If you have a beachfront, waterfront or coastal home, you may be interested in decorating it in a “coastal style,” but not sure where to start. Many homeowners choose to decorate their home in a coastal style decor to create a relaxing atmosphere even if they aren’t on the water.
The key to decorating a coastal style home in Florida or other coastal areas is blending the natural beauty of the seaside environment with functional, stylish, and comfortable interiors.
Tips to Create a Coastal-Style Home Decor
Let’s look at some of the main characteristics of coastal style so you can incorporate them into your own decorating plans.
Choosing Colors
Incorporating colors that evoke the ocean is one of the simplest coastal decorating principles. While you can go with obvious choices such as blue and turquoise, any soft neutral colors can work. This includes whites, light beiges, and creams. You can also use soft neutral colors as accents to complement other colors.
Coastal Materials
A coastal home builder or decorator is likely to incorporate natural elements such as reclaimed wood to create a casual and rustic atmosphere. Shiplap is a good choice for walls. This durable wall covering was originally used on ships for waterproofing. Materials such as bamboo and wicker are perfect for furniture and accessories. Use light and natural fabrics such as cotton for curtains and upholstery.
Window Treatments
If you have a beachside or waterfront home, you’ll want to enjoy the views and let in as much natural light as possible. The same is true for a coastal style home anywhere. In keeping with this aesthetic, it’s best to use light and airy window treatments. Sheer curtains and light-filtering shades provide a certain amount of privacy and shelter from the sun while still letting in light. Bamboo blinds and plantation shutters are also in keeping with the coastal look.
Flooring
You can use flooring that provides a beach or coastal feeling with hardwood or bamboo. An alternative is durable vinyl that has the look of natural wood. Tiles with coastal patterns are another way to go. If you prefer rugs, stick with natural materials such as jute or sisal. You can also use area rugs that incorporate a beach or ocean theme.
Coastal Art, Decor, and Accessories
The right decor and accessories can help to create the ambiance of a coastal home. Here are some possibilities.
- Nautical Themes: Decor such as oars, captain’s wheels, anchors, signal flags, and other items that evoke boats, ships, and naval themes can be placed anywhere in your home.
- Beach Decor: Think of any items, natural or made by humans, that evoke the beach. Seashells, driftwood, surfboards, beach furniture, and decorations that resemble sea creatures such as crabs, starfish, sharks, and octopi are some ideas.
- Artwork: Paintings and prints featuring seascapes, beaches, and ships help to set the coastal mood. You can also have multimedia items such as a collage with shells and sea animals.
- Plants and Flowers: Depending on your preferences, you can include both interior and exterior plants that evoke beaches and the tropics. Some tropical plants that are quite hardy in any climate include snake plants, peace lilies, and Areca palms. If you want more exotic looking tropical flowers, consider Protea, hanging lobster claw, and canna lilies.
Outdoor Spaces
If you have access to the beach or waterfront property at your home, you’ll want to maximize the use of outdoor space in order to enjoy those gorgeous views and atmosphere. You’ll want to decorate outdoor areas such as your yard and porch in a way that complements the interior. Create seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor areas. Large sliding doors or French doors are a great way to do this.
Use comfortable and weather-resistant outdoor furniture. Rust-resistant stainless steel is always a good choice. If you want something more natural-looking, consider teak, which has been historically used in shipbuilding. Add outdoor rugs, cushions, and throws for added comfort and atmosphere.
Create Your Own Coastal Home Style
Coastal is a very flexible style that you can customize to your own preferences. In addition to the above guidelines, remember to add personal touches. For example, family photos taken at the beach or in tropical places and souvenirs from vacations personalize the decor.
Build a Custom Coastal Style Home
Specializing in coastal-style homes, Covenant Homes has become well-known for crafting seaside retreats that capture the essence of Florida’s captivating shorelines. Covenant Homes’ coastal-style residences are a testament to the builder’s dedication to blending modern design with the relaxed elegance inherent to coastal living.
Covenant Homes has three coastal home floor plans that are designed to accompany the beachfront, waterfront or coastal charm aesthetics, but any of our floor plans can be customized to fit your needs your needs:
