There’s no denying the charm and ease of a coastal home. Think sun streaming through gauzy linen curtains, a comfy, overstuffed chair in the corner, and the faint scent of sea salt and citrus. Coastal design is timeless, elegant and rooted in simplicity. The design style mirrors the beauty of the beach and a coastal landscape, regardless of where you live. And summer is the perfect time to give your home a coastal refresh!
In this guide, you’ll learn how to curate a coastal-inspired home that feels elevated yet approachable. Ready to capture that relaxed, refined energy that makes coastal design so beloved? Let’s dive in!
Embrace a Coastal Color Palette
A coastal color palette will look like the beach. Think soft blues, whites, creams, sage and sandy beige. If you’re not sure if the coastal design aesthetic is for you—step inside Serena and Lily. You will be surrounded by these colors instantly, and if it’s right for you, a wave of calm should flow right through you. Even if you don’t want to give your entire home a coastal makeover, adding a touch of blue or cream will brighten up your space for summer. Try adding a blue striped picture frame or a rattan decorative box to your dresser or coffee table.
If you want to pack a bigger punch, paint and wallpaper can completely transform a room. Opt for a beautiful floral coastal blue wallpaper or head to Farrow and Ball for paint recommendations. Farrow and Ball Light Sand would be an excellent warm white for a coastal home, and if you’re leaning towards a soft blue, try Farrow and Ball Borrowed Light.
Layer Natural Materials and Textures
A blue and white color palette is best when balanced with textures like linen, wicker, rattan, and cotton. Coastal design is all about evoking an easy, breezy atmosphere. Layering these textures will help ground your space while at the same time, keep it light and bright. You can add coastal decorative accents like linen pillow covers or a woven mirror or you can invest in a larger piece of furniture for a full coastal makeover. This woven four posted bed is stunning, or you could brighten up your kitchen with these rattan counter stools.
Display Beach-Inspired Elements—Without Going Full Nautical
A coastal home embraces beach-y decor like shells, coral and driftwood. While it might seem a bit silly to display these items year-round, summer is a great time to lean into the aesthetic. Add beach decor like these adorable rattan shells or even these cute blue crab napkin rings. Just be sure to add little touches—too much beach decor can appear kitsch instead of chic!
Another fun way to include coastal decor is displaying memories from your own beach vacations. Swap your framed photos for fun vacation shots, or if you have special mementos like menus from your favorite beach restaurants, coastal maps, or even shells— Framebridge is able to frame art, objects and anything with depth.
Add Coastal Fragrance
Fragrance is one of the most underrated design elements in my opinion. Sure you can’t see fragrance, but it adds to the ambience and vibe of a room in a big way. Summer is made for fresh, natural scents like salt, citrus and coconut. You can infuse scent into your space with candles or reed diffusers. Citrus scents like Anthropologie’s capri blue volcano candle are perfect for spaces like the entryway or a living room, or you could opt for something a little more grounding like Jo Malone’s Wood Sage and Sea Salt candle from Sephora.
Another fun and simple way to add fragrance to your home is through your everyday essentials. Williams Sonoma has a wide array of hand and dish soap in coastal scents like Beach House, Amalfi Coast and Sunny Orange Citrus. I always love giving these as gifts because they’re always so well-received—everyone loves how amazing these smell! You can imagine you’re at your beach house simply by washing your hands or doing the dishes.
Remember, coastal design is rooted in comfort, elegance, and ease. You can evoke that breezy, sun-soaked feeling wherever you are, whether you live on the coast or the suburbs of Maryland. Happy decorating!
