Whether you live at the beach or just dream of coastal living, it’s easy to bring the ocean indoors with sea-inspired colors and decor! Beach house style incorporates splashes of color and signature elements that enhance the natural beauty of your home. From kitchen cabinets, to furniture, to walls, floors, and accessories, any house can be a beautiful beach house with these easy-breezy tips!
Kitchen Cabinets
Crisp white is the anchor color of coastal design, making white kitchen cabinets the quintessential choice for a beach house. Clean and classic Shaker style cabinets fit seamlessly in a beach house interior, such as Willow Lane Cabinetry’s Society Shaker White. Or take your inspiration from the sea with Society Shaker Tidewater or Roosevelt Tidewater cabinets. This serene splash of color will be a unique focal point in your coastal kitchen. Pair your cabinetry with oiled rubbed bronze or brushed nickel hardware, and stainless steel or white appliances to complete the look.
Furniture
Greige (gray/brown) is the “it” finish for wood in coastal design. Like driftwood, wood furniture should be weathered and stained to allow the grain to show through. If you prefer painted furniture, opt for a matte finish that is distressed to show some natural wear, in hues of white, blue, aqua, sea foam, or coral. Coastal décor has a casual vibe, so feel free to mix finishes, such as a wood farmhouse table in the kitchen, with painted metal chairs, or a wicker headboard in the bedroom. Sea grass and rattan dining chairs or accent tables are also right on trend, and work perfectly for beach living. In the living room, opt for washable canvas slipcovers in pale hues, or contemporary dark brown leather sofas.
Walls
Take your cue from nature, and paint walls in sea-inspired colors. Classic neutrals like cream and sandy beige compliment coastal walls, and offer a blank canvas for decorating with splashes of bold color like nautical navy or coral. Cool gray tones have a similar effect when paired with pastel colors like aqua and sea foam green. Keep baseboards, interior doors and trim crisp white, and a touch of distinction with shiplap on a large accent wall in a bedroom or great room. A favorite of designer Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s hit show Fixer Upper, shiplap is a popular wall treatment in coastal homes. Beadboard is another welcome addition in small spaces such as a powder room, while board and batten wainscoting is a contemporary and clean look for entryways, laundry rooms, master baths, and dining rooms. For kitchens, opt for a glass tile backsplash in white or coastal hues.
Floors
Above all else, beach house flooring should be easy to clean. Wood is the most popular choice, in a natural, or light to dark brown stain with gray undertones. Casual is key, so avoid the more formal cherry finishes when going coastal. Tile is another excellent choice for a beach house. Today’s tile comes in a variety of sizes and styles to complement your home.
Accessories
Plantation shutters are the ultimate cover for coastal windows, or opt for roman shades made of natural materials paired with semi-sheer linen curtains. Choose throw pillows with zippered shams, in washable, natural fabrics like canvas, linen, or cotton. Decorate with summery throw blankets and rugs, nautical prints, glass jars with shells, and other beachy accents that make you feel like you are on vacation at home! In the kitchen, choose woven linens, dinnerware, and small appliances in coastal colors.
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