Have you ever dreamt of transforming your living room into a calm, beach-inspired space – but weren’t sure where to start? Well, I’m here to help you! I will guide you in creating a beautiful coastal living room design that feels as fresh and relaxing as the coast.
Because, let us be honest, there really is something special about the way a coastal living room design can bring the ocean into your home. Maybe it’s the light, airy colors along with the calming textures that just makes it feel like you’re on a vacation in your own home. And – if it feels like we’re on a vacation in our home all the time, it will be much easier to relax – makes sense, right?
So, let’s dive in and make tour space feel like the most dreamy seaside retreat – a coastal living room design!
Understanding Coastal Living Room Design
Okay, so before we get into the nitty-gritty of the design process, let us take just a moment to understand what it is that makes a coastal living room design so special.
Coastal interior design is all about decorating a home that’s both light and inviting. In order to achieve that, use natural materials, muted colors and lots of textures.
So, the trick to a coastal living room design is by keeping things relaxed but still stylish. It shouldn’t feel like a fancy hotel – but more like a cozy, chic cottage with a bit of style. I would desrcibe it as the kind of space where you just want to lay on the couch with a book and sip a glass of wine on a lazy afternoon.
If you’re ready to dive deeper into coastal interior design and transform your home into a serene seaside escape, check out this post! You won’t want to miss these tips and inspiration.
Coastal Living Room Design – The Perfect Color Palette
The Magic of Soft Neutrals and Blues
One of the first things you will notice about a coastal living room design is the color palette. Coastal spaces often focuses on a light, airy palette that makes the space feel more open. For instance, whites, beiges and soft blues – all of these colors are inspired by the ocean and the sky, which will make your space feel both calm and more spacious.
Accents That Pop
So, a soft, neutral foundation truly is the key to this style. However, you also want to create some interest to the space by bringing in some accent colors, such as navy blue, seafoam green and coral. All of these accent colors are also inspired by the ocean, of course. Also, remember that coastal spaces often go by the saying “less is more” when it comes to these bold pops of colors.
These beautiful accent colors are great to include in throw pillows, artwork, a decorative vase and so on. This will give the space some personality and creativity.
Tip: Keep a balance between warm and cool colors to prevent the space from feeling too cold. A few warm accents, like a natural wood coffee table or a cream-colored rug will do wonders to your coastal living room design.
Furniture Picks For a Coastal Living Room Design
Next up we have furniture, these are the pieces that will set the foundation to achieving a coastal living room design. So, think of pieces that have a lived-in vibe. For instance, a white dresser with some marks on it to make it look that it has been around for years. This will make the space feel more lived-in and comfortable.
And that’s another important factor, comfort. You should be able to relax in your living room, but it should also look good enough for having guests over – again, it’s all about the balance.
Coastal-Inspired Furniture Ideas
Now, I will give you a little bit of inspiration to make it a little easier for you when choosing furniture. So, you want to choose materials that will give a relaxed, but still refined look. For instance, light woods such as oak, ash or even driftwood.
Next, for your sofa, you should go for something with a soft slipcover, for instance linen or cotton. Also, if you choose a sofa with a slipcover, it will be easier for your to clean, which is also great since the sofa preferably should be in a light color such as beige or white. These colors will give you the perfect base to play around with som accent colors, making it a key element for your coastal living room design.
Textures for Comfort and Style
As I mentioned before, coastal living rooms loves textures. It kind of makes the space come alive by adding warmth and interest to it. So, layer different fabrics such as woven throws, linen pillows and a jute rug. In addition, add something in rattan and wicker to get even more natural materials in your living room.
Tip: One tip I always give my friends is to choose a statement rug that’s both stylish and practical. And when it comes to coastal interior design, a jute rug are a total game-changer. They add texture, are durable and gives the space a beautiful natural fee. Plus, they’re super Pinterest-friendly!
Coastal Living Room Design – The Importance of Lighting
So, next up is lighting and this is an essential part of coastal interior design since it will help to create a breezy, sun-inspired atmosphere. Something we all loves about the beach, right? So, think about your living room as an open window to the outside world.
Maximize Natural Lighting
The more natural light, the better! Well, coastal living rooms are actually known for their bright and airy feel and that is partly because of the lighting. So, if you want to get as much natural light in your living room as possible, the choices of your curtains are very important. You shuold opt for sheer curtains or light bamboo blinds in order to keep it light and airy. However, if you want a little more privacy, you can go for white linen drapes.
Okay, so we have let in the natural light and now we’re done, right? Not really. Natural light is very important, but so are lighting fixtures. Especially if you don’t live where there’s lots of natural light, like where I live – in the north of Sweden (in the winter it’s only sunlight a few hours a day).
Therefore, when you choose your lighting fixtures, it’s important that you avoid too heavy or overpowering lighting. Instead, go for fixtures that will match the coastal vibe, such as rattan pendant lights, glass lamps or even a driftwood chandelier.
Embracing Natural Elements In a Coastal Living Room Design
So far, I’ve mentioned a few times that coastal interior design is inspired by the beach and the ocean = the nature. That’s where the beauty of this style comes from, but there are other ways to bring nature in that just by materials and colors. Let us explore how:
Incorporating Plants
The first thing is of course plants, which are nature itself. So, it could be a palm or a few succulents. You can choose whatever plant you want but some plants are a must to really achieve a true coastal vibe. In addition to being a beautiful accent, it also clears the air and give the living room a fresh feeling.
Seashells, Driftwood and Beachy Accents
Next up we have things from the actual ocean. Now, I’m all about keeping things minimal, but a few carefully chosen beach-inspired accessories can really capture the coastal feeling in a beautiful way. It could be a few seashells in a clear vase or even a piece of driftwood (me and my boyfriend actually made a bench from driftwood).
However, the key is to not go overboard with these accessories, because it can quickly add up and look very cluttery.
Personal Touches For a True Coastal Living Room Design
Let’s have some fun! There are so many rules on how to decorate and not to decorate, but the truth is that in the end it should feel like you. So, use these tips above as a guide on how to achieve a coastal living room design. But now, include your personal style to create a living room that’s unique to you.
Adding Personal Art and Photos
One way to make the space feel a little bit more like you is by including personal artwork or personal family photoes that reminds you of happu moments, maybe even happy moments from when you’ve been to the ocean.
You can also personalize your space by including things you’ve actually find when you’ve been to the ocean. Maybe it’s lots of seashells or some beautiful stones, no matter what it is – it will make your space special.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to mix in some boho elements in your home. This style actually go very well with coastal interior design. So, you can include boho accents such as a macramé wall hanging or a woven basket. It’s about combining what you love with the coastal aesthetic.
Conclusion
So, in conclution, creating a beautiful coastal living room design is all about finding balance – balance bewtween elegance and relaxation. If you focus on all of these things mentioned above, you can truly turn your living room into a beautiful coastal-inspired space.
Start with the basics – a soft color palette, relaxed furniture and plenty of natural light. Then personalize it with your favorite coastal-inspired touches. And most importantly, enjoy the process! Your coastal living room will be your perfect getaway, right at home.
Let me know – Which of these ideas will you try first? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Looking for more inspiration? Save this post and check out my other coastal decor ideas!
