Updated February 14th, 2025

There’s nothing better than the sound of the crashing waves as you walk barefoot through the sand and feel the warm breeze of the ocean to make you feel peaceful and relaxed. What if I tell you that you can have that same feeling all year long, even when it’s not summertime? 

In this post, I’ll share with you one of my favorite decorating styles: The Modern Coastal Design. I’ll walk you through this concept and share some ideas I’ve been using in one of my recent projects. So, if you’re ready to deep dive with me and learn how you can turn your home into a peaceful and fun space, keep on reading!

This blog post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from me, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Just as if you were near the water on a summer getaway, this design style is distinguished by its relaxed and comfy feeling. It’s all about bringing the seaside elements into your home, through color, textures, and accessories that create a casual and cozy mood.  Not to be confused with nautical design style, where you focus on dark blue colors and elements associated with the water, such as shells and sand. Modern coastal design is a beach-classical look, with a touch of modernism.

For one of our projects, Modern Coastal Abode, we wanted to bring the feeling of my client's favorite getaway space to their home, so we included a navy background to highlight the built-ins, decor elements that speak to this design style, and a golden frame around the TV to add a luxury look to complete the look. It's so inviting and ideal for entertaining, just as my clients wanted!

Key Elements in a Modern Coastal Design

Just like every great masterpiece, the richness of this design is in the details. Whether you’re renovating a small room or your complete house, here are some of the main characteristics of Modern Coastal Design:

1. Neutral palettes: When it comes to picking a paint color, neutral colors are this style’s best friend. Shades of white, blues, and greys help create that relaxed atmosphere in a room. 
2. Lots of light: The good thing about lighting is that there are lots of artificial options you can include in your space. But the key here is natural lighting, even when you don’t have a huge window, you can maximize your lighting by adding a mirror that will reflect it and uplift the entire room.
3. Bring the outdoors in: We want to make sure to include some plants or flowers to create that seaside look.
4. Art: Adding some artwork can help reflect the coastline, even if you’re not close to the water.
5. Include some texture: To add that final touch, include some texture like rattan or a woven material that will make you feel as if you were on a porch, sipping on your favorite drink and watching the sunset.

Tips to incorporate Modern Coastal Design in your home

If you’re liking what you’re reading, make sure to follow these tips to reflect the calmness and serenity of the ocean in your home (and book a free call with me to get an expert’s insight):

#1. Include a statement rug: This is what I use as a starting point for most projects. It serves as inspiration once I know my clients’ design goals.  These are some favorites:

#2 Include some linen: Nothing says relax more than neutral linens that can be added to your room in the form of drapery, throws, or pillows. These can contrast the look of your rug or furniture and create a statement in your room, as I did on this project.

#3. Go bold with some contrast pieces: Using colors and natural elements to contrast your neutrals makes a great complement and creates a statement in your space. Another great tip is adding wallpaper to accentuate your space and create a WOW effect! 

In our Light and Bright project, we included this textured pendant to balance the rest of the elements of this bathroom. It makes it look like a personal spa!

#4. Include lots of whites: White is clean and crisp and brings an instant refresh to any room.  When decorating a bedroom, I especially like a white duvet because it reminds me of a high-end hotel. 

Shop my favorite ones here:

A Closer Look at Our Modern Coastal Abode Project

This wonderful family of 5 reached out to us for a total makeover of the living and dining areas of their home. It just didn't feel like home for them, and they wanted a design that reminded them of the coast. Not to mention, there was a serious lack of storage.

Our solution was to create a built-in unit including a fireplace and update all of the furnishings including beautiful custom window treatments.

Take a closer look at all our project details here.

Here are some elements that reflect the seaside look:

• Color palette. You may recognize the neutrals we’ve been talking about, with touches of blues and greens that complement the look.
• Texture: Here I'm using a side table with a woven texture as well as a rug that also brings in some serene colors.
• Nature: We brought the natural elements by adding a wooden coffee table, side table and wood frame side chairs.
• Modernism: The modern-shape chandelier is the jewelry piece in the room and will help brighten the room.
• Bold accents: The pillows add contrast, softness and colors that reminds us of the ocean. Also, the artwork reflects the outdoors and creates the soothing effect of the coastline.

Loving the look? Shop it here:

If you love this look and would love to replicate it at home, inquire about our services here so we can help you transform your space and make it into a place that is both functional and speaks to your lifestyle.

Pin this article here and share it with your friends and family!