You don’t need to live at the beach to capture coastal cottage style for your home. This easy, breezy look combines cozy and casual with vintage charm to create a tranquil, relaxed vibe that will make you feel like you’re always on vacation, minus the sandy floors.
Create this easy-going style by incorporating an eclectic mix of traditional furnishings, white-washed finishes and woven textures, beach-themed accessories, and a nature-inspired seaside color palette. Ready to create a charming oasis in your home? Follow these design tips to achieve the perfect look.
Embrace the Space
Coastal cottage style is intended to be light, airy, and open. Window treatments should be sheer and billowy—think gentle sea breezes— to allow natural light to flow through. The furniture layout and accessories should feel uncluttered to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Architectural elements such as white beadboard or shiplap walls and ceilings along with sun-bleached hardwood floors add further charm.
Coordinating Colors
The ideal color palette for coastal cottage style is a harmonious blend of neutral tones accented by pops of seaside-inspired color. Foundational colors are usually comprised of white, cream, khaki, tans, or beiges to create a soothing backdrop, while accent colors such as blues, aquas, teals, sea greens, or corals provide contrast and visual interest. Hardware and fixture finishes in copper, bronze, brass, or brushed nickel add warmth to the space.
Add Texture & Softness
Whether designing a living room, dining room, or bedroom area, consider anchoring the space with some texture. Rugs made from natural fibers such as sisal, seagrass, or jute lend an earthy and organic quality, while woven wool or braided rugs add dimension. Textiles like linen and cotton are ideal for bedding or upholstery. Be sure to incorporate a variety of soft throw pillows for effortless style with extra comfort. The goal here is to create a calming and cozy ambiance.
Accessorize in Moderation
A few strategically placed beach-inspired accessories can really help pull the whole look together. Think about items that are reminiscent of the shoreline and sky. The translucent and reflective qualities of glass make it a perfect material for use in coastal cottage design. Use it in decorating with accessories such as lamps, vases, jars, tabletops, and mirrors. Mix in the old with the new by interspersing vintage light fixtures and other antique décor. Add organic elements like driftwood, beach grass, shells, faux coral, or even rattan baskets to bring nature inside. But don’t get too heavy-handed with themed accessories, or the look can quickly become too nautical and overdone.
Select Traditional Furniture Styles
The coastal cottage look is all about casual charm, which means soft curves and traditional silhouettes in furnishings. Rolled arm sofas and accent chairs with turned legs are distinctive of this style. Consider adding accent tables and storage pieces in distressed white painted wood for a worn and weathered cottage look. Bedroom furniture that features scalloped edges or carved details adds vintage allure. Ultimately, you want to choose pieces that emphasize comfort and relaxation to create a restful retreat.
Create A Space That Exudes Effortless Charm
Ready to transform your home into a welcoming seaside cottage oasis? Flexsteel can help with furniture collections inspired by this inviting design style. Bring the look to your bedroom with our NEWPORT COLLECTION, furnishings designed to bring a calm, casual elegance to bedroom spaces. And, for traditionally styled seating designed for long lasting comfort, explore our many sofa and armchair styles, including MOXY. Our seating is available in a variety of fabrics and accent pillow choices.
