The Ultimate Guide to Coastal-Style Interior Design

A coastal-style home creates the feeling of being by the seaside, bringing a light, open and inviting atmosphere to your space. Whether you’re styling a modern coastal kitchen or leaning towards a Coastal Hamptons-style bathroom, there are plenty of ways to bring the oceanside touch into your home. 

In this guide, we will explore how you can create the ultimate coastal-style home.

What is coastal interior design?

Coastal style is a design aesthetic that captures the relaxed feeling you have at the beach. It draws from beach living and welcomes whatever coastal elements make you happy — whether that’s a subtle nod through colour or classic beach motifs like seashells. Normally, you’ll see things like beachy colours and natural materials making up this aesthetic. The result is a space that feels comfortable, light and breezy.

You don’t need ocean views or a beachfront property to create this vibe — just an understanding of what ties together these spaces. 

Coastal style basics

Coastal style starts with the right atmosphere before any specific materials come into play. The colour palette and texture choices you make form the backdrop for everything else in your space. Get these elements right, and your coastal foundation will be solid.

Coastal colours

The base of modern coastal interior design will be the right colour palette. Here are the key colours to work with:

• Soft blues: Shades of the sky and the sea, like pale turquoise to soft sky blue, will bring serenity and spaciousness to any room. They work well on walls, as accent colours in decor or tile splashbacks in kitchens and bathrooms.

• Gentle greys: Inspired by the colour of beach pebbles and misty seaside mornings, gentle greys add a sophisticated and calming element to the coastal palette. They’re versatile and can be used in larger areas like walls and floors or smaller elements like cushions and rugs.

• Crisp whites: White is essential in the coastal palette, drawing inspiration from sandy beaches and fluffy clouds. It helps to brighten and open up spaces, making rooms feel airy and fresh. If you want a coastal Hamptons-style bathroom — this will be a go-to.

The key to mastering this palette is to create balance and harmony between these colours. They should complement each other to create a look that reflects the coastline's natural beauty.

Coastal textures

Natural textures will help you create the authentic coastal mood. These textures help to bring the outdoors inside and add depth to the decor. Key materials include:

• Wood: Wood is a versatile material that effortlessly brings warmth and natural beauty to a coastal home. Think of a rustic wooden dining table, driftwood decor pieces or reclaimed timberwood flooring. The natural grains and tones of wood complement the coastal colour palette beautifully.

• Rattan: Any space can become beachy with rattan and wicker furniture. Whether it's a wicker basket for storage, a rattan light fixture or wicker outdoor furniture, these pieces are lightweight and durable — perfect for the relaxed coastal lifestyle.

• Linen: Linen fabrics are perfect for coastal homes to create a breezy and comfortable atmosphere. Use it for curtains, upholstery and bedding.

When incorporating these textures, it's important to consider the overall balance in the room. The textures should complement each other and not overwhelm the space to create the airy feel of coastal interiors.

Coastal tiles and tapware

Your coastal home needs good bones before beach-themed decor comes into play. Tiles and tapware are the practical elements that create the coastal base that smaller details build upon. Here’s how to get it right.

Colour palette: light and airy

The coastal colour palette is typically light and airy, featuring soft blues, gentle greys and crisp whites. Tiles like the Newport Gloss Subway Sky Blue Tile are perfect for introducing ocean-inspired colour. 

The Sydney Matte White Stone Look Tile creates a clean, crisp backdrop that can make your space feel more open and airy.

Texture: natural and earthy

Incorporating natural textures is key to achieving an authentic coastal look. The Annangrove French Pattern Grey Travertine Look Tile has an earthy feel that looks like coastal cliffs. 

Accent tiles: nautical touches

Accent tiles can add a nautical touch to your coastal-style home. The Newport Gloss Sky Blue Small Square Tile can be used in smaller areas or as a decorative border.

Check out our Coastal Style Tile & Tapwares Collection for more coastal style tile recommendations.

Sample and experiment

Picking up a Coastal Style Sample Pack can be extremely helpful in visualising how different tiles and textures work together. You can experiment with various combinations and see how they complement each other in your space.

If you’re interested in reading more about tiles in coastal design, check out this blog.

Other ways to get the coastal look

With your foundational elements in place, now's the time to add layers that feel coastal. Here are some more home decor tips that make coastal design work in any home:

Don’t forget nautical decor

The decor in a coastal home can be natural, understated or classic coastal. It’s totally up to you. Here are some ways to achieve this:

• Seashells and driftwood: These elements can be used tastefully to add a nautical touch. If you want the classic look, think of a bowl of assorted seashells or a piece of driftwood as a centrepiece. For something more subtle, a framed artwork featuring coastal elements will do this well.

• Nautical-striped cushions and fabrics: Stripes are key for the nautical style. Bring in shades of blue, grey and white through cushions, throws, or rugs.

• Artwork and photography: Art can play a significant role in setting the coastal mood. Choose beach-themed artwork that serves as a focal point in a room. There are heaps of talented artists out there who create this kind of work — some of our favourites include Linda Greedy, Sally Browne, Cassandra Kirk and Miranda Joy Summers. 

• Textiles: Textiles in a coastal home should be breezy and light. Choose natural fabrics like cotton and linen in light colours. Sheer curtains that allow natural light to filter through can add to the beach house feel.

Incorporating these elements thoughtfully will ensure that your coastal decor is sophisticated and cohesive, creating a space that is both tranquil and stylish, much like the serene Australian coastline itself.

Soft and inviting lighting

Lighting sets the mood in modern coastal interior design to create a bright and breezy atmosphere. Try the following:

• Warm light tones: Use bulbs with a lower colour temperature to mimic the glow of the beach at sunset.

• Natural materials: Lighting fixtures made from natural materials like wood, rattan or woven grass can add a touch of nature and enhance the coastal feel. They also help diffuse light in a gentle way to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

• Layered lighting: Incorporate a mix of ambient, task and accent lighting so you can adjust the lighting to suit different moods and times of the day.

• Dimmer switches: Installing dimmer switches can be a great way to adjust the lighting intensity based on the time of day.

Living your coastal dream

Creating a modern coastal home is about combining design elements with practicality. Whether you’re redesigning your entire home, looking for coastal kitchen ideas or just focusing on coastal bathroom ideas — the right tiles, colours and decor will help you capture the timeless coastal aesthetic.

Looking for more inspiration? Explore our coastal collection and experiment with a coastal-style sample pack to see how different materials will help you create your dream space.