In short: coastal home decor is light and relaxed: white and sandy neutrals, soft blues and greens, natural textures like linen, rattan and timber, and a few dried grasses or native stems. Keep it uncluttered and make it your own.
Easy summer breezes, sand and surf: Australians have always had a passion for the coast. It’s a love affair ingrained in our culture. After all, Australia has around 34,000 km of mainland coastline and more than 11,000 beaches.
It’s not surprising then that laidback, sun-filled interiors and exteriors stay so popular.
Over the years, the traditional coastal look has had a modern makeover. Lighter colours, more natural materials and simpler lines give coastal decor a cosy, effortless feel.
Looking for inspiration to bring beach vibes into your home? Here are our five favourite coastal home decor tips.
5 Coastal Home Decor Tips
Often it’s the little things that make all the difference! Our home decor tips won’t break the bank but, hopefully, give you lots of ideas on how to easily transform your living room, bedroom or even outdoor spaces into a breezy and comfy place to relax.
Photo by Katsia Jazwinska on Unsplash
Tip 1: Less Is More
You don’t have to go and throw out your entire collection of shells, beach signs, anchors and buoys. But less is definitely more - modern coastal decor is cosy but uncluttered and understated.
So, yes, bring the outside in. But instead of having shells, ropes and nautical knick-knacks everywhere, keep it simple, spacious and light.
Consider
Bundling your nautical mementos and displaying them as one fantastic focal point instead of scattering them around the room – and if you can’t decide which ones to choose, what’s to stop you from creating a changing exhibition?
You could also:
Gather your favourite shells, add them to a larger glass vessel with some sand, and proudly display them!
Use an old rope to create a fabulous hanging basket full of dry foliage or a small indoor plant wrapped in hessian.
Repurpose an old oar or paddle if you have one. Strip it back to its natural wood, add a couple of hooks and voila! You’ll have your very unique, one of a kind coat hanger.
Photo by Jasmin Ne on Unsplash
Tip 2: Light, Bright and Breezy Hues
White is the go-to colour for coastal homes, and modern coastal decor makes the most of it, along with pastels and a natural, light palette. That’s a contrast to the bold navy and white that once defined the beach look.
To achieve that coastal feel without the significant cost of a complete paint makeover, larger windows or a new room layout, you could:
Freshen up just one feature wall with lighter paint. Repainting the ceiling in a clean white is another way to instantly brighten up a room.
Review your artwork and choose a poster in breezy pastels.
Play with the filters on your beach photos and enlarge your favourite ones. Why not try sepia or black and white?
Add a couple of accent pieces in happy shades of colour.
Get new cushion covers in natural colours, different sizes, and a variety of rich materials.
Does your home have wooden features such as large beams or window sills? Consider whitewashing them. It’s another relatively simple way to create clean, light and airy spaces.
Photo by Adriel Kloppenburg on Unsplash
Tip 3: Add Dried Grasses and Foliage
A few simple sprigs of dried foliage might be all you need to add beach vibes to your home, and often you can find what you need in nature. See our tips on coastal flowers and foliage below.
Tip 4: Complement the Look with Natural Textures
Rattan, hemp, stone and timber will always add a relaxed, natural and earthy feel to a space. They beautifully complement all shades of blue, turquoise, green and white.
Of course, none of these materials is new on the scene, but they are all a bit lighter, minimalistic, and with clean lines. They pair wonderfully well with the rich textured rugs, cushions and cosy blankets that suit coastal decor.
Here are a couple of ideas on how to instantly and easily change the look and feel of a room:
Swap your lampshades. Bamboo lampshades make for a fantastic focal point without dominating a room. They are lightweight, and their weaving creates amazing light patterns at night.
Use woven baskets to tidy away your books, socks or that shell collection.
A simple hemp or sisal rug can be a quick fix to bring that nautical, natural feel inside.
If your existing furniture is made of quite dark timber, consider whitewashing it or painting it the same colour as your wall for example. Before you go ahead and start painting, though, we recommend you get expert advice from a professional first.
Woven bags and baskets are not just practical; they also make for fabulous wall decor. So why not add a few sprigs of dried bunny tails, hydrangeas and Ming fern?
Nothing says easy beach living like a bamboo hanging chair or a hammock with a couple of comfy cushions.
Photo by Adriel Kloppenburg on Unsplash
Tip 5: Make It Uniquely You
Whatever coastal inspiration you follow, make sure your home stays your oasis: a place to relax and a refuge.
Coastal decor mixes many elements and materials, so there is no right or wrong. Explore what beach vibes mean to you and bring that sand-and-surf feel home, exactly the way you want it.
Coastal Flowers and Foliage
Photo by Elena Joland on Unsplash
Dried flowers and grasses are made for a coastal home. Australia has some amazing native flowers and grasses that look incredible fresh or dried, from banksias and billy buttons to eucalyptus.
Our dried and preserved flowers are chosen for their ethereal look and earthy colours, and expertly dried to keep their natural beauty for up to two years. Try the Misty Boho or Bush Dance arrangements, or browse our native flowers.
Keep dried arrangements out of strong breezes and direct sun, as even professionally preserved blooms and grasses struggle in a draft. For more, see how to care for your dried flowers and our guide to dried flowers.
Pampas Grass and Native Alternatives
Big, creamy pampas plumes became a decor favourite. But pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is a declared or restricted weed in parts of Australia, including Tasmania, South Australia and many NSW council areas, because it spreads easily, crowds out native plants and adds to fire risk. So don’t plant it. If you love the look, buy dried, treated stems where they’re allowed, or choose a native look-alike: bunny tails, dried palm leaves, eucalyptus and billy buttons all give a similar soft, beachy feel.
For more ideas, see our guides to boho style home decor and using dried flowers in your home decor.
Bring the Coast Home
Nothing quite symbolises the Australian way of life like the beach. It’s where we go to cool down, catch a wave, go fishing, relax in the sun, meet up with friends and family, or find some solitude. Most of us live within an easy drive of one. How lucky are we?
Of course, we want to bring these beach vibes back into our homes and create a space to relax and unwind. Coastal home decor is a perfect way to do just that. It’s a bow to Australia’s natural beauty and bounty but also a nod to the importance of a happy, cosy refuge to come home to.
Not sure which dried flowers will suit your coastal look? Get in touch and our florists will help.