10 ways to create a coastal style home

If you’ve decided to refresh your interiors in the coastal style, also known as the Hampton style, then you’re already on a path to success. It’s an interior style that will enhance the look and feel of your rooms and improve your lifestyle too. There are many ways to achieve a contemporary coastal home and these ideas will give you a strong foundation to create that and maybe even inspire a few of your own.

It's a well-established fact that colours are associated with emotions. Think about how you feel when you're out enjoying a coastal location. You're probably relaxed, happy and refreshed afterwards.

Specific colours will help put you in that same state of mind. Shades of blue, green, beige, and brown with crisp white and earth tones are a sound basis for your coastal design colour scheme. Stating the obvious, they are the natural colours of the coast and will help you create a spacious coastal haven.

When creating a coastal style, textures and natural materials are sometimes more powerful and important than colour. Natural textures will do wonders for your space. Reach for items made from bamboo, rattan or raw or rough fibres. Pieces with natural seaside elements will help you create a natural environment and give your space that coastal home vibe you want.

Don't be shy about thinking outside the box when it comes to furniture and pieces inspired by nature are a great example of this. This can include items like a sea glass-blue lamp with rope netting accents or an end table modelled like a tree trunk.

A coffee table inspired by trees or beechwood can also tie your room together without being too bold.

Natural light is your ally and friend when creating a coastal-style space and a coastal aesthetic. Keeping some lamps or ceiling lights in the room is fine, but make the most of the natural lighting available to you.

Opt for light-coloured or sheer curtains as window treatments to let more light inside during the day and give you coverage at night.

Natural light will also make your room appear bigger. Make sure to open the windows and let the fresh breeze in.

Related article: 6 exquisite types of curtains for your home

The coast and stripes naturally go together. Subtle stripes will add colour and look great in any room, but going overboard on this popular design trend can also be too much of a good thing.

Focus on small ways to incorporate them into your home. Striped placemats in the dining room or striped cushions on the sofa in your living room are examples of a measured approach that won’t dominate a space.

Nothing feels more coastal than nature itself. Go light on the cheesy coastal decor, like starfish and shells, to keep your space looking chic instead of like a maritime stereotype.

Instead, opt for something a bit more unique like an aged piece of beach wood for your coffee table or some smooth beach stones to place throughout the room.

A plant or two can also represent the fauna of the coast, adding an element of colour to

Any home designer will also encourage you to personalise your rooms in ways that are meaningful to you.

One of the best ways to do this is to find unique items of decor that represent your passions and interests in a stylistic way.

There are a number of places where this is typically easier to do. You can look through collections at high-end shops featuring designer items that never fail to add value to a room. At the other end of the scale, you can try flea markets, second-hand stores and antique shops for fun trinkets, accessories, and other inexpensive finds.

The best thing about decor made from wood is that it looks so natural and fits into any room of your home. Light-coloured wood is reminiscent of the coast more than dark wood so is the more suitable choice to go for but not exclusively.

Options for incorporating wooden accents in a space include picture frames, candle holders, wall clocks, bookends and more.

One good rule to stick to is to opt for neutral colours and simpler designs when it comes to large items of furniture. Pieces like beds, dining tables, and sofas will all detract from a modern coastal theme and if they are bold, brash, or overwhelming.

A beige sofa and light curtains will allow you to play with colour in small ways throughout the rest of the room. If you want to incorporate a dark colour, try it with a large floor rug or armchair.

Related article: How to choose the perfect floor rug for your home

When you think of the coast, you likely think of wide, open spaces. Spaces where you feel like there is room to breathe and stretch out.

Keep this in mind when choosing your decor. While accent pieces and accessories add to the beauty and feel of a room, make sure not to go overboard.

A cluttered space full of trinkets won't feel breezy or coastal. Keep "wide, open spaces" in mind when organising your room for ultra relaxation.

As you can see, there are some great ideas to help you create your own coastal style home. Many of them are very doable like sticking to natural, simple designs and being mindful of colour palettes and choices along the way. Once you’ve implemented a few of these, you'll notice your rooms will start to feel lighter and brighter, creating natural beauty and a great environment to enjoy and relax in.

Related article: 8 chic coastal bathroom ideas for the Australian home