No matter where you live, whether it’s the city, the ‘burbs or in a regional town, coastal interior design transports you straight to the beach. If you’re looking for coastal interior design ideas, we’ve got you covered with four distinct types of beach house coastal interior design you can use in your home.
What is Coastal Interior Design?
Coastal home interiors evoke a sense of calm and have a breezy, beach-like feel. In saying this, there are a few different types of coastal interior, all taking on different characteristics of living by the sea.
Each coastal interior style features elements of common interior design styles, such as Scandinavian, mid-century modern, contemporary and bohemian interiors. Coastal interior styles take on a more organic approach, taking inspiration from the natural world. From cosy, rustic seaside interiors to coastal chic, we’ll run through different design styles inspired by the ocean.
By the Sea Interior
Think of a cosy cabin by the sea or a homey lighthouse and you’re thinking of rustic by the sea interiors. Rustic seaside interior design has a warm, hand-crafted feel to it. Featuring nautical decor and natural timber inspired by laid-back beach towns, rustic coastal interior design evokes warmth, comfort and cosiness.
This coastal interior style is more akin to a farmhouse than a luxurious, beach resort. It’s all about creating a space by the sea that is comfortable, inviting and warm.
To achieve the seaside farmhouse look, go for nautical and maritime-inspired decor–think anchors and anchor rope, surfboards and life rings.
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Nautical and Seaside Decor
Sprinkle in a little nautical, seaside and maritime home decor. Think starfish wall pieces, anchor rope, life rings or paddle oars.
Glass
Opt for stained glass pieces, glass doors and vintage glassware to create a real rustic feel.
Natural Elements
When it comes to rustic coastal design, you want to keep everything looking natural. Go for timber furniture, jute and sisal rugs and natural materials.
Vintage Furniture
Rustic coastal design is all about cosiness. Bring the maritime style to your home with antique and vintage pieces. Mix wood finishes and don’t be afraid of statement pieces.
Maximalism
While minimalism is all the rage, rustic coastal interiors give way to a little maximalism. You won’t want to go too heavy on the nautical decor, but embrace the warm, inviting and cosy nature of this interior style with layered textures, glass vases, jute rugs, house plants, wall mirrors and more.
Neutral Colour Palette
To achieve the rustic by the sea interior style, start with a neutral colour palette. Bring in light and dark blue hues to pair with natural tones.
Recycled & Reclaimed Wood
Recycled and reclaimed wood brings a hand-crafted warmth to the home. It’s a statement element when it comes to anything rustic.
Exposed Brick
You don’t want your home to look too polished if you go for the rustic coastal style. Polishing up some exposed brick will bring a natural warmth and cottage feel to your home.
Island Living Interior
Tropical patterns, bright colours and bamboo sum up island living interiors. Tropical coastal interior design is relaxed yet luxurious, fun yet laid back.
Whether you want to create a lively tropical beach house vibe or a more relaxing, restful space to live in, island living interior design will help you achieve this. From bar carts, bamboo room dividers, tropical wall art and scented candles to rattan chairs, hammocks and pendant lights, island living interior design will transform your home into a cosy getaway.
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Comfort is Key
When creating an island living interior style home, comfort is key! Island life is all about less stress, more fun and a relaxed lifestyle. Bring in cosy hanging egg chairs, beanbags, cushions and throws for lounging around, no matter the time of day.
Organic Materials and Natural Textures
From jute and sisal rugs to woven baskets to wicker and rattan furniture, island living focuses on organic materials.
Rattan and Bamboo Furniture
Bring the outdoors inside with rattan and bamboo and wicker furniture.
Greenery
Tropical island living interiors give permission to go nuts with house plants. Stick to tropical plants (that can thrive in your home and climate).
Natural Sunlight
It’s important to have a source of natural light. Make sure you let light in with sheer curtains or give your home that beach house look and feel with light wooden shutters.
Patterns
Spring for tropical-themed and organic patterns around your home. Whether you go for lush ferns patterned on your bedding or a trellis rug, patterns will bring a fun vibrance to the home.
Vibrant Colours
Don’t be afraid of a little colour! Unlike other coastal interior designs, island living features bold, vibrant colours akin to a tropical island. Splash yellow, green, blue and neutral tones around the home, from your bedding, decor and art to your walls.
Bar Carts
Relax in style with a bar cart! Island homes evoke that feeling of being on holiday. Bring the vacay vibe to your home to stay on island time all year round.
Hamptons Home Interior
The Hamptons is a notorious spot for affluent holiday-goers, high-end restaurants, and clubs. Coastal Hamptons interiors are heavily influenced by living by the coast but are more focused on a sophisticated, put-together look rather than the cosy, rustic feel of other coastal interior designs. Typically, coastal Hamptons interior design is white-washed, dressed with blue hues and neutral tones.
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Navy Blue
Pair navy blue with white and you have Hamptons style. The contrast of navy with white creates a simple elegance that is understated, minimal and eye-catching.
White Furniture
When furnishing your Hamptons style home, go for white furniture that is minimal in design.
Light and Airy Colours
Light greys, light blue, neutrals and navy paired with white create a colour palette that is soft and easy on the eye.
Coastal Wall Art and Decor
Decorate your Hamptons home with coastal art and decor, from wall art of the ocean to sea shells. Try not to go overboard on the decor–minimal is best!
Outdoor Spaces
Hamptons interior evokes the calm, relaxed nature of coastal life. Create an outdoor dining area with a blue and white Hamptons style dining table and chairs.
Touches of Luxury
Hamptons interior should evoke the feeling of staying at a beautiful hotel or Airbnb by the coast. Bring a touch of luxury to the home by sprinkling in some gold candle holders, sun-kissed scented candles and quality materials.
Natural Light
Traditionally, Hamptons homes are light and airy so it’s important to let in natural light. Opt for sheer curtains or white shutters to allow the light to soak through.
A Mix of Blues
Navy and light blue tones are classically used in Hamptons interior. Pair a white couch with navy cushions, decorate with light blue stained vases and spruce up your bedding with navy quilt covers.
Minimalism
Unlike rustic coastal design, Hamptons homes are minimal in decor. To keep the light and airy feel, choose your decor carefully.
Coastal Chic Interior
Feeling a little torn between rustic coastal design and Hamptons? Do a little of both with this modern coastal interior design. Coastal chic interior design brings the best of both together to create a modern, cosy and sophisticated space.
Wondering how to decorate coastal chic? To achieve this interior style, bring in a little rustic charm, some elements modern beach house and a bit of coastal boho interior design.
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White and Light Blue
Similar to Hamptons interior, coastal chic interior design features white, blue and neutral tones, but don’t hesitate to decorate with lighter blue, yellow and tropical green. Mix white and sea blue to create a space that feels fresh.
Natural Elements
Bring nature inside by dressing up your space with woven baskets and rattan and cane furniture.
Painted Weatherboards
Get that beachy feel with weatherboards and shutters painted white.
Decorate with Hanging Plants, Patterned Cushions and Timber Frames
Get creative with your home decor by hanging plants with anchor rope, hanging wall art in timber frames and costing up with tropical or ocean-themed patterned cushions.
