Whether you live on the Sunshine Coast or plan regular beach holidays each year, creating a coastal look in your home inspires a relaxed natural style of living, where you can unwind in your own resort style sanctuary.
In this guide, we are going to share some simple ways for you to create a coastal look and feel in your home so you can enjoy your “beach lifestyle” year round.
What is Coastal Style?
Coastal design is simple and natural, inspired by a mixture of nautical elements, typically found in coastal homes along with weathered-looking furniture.
The traditional coastal look is infused with shades of blue and pale finishes, maritime décor such as compasses and maps, helms and anchors. Modern coastal designs use a fresh white colour scheme with natural elements such as driftwood, shells and coral.
The classic ‘Beach House’ style home with white interiors, soft linens, light timber flooring, aged rattan furniture and lots of natural light inspires a relaxed and easy interior.
No matter which type of elements you choose to incorporate with your personal style, a home decorated using a coastal design has more to do with creating a fresh escape within the walls of your home. All you need to do is find the right colour palette and décor to make your home always feel like a holiday at the beach.
More About Coastal Color
Coastal colours are inspired by the colours we typically see at the beach; for example, seafoam green, driftwood grey, sandy brown, ocean blue, aqua and even whites and beiges can create a beach feel.
To create a more preppy “Hamptons” look, many coastal homes include a light touch of crimson or coral with navy to add in a bit of colour to rooms with softer tones.
Must-Have Coastal Elements
To give your home the coastal ‘weathered’ look, try adding Rattan or wicker in grey tones for dining chairs, bedheads and occasional chairs. Introducing white or white washed pieces will also give your home the fresh beach feel.
Rope is also an excellent accent because the natural fibers of rope provide an instant coastal feel, lending a bit of a nautical touch. Try adding some rope baskets, rope-wrapped lamps, rope curtain ties, or even a rope light fixture (as pictured above) to give your space some textured, nautical style.
Other elements to consider adding are glass accessories, such as decorative sea glass and glass bottles to help your home sparkle. Muted blue or light green glass to help bring more of the ocean into your home.
Incorporating natural elements from the sea, such as coral, shells and driftwood placed on book shelves, hall tables and coffee tables are perfect decorative items.
Beach Patterns
A great way of adding coastal tones to your home is through fabrics and patterns.
Stripes and trellis patterns, preferably in navy and white are one of the most recognizable coastal designs. These elements can easily be added to your home through cushions or wide striped rugs.
Consider also adding coastal motifs such as coral, palm leaves, and shells through throw pillows, rugs, and wall art with nautical patterns such as anchors, sails, helms, and compasses.
Curtains and Window Treatments
Adding window treatments that allow lots of natural light into your home without taking the focus away from your beautiful views (if you are lucky enough to have them) are an essential part of your coastal design.
Sheer Curtains and Sunscreen Blinds
Window furnishings such as sheer curtains or light sunscreen blinds are a very popular option for coastal living as they are perfect for allowing natural sun light into your home at a reduced intensity. They also provide you with a clear view outside with privacy during the day.
Translucent Blinds
Translucent fabric blinds in lighter colours are also wonderful light filtering blinds. They are perfect for creating a relaxed soft ambiance and because they are woven very tightly with a polyester yarn and finished with a protective clear coating, they are also suitable for keeping the heat out.
Plantation Shutters
For a more classic and timeless coastal look, plantation shutters are not only a great fixed investment for your home, they are perfect for controlling the level of privacy and light by rotating the louves to various angles.
Shutters also keep your home cooler in summer by deflecting direct sunlight and allowing airflow through your home for those sea breezes.
Polyresin (PVC) shutters and powder coated aluminum shutters are perfect for coastal environments or tropical climates.
Timber Venetians
Timber or ‘timber look’ venetians with wide slates in either a white painted finish or a light stain with grayish tones, such as ash, are also a great alternative to shutters.
Coastal Look by Room
Every room in your home is used for a different purpose which is why choosing the right coastal design for each room is important. We’ve broken down coastal decorating ideas by room to help make it easier for you to incorporate coastal style room by room.
Living Room
Living rooms are typically used as a more social space and a space where we can relax and escape. A coastal living room design can also be thought of as your beachside retreat. We’ve outlined some essentials design elements to help you transform your living room into your permanent beachside getaway.
For an instant beachy feel, paint your walls in white and neutral tones. Painted hardwood paneling can make a wonderful wall feature against white washed timber furniture pieces.
Natural woven rugs in sisal, seagrass or wool over your hardwood flooring will add a cozy textured look to your living area.
Position your wicker chairs and large soft fabric sofas in front of a beautiful open fireplace and add built in book cases filled with books and treasured coastal ornaments.
Add some woven baskets made from rope or wicker. This will not only take your coastal look up a few notches, but it will also help you keep your space organised and less-cluttered. Consider filling baskets with soft, cozy blankets and “chunky” accents in coral, crimson, or navy blue.
Include some indoor plants or palms with large wide leaves to create a coastal tropical feel.
Dining Room
Whether you’re hosting a family brunch or intimate dinner parties with friends, your coastal dining area can really help bring you and your loved ones together.
Set the mood with soft natural lighting and decorate your table with candles and beautiful tropical foliage.
Your statement furniture piece should be a large white wash timber table with rattan dining chairs and a natural looking orb ceiling pendant.
If you still have room, consider a matching sideboard to allow you to display your coastal collection of large shells and driftwood to finish the look.
Bedrooms
Your coastal bedrooms should be part of your beachside escape. After a day of relaxing outside on the beach, on the water, and barbequing with friends, your number one goal may be to fall into your bed and rest off the day’s activities. By adding the right elements, you will surely make your coastal dreams a reality.
Start by adding a trunk at the foot of your bed for blankets and additional seating. Choose weathered or wicker style trunk to add character and style. As for your bed, try adding a rattan or white panel bedhead and dress white linens with layers of soft neutral tones.
Choose calming artworks of the beach, ocean or palmtrees for your walls.
A beautiful round mirror attached with a leather strap or rope over a distressed timber dresser will complete your coastal theme.
For your windows, soft sheer curtains will help give your coastal room a more open and breezy look. Perfect for allowing natural light filter into your room, sheer curtains will provide your bedroom with a warm soft glow and help create an inviting and relaxing setting. Consider adding a block out roller blind behind your sheers for total blockout.
Contact the team at Blinds Shutters and Awnings Direct to help you choose the right window products ton compliment your coastal interior. Servicing the Sunshine Coast Region.
About Us
We love helping our customers across the Sunshine Coast choose their window furnishings!
Gallery
Looking for some ideas and inspiration for your next project?
