By Lettecha Johnson

A coastal home design pulls in the colors, airy feel, and calmness of the beach and water nearby. Therefore, interior design focuses on open spaces, layered blues and whites, with natural materials like reclaimed wood, rattan, and linen. Instead of using nautical cliches like overabundant seashells, personalize your home’s nautical theme with related art and ensure obvious sea-themed elements like rope and hooks are part of functional design.

According to the University of South Alabama, homeowners spent $463 billion on renovations in the first quarter of 2024. If you’re a homeowner looking to revamp your existing space this year, whether you live by the sea or in the city, a coastal home design may be the perfect fit to create the calming and modern space you need. 

How Does a Coastal Home Stand Out from a Traditional One?

Design characteristics of a modern beach house favor minimalism and an open plan aesthetic. As a result, if you’re looking for the ideal solution that prioritizes a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors, then a coastal interior design may be for you.

It’s a calm and uncluttered design that incorporates:

  • Lots of light
  • Natural materials
  • Clean lines
  • Seamless outdoor space

Since a seaside home is usually overlooking water, many designs emphasize having large windows and sliding glass doors to let those views come in. It also acts as an easy way to seamlessly connect to the outdoors in these environments. Therefore, such designs may often feature expensive decks that include outdoor kitchens or showers, which make the outdoor space as livable as inside. 

If you need help creating this look, call on the experts at Jonathons Coastal Living to elevate and personalize your coastal design dream.

What Furniture Emphasizes Coastal Living Style?

A coastal home should feel as light and airy as possible. Remember, you’re by the water, or at least trying to re-create that feel. Therefore, your furniture should ideally feature materials that include:

  • Wicker
  • Light finished wood
  • Reclaimed wood pieces
  • Rattan
  • Slipcovered sofas
  • Weathered tables
  • Jute rugs
  • Very soft and breezy fabrics like throws

Slipcovered sofas often fit this environment as they provide a very comfortable and low-maintenance feel. Wicker and rattan provide the natural textures that emphasize a laid-back beach environment. 

Imagine walking on the beach and seeing reclaimed or driftwood. Pick furniture made from this material to bring an organic beachy feel inside.

What About Color?

When putting together the color palette for this type of design, the emphasis is on bright, airy, soft colors that can recreate a chilled and relaxing vibe. Mimic the beach with:

  • Sandy beiges
  • Seafoam greens
  • Soft blues
  • Whites

Add in a few moody tone accents, such as a deep navy or warm earth tone, throughout to create a more layered effect.

The color white can make a room look larger and airier. That’s why your base color for your larger furniture and walls should focus more on soft creams, light grays, and crisp whites to maximize the natural light coming in from large windows.

Once you get your base colors, focus on your primary accent colors to emphasize the ocean vibe. This is where different shades of blue can come in. Create an accent wall painted in deep navy or light aqua, and use different shades of blue throughout your textiles, pillows, and various fabrics.

Secondary accent colors such as seafoam green, sunny yellow, and coral can add light bursts of energy while fitting the colors of the coast. 

Overall, it’s a good idea to combine multiple shades of your blues and your whites to avoid things looking too flat.

How Should I Select Coastal Home Accessories?

Have fun with sustainable home decor as you include the natural textures from reclaimed wood and wicker to balance the cool colors with more earthy warmth. In addition to furniture, these materials may be used on mirror frames.

Natural elements can be further utilized in woven storage baskets, linen throw pillows, and coasters made from stone or wood. Use metal accents and glass lamps to reflect natural light.

Nautical Elements

When decorating coastal-themed homes, try to avoid cliches. In other words, avoid having:

  • Seashells and hooks everywhere
  • Oversized anchors
  • Larger ship wheels
  • Too many starfish

Create a more elegant look by using subtle elements like a single large shell, instead of massive, crowded collections. Consider placing modern art that shows abstract coastal landscapes and seascape photography. Personalize your art decor further with curated pictures from some of your own seascape vacations or showcasing portraits of beautiful sea creatures from whales to seagulls in motion.

Further incorporate nautical touches that are functional. For example, you can use a rope element for tray handles or to frame mirrors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Flooring Is Best for Coastal Homes?

If your coastal home design is for a home that is actually by the water, you must consider high humidity levels. Therefore, you need floors that can withstand those conditions as well as sand infiltration and heavy foot traffic. 

Under these conditions, it is best to focus on using porcelain tile and ceramic flooring. Luxury vinyl plank and concrete or stone flooring are also beautiful, durable options for this type of environment.

What Are the Features of a Coastal Home?

From an architectural point of view, coastal homes feature open plan spaces that highly emphasize using natural light throughout the home.

Therefore, these designs often include: 

  • Skylights
  • Glass doors
  • Large windows

These large, transparent elements make it easy to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Expect to have exposed natural elements like wood beams when possible. Some homes also have mudrooms and outdoor showers to handle wet and sandy conditions before entering the main home.

Bring the Sea Anywhere With Creative Home Design

Whether decorating your vacation home or your main residence, a coastal home design can create an open and relaxing space that emphasizes incorporating beautiful views and natural light. Focus on soft colors and natural materials that further emphasize sustainability and a beach feel. While nautical elements can be incorporated, avoid being cliché and going overboard with them.

Are you ready to try a new home style now? Check out our website for more engaging content.