Who doesn’t love to be beside the seaside? There’s just something about the fresh sea air and the sand between our toes that makes us feel refreshed and alive. There’s little wonder that with more than 5000 miles of coast on our fair island, nearly half of all Brits will head to the coast on a sunny day. And it seems that capturing that feeling in our own homes is becoming more popular than ever.
Image Source: Dobbies
There are plenty of nautical influences in design right now and creating a look that takes its cues from the sand and sea can be a great way to capture the essence of those long lazy beach days, whatever the season. If you are looking for some top tips for getting this easy breezy coastal look in your home, this post will help you create it, even if you live miles away from the nearest coastline!
Blue and White Colour Palette
Image Source: Dash & Albert
One of the biggest colour trends of the last few years has been indigo blue and we’ve seen it everywhere from wall paint and cushions, to tableware and bedding. Combining this popular shade with white keeps your interiors bright and fresh, (just like the deep blue summer sky and the sun reflecting off the sand!). It’s one of the easiest ways to bring in coastal style but if you are feeling a little too hemmed in by only one colour, a few restrained dashes of cherry red or bright green will add a lovely finishing touch to this palette whilst still maintaining that coastal vibe.
Coastal Style for Walls
A crisp white paint will provide the perfect backdrop for your blue-and-white coastal theme whilst a soft blue colour for your walls, reminiscent of the clear sky on a sunny day, is also worth trying out. If you’re feeling creative, consider channelling a coastal vibe with pale wood panelling – this will provide your space with natural texture. For an even quicker route to coastal aesthetcis, why not fake the look with wood plank wallpaper? You’ll get all the good looks of timber but less of the mess!
Flooring to Capture the Coastal Look
Wood flooring is often a natural choice when it comes to creating a coastal look in your home. If you weren’t blessed with natural floorboards in your home or you don’t fancy the upkeep that comes with real wood floors, our range of wood-effect porcelain tiles could be just what you’re looking for. Add underfloor heating for radiant warmth when the temperatures dip and stick with pale and natural shades for a fresh coastal look.
For the perfect finishing touch, choose area rugs in materials made with natural fibres like jute, coir or sisal to add warmth, texture and interest to your space.
Natural and Painted Wood
When choosing furniture, look out for pieces in natural wood as they will add visual warmth and an organic touch to your scheme. Try to avoid anything that’s stained in darker shades though. Let the natural grains shine through and pair with white, natural, or grey painted furniture for a wonderful New England-inspired look.
Nautical Accessories
Of course, you’ll want to combine any larger pieces with some smaller coastal-inspired accessories. Blue and white striped fabrics, woven materials, natural unbleached linen, softly aged cotton, and knitted textures all combine beautifully with this comfortable and welcoming style.
Finishing Touches
Image: Coastal style from Dobbies Garden Centres
At its core, the coastal look is a relaxed and liveable one so consider completing your room with whimsical accessories. Artwork depicting seascapes or beach scenes, woven rope accessories, or natural accents like driftwood, pebbles, and seashells will capture that holiday spirit all year round.
Will you be adopting a coastal look in your home this year? We’d love to see! Share your images with us by tweeting us on @TileMountainUK or tag us on Instagram!
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As a multi-award winning interior design content creator, Kimberly Duran is an Interior Design-obsessed American ex-pat, who chronicles her decorating journey and dispenses interior design advice in her personal blog, Swoon Worthy. When she’s not helplessly drooling over all the latest trends in design, she’s adding things to the imaginary ‘shopping basket’ in her head, she likes to get messy tackling DIY projects with her partner in crime, Wayne, stalking eBay for vintage bargains and filling her home with her favourite neutral – gold.