How to Add Coastal Style to Your Home

Coastal style is comfortable and carefree with a nod to colors of the beach. It originated on the Atlantic coast in homes with expansive windows to let in seaside breezes. Coastal interiors can withstand sand from the beach and salt from the air. With nautical influences, it can be romantic, rustic, classic or modern. You’ll find a variety of coastal influences to add to your own home – perfect for summer!

A wall of windows keeps this coastal style kitchen light and bright throughout the year. Bead board cabinets lend cottage charm while touches of blue remind you of the ocean. Even the curtain swags have coastal appeal with tiny starfish to hold them in place.

Beach Style Kitchen by Nantucket Interior Designers & Decorators Donna Elle Seaside Living

Ocean blue walls set a serene mood in this farmhouse bathroom. A rustic, chippy cabinet serves as a vanity beneath an elegant mirror.

Bathroom by Millbrook Architects & Building Designers Crisp Architects

An easy way to add coastal style to your home is to hang a fun fish sign. I did this a couple years ago with a free “Gone Fishin’” printable you can download and frame, or decoupage it onto a stretch of canvas.

Photo by Diane Anton Photography

Gray is another great color to use when adding coastal style to your home. It creates a more elegant look like you’d see in a home in the Hamptons.

Kitchen by Doylestown Kitchen & Bath Designers Superior Woodcraft, Inc.

Everything about this entry way says coastal style. From the blue and white color scheme to the nautical light fixture. Framed seashell prints on the stairway wall enhance the beach theme.

Coastal Entry by Ardmore General Contractors Pinemar, Inc

A charming back porch has ample windows to let in the sun, while a tile floor underfoot can handle sandy feet. Slip covers on the chairs can easily be removed for frequent washing.

Toronto General Contractors Hardrock Construction

A bedroom with ocean views mimics the colors you see outside. Soft seashell bedding in blue and white plays against soft yellow walls that echo the sunshine.  Open the windows and fall asleep to the ocean breezes. It just doesn’t get any better than this!

Beach Style Bedroom by Nantucket Interior Designers & Decorators Donna Elle Seaside Living

Add a bright color or two when decorating with the soft blues and greens of the ocean. Here, a fun porthole-style mirror is painted a bright coral to match the coral-looking cabinet knobs.

Photo by Diane Anton Photography

When it comes to nautical decorating, blues are often paired with yellow. Blue represents the ocean, while yellow mimics the brilliance of the sun overhead. Add fish pillowcases to your bed and you’ve got a coastal-themed bedroom.

Photo by Diane Anton Photography

Finally, tackle an easy craft project by making a seashell mirror. Pick up an inexpensive mirror from the thrift store, purchase seashells from a craft store, and hot glue the shells to the mirror. And voila! Easy and budget-friendly coastal decorating!

Photo by Molly Frey Design

Do you have any elements of coastal style in your home?

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3 Comments

  1. I guess I also pretend I’m near the ocean in my 1995 midwest tract home. My bedroom is decorated in cool colors – light gray walls, white woodwork and seafoam and white sheer draperies and bedding with the same colors continuing on into the tiny master bath. Otherwise, my home is not “coastal” but is very slowly (as the budget allows) taking on a more light and airy feel. Now if I could just find some way to hear and feel the ocean breezes.