Coastal Interior Design: How to Get the Look in Your Home


Drea Wall-Mount Tub Faucet in Brushed Gold, 59" Hibiscus Rectangular Acrylic Tub, Elongated Oval Pocket Door Pull in Satin Brass Drea Wall-Mount Tub Faucet in Brushed Gold, 59" Hibiscus Rectangular Acrylic Tub, Elongated Oval Pocket Door Pull in Satin Brass

What is Coastal Design?

Bringing the restorative quality of a seaside getaway back home, coastal interior design translates the sea, sand, and sky into a refreshingly minimalistic look. From the sound of waves gently crashing to the breathtaking sight of the infinite horizon, passersby are often overcome with a breezy, carefree spirit that can actually be translated into our homes.

Not to be confused with a themed beach house interior, this design style references the true essence of a coastal escape. Forget those bright primary colors and predictable patterns and symbols and, instead, follow along as we dive into the key components for achieving a coastal oasis of your own.


How to Bring Coastal Design into Your Space

Evoke the Coast Through Color

More understated than true blues and bright whites, the coastal color palette draws from the seaside’s natural surroundings. For that sense of calm utterly unique to the sea, you’ll need to express this color scheme in the products you fill your space with.

In referencing the blue-green shades of the ocean, seek foundational fixtures like our Kateryn Bateau Cast Iron Skirted Tub in slate blue. Or, for a more subtle nod, try cabinet hardware like our Simbury Enamel & Brass Cabinet Pull in seafoam green.

To ensure your coastal space gives off a bright, airy atmosphere, join muted tints and shades with a dose of white. As seen in our Novak Vanity, this neutral helps freshen up any room while also alluding to the salty sea.

For your metals like faucets, shower systems, and hardware, gold-toned finishes blend in seamlessly to the color palette, casting dimension, sunny warmth, and the perfect amount of contrast. Of course, the silvery tones found in nickel and chrome finishes are not off limits.

60" Novak Vanity with Rectangular Undermount Sinks in Bright White, Drea Widespread Bathroom Faucet in Brushed Gold

Infuse Natural Elements

Color alone won’t set the tone. For the greatest impact, include elements specifically from nature to create a space that is reflective of organic beauty. Seek furnishings with light, gently distressed woods that effortlessly complement coastal color stories, as shown by our Aliso Teak Vanity.

In addition to your larger furniture items, an excellent way to introduce these natural textures is through the finer details, including our Mariline Brass Double Hook with Wood Knobs.

Woven natural fibers like rattan effortlessly fit in as well, with our Simien Teak Double Vanity offering the perfect combo of coastal-approved textures. Materials like shell can also serve as an authentic, understated adornment, as exhibited by our Kumano Square White Mother of Pearl Cabinet Knob.

Mariline Brass Double Hook with Wood Knobs in Pampas Beach and Satin Brass

When incorporating ocean-inspired materials and motifs into your coastal living room and beyond, gravitate towards organic elements and choose only those that feel fresh and elevated.

Minimalist Is More

When furnishing your space, it’s all about achieving an understated look. For that calming, stress-free embodiment of coastal design, avoid creating visual clutter with intentional product choices. Lean on timeless fixtures and furniture pieces that don’t necessarily make loud statements but, rather, work harmoniously to make a stunning, singular one.

When it comes to silhouette, look for products large and small with clean lines and simple, fuss-free shapes. With our Drea Collection, you can outfit your entire bathroom with this type of look, composed of details that give your room a sense of retreat-like serenity that will never go out of style.

Making no exception, frameless mirrors such as our Morse Round Lighted Mirror elevate any modern coastal design. Helping compact spaces appear larger, mirrors promote the open, airy atmosphere encouraged in spaces of this style.

The minimalist approach, naturally, includes the quantity of pieces of your space as well. Forgoing themed decor to convey the coastal look, let your functional pieces speak for the design themselves—then add in a few accents to pull your inspiration and personal style all together.

Morse Round Lighted Mirror with Tunable LED for coastal interior design

Design Tips by Room

Coastal style bathroom with Grinnell Single Vanity Light in Matte White & Polished Chrome, 72" Elmdale Double Vanity in White

Coastal Bathroom Ideas

Nothing evokes the sea quite like a deep, luxurious soak. In full bathrooms, bring the coast to the comfort of your home by prioritizing rest and relaxation with a freestanding tub. Available in a variety of styles to best meet your desired needs and style goals, consider a timeless soaking tub or go all-in on luxury with a jetted tub.

Complete your setup with an elegant freestanding tub faucet or consider a wall-mount waterfall tub faucet that mimics the sights and sounds of gentle waves.

For primary baths and powder rooms alike, we recommend using light wood tones or soft white finishes for vanities. Opt for frameless mirrors, glass covered lighting, and a sleek bathroom collection for guaranteed cohesion throughout all of your fixtures—setting your space far from the average beach bathroom.

Coastal style kitchen with the 30" Mitzy Fireclay Reversible Farmhouse Sink

Coastal Kitchen Ideas

To transport your kitchen to a seaside getaway, focus on a light, airy atmosphere. If you’re familiar with organic modern design, a coastal kitchen will overlap greatly in appearance, with the addition of more nuanced textures and tones.

Starting with your sink setup, create a bright, uncluttered clean-up space through a minimalist kitchen faucet and timeless white farmhouse sink. As for finish, simulate sunshine all day through warm, shiny finishes like polished brass or brushed gold.

Using finishing touches from cabinet hardware to door hardware, carry through any textures, tones, or finishes previously used to tie the room all together.

Coastal style bathroom with Grinnell Single Vanity Light in Matte White & Polished Chrome, 72" Elmdale Double Vanity in White

Coastal Bathroom Ideas

Nothing evokes the sea quite like a deep, luxurious soak. In full bathrooms, bring the coast to the comfort of your home by prioritizing rest and relaxation with a freestanding tub. Available in a variety of styles to best meet your desired needs and style goals, consider a timeless soaking tub or go all-in on luxury with a jetted tub.

Complete your setup with an elegant freestanding tub faucet or consider a wall-mount waterfall tub faucet that mimics the sights and sounds of gentle waves.

For primary baths and powder rooms alike, we recommend using light wood tones or soft white finishes for vanities. Opt for frameless mirrors, glass covered lighting, and a sleek bathroom collection for guaranteed cohesion throughout all of your fixtures—setting your space far from the average beach bathroom.

Coastal style kitchen with the 30" Mitzy Fireclay Reversible Farmhouse Sink

Coastal Kitchen Ideas

To transport your kitchen to a seaside getaway, focus on a light, airy atmosphere. If you’re familiar with organic modern design, a coastal kitchen will overlap greatly in appearance, with the addition of more nuanced textures and tones.

Starting with your sink setup, create a bright, uncluttered clean-up space through a minimalist kitchen faucet and timeless white farmhouse sink. As for finish, simulate sunshine all day through warm, shiny finishes like polished brass or brushed gold.

Using finishing touches from cabinet hardware to door hardware, carry through any textures, tones, or finishes previously used to tie the room all together.


Make Coastal Design Your Own

Now that you understand coastal design’s core of relaxing hues, organic textures, and a light, airy feel, you can choose within these elements to truly showcase your personal style. When curating the items for your space, search for high-quality builds and finishes for an upgrade that lasts a lifetime.

Coastal style dining room with Balido Single Light Pendant in Matte White Coastal style dining room with Balido Single Light Pendant in Matte White

Find more ideas & inspiration:
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