The coastal style gives a sense of calm and relaxation, and it can bring some swoon-worthy, sea-inspired vibes into your home—no matter how far from the shore you live. It’s easy to replicate in your own home. We’ve put together a Coastal Design Trend Board, with color examples, furniture picks, home accent ideas and more.

The Color Palette

It may be obvious that a coastal design should feature shades of blue that remind you of the sky above, as well as the beautiful and varied shades of the ocean. There is room to personalize your coastal design by picking your favorite blue hues. From pretty sky blues to blue-green sea colors, like teal and turquoise, different blue hues will bring slightly different vibes into your home. For instance, a blue-gray color can be extra calming, while a vibrant blue-green shade can have a refreshing effect in your room. Navy blue is also a classic choice that can bring in some bold pops and help finish off your look.

Your choice of blue colors should be brought into your space through accent furniture, wall art and other home accessories. However, the larger furniture and some accent pieces are based on light neutrals. Soft beiges and other sandy shades are suggestive of the sand on shorelines in some of our favorite coastal spots, lending a light and airy look to your room and adding to the relaxing effect of this design.

Selecting furniture and décor for your Coastal design

This look is a light and airy coastal decor style. A sofa with soft and neutral fabric (think beige!) is an ideal choice for your space, and will complement any existing decor. Find the perfect balance between sleek design and comfort for a look that will feel both current and approachable. Don’t forget throw pillows to incorporate the blue from your color palette, and add to the comforting look of your sofa.

A matching accent chair brings easy balance into your space, while an area rug can bring great texture appeal. It might not be sand under your feet, but the plush fabric will still be pleasant! The rug can also add to the soft neutral color palette. For instance, the base color is a soft mix of ivory and grey to create the perfect backdrop for a light pattern that adds subtle interest to the piece.

For accent furniture like a coffee table, light and natural wood pieces with distressed looks are reminiscent of driftwood, adding to the coastal appeal of the design. Wall art is essential to give a finishing touch of your space, but you don’t have to go to literal with the coastal theme. While there are many beautiful images of sea-scapes and wall art with boats, you can alternatively choose some pieces that blend well with your style. For instance, the vintage style wall clock in our trend board is full of character and charm and suits the coastal look of the room.

Looking to create your own Coastal design style?

It’s easy to curate a coastal style that works for your living space. Simply start with a light neutral base for your main pieces and add shades of blues for your accents. Also, try adding weathered wood tones to get that feel of driftwood. Finally, no room is complete without pops of greenery.

Browse all of our Design Trend Boards.