A coastal vibe brings a light, airy touch to living spaces and a sense of nostalgia for days by the sea. Even if you don’t live by the coast, introduce cool blues, beachy hues and natural textures to add a sense of salty air and relaxation to your everyday.
Have a look at our top tips below on how to bring coastal chic into your home:
Frame the view
If you’ve got a beautiful view, show it off. Voiles are the perfect way to frame the view. These gorgeously soft and gently flowing Soliel Voile Mist curtains are made from a lovely, light fabric. The open weave lets a little sunlight filter through to add an airy, spacious feel to any room. Available from £28.45 from Curtains 2Go.
Add some luxury
Add a touch of luxe to a rustically chic bedroom by adding gleaming metals such as this beautiful copper and brass Martino dormitory-style bed from My Furniture. Doubles start from £389.99. The design of this highly polished, contemporary frame has been reproduced from a French vintage dormitory bed and would also add style to a vintage, French, contemporary and industrial look room. The Anton copper lights pictured here are reminiscent of fishermen’s pendants and start from £139.99.
Introduce ocean colours
Bring the colours of the ocean into your home by way of paint or wallpaper. Rather than using a solid block of colour, this Abstract Turquoise Watercolour mural wallpaper will add a sense of movement when used to create a striking statement wall, bringing a serene feel to your home by way of its painterly blend of blues and purples. Available from £27/m2 from Wallsauce.com.
Let the light in
Keep rooms light and bright for a natural coastal feel; use plenty of white blended with soft shades of blue and grey. This DuoShade top-down bottom-up blind in Blue Haze is a clever way of directing the light as you want it. It’s available from £19.96 from Blinds 2Go. We also love the painted tongue and groove paneling pictured here to add a relaxed beach hut vibe.
Accessorize
Use subtle coastal prints on cushion covers, curtains or bed linen to give a welcome nod to the seaside. We discovered these gorgeous Nautical Compass and Crab cushion covers from Coastal Home, which you can mix and match in shades of aqua and grey. They would look lovely in a bedroom, lounge or conservatory. Priced from £24.95 each and handmade in the UK.
Add stripes
A simple way to introduce a coastal feel is to incorporate sailor stripes. Either keep stripes as your focus, or mix and match with checks or coastal prints. Instead of using cooler shades of blue, consider adding warmth with navy, indigo or denim paired with soft creams and off whites. This Coastal Stripe Navy bed linen from the Secret Linen Store reminds us of happy days on a deckchair; it is 100% cotton and has a soft laundered feel. Double duvet covers start at £79 and housewife pillowcases from £12 each.
Tropical living
Add a Caribbean-colonial look to a room with shutters or blinds. These Arctic White faux wood blinds come with pristine white cotton tapes, which gives a similar look to shutters. Each of the wooden slats has been designed to look just like real wood. Available from £13.70 from Blinds 2Go. You can enhance the tropical vibe by introducing pops of colour and botanical prints.
Mediterranean feel
According to Amara, the Mediterranean look is one of this year’s key design trends and we’re delighted about that. If we can’t spend all our time in the Med, then we’d happily bring it into our homes. Their Azure range combines coastal living with fishing village décor and pops of seaside colour – think coastal stripes, basket weave and watercolour finishes. Have a look at their range here https://www.amara.com/home-inspiration/azure-interior-inspiration
Decorate the floor
A rug will add some warmth and colour to a wooden or driftwood tiled floor. Use organic materials such as jute or seagrass or a sumptuously soft rug to add a touch of decadence. There are all kinds of stripes and geometric prints available, but we’re drawn to this softly striped rug from John Lewis. Aptly named Garda, it brings a gentle sense of movement from its tonal shades of blues and greys. Available from £495.
Combine coastal textures
Create a relaxed and homely coastal vibe by combining natural textures, such as wood, knits, crochet , seagrass, jute and rattan by way of furniture, throws, paintings, textiles and accessories. The tongue and groove paneling pictured here brings an additional subtle use of texture and a New England coastal style. The different tones of blue and white also brings the feel of the sea into your home.
Written by Sara Chardin