There is so much inspiration to be found on the beach—the white crested waves, the rolling sand dunes and the endless expanse of the azure sky. St. Louis may be far from the coast, but the allure of coastal design is undeniable.

the hallmarks of coastal design
Coastal design is largely inspired by the way people decorate their seaside homes in places such as the Hamptons. The style has made its way across the country—even to landlocked areas like Missouri. The idea is to bring the outside in, choosing decor that evokes the ocean, sky, sand dunes and more. It’s a more elevated, tailored take on a beachy vibe.

  • A color palette inspired by a beach with blue, white, cream, green and gray
  • Natural elements like rattan, linen, jute and rattan
  • White plaster walls
  • Large windows
  • Dark woods
  • Antiqued or patinated pieces
  • Clean lines
  • Slip-covered furniture
  • Striped patterns

how to introduce it in your home
Coastal design has been around for decades, but that doesn’t mean your home has to look like an outdated beach house. It’s a style that is constantly evolving. Plus, it’s highly adaptable, meaning that you can take coastal elements and find a fitting place for them in almost any space, regardless of your personal style.

  • Bring the outside in by embracing your home’s windows. The view of your outdoor spaces can be considered art. Arrange rooms to ensure they are a focal point.
  • Coastal design doesn’t have to be kitschy and on-the nose. You can skip decorating with seashells and ship parts. Instead, pick pieces that more indirectly evoke the seaside, like natural textures and subdued colors.
  • Capture the polished and sophisticated aesthetic of the style by embracing clean lines.
  • Create a neutral color palette with whites, beiges and navy. To bring some life to the space add pops of lighter blues, green and corals.
  • While you won’t find many bold patterns in coastal design, you can add some drama to a space through striped fabrics. Your fabric selection can add some understated luxury and capture the tailored vibe of the aesthetic
  • Layer texture through natural elements. Think wood and rattan furniture, jute rugs and grasscloth wallpaper.

Photos from pinterest.com