What comes to mind when you imagine the perfect day at a Florida beach or shoreline of any type? Do you envision the multiple shades of blue in the water and sky, or the bounty of pastel colors in the shells that lay among the sand? Now, imagine that serine feeling translated into your home’s interior design with neutral tans, vibrant greens, deep rich wood and light airy window fabrics, all loosely arranged and casually outfitted to evoke a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
You don’t need to live near the ocean or have a beach house to love, or implement, the Coastal design aesthetic. It’s all about an admiration for the coastal atmosphere and natural splendor of the outdoors. The design style has many branches; Nautical, Beachy Chic, Bohemian, Beach Cottage, and if these don’t fit your personal taste this article from Houzz can help narrow it down to a style you may want to adopt. Of course, when designing and decorating your own living space you can do whatever your heart desires, and if you like what you see here…your heart desires the ocean!
Bring That Florida Feeling Inside
The term Coastal is another way of saying “elemental decorating”, where everything brought inside has been somehow affected, or inspired, by the elements outside. Using tough and organic materials such as sea-grass, jute, and straw, in the forms of rugs, furnishings, and accessories brings a natural warmth and texture to coastal inspired interiors. Fabrics used are simple and unassuming, e.g., linen slipcovers and cotton rugs. If you are feeling a little overwhelmed with pure white, a washed-out pastel or tailored striped piece will also suit the Coastal feel. You can also go bold with bright floral throw pillows to break up any monochromatic elements and add a little pop of personality to your space. Many people like to incorporate re-purposed materials like driftwood, shells and antique items in their coastal designs as accent art. We especially like the painted wood accents in the example to the left from HGTV.
Wait…What about the appliances?
Slate Appliances by GE
Well, you can approach the Coastal design look from two angles when it comes to choosing a finish for your appliances. You can go for contrast using darker tones, or adopt a more seamless look with panel ready (or similar toned) appliances. It’s all a matter of personal taste and neither is a right or wrong choice. If a contrasting look from the white (or light pigmented) cabinetry of the Coastal style is your choice, one of our favorites is the Slate finish by GE Appliances. The sleek, almost stone-colored finish, offers a strong presence of contrast while maintaining a soft feel. Think of it as a piece of black sea glass that has been worn perfectly smooth by the ocean waves…strong and delicate at the same time.
Panel-Ready Refrigerators by SubZero
If the contrast is too much, or you are looking for a more seamless look in your kitchen, you could use panel ready customizations like those offered by SubZero, to completely blend some appliances (refrigerator, dishwasher) into the surrounding cabinetry. This is also a great way to incorporate some personalized touches like custom knobs, drawer pulls and even some unique pieces like faux crystal studded shells or brightly colored sea glass. Keeping the stainless steel handles on your paneled appliances can also add a little touch of sophistication, a shining contrast that catches the eye just as a jeweled pull would.
The Coastal design style is all about comfort and relaxation akin to your favorite seaside vacation destination. It’s about keeping it light and open, with a good flow for family and guests to just kind of float through the space, uncluttered and carefree. We hope you have found some inspiration or direction for any current (or future) home renovation projects and if you need any visual aid, feel free to check out our Pinterest Coastal Design board.
Header image from HGTV
