Home Home Decor Ideas 10 Beach-Style Decorating Ideas to Make Your Home Feel Like a Coastal Retreat By Emma Phelps Emma Phelps Emma Phelps is an Editorial Fellow who covers lifestyle, beauty, and food content for Southernliving.com. She also works on Southern Living's social media across all platforms from Facebook to TikTok. You'll find everything from her grandma's crisp linen secrets to products she can't live without under her byline. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 1, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Photo by Laurey W. Glenn Can't find time to make it to the beach? From color to accessories, add some of these coastal twists to your home for a seaside feel. A traditional white and blue color palette is an easy way to make any room in your home feel like it's on the coast, especially with plenty of natural light peeking in. If you prefer to decorate your home with dark wood tones, balance those pieces with airy colors and decor elements that allude to a seaside origin. For all practical intents and purposes, a screened-in porch or spacious deck serve as ideal spaces for beach-style decor. Whether you simply style a few adirondack chairs on your deck or go all out with an outdoor seating area fit for a crab boil, there are so many ways to decorate any outdoor living space with beach-inspired elements. Pull inspiration from the natural, sturdy fibers often used to decorate beach-front homes by pairing wicker chairs with a fluffy cushioned sofa for a still formal, yet relaxed feeling. We've gathered some of our favorite coastal-clad homes that we've featured to offer just a bit of inspiration for your seaside vision. 01 of 10 Keep It Light and Bright Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Frances Bailey An emphasis on color and light enhances this entryway's coastal feel. Don't be afraid to use strong color in big, unexpected ways such as on your bar cart. So that the cart doesn't seem stark and alone in the room, the same color was repeated on the picture frame. Plenty of sunlight and the dark blue stairs balance the heavy essence of the cart. 02 of 10 Choose White Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Barbara Schmidt If color isn't your thing, take your palette to the other extreme by keeping all of your surfaces, from ceiling to floor, a refreshing white. Details like the matching wooden, stained countertops and floors add casual beach house styling. Blue and white accent pieces, a navy blue island (Sherwin-Williams' Indigo Batik SW 7602), and a heavy-duty stove add a simple layer of color and texture that gives this Florida home's kitchen a sophisticated look. 03 of 10 Pick Coastal Motifs Laurey W. Glenn, Robbie Caponetto / Styling: Matthew Gleason Adding just one seaside reference, such as coastal artwork, is all you need to give a subtle nod toward the region. We designed our 2009 Idea House in Port Aransas, Texas, with the beach in mind. Shiplap on the walls gives a new home a lived-in feeling and mimics the sun-worn surroundings of beach homes. 04 of 10 Boost Natural Textures Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Decorator Phoebe Howard wanted a mixture of natural textures for this family's Sea Island, Georgia, home. Wicker, stone, and wood combine for a relaxed, yet cheery look that's ideal for hosting in a summer-inspired home. Chair cushions could even be made with weather-proof fabric to withstand wet bathing suits and sand. 05 of 10 Imitate the Shoreline Photographer: Tria Giovan, Stylist: Heather Chadduck Don't be afraid to include contrasting blues and yellows that are often associated with beach houses. For a more sophisticated approach, choose a darker blue, like the sailor striped armchairs in this beach house. Pops of yellow add warmth to the space. Nautical decor like palm fronds, a bowl of seashells, woven baskets, and sea-inspired wall art tie the theme of the room together. 06 of 10 Mix Dark and Light Tones Photo by Laurey W. Glenn We're all for a bold accent piece. This entry table and chair are a stark contrast against the light vases and seashell decor. The table and chair meld with a beach-inspired theme because of the coastal carvings on each piece. 07 of 10 Embrace Informality Photo by Laurey W. Glenn Vacation homes are often decorated in the "kick-your-shoes-off-and-come-on-in" style, so beach-inspired furniture should also embrace some of that mindset. This cozy seating area with matching reclaimed wood end tables feels like a tropical retreat in front of arched doorways that let in an ample amount of sunlight. 08 of 10 Use Shell-Inspired Pieces Marili Forastieri; Styling: Barbara Schmidt Designer Jenny Keenan had plenty of antique pieces to choose from when designing her parent's home in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. With Lowcountry inspiration outside every window, it only made sense to incorporate a few beachy elements. The shape of the light fixture, pattern on the chair cushion, and color of the wood flooring all match the home's coastal surroundings. 09 of 10 Take Advantage of Outdoor Living Areas Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Frances Bailey There's nothing more coastal than enjoying a meal al fresco on a sunporch. This Florida family maximized their seating potential with a long buffet table and matching benches. The hardwood is a durable option for withstanding wear from wet bathing suits, sand, and any rainy weather. 10 of 10 Stay Neutral Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller If there's a piece in your home that's meant to be a focal point, play off it. For Nikki and Britton Colquitt, their unique family tree painting served as the inspiration for the rest of their neutral-toned Watercolor, Florida, home. The room's neutral pieces direct guests eyes to their treasured piece of art. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit