7 ways to embrace seaside style

1. Use all the colours of the coast

It’s tempting to default to blue and white with beach themed rooms, and this is a tried-and-true combo. But the real palette of the coast is so much more – golden sands, radiant sunsets, and sun-bleached rocks are as much a part of the landscape as the clouds and sea.

Draw inspiration from our great British seaside and be bold with your use of colour. Bring in splashes of strawberry ice cream with pink scatter cushions, or patches of beachgrass with green upholstery.

2. Combine textures for a natural, layered look

For beautiful beach themed living rooms and beach themed bedrooms, use the materials you would find by the sea. Layer a wooden beachy dresser with a ropey basket, or a coastal style bed with a chunky rustic rug, and you’ll practically hear the waves crashing outside.

Much like the sea itself, modern coastal style uses the rough with the smooth. Varying textures throughout your décor helps to create the relaxed, laid-back vibe that makes the coastal style so popular.

3. Coastal living rooms: simply comfy

Picture the living room you’d want to be cosied up in while the wind howls and the sea crashes outside. Now create it. Go big on comfort with a deep-sit fabric sofa, something with clean, simple lines and soft corners. Make sure you’ve got a rustic wooden coffee table for your winter cocoas and summer spritzes.

Finally, tie it all together with a striped armchair and some stylish coastal accessories. Just remember to keep it simple and focus on adding comfort to the room. Coastal living rooms are for living in just as much as they are for looking at.

“Spacious contemporary sofas are perfect for coastal comfort.” Shelley Cochrane, buyer

4. Beach house bedrooms: perfectly peaceful

Creating your dream coastal style bedroom is simple. Pick a calming colour for the walls, something like a pastel blue or green. Try to leave wooden floors bare, but use a textured rug to avoid chilly feet in the morning. Next, opt for unpainted wood or white coastal bedroom furniture – bonus points if it’s slightly weathered.

Bring in some subtly seasidey touches with striped bedding and potted grasses that will transport you straight to sun-soaked sands. Then finish up with wall art depicting ocean scenes or coastal motifs, and there you have it – a relaxing beach house bedroom for restful sleep.

5. Coastal kitchens: keep it breezy

Beachy kitchens work best when they’re light and bright. Try to maximise the amount of natural light coming into your kitchen, and use mirrors and light fabrics to bounce the light around more. Visualise a summer's day on the beach; this is the kind of atmosphere you want to emulate.

Wooden wall panelling is instantly reminiscent of the sea, plus it works beautifully with Shaker-style cabinetry. If you plan on painting your panelling, make sure you dilute the paint first – this allows the texture of the wood to show through.

The timeless blue and white stripes of traditional Cornishware are perfect for a beach themed kitchen. Alternatively, earthenware will work just as well at evoking a seaside atmosphere. Display it on a beachy cabinet or shelves along with seaside knickknacks for that finishing touch.

6. Don’t go overboard

When designing a coastal interior, it’s tempting to fall into nautical design. But it’s important to remember that coastal and nautical are two different things; while coastal design reflects nature, nautical design focuses more on seaside motifs. Think lobsters, seashells, and naval flags.

While this style is great, it’s not the same as the more refined, natural coastal design. Try to be mindful of the direction your décor is going and reel it back in if necessary. Focus on natural materials and colours over bright reds and yellows, and this should keep you on course.

“Use plenty of natural wood, jute and rope to keep your coastal interior authentic.” Shelley Cochrane, buyer

7. Be playful

Our final tip is to go with the flow. When designing an interior, it can become a chore, especially when trying to fit to a certain style. But the most important thing of all is to enjoy the process, and of course, love the outcome.

The seaside is an unpredictable place, but it is also full of joy and colour. We all have our own associations with the coast, so try to bring yours to light in your interior. Create a space you adore and fill it with things you cherish. Have fun!

We’d love to see how your coastal home turns out. Make sure you share it with us on Instagram using #MYFVHOME, and if we love it, we may feature it on our official Instagram!

Looking for more home inspiration? Have a read of these articles:

How to style a garden office with @nest_twenty_eight

12 romantic bedroom ideas