Bringing the outdoors indoors
Coastal is one of those interior designs that never really goes out of fashion. It brings the balmy feel of beachside living right into our homes, creating the illusion of a holiday lifestyle even if we’re miles away from the nearest seafront.
And what’s so great about coastal interiors is that they’re not difficult to create. Our guide makes it easy to achieve this classic look so you can enjoy the feeling of picturesque coastal living all year long.
What is coastal design?
Coastal design evokes the feeling of summer, sand, blue skies and salty breezes. It creates a beachy feel with furniture like wicker chairs and linen-covered sofas - everything you’d expect from a relaxing seaside holiday.
It isn’t an overfussy style. Coastal is laid-back and casual, favouring simplicity and comfort above all. Expect no big statement pieces here! It’s about creating a sense of harmony with little touches, like layered fabrics, sentimental ornaments, or natural and reclaimed objects.
Drawing from our long history of UK seaside culture, coastal design can sometimes take the form of a beach hut feel.
It might incorporate lots of wood panelling, pastel colours and playful kitsch elements like seashells, ships in bottles, bunting - or maybe even some cheeky seaside artwork!
But coastal interior design can also draw influence from the grand seafront and lakeside homes of America, where you might see elegant rattan furniture and antique touches, all styled with a subdued and crisp colour palette.
Scandi style - which also originates from the coastal lifestyles of northern Europe - uses many similar elements.
Key style points of coastal
The core elements that create the timeless look of coastal work together to create the feel of an endless summer, where interiors feel like a breath of fresh air. Here’s what to look out for…
Painted wooden boards
Painted boards, whether they’re on the walls, floor or ceiling, are almost mandatory in a coastal interior. They instantly bring to mind adorable beach chalets with their whitewashed or brightly coloured interiors.
White contrasted with blue accents
White is traditionally used as the primary tone, but if you find that a little too bright, you can always choose a softer cream. Just make sure it’s not too warm - coastal is supposed to feel fresh and crisp.
Lots and lots of light
Even if you’re nowhere near the ocean, the secret to creating that coastal feel is by letting in as much light as possible. Beach homes traditionally offer panoramic views of the sea with large windows or french doors, so recreating that feel is essential.
Stripes, stripes, stripes
Adding a touch of nautical style, stripes are a staple to the coastal look. Go for bold and vivid blue and white, or you can work them in with a subtle pinstripe on bed linen. But if stripes aren’t your thing, any blue and white patterning will do.
Natural materials
Everything in a coastal room should be inspired by the natural world. Think rattan furniture, woven baskets, seagrass rugs and lightweight slip covers for soft furnishings. Avoid anything cheap, manmade and plastic.
Reclaimed and nostalgic objects
An undercurrent of the coastal style is rustic living. Accent pieces often have a weathered look and feel, as if they’ve been discovered washed up on the shoreline, which all adds to the homey aesthetic. This might be in the form of found objects, like driftwood, sea glass and shells; or retro and antique pieces, such as old bottles, upcycled furniture and woven hampers.
Breezy fabrics
Linen and cotton are everything. All fabrics should be natural and lightweight to give the space a sunny and positive feel. Dark colours should be avoided for window treatments but can be added into accent pieces.
Coastal vs nautical design: what’s the difference?
While both interior styles draw inspiration from the sea, coastal and nautical are two distinct themes that create very different atmospheres.
Nautical interior design - as you might have guessed - expresses a love for everything sailing and being out on the open ocean.
In a nautical design, you’re more likely to see design elements like ropes, flags, ship’s wheel motifs, lifebuoys and model boats.
In contrast, coastal interior design is all about beachside living. Its emphasis is on creating a feel of being on a balmy seaside holiday, where comfort and an easy-going lifestyle is everything.
The seaside touches in coastal are minimal but thoughtful. So bear that in mind when styling your coastal interior, otherwise you might find it leaning more towards a nautical theme.
Coastal vs beachy design: are they the same?
So, if there’s a difference between coastal and nautical, then what about beachy design? Isn’t that the same as coastal decor? Well, yes and no…
While beachy interior design is coastal, not all coastal spaces are beachy. Think of coastal as an umbrella term that captures a range of related styles, which might be tropical, Mediterranean, lakeside or a more abstract, contemporary spin on seafront living.
Specifically, beachy design is all about fresh interiors, lots of linen and white panelling, combined with that light and airy feel.
This is what most people associate with the word ‘coastal’ and it’s a timeless interior design style.
But remember, you can draw influence from any coast in your coastal design - whether it’s far-flung, sandy beaches or rugged, stoney shorelines.
With that said, here’s how you can create your own classic coastal look to bring a beachside feel right into your own living room.
How to style a coastal room
Eager to get started? Just follow this easy step-by-step guide to get your laid-back coastal interior on point.
1. Avoid overcluttering
Easygoing and calm, your coastal interior design should be anything but hectic. Looking at your design should bring a sense of simple harmony, where everything has its place.
Investing in good storage will do wonders for keeping your space neat and tidy.
The right fitted wardrobes and co-ordinating furniture will give you plenty of space to store away any extra blankets and pillows, while also adding to your cosy coastal vision.
For living spaces, a fitted media unit in white will keep your scheme neutral but also offer extra room to keep things tucked out of sight.
2. Bring in white panelling
Painted floorboards are a popular way to create that beach house feel and they don’t have to be perfectly finished, either.
Distressed wood boards can still look excellent and add to the more rustic feel of your coastal design.
If that sounds like a little too much work, laminate floorings make a great alternative but be sure to choose one with a light, driftwood style tone.
Your panels don’t have to be on the floor - adding shiplap boards to your walls or ceiling can also create that perfect coastal feel.
3. Stick with a neutral palette
A bright, refreshing neutral should always be your dominant colour.
In most instances, this will be white, but you can also go in for a light teapot grey or brighter shades with slightly sandy undertones.
This will keep your interior design having that breezy, beachy feel but will also make it much easier for you to work in your furniture and accent pieces further down the line.
Bold and vivid colours will only detract from your carefully curated look.
4. Add in rattan and wood furniture
Furniture in a coastal design always captures an elegant simplicity.
Wooden seating and accent pieces are a classic choice for this motif, with Shaker furniture a particularly versatile option that blends in perfectly.
Keep an eye out for wicker chairs, rattan console tables, or basket light fittings to really bring your design together.
The warmer tones provided by these materials soften the overall look of coastal and prevent the whiteness of the room from becoming too clinical.
5. Keep it light
Everything in your coastal space should feel lightweight and airy, so that you feel instinctively cooler just from looking at it. Linen and cotton are fantastic options for fabrics in these spaces and will look their best in a plain, natural colour.
Getting plenty of light into your room is a must, too. Coastal works best in interiors with lots of window space, and if you want it to look extra sophisticated, it’s well worth adding a bay window seat to give it a wistful feel and maximise your view outdoors.
If your space doesn’t have large windows, use blinds and curtains with sheer fabrics to make sure your room is as bright as it can get. Adding gloss finishes and mirrors can also help to reflect more light into your interior.
6. Blend in oceanic colours
Drawing so much inspiration from the sea, the natural contrasting colour for a coastal style room is almost always blue, though mint green and darker teals can also work well. Be sparing when blending blues into your design. Reserve it for room accents like pillows and rugs.
For a more muted, low-key look, dark greys and other stone colours can add subtle definition, which is great if you’re looking to create a more relaxing atmosphere in a bedroom.
You can also bring in ocean tones with ornaments in display cabinets or on shelving to bring your theme to life, but make sure it’s nothing too bold or garish. Keep everything understated and relaxed.
7. Draw inspiration from nature
The coastal look is all about being connected with the natural world, and if you happen to live by the sea, you can even forage for your own decor.
Ornamental pieces of driftwood can look gorgeous as a statement piece but so can dried flowers or grasses in a vase. Adding smooth rocks and stones to your design brings in a grounding, zen feel. And yes, seashells are very much on the menu…just don’t go overboard and add too many!
But, if you want coastal decor that’s a little more ornate, there’s plenty of stunning ocean-themed pieces to choose from in high-street shops. Look for ceramic corals, blue-glaze pottery and vintage glassware.
8. Don’t forget the cosy elements
Coastal is homey and inviting. Your space should never be without soft touches, such as scatter cushions and throws, to give it that cosy atmosphere. But avoid chunky knits and faux fur which might tip your design towards a Scandi-style interior.
Your soft furnishings are a great excuse to bring in pattern and colour, so here you can go for stripes, folk weaves, fishbone or check to create the look you want.
For a deeper contrast, bring in dark navy blues, which will blend well against warmer wood tones and super bright whites. But for a softer aesthetic, try lighter, washed out powder blues.
9. Organic inspired artwork
The rush of the waves and the ever changing nature of the tide mean that a coastal interior is the perfect place to explore abstract and freeform art.
It can be as traditional or as contemporary as you like - just make sure that you love how it blends with the rest of your scheme.
Feel free to go off-script, too. Fused glass wall art can offer a breathtaking mix of colours and tones that are almost made with coastal in mind. For something a little bit different, cyanotype prints make beautiful and unique wall art, and the best part is, you can make them at home.
10. Rugs bring your design together
Having some comfy floor treatments are a must if you’re using hard flooring for your coastal design and rugs are a quick and easy way to add interest.
Whether you want it to add a splash of colour to your layout or bring in some extra textures, a coastal design should always look to use natural materials.
Jute, seagrass, hemp and wool are fantastic options that bring in a coarser, more rustic aesthetic.
They’re also durable and easy to clean - great if you have an indoor-outdoor space where people come and go regularly.
Coastal style made perfect with Sharps
Bring the beachside feeling into your home with Sharps. Our team will work alongside you to bring all your ideas to life, designing classically elegant fitted furniture that makes your home feel complete. From coastal living rooms to walk-in wardrobes, we can help you enjoy this timeless look in any part of your home.
