Interior design trend: Coastal cool..

Some interior design trends come and go, some find their place in our homes and last and last. If you browse social media for #inspo, you might think #coastalcore was a trend that would pass fleetingly across our horizons, (along with Barbiecore and cottagecore), but costalcore was simply a flash in the pan name for a design style that has been around since we discovered the joy of beach holidays in those cooler, bluer, endless horizon locations such as America’s east coast – think Martha’s Vineyard and the Hamptons – and also, of course, our very own Cornwall, Norfolk and Isle of Anglesey.

So how do we bring that sense of easy relaxation found in so many coastal holiday cottages, hotels and AirBNBs into our own homes without it looking out of place, or forced?

Here are our top tips for bringing coastal cool to your home:

Colour scheme

Classic coastal colours fall very much into the soft tones of sands and beiges and bright or light blues that work so well with big windows, long days of sunshine and wide open skies. In suburban homes, they can look a little wishy washy, with no real sense of a central focus. In our homes, taking the same colour palette but choosing one tone to take the lead is a good idea. While the bright blues of the Mediterranean and the Greek Islands might dazzle and delight when we’re actually in the Med or gazing out at the Aegean, they don’t always work so well once home. A bit like that bottle of ouzo you insisted on carrying home five years ago and haven’t touched since. 

Start your coastal theme by choosing your accent colour, and then add the supporting act. In 2024, rich blue, backed by soft sands or stones, is the way to go. A bold blue wall, in wallpaper or paint, with furniture and accessories in more neutral tones delivers that sense of nautical delight, but sits comfortably in a home far from the seaside.

A deep blue will settle into the background by night, creating a cosy, enveloping space, yet provide a direct link to the rich blues of the sea at our favourite coastal location by day.

Furniture

To deliver the coastal vibe, think naturals. Blonde oak, rattan, and soft, textured fabrics. Choose a sofa to collapse on, not perch on, and add soft woollen throws in pastel tones of blue and beige. The overall look should be one of comfort and calm – a hard day at the office deserves as much, if not more, than a tough day on the beach – and there’s less sand to worry about getting in the carpet. 

Lighting

Lights exist to not only be functional, but to create ambience. The overhead light is necessary only for vacuuming, but you still need to ensure it tones with the overall vibe. Search out a lampshade in woven rattan, choosing a shape that reflects the nautical look you’re going for. Industville has a smashing collection of shades at the moment, we particularly like this one, shaped like a lobster pot. 

To create ambience, you need table lamps. Choose lamp bases with lots of texture, in beige, cream or pale blue, and accessorise with a shade that tones with your accent colour and your neutrals. Check out Pooky, or Matthew Williamson at John Lewis.

Accessories

Now is the moment you can have some fun. If you;re going for the coastal look, a colour scheme isn’t enough to make your point. You need to throw in accessories that make a firm nod to the ocean and the beach. There’s a fine balance to be struck between stylish and twee, however, but it’s your home, so whatever you love is whatever you should have. Giant conch shells? Go for it. Throws with shell designs or anchors? Absolutely! Perhaps the easiest way however is to choose art that speaks your message firmly, but quietly. Beach House Art has a fabulous selection of pieces, from pressed seaweed prints to scenes of sea and beach, all of which will take you right back to your favourite holiday spot. Or Betty Bettesworth has a smashing selection of travel-style posters showcasing classic seaside spots around the UK, from Anglesey to Bamburgh to Cornwall. Light a candle that smells of the sea, turn down the lights and breathe.

Bringing a touch of coastal cool to your home, to remind you of long, lazy days with absolutely nothing to do, is a beautiful way to reminisce, and won’t look out of place in your non-coastal home.

Eddie – Friday 17th May 2024. (Wall paper image used from Abigailborg.com).