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. In this guide, you’ll find coastal interior design ideas you can use throughout your home, from cosy bedrooms to bright, open-plan living spaces. Whether you’re decorating a coastal cottage or bringing a sense of escape to a city flat, this coastal interior style creates a bright and breezy space that feels like a permanent holiday.
What Is Coastal Interior Design – And What Makes a Coastal Interior?
Coastal interior design style 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, whether you prefer a modern coastal interior or a more rustic seaside feel.
In a coastal interior, 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
1. Start with a Pale and Neutral Base
Soft white walls or gentle sea-glass tones create the perfect canvas for a relaxed coastal interior. 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 interior design principles.
2. Incorporate Coastal Furniture with Elegant Lines
Image: @theoxtobyburrow / Farrow & Ball
Coastal furniture works best when the shapes are simple and the lines feel relaxed rather than fussy. In this Farrow & Ball bedroom, a panelled headboard, slim bedside table and neatly layered linens create an easy, understated elegance that still feels wonderfully comfortable.
School House White and Drop Cloth on the walls and woodwork offer a warm neutral backdrop, allowing the inky blue cushions and natural wood tones to echo the colours of the coast.
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.
A rattan TV cabinet is a brilliant way to introduce texture into a coastal living room while keeping the space feeling calm and uncluttered. The woven fronts soften the look of the television, while the pale timber and stone backdrop echo sandy beaches and sun-bleached cliffs.
Coastal Baskets and Trays for Soft Storage
Natural baskets and trays are perfect for a relaxed coastal interior – they add texture, hide clutter and keep everyday pieces close at hand.
Coastal Rugs to Ground the Room
A simple rug helps anchor a coastal living room, adding warmth underfoot and a subtle layer of pattern or colour.
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.
Coastal Accessories: Small Pieces with Big Impact
A few well-chosen accessories can instantly sharpen a coastal interior – think driftwood, sea-glass blues and subtle shell details that echo the shoreline without feeling theme-y.
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 sea-glass greens and soft stripes bring contrast and a slightly crisper take on 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
View productGreen striped coastal bedding from Piglet in Bed
Create a calm and collected bedroom by layering soft neutrals with gentle sea-glass greens. This restful palette, paired with tactile elements like striped linen bedding, woven rugs and natural wood, evokes the serenity of seaside living without feeling themed. Green striped bedding from Piglet in Bed adds a subtle coastal note, while leafy plants and artwork inspired by the shoreline keep the look relaxed and informal. Keep accessories simple — a ceramic lamp, a woven basket and a few well-loved books — so the textures and colours can 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