22 Coastal Décor Ideas to Give Your Home a Beachy Vibe—No Matter Where You Live

Combine Playfulness and Sophistication

"I love to go all out—especially at a beach house—and lean into the seashells, swimsuit artwork, wallpaper that brings to mind waves, and so on," says Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design. "But the key to balancing the kitsch is to use clean lines in the millwork, an adventurous color palette, and plenty of white space in between the pops of color and theme."

Layer Blue Tones

Coastal scenes evoke a range of blues from both the sky and sea, so consider leaning into that color palette in your home. At least four shades of blue are incorporated in this design by Creative Tonic, including some details that weave in texture—like the velvet couch and patterned accent chair.

Let Artwork Speak to the Theme

"Whether on the beach or in the mountains, appropriate and well-selected art and accessories provide a nuanced appreciation of place," says Sandra Lucas of Lucas/Eilers Design Associates. "Choosing interior colors borrowed from the views is another way to create a connection to the home's surroundings."

Consider Your Own Aesthetic

Diving into a coastal aesthetic requires some intentional balance. It's less about going full-throttle with the theme and more about being intentional with seaside-inspired details that truly resonate with you.

"Curate a visually appealing space that reflects your unique preferences by incorporating distinctive elements that speak to you," says Emily Spanos of Emily June Designs. In this design, she kept things simple with a clean color palette, fun window treatment, and terrazzo countertops.

Incorporate Wicker Furniture

Wicker has a naturally earthy texture that feels relaxed and lived in, making it the perfect addition to a coastal-inspired décor scheme.

Lean Into Sea Green and White

While blues are a natural choice for coastal-inspired décor, also consider a palette of cool sea green—which almost has a retro feel to it—and pristine white. Earthy accents, like the bamboo light fixture and fresh flowers seen in this design by Creative Tonic, can warm up the space.

Let the Sea Be the Star

If you live on the coast, consider opting for a minimalist aesthetic and letting the rolling waves in the distance serve as the star of your space. "You can start with a timeless, neutral 'base' for the space with larger items, such as surfaces, appliances or major furniture pieces, and then add subtle elements," says Gerri Chmiel, senior design manager at Formica.

Incorporate Natural Objects

"Look to add elements of driftwood, sea glass, or other found objects in vases or a terrarium," says Natalie Rebuck, principal designer of Re: Design Architects. "Look for other beach inspired pieces, including books and art, that bring in elements not just of the beach, but also the surrounding community." You can keep it subtle, as pictured in this design by Rebuck, or go more maximalist.

Get Nautical in the Bedroom

No need to reserve coastal chic décor for just the bathroom, kitchen, or living space. The bedroom presents a fun opportunity to infuse some marine touches, too. This design by Creative Tonic incorporates blue lotus wallpaper, white lamps with scalloped edges, and velvety seashell accent pillows.

Consider Pink or Orange Tones

While we may think of blues and greens—and even beige—as the necessary color palette for coastal décor, you can certainly veer from the expected. Seashell tones like pink and orange, for example, lend themselves naturally to seaside-inspired designs. They work especially well in small spaces, like powder rooms and entryways.

Experiment with Texture

Another way to lean into the coastal vibes without going with a literal blue theme is to play with textural elements. "Utilizing more abstract concepts like textures and colors that relate to the coastal theme is a great way to embrace the aesthetic in an elegant way without overdoing it," says Denise Morrison, Founder and Principal Designer of Morrison Interiors. "Introducing a woven texture in an accent furniture piece or a wall covering while keeping the larger pieces more neutral can quickly bring about a seaside feel."

Try Muted Seaside Hues

If bold blues, greens, or reds don't jive with your personal taste, opt for a muted tonal palette inside. This design by Lucas/Eilers Design Associates combines soft shades of blue, green, and gray with warm wood tones.

Add Style With Stripes

"If you're looking to create a more traditional coastal or nautical coastal-style home, incorporate stripes," says Meg Young, founder and creative director of Cailini Coastal. "I love using stripes! Whether through rugs, pillows, wall coverings, or bedding, stripes offer a classic and sophisticated look to nods to a coastal-nautical style."

Go for Grays

A neutral backdrop in a coastal aesthetic doesn't necessarily need to lean warm. Cool gray tones work beautifully, too, as pictured in this living room by Amy Switzer Design. Pops of blue and pink bring the space to life.

Hang Some Fun Lighting

"Lighting is also a great way to bring in elemental lights that look like a lighthouse or that has basket weaving that can drive a nautical feel without being too over-the-top," says Rebuck.

Showcase Those Views

Another example of letting the sea be the star. If you're lucky enough to have gorgeous views of the water, make sure to showcase them every chance you get. In this design by Lucas/Eilers Design Associates, neutral window treatments flank either side of an elongated window for a dreamy visual effect.

Make a Bold Statement With Tile

Whether you're leaning into Nantucket vibes, channeling a nautical theme, or going for serene coast, tile is a great opportunity to infuse some character into the space. Take, for example, this wow-worthy tile featured in a coastal bathroom design by Roman and Williams.

Add a Beach-Inspired Rug

Rebuck also suggests weaving in some rugs that feel on theme. "Look for rugs that feel sophisticated but give a sense of walking on sand, or an abstraction of sand, such as jute," she says.

Let Natural Light In

"It's important to put an emphasis on natural light," says Switzer. "Keeping the windows minimally covered or even bare can help bring in as much daylight as possible. As I like to say, designing coastal chic can bring a small taste of water living into your home even if you are nowhere near the water."

Follow the 90-10 Rule

If you're still not quite sure how to strike a great balance between sophisticated coastal décor and cheesy, follow the 90-10 rule.

"Let 90 percent of your home be reflective of the coast through colors and textures and 10 percent through literal coastal details—think boats, shells, and whales," Young says. "Sprinkle in the literal touches through smaller decorative items like art, accessories and/or wallpaper, and keep the larger pieces focused on texture or color."

Dress Up Your Outdoors

For as much attention as you pay to your interior space, don't forget to infuse some coastal-inspired charm into your outdoor spaces, as well. This includes your porch, backyard, and even home exterior.

Extend Your Living Space Outside

Whether you've got seaside views or not, a key aspect of coastal-inspired design is embracing nature. Extend your living space to your backyard, deck, or patio with an inviting, comfortable seating area. Weave in elements from the indoors to the outdoors so the transition feels seamless and natural.