People always tell me that “life’s a beach”. But since I’ve been living in California and enjoying the sand, surf and sun most of the year, I definitely have to agree.
Color combinations and palettes inspired by the beach can be the most obvious design trait of coastal interiors. So you have different greens and aqua blues that represent the colors of sea glass, but who can forget classic nautical stripes in white and navy?
But coastal color combinations also go beyond your traditional whites and blues. What about red? I really like when patriotic summer style is mixed with nautical stripes. It not only adds a little American spirit to your style, but the simple and clean pattern also pairs nicely with vintage accessories. And you know how much I love anything vintage!
To pack a little punch in coastal living, some interiors use a bold color to highlight a room’s accents. For this, designers draw inspiration from the citrus fruits that are trending during the warmer months, like lemons, limes and oranges. Using bright accents and patterns help to balance an otherwise neutral color scheme for that “fresh-squeezed” feeling.
Another thing I love about the beach is the smell of salty, ocean air and the clean breeze that sweeps through streets and homes along the coast. To utilize the natural sunlight and maintain the “openness” of the beach, a lot of coastal design incorporate large bay windows, oversized doorways or lofted space.
Another huge trend I found particularly awesome for living by the beach is outdoor showers or baths. Nothing like a quick rinse to get all the sand off before heading into the house.
When I was in Coast Rica, I also admired the use of colorful tiles and mosaic masterpieces that add a pop of color to indoor and outdoor spaces. Most beach inspired interiors also blend natural wood, bamboo and other materials you would normally find close to the waterfront. Basically, they follow the same “bring the outdoors in” concept as other design styles.
*Check out the rest of my pics from Costa Rica in my travel guide photo gallery.
What do you love about coastal interiors? Leave your design favorites in the comments below.
Photo Sources: Houzz, Zecc Architects, Coastal Living, Home Bunch, ELLE Decor, Hunter Reed, Rachel Reider, Lucas Allen
