How to look coastal without looking too Jimmy Buffet

One of the more common questions we get is how to decorate coastal without coming off as conventional and today’s blog is going to be dedicated to precisely that.

Here are some tips and guidelines that you can follow to make sure that your décor not only looks great, but also comes off as authentic and tasteful.

Color palettes 

Choosing the right color for your walls immediately helps not only set the tone, but also the overall mood and feel of the room. The ocean, sky and beach can all provide inspiration and help you choose a style that’s comfortable but not overwhelming.

We encourage readers to think neutral – as in grays, warm manilas and crisp whites. Not only do these colors give you that beach-front feel you’re looking for, but they’re colors that go well with just about everything and give you a greater degree of flexibility when it comes to furnishing and adding accents.

Think light grays, crisp whites, sandy manilas, muted greens and watery sea blues. Navy and steel grays can be used effectively as well.

Use lots of light

 Beaches are bright places and as such, you’ll want that to come across in the space you’re decorating. Any way you can maximize natural lights from openings and windows is the best place to start. Push back those drapes and let the sunlight do its work.

Ever been to a beach home that had dark and gloomy colors? We thought so. Go bright and maximize the light!

Casual furnishings work best

Ostentatious is the last thing you want to go for when choosing the right furniture. Beach life is casual, laid back and in some ways, slightly rugged. The more natural, the better – so choose natural fibers like cane, sea grass or knotted wool. Hand painted beach color pallets look great and always, always be sure to use some of the natural detritus as decoration. Driftwood, shells and other beach debris can help work wonders.

At the end of the day – you should be thinking about versatility, comfort, color, light and of course – treasures from in and around the beach. Put those pieces together and you’ll have a space that says ‘relax, you’re in a better place’ in no time! Good luck!