy way to introduce a coastal feel, and there are so many inspiring ideas to explore, other than traditional seascape paintings. This beautiful living room features a scenic seascape that brings elegance and movement pop against the white shiplap.
For a more impactful look that encompasses the entirety of a wall, consider creating a gallery wall of small and large coastal-inspired prints and paintings.
This vintage-style seascape would look best paired with other nautical pictures (small and large) for an impactful display that radiates all things coastal.
This illustrative print would look best hung in a bathroom or in a coastal living room. It's vintage in style and will shine for years, solo or amongst other frames.
Create a sea-inspired statement with this set of fish prints. While you can scatter them throughout your home, they'd look best hung in a group for maximum impact.
13. Bring the coast into the bathroom
It's surprisingly easy to make your bathroom feel coastal-inspired. A good coastal bathroom idea features white and blue accents or natural and neutral colors, with subtle nautical motifs scattered throughout.
Although it's tempting to be literal and display a collection of shells or ropes, it's better to avoid the theme route and instead use color and finishes to nod to the beachy look. A mother-of-pearl tile might be just what your bathroom needs, bringing shine and opulence. Alternatively, a terracotta or slate tile may bring an earthy coastal feel that makes the space feel cool and contemporary.
An ornate blue tile can uplift an empty bathroom wall and create a statement that frames the space. If you're working with a white bathroom, opting for a detailed tile is a clever choice.
Sarah says, 'For the finishing touches, incorporate natural wood elements, woven pendant lighting, and decorative vessels filled with pampas grass or fresh eucalyptus. Subtle details like these bring in an organic charm that brings the coastal look together beautifully.'
This set of striped washcloths would look best stacked on a bathroom shelf for a subtle yet sophisticated coastal-inspired arrangement.
Try decorating with stripes in different colors, not just blue and white. This yellow and cream shaggy bath mat is classic and refreshing and will elevate any empty tiled floor.
This green glass canister is a handy bathroom accessory you can use to store cotton buds and pads. It's also reminiscent of seaglass, making it the perfect piece for a coastal bathroom.
14. Don't be afraid to decorate with 'non-coastal' colors
While blue, white, and neutrals are the most obvious color choices for a coastal scheme, that's not to say you can't incorporate other vibrant shades. Some unconventional colors can create just as much impact, creating a summery, beachy feel.
Decorating with pastels can often work in a coastal scheme. Shani proves this theory when she introduced a bright coral into a Florida home. She says, 'Using plenty of blue and white along with hints of coral throughout, the entryway gives a hint of what is to come with a custom colored console table with drawers for storage in the colorway “Coral Gables”. A vintage blanc de chine porcelain shell, rattan baskets, and vintage corals atop seagrass wall brackets set the tone for this home.'
15. Take coastal style onto the deck
All the principles of the coastal decor ideas you bring inside the house also apply outside on a deck or terrace. In fact, coastal garden ideas will work, just as indoors, even if you don't live by the coast.
'When it comes to coastal decorating schemes, colors play a huge role,' confirms Jen Stark, Founder of Happy DIY Home. Think light green and blue hues, bleached whites, and sandy beige tones to mimic the sand and sea look. You can also consider incorporating driftwood browns and grays, beach pebble gray, dune grass green, and the colors you find in seashells. For vibrant hints of color, add orange or yellow to mimic the sun, and the bold reds of umbrellas or shore flowers.'
It's also essential that you narrow down to relaxed simplicity, especially in an outdoor living space. 'Materials and furnishings that can take wear and tear are key,' says Jen. 'Consider adding streamlined, simple furniture alongside distressed and weathered pieces. Using outdoor fabrics in your rugs or on your cushions is another viable option.'Ensure, too, that the space feels authentic by incorporating coastal plants.
This striped outdoor rug will make your outdoor seating arrangement even more cozy and inviting, and nods to a tropical beach somewhere far away.
Outdoor lighting is the key to a good back porch or garden. This table lamp is not only rechargable but it has a rattan shade making it feel bohemian and beachy.
A striped outdoor cushion is a staple in a coastal-inspired home. This woven striped pillow is finished in a sophisticated sage and beige, a refreshing take on the classic pairing.
Coastal decor can make a home feel sophisticated, relaxed, and inspiring. Small touches like organic textures or beachy trinkets can make all the difference to a scheme, but if you want to mirror the classic New England coastal style, try bolder color choices and more traditional decor.
