Thank you for sharing the coastal love:
For your convenience this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I'll probably blow it on a cheapo pair of flip-flops or bottle of wine :-)
Do you love the coastal design style? Always dreaming of endless summers where the sand and sea are just a few flip-flop steps away?
Close your eyes and exhale…
In the morning you enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee, feet propped up on the rails watching the sandpipers play along the beach. In the evening you sip Margaritas on the porch with friends as the sun slowly sets.
As the saying goes:
If you’re lucky enough to live by the beach, you’re lucky enough!
But if the coastal living lifestyle is just a dream (for now), there’s good news. You can get the look and bring the relaxed, easy-breezy feel of the beach into your home, wherever you live.
What defines Coastal Style?
The ideal coastal living interior invites the outside in. Because it creates a soothing place for you and your visitors to relax, even if it’s snowing outside!
Coastal style utilizes sea-inspired colors with an infusion of organic and natural materials, varied textures and lots of natural light.
The key to creating a coastal style home is to employ a bit of restraint with the accessories. Too much of a good thing and your space risks looking like an all-you-can-eat buffet at a cheesy themed seafood restaurant.
You don’t want that.
10 Most Popular Coastal Design Styles
While all these styles start with the same basic coastal design elements, a few changes and additions will create a sub-style that speaks to your personality.
So let’s define the 10 most popular styles and then give you some easy tips, simple ideas and resources to get the sea-inspired look you love.
Where rustic Farmhouse meets Coastal Cottage
2. Traditional Coastal Style
Classic, comfortable and timeless
3. Coastal Chic Style
Urban or Boho personality takes to the seashore
4. Whimsical Coastal Style
Eclectic and quirky go beachside
5. Nautical Style
The feel of being at sea. . .without a boat
6. Beach Cottage Style
A smaller, cuter, casual bungalow
7. Tropical Island Style
Bright and fun colors of Key West and Bahama vacations
8. Mediterranean Coastal Style
European formality in a seaside setting
9. Coastal White Style
Monochromatic made casual with textures
10. Shabby Chic Coastal Style
Reclaimed elements and yard sale finds get a feminine twist
Which one of these 10 most popular coastal styles speaks to you?
Although coastal styles change from region to region, the overall design evokes the same feel — that the ocean and sandy beach are mere steps away from your front door. You can practically hear the sounds of crashing waves and catch a whiff of salt in the air, can’t you?
If you’ve got tons of cash, you can get the coastal living look of your dreams by employing the talents of an interior designer.
Or if you’re a DIYer, aka “Transformational Magician”, you already know that a gallon of paint will quickly change the feel of a space on the cheap. If you’re a bit color phobic, we’ve got you covered. Check out our post: How To Pick Coastal Paint Colors in 5 Easy Steps.
The trick to creating a cohesive coastal style is to pick one theme that can be carried throughout your home. Remember, less is more when it comes to filling your space with seashells and tchotchkes.
You’ll get step-by-step help for putting a room, or entire house, together by going to 10 Basic Layers of Coastal Home Design.
But for this post, we now understand the common theme of coastal living interiors.
Let’s move on and look at the subtle differences of each style, and how you can get the look you love for your own home, wherever you live.
1. Rustic Coastal Farmhouse Style
How to get the Rustic Coastal Style look
Rustic Coastal is the fusion of two popular design styles: Farmhouse meets Coastal Cottage. The “rustic” part of this design doesn’t need to look like the cows just left the barn!
Start with a neutral base palette — whites, beiges, blues, greens, yellows, grays — and add lots of textures. Think about exposed wood and stone, beams (real or faux), distressed furniture, and metal pieces. Visit flea markets, garage sales and online shopping sites for items that you can give a new purpose. Rustic Coastal design is the perfect style for DIYers. A little “imperfection” is right at home.
DIYpick has an extensive library of projects for DIYers. Here is a Rustic Coffee Table tutorial that can be made from reclaimed lumber. Shabby Chic Coastal lovers might paint the top or entire piece a cream or pastel color and distress it. This project idea would fit in with several coastal styles.
Easy Rustic Rope Serving Tray
Wrap a serving tray with rope or cording. Super easy instructions. Sweet results.
Scallop Shell Terra Cotta Pot
A flower pot, some shells, glue and paint. Could it be any easier? Nope.
Shop the Rustic Coastal Style look:
Slipcovered Sofas by Birch Lane
Image is representative of available styles. Slender track arms and blended down pillows offer chic comfort, while the tailored slipcover includes a charming skirt.
Handwoven Wicker Bell Pendant Lamp from Houzz
The simple shape of this ceiling lamp combined with the texture of the hand woven wicker stained in chocolate brown gives any space an organic, timeless feel. 50 Most Popular WICKER and BLOWN GLASS pendants.
2. Traditional Coastal Style
How to get the Traditional Coastal Style
A cousin style to Palm Beach, American, Southern, New England, or Classic coastal. This style is what most of us envision when we think of a relaxing and comfortable seaside home.
Although each style is varied in its subtleties, at its core, the Traditional Coastal style contains the same basic elements of light, colors, furnishings and textures.
“Sophisticated casual” best describes this coastal style which is known for bold stripes, textured whites, neutrals, blues, greens, and gray palette.
Window treatments are clean and simple. Furniture styles tend to use classic and traditional lines covered in fabric textures and colors that complement the overall color scheme, although rattan and wicker have their place, too.
Oil paintings, nautical prints, and mariner’s accessories are great accessories for this home style.
Traditional Coastal DIY ideas
Ballard Design Knock-Off Seascape
Tamara at Provident Home masterfully (and easily) recreated a pair of $900 paintings she saw in one of her favorite shopping catalogs, Ballard Designs, for about FIVE BUCKS EACH! Check out her awesome step-by-step tutorial for how you can artfully knock off a natural seascape in an afternoon. You could also make a mini-painting for the night table. (see photo above for mini-painting on the nightstand)
How To Upholster and Tuft a Bench Cushion
Katie & Jon Jasiewicz are the husband and wife team behind SewWoodsy, a place where they share their love for renovating and decorating on a budget. See their very detailed tutorial to upholster and tuft a bench. Seriously you guys, they create tutorials “to help the average person become a DIY expert”.
How To Chalk Paint a Picture Frame
I’ve done this SO many times and it’s ridiculously one of the easiest beginner DIY projects. But I’ve never documented the entire tutorial. No worries, Medina, a self-professed “upcycle junkie” (love that) at Grillo Designs has you covered in this easy to follow tutorial.
Shop the Traditional Coastal look:
Embroidered Pillow Shams by Bed, Bath and Beyond
Cotton Throw Blankets from KOHL’S
Upholstered Benches on Amazon
White Nightstands from Wayfair
Tapered Table Lamps by Wayfair
3. Coastal Chic Style
How to get the Coastal Chic Style
Traditional coastal styling gets its chic twist with an infusion Urban or Bohemian accents.
Start with the basics: neutral base, lots of light and organics. For a more Urban look, add in exposed beams, brick, metal, but go easy on these elements. The emphasis is on coastal not so much industrial loft.
Have fun with the Bohemian slant, but again, with a light hand. Bohemian style is a free-spirit design known for its use of cultural and interesting fabrics and accessories. Think tapestries, Indian fabrics, throws, small rugs, unusual and bold art in small doses to complement the basic coastal design.
Coastal Chic Style DIY ideas
Pressed Tin Ceiling
American Ceilings is a great resource to help you plan and install a custom ceiling.
How To Slipcover a Chair (and Ottoman)
Coastal Chic (or any of the coastal styles for that matter) utilize slipcovers in their designs. Why? Because they’re inexpensive to make and are forgiving for kids, pets and the occasional spilled cocktail! Leslie over at Goodbye House Hello Home uses a thrift store chair find and scores a high-end fabric look-a-like to make a totally chic slipcover.
Shop the Coastal Chic Style look:
Octagonal Shaped Tables on eBay
Tropical Chandeliers from Houzz
Full Back Bar Stools by Joss & Main
Yellow Vases by Amazon
4. Whimsical Coastal Style
How to get the Whimsical Coastal Style
Eclectic and quirky go beachside.
Homeowner Holly enlisted designer Kimberly Hall, known for her gusty use of color and whimsical flair. Holly’s request was to create a home atmosphere “where a guacamole-and-cilantro-salsa-loaded fish taco melded perfectly with the decor.”
Whimsical sounds like throwing spaghetti at the wall, and it could be, unless there’s a plan. Check out the interior design of this Long Island beach house for inspiration.
Go big or go home with bold colors. Don’t half commit to using that pop of blue or coral, says the designer. Try painting the entire room. Light reflected off the high-gloss white used in trim, accent furniture and floors make the bold colors come alive. Pick a few eclectic, curious and conversation starting pieces, like the framed vintage swimsuits.
Whimsical Coastal DIY ideas
How To Make A No Sew Pillow Cover
Repurpose an existing pillow or purchase a pillow form at a craft store to make a no sew cover in a snap. Therese at Fresh Idea Studio shows you how to do it in under an hour! For whimsical and tropical fabrics try fabric.com, Joann, or Online Fabric Store.
Hang a Picture Collection
Give new life to old photos, frames, and spice up that boring plain wall. With some paint, a brush, and an easy tutorial for creating a perfect arrangement, you’ll design a picture collection that is gallery worthy!
Custom Paint a Rug
Ursula from Home Made by Carmona demonstrates how you can turn a cheap rug from Target into a customized rug. Check out her awesome DIY blog.
Shop the Whimsical Coastal look:
Framed Vintage Art by Amanti Art
Blue Ceramic Garden Stools on Amazon
Slipper Chairs by Wayfair
5. Nautical Style
How to get the Nautical Style
A blue and white color palette decorated with a careful balance of stripes, flags, and boats is both fun and comfortable. So remember, as with all coastal designs, when it comes to accessorizing, don’t go overboard!
Check out the rooms at Deavita Design for lots of Nautical decor inspiration.
Nautical Style DIY ideas
Create A Picture Collection
Gather a collection of similar prints. Paint all of the frames the same blue color. Better Homes & Gardens gives expert advice on how to display them so nothing lists to the left!
Compass Rose Crate
Using a repurposed or craft store crate (Michael’s and Joann carry these), paint and stencil a compass rose or navigational coordinates. Use as a side table or a place to hold magazines or toys (or in my case, dog toys!). Easy Saturday afternoon project.
Make A Coastal Rope Table Lamp
Jennifer from Making A Handcrafted Home took a cheapo brass lamp she found at Goodwill and wrapped it in twine. Any style lamp with do. Seriously simple idea. Try it with thicker rope, too. I found some at my local hardware store. If you can’t find any locally, check out the cotton roping at Amazon. It comes in different thicknesses and colors.
I’m so doing this. I’ve got one of those brass lamps. Sadly, it’s part of my “old” home collection. It’s in the basement along with a ceramic Ginger Jar, too. It’s “mauve”. Ugh.
Shop the Nautical Style look:
Rope Table Lamp by Breakwater Bay
White Wood Coffee Tables at Wayfair
Blue and White Canopy Stripe Chair from Houzz
Candle Style Chandelier from Gracie Oaks
6. Beach Cottage Style
How to get the Beach Cottage Style
Depending where you live, beach cottage may be defined (like all of these styles) by its location. In New England, we think of weathered shingles, white trim, a pair of Adirondack chairs (DIY Adirondack Chairs), flower pots spilling over with impatiens and sweet potato vines.
In Florida, a stucco exterior with barrel tiled roof, or in old Key West, the cottage style might feature mosaics, hardwoods and Key West style shutters. What remains the same is that the light and breezy cottage style features a palette drawn from sand and shells as much as sea and sky.
No matter if the beach cottage you seek is modern, rustic, or somewhere in between, be sure to choose colors that complement one another. A color wheel is a great tool to help find colors that play well together and not compete with one another.
Beach Cottage Style DIY ideas
Mirror Makeover
Take a yard sale or don’t-love-it-anymore mirror to the next level. Dig out all the shells you’ve collected from your beachcombing travels. Grab your hot glue gun. You see where this is going, right?
Small pieces of driftwood works well too. (See our post WREATHS FROM SEASHORE FINDS for using found driftwood to recreate a Restoration Hardware knock-off wreath. Similar easy instructions with same beautiful results).
Sea Glass Bottles and Vases
Liz Marie at Liz Marie Blog transforms bottles into beautiful accessories with Krylon Sea Glass Paint. She used the seafoam green color, but the paint also comes in other sea glass inspired colors. Try this idea using a recycled clear flower vase. If you’re like me you’ve collected these over the years. Note: The more layers of spray paint the deeper and less translucent the final color.
Update an Old Chest
The folks at Home Depot took an old chest and painted it a bright beachy blue then added new hardware. See their DIY instructions. Of course this weekend project is doable on any piece of furniture in need of a Second Act (or third or fourth or…). Choose a bright paint color to match your decor: instant focal point!
How To Build Adirondack Chairs | 35 Chair Plans for every style
Check out this curated list of 35 Free DIY Adirondack Chair Plans from Morning Chores.
Shop the Beach Cottage Style look:
Bright-colored coffee tables by Wayfair
Arm Chairs in neutral by Birch Lane
Faux-Coral Table Lamp at LampsPlus and another by Ethan Allen
7. Tropical Island Style
How to get the Tropical Island Style
Subsets of this style are called Caribbean, Tropical, British Colonial and Island. This style is reflected by the customs, colors and culture of its native people.
From the high-octane mix of a bright color palette and rich historic cultural of Key West (see our **updated** post 12 Things You Must Do When Visiting Key West) to Bermuda’s deep pastels and heavy wood influences of Bahama and Jamaica vacations, tropical can go in a number of directions.
Incorporate vibrate wall paint colors and tropical patterns in soft fabric goods — pillows, drapery, tablecloths — upholstered accent pieces, wallpaper, and accessories. Use hardwoods like teak, mahogany and ipe in furnishings and flooring. Rattan and wicker go well with any island style. Finally, consider placing large plants like Banana, Dieffenbachia, Palms and Peace Lily around the house to give the feel of being in the tropics.
Listen…Do you hear the beat of a calypso drum and light laughter from the tiki bar beyond the swaying palm trees? Yep, paradise.
Visit Homestuff for 88 Island Bedroom Decor Ideas.
Tropical Island Style DIY ideas
Tropical Palm Watercolor Wall Art Printables
Kim at Made in a Day offers free palm printables. Simply download the designs, print on white card stock and frame. Instant Tropical Island art!
Tropical Island Color Pallets
Not sure where to start with your colors? No problem. Check out these Tropical color palettes from Better Homes & Gardens. There’s sure to be a color scheme to fit your preference.
DIY Tropical Leaf Trinket Dishes
Lia Griffith says “you can make this!” These sweet little dishes for your rings ‘n things would make cute gifts for guests, housewarmings or wedding favors.
Shop the Tropical Island Style look:
Tommy Bahama bedroom collection from Bed, Bath & Beyond
Tropical Fabrics
Find brightly colored and tropical pattern fabrics at Joann, onlinefabricstore and fabricsource.
Palm Ceiling Fans at Wayfair
8. Mediterranean Coastal Style
How to get the Mediterranean Coastal Style
Influenced by the coastal towns of Greece, Spain and Italy, and others, the Mediterranean style is centuries old. It features lots of natural light, sun-baked colors of deep yellows, rich blues, terra cotta, heavy ornate woods, and black iron or metals.
The walls of Mediterranean homes are often plastered or sand-textured then layers of paint and glaze are hand-rubbed onto walls to add visual depth. Think deep, earthy color tones when choosing a color palette.
If you don’t already have beams on your ceiling consider adding real or faux beams. Colorful hand painted tiles and painted ceramic objects are very common in this design style.
Mediterranean Coastal Style DIY ideas
Create Mediterranean Look Plaster Wall
Simulate the look of a plaster wall with a textured finish using tinted drywall compound and wall glaze. Instructions and materials list provided by homeguides.
Install Faux Beams
Found some faux beam beauties at Architectural Depot and Home Depot. Heather and Dave at The Heathered Nest give a great tutorial on how to install faux beams. Dave did the awesome work and Heather documented the process!
Add a Backsplash (or tile a Serving Tray)
I found some unique and colorful Mediterranean hand-painted tiles on eBay. Check out Etsy too. If a backsplash isn’t on your DIY list, upcycle a wooden tray (with sides) and line the bottom with small colorful tiles. Serve up a carafe of limoncello or Sangria!
Shop the Mediterranean Coastal Style:
Fabric Upholstered Chocolate Brown Armchair from Tecninova
Cathedral Window Architectural Wall Art sold on Houzz
Mediterranean Glazed Pottery sold on Amazon
An over-sized bowl, flower pot or serving pitcher will add Old World charm to your home. They’re functional too. I purchased a large bowl on tour at a pottery manufacturer in Tuscany. I’ve used it to hold fruit and serve hot and cold pasta dishes!
9. Classic Coastal White Style
How to get the Classic Coastal White Style
White is the quintessential color of coastal interior designs. But how do you make an all-white room not feel stark and sterile? In a word, texture.
Sometimes going monochromatic with blues and whites or making use of tonal variety will keep your home from feeling extremely ocean-themed. By using a variety of woods, metals, shiny objects, a casual rustic piece of furniture or soft fuzzy throw blanket, you can create a room that is beachy, inviting and cozy.
The reason white is the hallmark color of coastal interiors is because it spreads and amplifies light rather than soaking it up. By using white as the predominant anchor, any infusion of color allows it to pop in a subtle way.
Start with the paint color and in the finish texture desired for the room — flat, eggshell, satin, or a paint specifically formulated for bathrooms, etc. Shades of “white” are practically limitless. You can buy it pre-formulated or have the mixer add in a tint of your choice.
Depending on the amount of light the room gets, white paint can take on a gray, blue, yellow or pink tone. The floor color will influence the wall color outcome too.
For the coastal white design, painting the walls is the first obvious thing to do. Also consider painting trim, ceiling, furniture, cabinets, stairs, etc.
To break up a full-on monotone feel of white decor, introduce texture.
Do this using any number of faux finishing techniques, such as sanding, marbling, plaster, stippling, pickling, scraping. Great for accent walls as well as furniture and accessories. It will add depth and warmth to your spaces.
Some other ideas to get this style:
Cover furniture pieces in white denim slipcovers, purchased or DIY.
Use nubby textured fabrics, fringes on throw pillows.
Cover floors with patterned rugs — weaves, checks, stripes. Varying shades of white or predominately white rugs, will anchor furniture.
Shiplap or Beadboard wall paneling.
Use on a full wall or half wall as wainscotting. Try it as an accent on ceilings. I installed white beadboard on the guest bathroom ceiling. Instead of tile, use beadboard on your kitchen backsplash or perhaps shiplap as a focal point above the fireplace. I reclaimed wood from a friend’s dumpster, cut it to length and painted it white.
Crisp white bedding, fluffy white towels, linen table cloths, sheer curtains and table runners give rooms a built-in beach look, and it will make your home feel clean and casual.
Classic Coastal White Style DIY ideas
How To Make Slipcovers With Painter’s Cloth
Painter’s cloths available at hardware stores, discount stores like Big Lots, and on Amazon, are a cheap and economical way to cover a worn chair or couch.
A few things to keep in mind using painter’s cloth: they come out of the package stiff, rough and beige. You must use A LOT of bleach (a gallon per large cloth) to get the dropcloths white. A final rinse with fabric softener adds the “soft” to the fabric.
Here’s a tutorial from Lisa at Farmhouse on Boone that I swear got me through my big project — a dog-frayed but much loved couch and loveseat. Thank you Lisa!
I also considered using white denim fabric. When the next 40% off coupon from Joann shows up, I’m going to buy a few yards and use it on another project.
How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like A Pro
You can find DIY tutorials on Pinterest and YoueTube for painting your kitchen cabinets. I found this how to tutorial from The Flooring Girl to be comprehensive and honest about some of the shortcut ideas floating on the internet. It’s a more time-consuming process than the “no sanding” or “no priming” techniques, but the results are professional and long-lasting. If you’re fussy about the final quality, and want the results to last a long time, you won’t mind the extra steps.
Repurpose a Chandelier (or other lighting fixture)
Holly at Life On Southern Pointe Drive uses chalk paint to transform a tired chandelier into a beachy white light fixture. I’m completely in love with Annie Sloan chalk paint! So easy to use and it turns all my cast-offs into beach decor treasures.
32 Painting Techniques | Add texture and style to any DIY project
The creators at DIY JOY have rounded up 32 painting techniques to add texture and style to your next DIY project.
Shop the Classic White Coastal Style:
White Bedding from Wayfair and Target
For the Love of a Can of Paint
To me, a can of paint is the magic potion of DIYers.
Benjamin Moore brand is my personal preference for wall paint. They offer (to date) 273 shades of White! Here’s their color chart for whites.
Sherwin-Williams has some of the best beach colors available, in my opinion. I looked for a beachy blue and after much deliberation chose TRADEWIND (6128) to paint my bedroom.
And I’ve already sang the praises of Annie Sloan chalk paint.
I’ve had good luck with Home Depot paint for furniture and craft projects. Once upon a time they discounted “oops paint” — returned cans of custom colors offered for a measly five bucks — which were great for craft and home decor projects.
Textured Rug ideas from Bed, Bath & Beyond
White Dinnerware from Macy’s
10. Shabby Chic Coastal Style
How to get the Shabby Chic Coastal Style
One of the hallmarks of this style is its use of feminine details. Think frilly lace, white chandeliers, weathered woods, dainty towels, chipped enamel ware, cut work embroidery, trims, tassels, ribbons, etc.
Shabby chic style emphasizes vintage elements. The aged appearance of furniture, with distressed wood composition covered in sanded milk (chalk) paint show signs of wear and tear. That’s why antique flea market finds work so well for this style.
Decorative accents for shabby chic decor should be soft and opulent. The goal is to take a worn look and give the overall interior design to a contemporary feel. Generously introduce linen and cotton textiles for added texture and style. Though traditionally shabby chic colors are white, ecru and pastel, don’t be afraid to mix in some vibrant colors.
Shabby Chic Style DIY ideas
50 Shabby Chic Bathroom ideas
The folks at styletic have gathered 50 shabby chic bathroom ideas.
20 DIY Recycled Wood Cable Spool Ideas and Projects
Here are just a few of their great ideas for upcycling a wooden cable spool:
- Dining table (use the top and add legs)
- Coffee table (cut it down to size, if needed)
- Outdoor patio table (you can feed an umbrella through the hole opening)
DIY Furniture Makeover Ideas | Genius Ways To Repurpose Old Furniture
Lots of helpful and easy-to-follow tutorials. A few of my favorites from the 30-plus ideas compiled by For Creative Juice:
- Repurpose a dresser drawer into a storage box (great for kids stuff, gardening tools, etc.)
- Make over a thrift store dresser using chalk paint to create a Shabby Chic gem
- Create a Porch Swing from an old headboard (it’ll have you thirsty for sweet tea)
Shop the Shabby Chic Coastal Style
Thrift Stores, Tag Sales, Etc.
Shop thrift stores and tag sales…you know, one man’s trash, right? You never know what you’ll uncover under all the dust and cobwebs. Keep your eyes open!
Check out popular phone apps like eBay, letgo, craigslist, varagesale, nextdoor and Facebook for diamonds in the rough. These places are the equivalent of a high-end store shopping experience for Shabby Chic DIY decorators!
You might also find unique and one-of-a-kind pillows, wall art, dishes, etc. at independent artist shops, Etsy and seasonal craft fairs.
White Bed Linens at Overstock
Clocks, Shelves, Wall Art and more accessory ideas at Joss & Main
Take a look through these items to either buy something you love or to get great ideas on things you can turn into a comparable knock-offs.
Shabby Chic Home Decor at Amazon
Get the coastal style look you love, wherever you live
We love the coastal style because it reminds us of relaxing days at the beach. Mix and match ideas from these 10 coastal style variations to create your unique space. Use these style descriptions, DIY tips and Shop the Look ideas to get started. You can totally create the coastal style you love, even you’re hundred of miles away from the shore.
Helpful Posts You’ll Like:
10 Basic Layers of Coastal Home Interior Design Style: Coastal or Beachfront living is a dream for most. Use these 10 basic layers of interior decorating to create a beach house space wherever you live.
5 Easy Steps to Choosing Perfect Coastal Paint Colors: Be color phobic no more!
Shop the Look
Browse Coastal and Beach Home Decor ideas on AMAZON.
Coastal Pillows at WAYFAIR and KOHL’S. See more beautiful pillows at HOUZZ to complement your decor.
P.S. We want your browsing experience to be a great one. Find an error, missing or broken product link? Contact me here and I’ll fix it. Thank you!
WANT TO REMEMBER THIS IDEA? Please PIN THIS POST to your favorite PINTEREST BOARD!
Thank you for sharing the coastal love: