Coastal Style

For a tropical breezy look, accent with bold colours, reds, oranges and turquoise. Rattan furniture anchors the look.

Create the New England coastal character with tans, deep reds, navy blue, medium grey and dark brown.

Medium to dark wood furniture works well. To capture the Mediterranean coastal vibe, use vibrant blue, mauve, pink and lavender.

For a more subdued look, choose a neutral coastal colour scheme. Use matte finish colours reminiscent of the sand and seafoam, milky whites, vanilla, tan and khaki with touches of your favourite seaside colour in lighter tones as accents. This produces a cool calm backdrop with subtle pops of colour. Texture and patterns will work well in the neutral colour scheme. Add a little sparkle to mimic the look of sunlight glistening on the water.

Coastal style does not mean cramming every coastal motif you can find in the space, be it oars, sails, brass lanterns, drift wood and the like. Rule number one of design is, keep it simple. If you really need to add motifs, then maybe one or two will be enough to get your idea across. Aim for a more chic look.

Capture the natural light with lots of windows, walls that fold away and by even adding mirrors. The interior must be filled with natural light, as a continuation of the outdoor light.

An important element to coastal style is the use of natural materials, for furniture, upholstery and drapery fabrics and even accent pieces. Again this idea brings the outside and creates a cozy lived in feeling, adding warmth and texture. Materials like, cotton, linen, jute and rattan. Fabrics designs should be simple and elegant from solids, stripes and nautical motifs.

A coastal theme cannot be a coastal theme without a weathered wooden piece somewhere in the design. Of course drift wood is the go to weathered element, but you can use bamboo, pickled wood finishes and painted distressed wood for the furniture, walls, floors and accent pieces. These elements can be the basis of the design which is indicative of a rustic look or incorporate a few pieces as accents.

The layout of the space and the furniture should allow the eye to easily move around the room. Furniture pieces and fabrics must be chosen to work in the environment either seaside or the city. If the house is by the beach, salt air, water, sand and wear and tear must be taken into consideration. If the house is in the city it is easier to choose furniture and fabrics which do not have to combat the harsh seaside environment. Choose comfortable seating and pieces with charm. Always refrain from clutter.