It’s also not the same as Mediterranean, or tropical. In the simplest definition, coastal is close to the shore. Using natural light, soft tones and a clean aesthetic, it’s meant to evoke the windiness of the beach. Basically, it feels like summer all year round inside your house. “A coastal room takes its cues from the natural environment for everything from the color palette to the materials used,” says Will Taylor, author of Dream Decor, and the blogger behind Bright Bazaar. “The core features are usually jute textures, earth tones, layered blues, crisp whites, stripes and loose linen upholstery.”
If you have one thing in a coastal house, it must be abundant light. Interiors should never feel dark or cramped, but rather bright, open and airy. You want to feel like there is no boundary between indoors and outdoors, so large windows, glass doors and skylights are key. Window treatments are also minimal (so as not to detract from the natural light, obvs).
To create a relaxed, simple atmosphere, coastal design usually incorporates many natural elements. This comes in through the furniture, often made of wicker, rattan or light, weathered woods and fabrics. Carpets are generally straw, seaweed or jute, and fabrics are plain and lack luster. You won’t find many metals or flashy textures, but rather natural materials or light, billowing fabrics, like sheer curtain panels. Although wood is common, it is usually whitewashed, or a blonde maple or ash.
While you might be inclined to picture a bold blue and white palette when you think coastal, a crisp, white interior is actually more accurate. It’s almost like minimalist design in the sense that less is more, and it favors neutrals. Again, it’s all about natural light, so a white room will make the space feel even more airy.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t accent with color. While you still want to keep it soft (remember, there’s nothing bold about this design), accent colors usually include neutrals, like a warmer beige or khaki, light blue, gray, and green. The palette “can be adjusted to taste: true blues and crisp whites for a Med-like vibe; warm whites and light blue-green hues for a rustic coastal mix; light coral paired with sky blues for an exotic coastal style,” Taylor says.
Go with the sliding cover, or go home.
Coastal furniture is meant to feel relaxed, comfortable and light. Natural furniture made from rattan and rattan is common, but too much of a good thing can feel very matchy-matchy, and sometimes a little too busy. To add dimension and maintain the open and airy feel, slip-covered furniture (in light cotton and linen) is a go-to.
Coastal Design encourages open spaces.
It’s no surprise that a design aesthetic that prioritizes light would favor an open floor plan. You don’t want to clutter anything with furniture or decor, but rather create the feeling that everything just flows. If you can’t open up your floor plan, you can still create as much open space as possible by downsizing and opting for a more minimalist vibe.
