Use our beach house decor ideas to evoke memories of sunny climes, carefree interiors, and relaxed coastal style.
A small sunny seaside outpost may have been reserved for roadside motels, but forget the preconceived notions that come with that and get ready for a dose of Cape Cod style.
With seaside living more tempting than ever, we show you how to recreate the beach house aesthetic in your own home, which can be enjoyed year-round.
Beach House Decor – 10 Simple Design Tips for Nautical Interiors
Sun-bleached tones and peeled wood pair with crisp whites and delicate textures to create an easy-to-live beach look. Ignore the concepts of themed and overly ornate schemes with our curated selection of beach home and coastal decor ideas that will provide a getaway from city life. Can you hear the sound of the waves?
1. Add interest and texture to a white space
(Image credit: Haris Kenjar Photography/Katie Hodges Design)
It may be a city dweller, but this chic home was designed by Katie Hodges Design (Opens in a new tab) To be a place to really relax.
If you thought white living room ideas were only for ultra-modern homes, think again. Surprisingly, a white decking scheme would work beautifully in a beach scheme. Evoking purity and serenity along with confidence and sophistication, white is a great versatile color for your coastal living room.
Avoid white spaces that look clinical or sterile by decorating in neutral colors. An important aspect to consider when decorating with a muted color palette is to bring in as much texture as possible because it creates interest and layering—important factors when strong colors are out of the picture.
‘Fresh coats of white paint made a huge impact on a previously dingy interior, bringing a fresh, crisp color palette that could be reversed with natural, roughly etched textures, such as seagrass drapes, wood tones and leather,’ says interior designer Katie Hodges.
2. Organize a sophisticated rustic space
(Image credit: Rikki Snyder/Becca Interiors)
Beach house decor has been having its moment in the spotlight over the past few years—and for good reason. This New England coastal style strikes the perfect balance between rustic and rustic. Like escaping into the countryside without leaving the city limits.
Renovated breakfast bar, designed by Becca Casey of Becca Interiors (Opens in a new tab)surprises with a quiet aesthetic that accentuates the stunning light of its beachfront location.
“It’s so easy to over-furnish a beach house space, but it’s a mistake you don’t want to make,” says Becca Casey. There is a tendency to create chaos in a themed space. “I recommend taking a less is more approach when it comes to furnishing,” says Becca. “A simple color scheme is the perfect excuse to create a haven of peace and quiet.” The coastal scene on the wall decor enhances its beachfront setting.
3. Decorate with neutral colors for an authentic look
(Image credit: Rikki Snyder/Becca Interiors)
Creamy kitchen ideas are always warm and inviting, making them the perfect choice for your beach home decor ideas. Quite a neutral, it’s just as timeless as white or gray, but it’s brighter and more welcoming for larger or light-starved coastal kitchens that will feel like a home in cooler tones.
Breathing new life into a classic beach house look, this scheme features a breezy palette of grey, from soft shades to darker tones. Plus, kitchen neutrals favorites like taupe, magnolia, and chocolate for a sophisticated beach house decorating look.
4. Take a classic approach to beach house decor
(Image credit: Amy Bartlam)
Blue and white decorating ideas are timeless, one of the most classic interior design combinations, and perfect for creating a calm and fresh aesthetic. The pairing is often used in beach house retreats to create stylish spaces that feel relaxed, casual, and in tune with nature.
The matching of blue and white dates back centuries, was often seen on Chinese pottery, and is still popular today. Used for coastal blue and white bedroom ideas, this Hamptons-inspired color combination evokes an easy aesthetic with a relaxed, beachy lifestyle at its core, though you don’t need to have ocean views to incorporate the scheme into your home.
5. Organize a feast for the senses
(Image credit: Liz Daly)
This open plan living room is all about the structural elements. ‘If you’re opting for traditional hardwood living room paneling ideas, it’s crucial to commit to properly caring for it,’ says interior designer Katherine McDonald of KJM Interiors. (Opens in a new tab). “The very hot and dry climates found in modern beach house homes can cause damage, so it’s worth trying to mitigate this by keeping the temperature low in rooms with baseboards, wall panels, and cladding.”
“In this seaside space, our goal was to provide flexible and generous seating, which we accomplished with a pair of custom-made navy sofas, an iron accent chair, and a chaise longue,” explains Kathryn. “The neutral, blue-tinged color palette continues throughout the home, and the gorgeous handwoven window treatments soften the light.”
6. Keep it cool, calm and collected
(Image credit: Haris Kenjar Photography/Katie Hodges Design)
There are no accent pieces because I wanted the overall feel to be the focus, giving the room its extra curb appeal and dimension. Without the texture difference, the scheme would have fallen apart, says interior designer Katie Hodges.
“When designing a room, I often set the tone for the room by installing a rug, so that was my first decision.” From there, she broke up the story with the addition of textural linens, reclaimed wood, and antique hammered leather. I wanted to keep the tone of the aesthetic, calm and serene, but with moments of contrast.
7. Use color, texture, and materials to add depth
(Image credit: Nicole Hill Girolat)
This beach house is designed to provide warmth in the winter and freshness and tranquility in the summer. “The goal was to create a room that’s calm and textured at the same time and not overly ornate—less so when it comes to beach house style,” says interior designer Jessica Bennett of Alice Lane Interior Design. (Opens in a new tab).
Here, the mix of muted colors with dark finishes balances a sense of starkness and depth, while making the most of any natural light. Plus, the use of coastal accessories on the shelves gives the living room New England-style charm.
8. Paint with beach blues
(Image credit: Future)
“The drive for personality in our homes means that color continues to play a huge role in kitchen trends,” says Lizzie Beasley, head of design at Magnet Kitchens. “We’re seeing light pastel and pale blue hues becoming increasingly popular in both classic and modern kitchens.”
Since blue is known as the nation’s favorite color, it’s no surprise that it continues to lead color trends. While there’s a color for every home style, there’s nothing quite like the idea of a blue kitchen on a coastal estate, where shades of sea and sky would echo. Keep it modern by balancing soft blue with a crisp marble backsplash and countertop.
9. Find the “fifth” wall
(Image credit: Amalia Graziani/Alice Gao)
The best ceiling ideas provide scope to extend your creativity beyond your four walls, and no more than a beach house decor scheme.
It was beautifully designed by New York-based interior design expert Amalia Graziani of Noor Properties Group (Opens in a new tab)Honest materials and rough finishes add natural charm to this peaceful coastal retreat in Amagansett Bay, East Hampton.
“The place is great for gathering, but it feels cold before renovation,” Graziani explained. To compensate for this, she provided unfinished oak planking for the ceiling and wall panels. It warms up the space and maintains a calm and uniform palette throughout.
10. Match aqua blues with shades inspired by mud and mud
(Image credit: Future)
The atmospheric and distinctive blue hues are intimately linked to a water course, with a natural cycle connecting clouds born in the sky with rivers and seas. Blue hues are a simple way to change the mood of a room, whether it’s porcelain radiant lighting or dramatic ink wallpapers. Try pairing with tonal greens, soft baby blues and pretty pinks, or warm oranges and terracottas that are on the opposite end of the color spectrum for rich contrast.
How do I make my house look beachy?
Make your home look like a vacation year-round by decorating it in a bright and breezy beach house style.
When choosing the best soft furnishings for your beach plot, look for those that feel relaxed and lived-in. Think woven wicker, weathered wood and bleached linen—while natural details add a beachy element, from pebbles and pieces of driftwood to seashells and imitation coral.
Much like Scandinavian design, beach house decor ideas are distinctive for several reasons: Spaces are understated, unfussy, and uncluttered—and the winning combination of form and function creates interiors that are aesthetically appealing, yet functional.
