Focus on Coastal Style: Cozy, Fresh & Inspired

Who doesn’t love the beach?

If you feel peaceful and invigorated at the beach, you are in good company! Honestly, I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t love beaches. I relax when I see the blue ocean, beige beach sand, green palm trees, and pink shells. Beach style evokes peace and positive energy. Hence, the current popularity of coastal-inspired interior decor.

Recently, I visited Home Goods and found an impressive assortment of coastal items. Coastal-inspired items coordinate beautifully with the modern farmhouse trend, and blends nicely with transitional style. Think of coastal style as modern farmhouse or minimalist style on the beach—Modern Beachhouse? Coastal Minimalism? Beach-inspired elements modernize traditional themes and bring accessibility to luxe styles; coastal items soften a modern theme.

Elements of coastal style

Typically, coastal style incorporates blue, green, white, and sand tones–colors you see around the beach. Coral, pink, or violet work well as accent colors. Natural materials, such as rattan, natural wood, stone, or woven grasses anchor the look and create texture. Shimmery mosaics, metallic baubles, sand, and natural sea glass likewise supplement a basic beach motif with visual interest.

Canvas, burlap, batik prints, and denim textiles create a cozy and durable foundation for a coastal-inspired room. Coir, jute, hemp, and natural sea grasses offer sturdy yet elegantly simple floor coverings. Natural shell and driftwood items complete the look, but modern coastal style isn’t the kitschy style you probably remember from beach houses. Modern coastal feels refined and sophisticated while offering everyday comfort.

A few of my favorite recent finds

Coastal style resonates with me on so many levels! The beach is one of my favorite places to visit. I love the feeling of sand under my feet, the coastal mist on my face, and the warm sun on my skin. When I can bring into my home elements to remind me of that peaceful place, it makes my home feel like a happy place.

Here are some coastal elements that I have recently added to my own home and fused with my transitional style!

The wicker lantern would work equally well as an indoor or outdoor decor item. I am using two of them on my back porch that is under a roof.

I love this versatile mother-of-pearl shell lamp so much that I have four of them in my home! They go well with everything and have a nice reflective sheen.

This smoked glass vase is very heavy, which resists tipping! (A good thing when you have a dog!)

I purchased this sea grass rug and two matching door mats, and I love the visual texture that they add to my sun room!

Garden stools make wonderful side tables for indoors or outdoors!

Again, this item would work well inside or out.

I used these coastal-inspired items to add some lightness to my transitional living room. The items add a casual vibe to an otherwise structured space. Coastal items work well as accents in almost any style of decor!