Colorful Coastal Bedrooms

Mixed materials like the down-filled duvet, grass cloth wallcovering, bamboo bench, and wool Berber carpet add warmth. The sleepy space gets a gentle wake up from the quiet splashes of celadon green on the bed linens, pillows, and bench cushions.

The plush wool Berber carpet is a soft landing spot for bare feet. (The rest of hte floors in the house are sisal or hardwood.)

This homeowner wanted a calm, ocean-like room that reminded her of her childhood on the water. Muted hues of blue and green give the room a serene and beachy feel.

The colors and design of this bedroom are slightly reminiscent of coral. The bright persimmon-and-white duvet are grounded with a soft blue coverlet. The squared-off headboard’s casual slipcover, made with a soft blue linen, can be removed and tossed in the laundry.

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The crisp white walls and wooden floors are given life with lively bed linens and pops of yellow throughout the room. For a casual beach feel, books and artwork are leaned and stacked on the built-in ledge.

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The architects designed a row of three built-in beds on the third floor loft, each lit with a marine-style sconce and closed off with curtains. Storage areas for the bunks line up across the hall, with a cubby and a drawer for each bed. The colorful bedspreads and rug add color and vibrancy to the space.

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A classic striped headboard and bed skirt are combined with Indian batik-inspired textiles for a sophisticated look. The curtains’ woven tape trim adds natural textures, and a photograph of an alligator above the bed is a nod to Louisiana's gator-inhabited marshlands.

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Shades of blue are everywhere in this beach house. A floral blue-and-white bedspread adds a tropical touch, and a built-in platform bed and shelves make smart use of the small room.

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The graphic black-and-white bedding on simple pencil post beds makes a bold statement against the muted blue in this tranquil room. Prints of coral above the beds help add a beachy feel.

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In this nautical-themed twin bedroom, red cannonball beds reside under the dormered roof. Sculpted metal fish swim above, and a fly-fishing basket lamp underscores the home’s proximity to the water.

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You don’t have to redo your whole room to reflect beach-house decor. Inject coastal style into your decorating in small doses. Take a lackluster mirror to the next level by adorning it with a collection of dazzling oyster shells. You only need a glue gun and a little patience. Take this same easy idea and apply it to large photo frames.

Homeowner Marco Badalian designed this cement Mexican hideaway as well as much of the furniture inside, including this caoba wood platform bed. The airy palette and materials he selected emphasize the home’s natural light and gentle breezes afforded by its location on Isla Holbox.

Idea Spotlight: Throw a Moroccan wedding blanket, like the one pictured here, over the end of your bed for an instant texture boost.

This restored Anna Maria Island beach cottage perfectly blends the old with the new. The twin surfer lamps, passed down from a friend, beautifully complement the iron bed from Pottery Barn.

Idea Spotlight: Try contrasting darker wood pieces, like the end tables shown here, with breezy linens and a  bright white palette for a vibe that feels slightly tropical.

Texture is everything in this coral guest room. From the Rebecca Atwood wallpaper to the eye-catching rattan bed from Anthropologie, this space has plenty of depth without feeling overwhelming.

Idea Spotlight: The ikat draperies and box spring fabric make a subtle—but fun—statement in the bedroom. We like these options from Duralee.

A campaign-style canopy bed serves as the focal point in this island bedroom. All of the accents are minimal in deference to the antique-inspired frame. “The rooms here [in Belize] don’t need to be too fancy, or they will feel out of place,” says designer Amanda Lindroth.

Idea Spotlight: Batik prints easily dress up any room and are a fun way to channel exotic coastal style.

Ceilings are the new accent wall. The bamboo matting in this uniquely shaped bedroom adds easy visual interest without introducing clutter. Plus, the built-in bed and nightstands provide sneaky storage.

Idea Spotlight: Paint the floor! A vibrant color not only peps up a space, it can also negate the need for an area rug. Win-win.

The shiplap walls and ceiling in this third-floor master bedroom are original to the historic beach house, but were given a refresh with a coat of Sherwin-Williams’ Greek Villa. Between the interesting roof lines and the textured shiplap, not much is needed to dress up the décor.

Idea Spotlight: Hang your hats! Simple hooks provide smart storage space for these cute accessories (which, bonus, also bring shape and texture to the room’s decor).

Bold pattern in a bedroom? Yes, you can! Here, a small-scale wallpaper pattern works in a soothing space thanks to its beachy aqua-and-white palette and surrounding neutrals (wooden end tables and white bedding and drapes).

Idea Spotlight: Layer your textures. Though white, this carved Oscar de la Renta bed still pops next to the wooden end tables, glossy garden stool, and bold wallpaper.

This California cool bedroom (inside the former home of Jerry Garcia) embodies the lively spirit of the ‘60s and ‘70s with its eclectic mix of patterns and colors. “I tried to give the house soulfulness and optimism,” says designer Allison Bloom.

Idea Spotlight: Instead of a painted accent wall, try one in a dark-stained wood for a look that’s boho and beachy.

This Sea Island, Georgia, home takes lots of cues from its location. The guest room mixes brighter coastal colors, like coral and turquoise, with the more subtle natural tones of the sea grass rug and circa-1970s faux-bamboo headboard.

Idea Spotlight: Add a modern element, like the periwinkle chair pictured here, to any classically inclined room for a surprising twist.

Keep cool with breathable textiles, like the chambray linens used in this California beach house, and use the classic combination of coral and blue to instill those timeless nautical vibes into any room.

Idea Spotlight: A built-in window seat can double as a reading nook, a nap spot, or a display for extra throw pillows.

In this Manhattan Beach bedroom, the soft, watery tones in the aqua dhurrie rug and paisley print draperies pair well with the room’s white and oatmeal pieces.

Idea Spotlight
Add a touch of romance and sophistication by outfitting your bedroom with a beautiful chandelier. This lovely glass bead number from Ro Sham Beaux is made of recycled Coke bottles.

The owners of this Cape Cod cottage made their shoreline view the focus of this bedroom by cladding walls and ceilings in soft white paint that seems to amplify the natural light. 

Idea Spotlight
A woven leather headboard in bold crimson provides an intense pop of color, and the hue is echoed in the geometric throw and framed nautical flags.

This Hamptons bedroom is as peaceful as it gets, with its relaxing blue-and-white palette and classic furnishings. The four poster spindle bed is timeless and low maintenance, says designer Phoebe Howard.

Idea Spotlight
A bedside table that doubles as a desk is the perfect place to stow books, journals, and decorative treasures.

The color scheme of our Coronado Showhouse master bedroom is inspired by the green fig leaf-patterned drapes, which have robin’s egg blue accents that are repeated in the chevron dhurrie rug, leather settee, and fringed accent pillow.

Idea Spotlight
Framed nautical charts are an easy way to impart a coastal vibe to an otherwise traditional bedroom.

This Rehoboth, Delaware, bedroom is the perfect combination of restful and rejuvenating, thanks to its soothing neutrals, fiery color palette, and ebullient patterns.

Idea Spotlight
Add a sense of movement to a room by incorporating curved décor, like this gently contoured dresser, romantic arched headboard, and pretty patterned bedding.

Honey tones set the stage in this serene Provincetown, Rhode Island, master bedroom. Above the Ficks Reed bed is a pretty, custom mosaic mirror in sea-going blues, which are echoed in the bedding and bedside table lamp.

Idea Spotlight
Grasscloth wallpaper is a no-fail way to warm up a space. The subtle addition of texture envelops the room, making it feel especially cozy. Here, horizontal shiplap wainscot wraps the lower half of the walls for an added dose of New England charm.

This St. Augustine, Florida, master bedroom is the picture of romance with its canopy bed and pomegranate accents.

Idea Spotlight
Turn your ceiling into a focal point by painting trim to accentuate height and interesting architectural elements.

Cypress ceilings and shiplap walls painted soft seafoam lend a breezy feel to this Jersey Shore bedroom.

Idea Spotlight
Bedding embroidered with a fun shade is an easy and subtle way to incorporate color into an otherwise neutral room.

This Lowcountry bunkhouse bedroom is all about classic elements (reclaimed wood floors, large windows, and shiplap walls) and shades.

Idea Spotlight
Stripes and prints mix effortlessly thanks to the beachy blue and white color combo. Bold patterns stationed at the floor (the thick striped bed skirt) and ceiling (the bold drapes) draw the eye up and down, making the room feel open and airy.

Combining treasures from local shops with crisp bedding and a nautically leaning rug give this Long Island bedroom a balanced and relaxed feel.

Idea Spotlight
Forgoing window treatments allows the window’s beautiful casing to stand out as an exciting visual element.

In this Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, master bedroom, it’s all about a muted and romantic color palette.

Idea Spotlight
The headboard's geometric pattern lends a modern design element to the room. 

This light-filled Michigan bedroom features a snug sleeping nook that opens via a sliding barn door wall to the living room, giving both spaces an extra spot to snooze or relax with a book.

Idea Spotlight
White walls and warm wood floors are the perfect balance for a colorful rug, bedspread, and pillows.

Vibrant colors come with the territory here in Palm Beach, and this guest room, with its hot pink, lime green, and mustard yellow scheme (the bed skirt and shams are in Schumacher fabric, and the duvet and sheets are from Serena & Lily) is a color lover’s dream come true.

Idea Spotlight
Soft pink walls may conjure thoughts of little girls’ bedrooms, but the hue can work wonders in a grown-up space, too. Here, Coral Buff by Benjamin Moore gives the space a welcoming, rosy glow.

Because the wicker and bamboo bed frame almost reaches the ceiling, the designer of this Florida bedroom added two oversize nautilus lamps to keep the scale consistent.

Idea Spotlight
With a statement piece as large as this bed, outfitting the rest of the room in various blue fabrics grounds the space and makes reference the nearby water. 

A vintage kelly green campaign dresser plays well with varying shades of blue and bright yellow in this Cohasset, Massachusetts, beach house.

Idea Spotlight
Roman shades (We love the fun pattern!) are ideal for rooms with irregular ceilings where traditional curtains would feel overpowering.

Allow a fabric you love to play a starring role in the room. Select a graphic print with a large repeat and spread it around. Show it off on bedding, a headboard, accent pillows, and seat cushions.

Idea Spotlight
Paint walls, furniture, floors, and accessories the same color as the fabric’s background to help the look hang together.

Let rich color dominate a space. When tempered with doses of white―on trim, upholstery, furniture, and accents―the look is dramatic and fresh.

Idea Spotlight
Accent a wall with a collection of black-and-white photos. Unify photos with frames in a single color, but vary the sizes and shapes. For precise placement, first trace the perimeter of each frame onto craft paper. Tape the templates to the wall and make space adjustments before picking up the hammer.

In kid-friendly spaces, there’s no such thing as pattern overload. Combine stripes, polka dots, and prints with chenilles and cottons for a lighthearted look. Pick a two-tone palette, such as green and blue, and use several shades of each hue.

Idea Spotlight
Boost character in a beach bedroom with simple board walls. Mix up the look by placing some boards vertically and some horizontally, as though they were installed on a whim.

Mosquito netting is essential to open-air island bedrooms, but the flowy material has exotic appeal everywhere. Hang netting from a canopy bed frame like curtains or suspend it, hoop-style, from the ceiling.

Idea Spotlight
Find a fresh way to use pattern other than on the bedding. Try it on lamp shades, or frame poster-size pieces of botanical wallpaper.

To balance the tropical colors in the bedskirt, chairs, and window treatments, a pale-green sorbet was chosen for the walls.

Enlarge a small space by coating every surface in white. The absence of color opens up areas that have limited natural light, making them feel airier.

Idea Spotlight
Add texture with building materials and textiles to keep a pale scheme from falling flat.

Pamper yourself with a romantic room. Choose bed covers with scalloped edges and add ruffled pillows. Skirt a table in tulle.

Idea Spotlight
Every well-stocked guest room should have extra pillows and blankets, books and magazines, bottles of water, and cut flowers. Little touches go a long way to make guests feel welcome.

Make slumber parties a cinch with a summer camp–style setup―no sleeping bag required. Place storage cubes at the foot of each bed to hold spare towels and blankets. Mount hooks or pegs low on the wall so kids can hang their bags. Give the space a dose of whimsy with polka-dot lamp shades (get the look with stencils).

Idea Spotlight
Canvas cots provide extra sleeping spaces in a pinch and are easy to fold up and store when not needed.

If your room is a tight fit, choose a mix of patterns―including stripes, solids, and prints―to give the space depth and make it appear larger than it really is.

Idea Spotlight
Give a small room big presence. Billowing fabric hung overhead softens the lines of ceilings and walls, adding texture and dimension without using paint.

Let the way you showcase your collectibles be as creative as the items you display.

Idea Spotlight
Emphasize small details. Accessories often make or break a room, so be sure to choose accent pieces―such as skirted slipcovers, pleated lamp shades, or bamboo-framed mirrors―with an extra something to them.

Typically reserved for the porch, hanging beds command attention when installed indoors.

Idea Spotlight
Teak platforms suspended from heavy-gauge rope play up a nautical look and create sleeping quarters your guests will fight over. You’ll need to attach the ropes to sturdy beams or studs, so be sure you have the support before you buy the materials.

Create a bunk room in an otherwise unusable attic space. Back-to-back beds fit just right in this long, narrow room, while the steeply pitched ceiling makes the space cozy for kids. Get the bunks shipshape with peek-a-boo portholes, and pump up the playfulness with whimsical patterns and tangy hues.

Idea Spotlight
Built-in storage maximizes limited square footage. The under-the-bed drawers are easy for kids to reach and eliminate the need for bulky dressers.

Natural wood, white, and black all act as neutrals, so don’t be afraid to combine them with a vibrant shade. Let an accent color, such as kiwi green, leave its mark on the space.

 Idea Spotlight 
Paint the window muntins and sashes for contrast in an all-wood room. Select a color from the room’s palette.

Extra-tall headboards and oversize table lamps add height and fill in a spacious room. Select bedding and area rugs with large-scale graphic patterns to complete the effect.

Idea Spotlight
To prevent furnishings and accessories from appearing dwarfed beneath a dramatic vaulted ceiling, opt for bigger-than-average pieces.

Incorporate travel souvenirs into your decor and you’ll feel like you’re on vacation year-round.

Idea Spotlight
Grass skirts make a festive canopy or bed skirt when trimmed.

Bring home the tropics with an adventurous palette. Pick two colors that are analogous (next to each other on the color wheel) and one that’s complementary (opposite on the wheel). For best results, use the deepest shade on the floor, to ground the space.

Idea Spotlight
Install wall-mounted fixtures with movable arms or eye-catching sconces if you don’t have room for substantial bedside tables. The light aids after-dark reading while leaving space around the bed uncluttered.