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10 ways to make your home feel like a stylish coastal retreat
Make it bright and breezy
If you're after a relaxed scheme of calm and serenity then channelling a laid-back coastal vibe at home is the way to go, even if you're missing the sea view.
But forget beach hut and anchor motifs, this is a pared-back style that pairs rustic with airy elegance. It's cool and carefree, crisp yet crumpled, rough but smooth, new and old, it's a look that thrives on and demands contrast.
Discover how to layer materials, light and colour for an elegant but relaxed modern seaside style at home below...
Decorate with found treasures
Display small pieces of driftwood, shells and other coastal finds* in a simple glass jar to bring a touch of the shoreline indoors.
Layer textures and tones for a natural, understated look, and always source seaside materials from trusted suppliers to ensure they have been gathered responsibly.
*Forage for small amounts in line with the Coast Protection Act (note, it is prohibited to remove sand and pebbles from beaches).
Choose salt-safe fabrics
Linen is a natural fit for coastal interiors, softening beautifully over time, while hardwearing, fade-resistant textiles are best for outdoors.
Look to Ian Mankin’s coastal collection of cottons and linens (shown), which updates traditional stripes in chic colourways.
Layer for depth
Rattan, jute and seagrass echo textures of rope and fishnets, lending more coastal authenticity to beach house-inspired interiors.
Mix wide, tight and open weaves, from Nordic Knots’ herringbone rugs to fringed baskets, to add richness and texture without heaviness.
Frame the seascape
Simplify window dressings to make the most of the view. Sheer linen or breezy curtains, such as East London Cloth’s handmade designs, offer privacy without blocking light, while custom-built seating makes the perfect perch from which to look out to sea.
Light it right
Cast a glow indoors and out with nautical lamps and steel pendants. Check out Davey Lighting, a company shaped by its origins in 19th-century London shipyards, with designs ranging from solid brass bulkheads to lanterns built to handle everything the elements throw at them.
Freshen up alfresco
An outdoor shower (try Inox Style) is the ultimate beach house accessory, turning a quick rinse into something both indulgent and closer to nature.
Keep it simple, with gravel drainage underneath a rot-resistant wooden floor.
Try stormy shades
Look beyond the classic red, white and blue scheme for a bolder seaside palette. Shades such as slate, seaweed green and misty grey reflect shifting shorelines and are atmospheric yet easy to live with.
We love Farrow & Ball’s Mizzle, Blue Gray, Bancha and Worsted for a little drama.
Deck it out
Create a relaxing place to dine and unwind by choosing boards that require little maintenance, such as Millboard’s timber-look designs; these give the visual warmth of wood without the upkeep.
Soften the edges with relaxed planting (try grasses and lavender) to help the space blend into its surroundings.
Team the rough with the smooth
Distressed finishes (rust, flaked paint, reclaimed finds) are the rugged hallmarks of real coastal living.
For contrast, team rough with smooth; here, an oxidised bathtub and an agate stone sink (try Indigenous) are softened by clean, poured concrete flooring to keep the look sophisticated.
Add folk touches
Celebrate coastal heritage with characterful folk art: naive seascapes, hand-carved boats and vintage signage all bring a sense of history rather than seaside pastiche.
East Sussex-based artist Florence Sweryda creates charming papercut ship miniatures and takes commissions.
Alaina is the Style & Interiors Editor at Country Living (previously Home & Crafts Editor). Her creative eye stretches over decorating, style shoots, seasonal inspiration and craft, as well as event styling and licensing creatives. She has a BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Design and started her 17 year career at Hearst on House Beautiful before discovering a love for nature, the country home and bird watching. Alaina also works on Modern Rustic where she champions talented makers, and Vintage Home. Alaina has held several craft workshops and talks and styled a Country Living with Raymond Blanc's at Le Manoir.
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