The Coastal Interior- What Is It and How to Get the Look

The concrete jungle of major metropolitan areas can take a lot out of us. It is hard to relax when all you hear is the honking of cars, people shouting in the streets, and the general noise of the big city. It’s therefore important to make your home more than it is — more than just where you sleep, but an oasis where you can disconnect and recharge. In the world of interior design, there are a lot of tools and techniques that help us do just that, but the coastal style is perhaps one of the best examples of an all-encompassing breezy setup.

The serene aesthetic of the coastal design will help you mellow out even on the busiest days. Its staple color schemes, favorite textures that make up a coastal room, and the visual calm it imbues all contribute to this effect. And it's not surprising as it’s been influenced by the coast and the water, one of the most calming elements on earth. Relaxation and unwinding are the ethos of what the coastal style is all about and you can take full advantage of all the tranquility that comes with it. Even if you do not live near the coast, you can definitely bring the coast closer to you.

The Roots of Coastal Design

How Coastal Design Got So Popular

Humanity has always been fond of water and waterfront communities have existed for thousands of years. As a result, the history and origin of coastal design do not always lead to one precise time or place to pinpoint. 

The inspiration for coastal design can be attributed to a number of factors. Among these is a very popular name when it comes to interior design: the Hamptons. This beachfront community in the state of New York is synonymous with the words “luxury” and “relaxation” as it has been a popular vacation destination for the American affluent since the 20th century. The luxurious designs that emulated the serenity of the surrounding seaside of the community were popularized as more and more Americans made the Hamptons their regular vacation destination (or at least bragged about it back home). 

Nowadays, the coastal style has become a staple amongst favorite interior designs around the world. Many homeowners living anywhere from the beachside to rural, midwestern towns implement the coastal design into their homes as a way to bring the soothing atmosphere of the sea to their homes. 

How to Recognize Coastal Design

Although there are a few common denominators in all coastal style homes, they can also be quite versatile. You can find many variations of the style that are used in different ways and each will carry a handful of the features and attributes of coastal style design.

The Coastal Cottage 

The Cozy Rustic Cottage Design That

The coastal cottage is the variation many have likely seen most. This specific design variation is meant to emulate the interior of a seaside cottage or shack, ones you would typically see on beaches. Coastal interiors often feature soft hues and subtle accents, usually dominated by the colors white and blue, reminiscent of the seaside. Some greys are also used to soften the contrast between the whites and blues and make the color scheme and its transitions more fluid. While other kinds of interiors also utilize a similar color scheme, such as the Mediterranean, it is primarily the balance of colors in the coastal that differentiates it. The Mediterranean often has more emphasis on white and sleek surfaces, but coastal is all about keeping an even ratio of all the colors in the scheme.

Topical (as well as tropical) items can be used as beach themed decor. Things like nautical ropes, miniature lifesavers, beach lanterns, and even barrels for seating are perfect examples of topical or conceptual decor. You will find many of these elements prominently visible in most coastal cottages, however more so ones in the nautical design variation. But as coastal style continues to evolve and the typical props become a bit cliché, coastal decor begins to focus more on adopting textures and materials typical to the theme without necessarily mirroring their forms. Implemented in an approach closer to modernism, your texture choices should be along the lines of rattan, wicker, or jute.

Modern Coastal

The Smooth Modern Coastal Look

While coastal cottages may have been around for longer, nowadays the modern coastal look is definitely what more homeowners are attempting to achieve. It includes the elements in the coastal cottage variation, but with a tinge of sleek minimalism. A modern coastal home will combine the cozy, serene atmosphere of the coastal interior with the more simple designs and shapes of contemporary interior design. 

The result of this combination is an interior that has the soothing qualities of a coastal cottage, but with slightly less decor and more sleek surfaces and textures. This does not mean the modern coastal lacks any charm; it still offers comfort and hominess; it is just expressed more subtly than its more traditional cottage counterpart. In a modern coastal space, you will find traditional coastal elements, such as wood, stone, and light wicker furniture. But they are combined with more modern materials too, such as glass, brushed steel, and vinyl.

Hamptons Style

The Rise In Popularity of the Hamptons Coastal Look

While the coastal interior aims to be reminiscent of a beachside cottage, with all its textures, colors, and decor, the Hamptons style is purely about luxury. While it does share a similar color palette as most coastal style homes it is rather different in the way it utilizes these colors. The Hamptons design takes a more epicurean approach in choosing the textures and furniture pieces that fill its space - these tend to highlight glamour and quality as opposed to the focus of the down-to-earth, sand in your toes beachside vibes.

Eggshell white, bright accents, and plush textures are all indicative of the Hamptons style. While it can be similar to the coastal in some ways, the two designs are still distinct and focus on entirely different aspects of the interior. 

Coastal Farmhouse

How to Achieve the Coastal Farmhouse Look

This variation combines the serene design of the coastal look with the rustic textures and materials of the farmhosuse design. The combination of these two design styles creates something wholly unique and very attractive. The coastal farmhouse puts a greater emphasis on the materials being used, as well as adding more biophilia into the interior with potted plants growing around the house.

From burlap table clothes to sea rocks inside a little glass bowl and rugged wood beams lining the ceilings — the farmhouse coastal is a creative spin on two already very unique and sought-after interior designs. 

How to Achieve the Coastal Style In Your Home 

From the serene coastal living room to coastal kitchens there is a lot to try with this particular design. The coastal is a very forgiving aesthetic in that as long as the color scheme is there, you can have a relatively beachy vibe. You can always purchase coastal furniture to really play on the beachy interior, but by making use of any combination of the following elements you can create a seaside design to your taste.

Implementing the Right Colors

The Serene Color Palette of Coastal Design

The color palette is important in any interior design but in the coastal aesthetic, it is the star of the show. To achieve that distinct coastal feel, you need to fill the room with a relatively balanced ratio of aqua blue, white, and a few more muted greys and safety hues. The emphasis here is on getting the ocean vibe without making the colors pop out too much. 

You can implement these colors by using eggshell white as the primary coat with blue accents. Use shades of blue and beige decor for contrasts - cushions, pillows, and blankets, but leave all major components such as the sofa frame or coffee table white, brown, or light grey. Ask a commercial painter or a handyperson about how to pick the perfect coastal color scheme to create a soothing atmosphere in your home.

Material and Textures

Textures You Can Expect to Find In Coastal Interiors

Bring in some coastal textures. These do not have to be anything too fancy or luxurious: wicker armchairs, porcelain that echoes seashell decor, and linen sheets draped about are just a few of the elements needed for a coastal touch in any room. 

Wood is also a prominent material in coastal design. Engineered hardwood or bamboo or common choices for coastal home flooring. For a more beach-hut yet modern effect, many homeowners paint wooden surfaces, like paneled walls, white or in lighter hues. Keep the wooden textures and surfaces low-key but have them around to drive that coastal vibe home.

Decor and Finishing Touches

Decor Ideas for Coastal Rooms

When it comes to the knick-knacks you’ll dress your coastal room up in, make sure to spread them out. A coastal interior design will not welcome clutter and too much stuff, as this will take away from the premise of calm and serenity. Instead, choose your decor pieces with heart but scarcity. You can consider corners of decor concentration, mixing all the hues and textures you love about this style. 

These are small touches but they bring everything together. Coastal interior can be thematic with the idea of seafaring and living by the ocean. The paintings on your walls can attest to that, whether they are landscapes or more abstract. Do not shy away from the more playful decorations but also do not overdo them. You want a light and playful interior but not an overpowering one.