15 Coastal Home Decor Basics

If you have a summer home, a beach house, or just a residence by the ocean or sea, then you may be searching for charming coastal home decor ideas. Decorating a home by the water can be a lot of fun and there are many ways to add a coastal flair to your home without using cliched items (although these can be quite fun, too!). In this basic coastal decor guide, we’ll give you an introduction to common coastal decor elements to get you started!

Coastal homes need to be cozy and inviting as well as practical, for those summer days when you just get back from the beach!

Types of Coastal Decor

There are a few types of coastal design and decor that may interest you.

Coastal Decor Basics

If you’re not sure where to begin, then take a look at these popular coastal home decor ideas to give you a strong foundation for decorating your coastal home!

We have a preference for modern coastal interior design, but there are also some more classic ideas on this list. Let us know your personal design preference in the comments below!

1. Wicker & Rattan Furniture

Wicker and rattan furniture is made from palm leaves and is one of the most classic coastal furniture ideas you’ll find. Rattan was often used in furniture for coastal climates like Cuba and the south of France. It’s emblematic of homes in those tropical destinations and is one of the best ways to decorate a beach home!

Wicker and Rattan Furniture Coastal Home Basics via Kelly Nutt
@kellynuttdesign

 

2. Rope Decor

Decorating with rope is a great way to add some coastal flair to your home. A rope is used on sailboats and adding rope decor immediately evokes the sailboat experience in your home! You could gently lie a thick rope over a console table, for example. Rope mirrors are also popular in coastal homes.

Coastal Rope Decor via Kate Marker Interiors
Kate Marker Interiors

 

3. Sea Life Motifs

Using octopus hooks or seahorse cabinet pulls is an easy and inexpensive way to add coastal decor touches to your space.

Coastal Decor Basics - Starfish wall decor via @breezydesigns
@breezydesigns

4. Round Windows

If you have the budget, then consider installing round or oval windows to your coastal home, just like on a boat! A small bathroom is a great place for a round window.

Round Window on Beach Home via Kelley Interior Design
Kelley Interior Design

5. Nautical Striped Decor and Furniture

A classic element of coastal decor is the blue and white stripe. Originally worn by French sailors in the north of France, this classic color combination is used on everything from sweaters to rugs to sofas to pillows and more. Blue and white striped decor and furniture are a great way to add a nautical vibe to your space!

6. Large Basket Pendants

A basketweave pendant made of palm or bamboo is the perfect way to light up your beach home. You can use these in the living room, kitchen, bedroom, or anywhere in your house!

 

7. Driftwood Decor

Whether you find it on the beach, or you buy it online (shh we won’t tell!), driftwood decor is the perfect way to bring the beach inside. Over 300 people rated this $20 natural California driftwood branch 5/5 stars!

Driftwood Chandelier in Coastal Living Room via Coastal Style
Coastal Style

8. Sisal Rug

Sisal is a plant that originally comes from southern Mexico. It is used to create a variety of decorative items but we really love sisal rugs! It’s a natural fiber and incredibly durable.

Coastal Decor Basics - Sisal Rug via Elena Phillips Interiors
Elena Phillips Interiors

9. Shiplap Walls

Shiplap isn’t just for Farmhouse homes. It’s very common to find shiplap walls in coastal homes, too, for obvious reasons!

Beach Bedroom with Shiplap Walls via Carrie Brigham Design
Carrie Brigham Design

10. Blue Paint

It may be cliché, but it sure does look great. Going with a soft sea blue or green is the perfect wall color choice for your coastal home. You could also go with a vintage white for a more blank slate.

 

11. Sea Glass Decor

Another option for found decor, you could collect sea glass and display it inside a mason jar or vase. Otherwise, there are tons of beautiful sea glass decorations you can purchase online! You may be interested in using sea glass for these coastal DIY decorations, too!

12. Beachscape Painting

I love the look of a beachscape painting, especially the more abstract ones which look like a blue ombré of sky and ocean.

Beachscape Paintings via Kate Marker Interiors
Unknown

 

13. Indoor Palm Tree

A great way to fill a corner in your beach home is to buy an artificial palm tree.

Indoor Palm Tree
Unknown

14. Seagrass Basket

The perfect piece of storage for your coastal home!

 

15. White Slipcover Sofas

I most often see white slipcover sofas in coastal homes, probably due to the fact that they are easy to clean and can mix well with lots of blue and green decor!


Those are our best tips for getting started with coastal decor. I hope you were inspired to get the coastal vibe in your home!

Coastal Decor by Room

We have shared a few posts on how to get the modern coastal look in every room of your home. Here are the guides to coastal decorating by room!

Lastly, be sure to follow our Coastal interior design board on Pinterest!

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4 comments

  1. hi curatedinterior. my name is z. im interested to decor my living room and kitchen to coastal style. And recently i bought light teal curtain for my living room but the furniture, paint and so on still not decide yet. i love blue white and teal but confused to decor. I live in small apartment about 1000sqft

  2. You posted a picture of a beautiful white beaded chandelier. It also was on coastal chandeliers for Beach Homes. I’d love to possibly purchase one, but I cannot find it anywhere on line.
    Can you direct me to where I can buy it?
    Thank you,
    Cathy Roth

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