Coastal Decor

What is Coastal Decor?

Coastal decor is decoration that harkens back to all the warm, fuzzy feelings of being at the beach: the feelings of being on vacation, relaxing, and experiencing freedom.

How Can I Make My House Look More Coastal?

Tone- In general, you’ll want to establish a calm, relaxed vibe with coastal decor, so make sure the items you choose to decorate with aren’t heavy and dark in appearance; light and airy is the ideal feel for coastal homes. 

Natural Materials- Driftwood is often associated with the beach, and using it in your home definitely adds a coastal vibe. However, you don’t have to limit yourself to driftwood; you can use lighter wood tones in general to keep the light and airy feeling of coastal design. Linens and other light fabrics also fit well for the same reasons. 

Wall Art- Wall art is a common way to establish a theme, and with coastal decorations, you can take multiple approaches. If you’re going for a subtle coastal theme, you can choose artwork that fits the color scheme of coastal design and features more abstract artwork and textures. If you live by the beach and want to go bold with your theme, wall art is the perfect opportunity to add in pieces that feature beach scenes and items, such as coral, shells, beachside paintings, etc. 

Accessories- Just like wall art, you have the chance to go bold or subtle with coastal decorations. You can choose jewelry holders that look like coral reefs or sea-shell bowls to lean fully into the theme, or you can take a more modern, subtle approach by including pieces that harken to the color scheme and tone of coastal design. Candles are a good accent in either case, since it makes the space feel homey and welcoming. 

Pillows and Blankets- The beach may be warm and sunny, but after a day in the ocean, it’s natural to come home, prop yourself up with pillows, and curl up with a blanket. These items have a natural place in a coastal themed home and can add to the theme with their color scheme and patterns. With coastal decor, you’ll often see either solid colors or stripes--tan and blue, beige and white, and so many other schemes are out there to make your space unique and fit the mold. 

Rugs- Since rugs often serve as the base of an entire room, it’s a perfect opportunity to establish your decor style. You can go subtle and natural with simple colors and natural textures, or you can lean fully into the theme with rugs that have nautical patterns and imagery. 

Color Scheme- Coastal decor does fit into a specific color scheme with neutrals and blues, so staying within the bounds of that scheme will definitely help establish the style. 

What Colors Work With Coastal Decor?

Coastal decor thrives in environments that are neutral. Creams, tans, and whites are the primary neutrals, although gray can be used if you’re leaning into farmhouse coastal style. Blue is another popular color, and it can be a bold blue or a muted, pastel blue depending on the tone you want to strike. 

Is Coastal Decor Going Out Of Style?

Coastal style has gone through a transition in the past few years to make it authentic and relatable. The design style is now dominated by its use of neutral colors, natural materials, and airy colors. These factors make coastal decor something perfect for today’s design world and perfect to stand the test of time.

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