10 Beach-Style Decorating Ideas to Make Your Home Feel Like a Coastal Retreat

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.