Want to know how to get that effortless coastal bedroom? Today, I am sharing 7 tips for creating a timeless and tranquil retreat that feels less like a themed hotel at the Marriott (no offense Marriott) and more like a vacation home in Malibu or Cape Cod.
Let’s dive right in!
Start with a Color Palette
In general, I find it is best to use a color palette rather than a “theme.” If you know the goal is to create a coastal look, you need to choose lighter and softer tones and hues. A coastal color palette can incorporate a range of colors think blue, green, beige, grey, white, pink, brown. The key is to just pick mostly soft hues rather than very saturated and darker tones.
Now you CAN incorporate a saturated and darker color, but do so sparingly.
I might choose one olive green pillow for a bedroom chair or a black pair of nightstands. However, it’s best to keep your colors lighter and more or less what you would find out in nature when at the beach.
So how do you pick colors?
If you absolutely love the color green, incorporate it in things like bedding or art. Have a variety of colors just keep the tones similar so, the space feels calming and helps you get that coastal and light aesthetic you are seeking.
Choose Appropriate Wall and Ceiling Applications
Want that coastal vibe?
Have beams on the ceiling and/or shiplap on the walls. Consider bead board or use a grass cloth wallpaper. All of these are details you can incorporate to level up your design.
The room above is a great example of why you shouldn’t neglect the walls and ceiling! Pure Salt Interiors in the room above incorporated tongue and groove on the focal wall and placed a white beam where the ceiling peaks.
Regardless of your current situation, consider upgrading your room with some sort of wall or ceiling application. If your home is more traditional, lean into that with board and batten or beams. The idea here is to make your bedroom feel elegant and elevated while providing the light and effortless appeal of a coastal space.
Choose the Right Materials
Rattan, jute, cane, bamboo, these are a few materials you should consider when making selections for your space.
Materials that have an organic quality to them or feel like they were plucked straight from nature are ideal.
You will find it’s easy to make a statement by simply having a coconut shell chandelier or a woven pendant. Lighting is a great way to incorporate a coastal look without being over the top.
Seascapes and Nautical Art
Want to draw inspiration from somewhere? Find a beautiful piece of art and use that as your jumping off point for colors.
A piece of art is great placed over your bed and draws attention to the main wall.
There are so many options for art and photography try searching things like “vintage coastal art” or “seascape art” and you will see landscapes in a variety of colors.
Breezy Linens
Ever noticed how every island oasis bedroom in Hawaii or Bali has breezy sheer curtains?
Replicate this simple choice and you will quickly find you can create a coastal vibe.
Now, since this is a bedroom you should layer sheer or semi sheer curtains with some other window treatment. For example, if you want bamboo shades, those can pair with sheer curtains while adding privacy and blocking out light.
Need total darkness? I do.
Opt for blackout shades in a gorgeous beige tone to imitate the color of sand. Just know this suggestion isn’t the end all be all here.
First and foremost, sheer curtains are merely one direction you can take your window treatments.
Secondly, remember the most important aspect with window coverings is functionality. Sheer curtains are going to be beautiful and add some subtle light filtering, but they may not be great for you.
In the end, know what your personal preferences are and what is best for your situation.
Accessorize
Choose an accessory or two that will be a nod to the coastal look, just don’t go overboard … I couldn’t resist.
Having a small metal boat or a woven photo frame are simple ways to pay homage to the coastal look.
Also, use your accessories to carry the color palette. You can make your space harmonious by just repeating a color in a different way. A gorgeous quality vase can be a simple yet effective means of doing just that.
Ground the Room
Always great advice for any bedroom, but consider a jute or sesel rug to bring that coastal feeling to your retreat.
Both of these materials have their pros and cons, but to save you the research, jute is softer, but sisal is more durable. There you go!
However, you don’t NEED jute or sisal to create an elegant and coastal look.
Pro Tip: Found a gorgeous rug, but it’s a little too small? Consider a layered look. Depending on the size of your room, you can place a jute rug for instance down with a vintage rug on top.
You can choose from a wide range of rug designs, but just remember to have a rug that is large enough to extend out at least 18” on all sides of the bed.
If you have a bench or something at the foot of the bed, you treat that item as the edge of the bed.
I sincerely hope these tips help you create that coastal, but timeless and elegant bedroom retreat you are after! If you only had one tip to implement from above, which one do you think is a MUST for a coastal vibe?
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From the time I was a young child, I have loved interior design and beautiful things. Ten-year-old me would create “floor plans” on notebook paper and design the dream homes of my siblings. We would have an initial meeting and after jotting down their wish list, I got to work creating the home of their dreams.
After designing the layout, I would take the Sunday newspaper ads (are those still a thing?) and cut out pictures of furniture, lamps, and accessories to create mood boards for each room in the home. When I was all done, weeks and weeks later, I would showcase my work and pitch my design ideas to a sibling.
If you too enjoy beautiful things and the process of turning a vision into a reality, welcome! If you love watching homes transform, but just don’t know how to start or have the resources to buy everything you like, stick around. I love finding affordable and practical design solutions to give YOU a gorgeous home you can be proud of.
Together, let’s reveal what’s possible.
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