Calming, elegant, and effortlessly stylish — coastal interior design is not a trend, it’s a lifestyle rooted in natural textures, airy palettes, and the timeless charm of seaside living. Whether you’re decorating a coastal cottage or bringing a sense of escape to a city flat, this style creates a bright and breezy space that feels like a permanent holiday.
What is Coastal Interior Design Style?
Coastal interior design draws inspiration from the sea, sky, and sand. Think sun-bleached timbers, soft linens, and a palette of whites, creams, soft blues and weathered greys. This look is laid-back yet polished — pairing the casual essence of beachy décor with timeless sophistication.
Coastal décor avoids heavy fabrics or cluttered accessories, instead focusing on breathable materials, light-enhancing finishes, and natural elements like rattan, driftwood, linen and jute.
How to Make Your Home Look Coastal
- Start with a Pale and Neutral Base
Soft white walls or gentle sea-glass tones create the perfect canvas. Colours like French blue, sand beige, and pale sage evoke coastal calm without feeling themed.
Farrow & Ball’s palette is ideal for this style, offering rich yet subtle shades that reflect the changing light of the coast:
These hues work just as well in modern homes as they do in period properties, offering versatility while staying true to coastal principles.
2. Incorporate Coastal Furniture with Elegant Lines
The Umea Sofa by Cox & Cox (shown below) is the perfect example of coastal comfort — loose linen cushions, muted tones, and a relaxed silhouette that invites you to sit back and unwind.
Umea Sofa in a coastal living room – pale wood floors and French blue cushions for a beach house feel
3. Layer in Natural Textures
A key element of coastal interior design is texture — the subtle interplay of materials that feel connected to nature. Timber flooring, wicker chairs, seagrass baskets and handwoven rugs all help ground a space and evoke laid-back seaside charm.
Seagrass Baskets for Soft Storage
These woven baskets are perfect for holding throws, logs, or potted plants. Their texture adds visual warmth while keeping things tidy. Try grouping a few in a corner to bring in a coastal cottage feel.
Striped Rugs for Light and Movement
The French Blue Striped Rug introduces a nautical influence without being too obvious. Its pale, sandy tones and delicate blue lines reflect the colours of a coastal landscape, while the texture brings subtle layering to the floor.
4. Choose Accessories That Reflect the Sea
Accessories are where you can lean into the coastal theme with creativity and charm — without overwhelming your space. Look for sculptural, seaside-inspired pieces in natural materials and watery tones that nod to the ocean.
- Faux Coral Ornaments
Sculptural coral pieces like this small faux coral from Cox & Cox add a gentle organic touch and bring a sense of marine calm to consoles, coffee tables or bookshelves. - Driftwood Accents
This rustic driftwood candlestick from LiveLaughLove combines natural textures with coastal character. Pieces like this are ideal for layering on mantels or windowsills. - Nautical Glass Buoys
Hanging glass buoys wrapped in rope add colour, texture, and a vintage sailor’s charm. Their subtle shimmer reflects natural light, making them perfect for windows, bathrooms, or outdoor spaces.
Each of these pieces blends beautifully with the airy, natural feel of coastal décor — adding a personal, collected-over-time feel that balances refinement with seaside nostalgia.
5. Feature Serene Coastal Wall Art
For a more striking design feature, explore sculptural wall art that embraces movement and marine life. These handcrafted eco-resin plaques by LamornaStudio on Etsy are full of coastal soul and artisan detail. Choose from swirling jellyfish or a statement octopus — each piece offers gentle texture and a nod to the ocean without overpowering your space. Their soft white finish and organic shapes blend beautifully with neutral or blue-toned interiors, bringing natural rhythm and calm to a seaside-inspired scheme.
Discover more coastal wall décor at LamornaStudio on Etsy.
Coastal Bedroom Inspiration
Capture the easy elegance of coastal living with this soft, light-filled bedroom. A palette of sandy neutrals and coastal blues creates a breezy, inviting atmosphere, while natural textures — from the jute rug to the linen bedding — evoke the simplicity of seaside charm. The Coastal Blue Pembroke Stripe Linen Blend Duvet Cover from Piglet in Bed adds a relaxed, nautical touch, complemented by layered fabrics, a woven lampshade, and painted wood panelling for a quietly refined finish.
Keep the look understated with whitewashed walls, sheer curtains, and a few organic details — a rattan basket, fresh greenery, or a weathered bedside table — to bring warmth and texture to the space.
This tranquil approach to design continues beautifully in another coastal-inspired bedroom below, where deeper blues bring contrast and a more tailored feel to the seaside palette.
Shop the Look
The charm comes from gentle pattern play — stripes, gingham and delicate florals in the same soft palette. The mix adds character and depth while keeping the look calm and coastal.
Coastal Blue Pembroke Stripe Linen Duvet Cover
Piglet in Bed
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Coastal Blue Pembroke Stripe Pillowcases (Pair)
Piglet in Bed
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Spring Sprig Cotton Fitted Sheet
Piglet in Bed
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Warm Blue Gingham Linen Blend Valance
Piglet in Bed
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Handwoven Round Jute Rug
Etsy – SecondNatureOnlineUK
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Reclaimed Wood Rustic Bedside Table
Etsy – StillandBloom
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Rattan Pendant Lampshade
Etsy – ForestFlare
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Create a calm and collected bedroom by layering soft neutrals with coastal blues. This restful palette, paired with tactile elements like quilted bedding, oak furniture, and textured rugs, evokes the serenity of seaside living. A navy upholstered bed base adds subtle depth, while artwork inspired by marine life above the headboard reinforces the theme without feeling overly styled. Keep accessories minimal — think white ceramics, linen cushions, and a touch of greenery — to let the materials and colours speak for themselves.
What is the Difference Between Beachy and Coastal Décor?
While beachy décor often leans toward casual or themed elements like anchor prints or seashell patterns, coastal interior design is more refined. It uses similar inspiration (sea and sand) but with a curated, modern approach — focusing on texture, tone, and quality materials rather than novelty items.
🪸 Shop Coastal Home Decor: Relaxed & Refined Finds for Every Room
Looking to bring a touch of coastal interior design into your own home? These carefully chosen accessories and furnishings capture the charm of seaside living with a refined, modern twist. From sea-inspired lampshades to rattan tables and breezy striped textiles, these coastal decor finds will help you style your space with ease.
Coastal Furniture & Art to Elevate Your Scheme
This captivating circular painting blends soft blues and white foam waves — a stunning wall piece that echoes ocean rhythms. Perfect above a dining table or in a sunlit entry, it anchors a coastal colour scheme with relaxed elegance.
With your colour story anchored by art, layer in texture next. These artisan rattan side tables bring a relaxed, hand-finished note to coastal interior design, while the glossy, sea-glass mosaic tops echo the tidepool blues in the painting above. Lightweight and versatile, use the pair as sofa sides, bedside perches, or even beside a freestanding bath for spa-like coastal decor.
Style it: Keep the look breezy with sandy neutrals and ocean blues, add a striped linen throw or seagrass basket, and finish with a simple candle or shell-white vase. Thoughtful touches like these are the easiest way to introduce coastal home decor that feels refined yet effortless.
Coastal Interior Design: The Takeaway
Coastal interior design isn’t about theme; it’s about feeling—light, calm, and quietly refined. Start with a soft palette of sands and sea blues, add natural textures (timber, rattan, seagrass), then layer in a few sculptural moments—art, coral-inspired pieces, driftwood, or woven lighting—to bring depth without clutter. Keep silhouettes clean, fabrics breathable, and finishes matte or lightly weathered so the look stays effortless.
If you’re updating a single room, choose one anchor—an ocean-toned rug, a wave-inspired artwork, or a cane chair—and build around it with tactile accents. Small swaps like striped cushions, glass buoys, or a driftwood candlestick quickly shift a space toward coastal decor while staying polished.
Coastal Decorating FAQs
What is coastal interior design style?
A soft, natural approach to decorating that draws from the seaside — featuring neutral tones, gentle blues, natural materials, and airy layouts.
What is the difference between beachy and coastal décor?
Coastal décor is elegant and timeless; beachy décor is often more casual or kitsch. Coastal style avoids overtly themed accessories in favour of sophisticated materials and subtle seaside references.
How do you decorate a home with a coastal theme?
Use a base of pale, airy colours. Introduce wood, linen, and rattan textures. Add accessories like coral, seascape art, and blue-striped rugs. Keep the look uncluttered and serene.
What are the key coastal interior design trends for 2025?
- French blue and seafoam green tones
- Natural wood sideboards and cane accents
- Faux coral and shell-inspired ornaments
- Layered white-on-white schemes with textured throws
- Softly abstract oceanic artwork