Image courtesy of Unsplash.
Coastal interior design can often tow the line between tacky and amazing. It is important that you remain on the side of amazing, because coastal interior design can be so beautiful when it is done correctly. So, let’s dive into what you can do now to incorporate the coast into your home, whether you live on the beach or not.
Unless you have not been on the internet at all in the last year, it is likely that you have seen an influx of the coastal aesthetic. Lex Nicoleta took the internet world by storm by creating the “Coastal Grandma” aesthetic last year, and since then, it has had everyone in a choke-hold. As everyone starts to realize that this trend is here to stay, it is slowly turning into more of a lifestyle than anything else. This is being incorporated into music taste, Instagram aesthetic, home design, and much more.
Now, by no means is this trend just suddenly coming about. Lex did put a name to it, of course, but this existed long before even she was born. Take Nancy Meyers, Diane Keaton, Ina Garten, or Martha Stewart for example. This lifestyle has been around for a long time, and it is not going away anytime soon.
Adding a coastal aesthetic into your home is easy to do, and does not take up much time. Image courtesy of Unsplash
Incorporating dark and navy blues into your home’s color scheme can be a great way to add an element of the coast into your decor. Whether that be switching up your wall color, adding blue to an otherwise neutral room, or choosing some blue items to add to your art or decor, this can be a great addition to your home without having to break your budget.
Adding blue creates the illusion of being near the ocean, and it gives the subliminal message that your guests and people who live in your home will feel calm, just like they would be if they were on a beach somewhere with the water.
Natural light is extremely important in a coastal style home. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
If you are going for coastal, one thing you want to avoid is placing furniture in front of windows or purchasing very thick, dark curtains. These things block natural light from the home, which will keep your home from looking light, easy, and breezy.
You can also emulate the feeling of natural light by carefully selecting your light fixtures in your home. Creating more light in your home rather than just overhead lighting is an important way to make your house more cozy, well. This is a great way to give the feeling of natural light at night when your windows no longer provide that, as well.
Utilizing natural materials for your furniture, carpeting, floors, or accent pieces is just one way to incorporate a coastal interior. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
Maintaining a natural home is a great way to incorporate a coastal aesthetic into it. This includes the colors of your walls and furniture, the materials your furniture is made of, your flooring and carpeting. When thinking about colors, you want to veer more towards tan, beige, and whites with accents of blue or green. This is to mimic the colors of the coast. Think sand, water, and greenery.
When looking for materials for things like couches, lamps, rugs, or other accent pieces, aim for natural materials such as stone, wool, cashmere, linen, or wood. These are also things that remind people of being at the beach, which is the vibe you want people to get as soon as they walk into your home.
Stripes are a signature of coastal homes– incorporate them with blankets, pillows, or rugs. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
Stripes are in right now, and they are a sure sign of a coastal home. Whether you choose to do white and black, white and blue, or white and another color, each can be a great addition to a living room or bedroom with a pillow or blanket, or you could add them in the form of a flower pot of kitchen mugs.
Incorporating wood or wicker into your home is a sure way to make the coastal interior look more put together. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
Adding wood, wicker and rattan into the materials of your furniture and decor is a great way to add coastal vibes to your home. This reminds people of the beach and the coast because wicker is made of the leaves from palm trees. These materials are often used for coastal climates because they are sturdy and can handle the heat.
Wicker is useful because it is water resistant, so it cannot grow mold or mildew. With this in mind, it is great furniture for indoor or outdoor use, and it is great for decor, even in humid climates.
Driftwood decor is a great way to bring the coast into your home. Image courtesy of Unsplash
When done correctly, driftwood decor can be a great addition to your home. Whether it is in the form of an overhead chandelier, a lamp, a coffee table, or something small, it can be a beautiful addition to an otherwise simple space. You want to make sure that you do not clutter the room you are putting the driftwood in, because it can quickly become overwhelming. Let the piece you choose be the star of the show.
Selecting art pieces that reflect the coastal aesthetic, yet are unique to your home is important. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
The art that you select for your home can make or break the interior design choices. No matter how much time and money you spend on your home and decor, picking the wrong art could ruin all of it. The biggest thing is to look for art at thrift stores and online art vendors. Avoid purchasing art from big chain stores, as you can often tell that it is mass printed and not unique to your home. You can find extremely inexpensive art at local shops that will make your space so much more personal than you could find at somewhere like Ikea or Target.
The best way to incorporate the coast into your home is doing what is best for you and the people who live there. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
The best way to choose coastal elements for your home is to select what makes it feel most like home to you. If it does not fit with you and your family, then it is obviously not meant to be.
