Guest post by Sophie Marlow: Sophie Marlowe is a digital content writer and outreach executive for Luxury Flooring. She specialises in crafting engaging blogs on home improvement and home decor with a focus on flooring. Sophie writes handy how-tos, easy guides, and helpful comparisons, letting the reader be informed and inspired to take their home to the next level.

This summer, there’s a craving for escape in home design. People are after sun-drenched kitchens, ocean-inspired tiles, sand-toned flooring, and linen-draped bedrooms that smell like salt spray and slow mornings.

Coastal interiors have resurfaced with a purpose beyond beach houses as everyone wants a touch of the seaside in their home. From coastal bathrooms and kitchens to Mediterranean-infused bedrooms and nautical nurseries, the seaside is making waves in every corner of the house.

What’s Behind the Seaside Design Craze?

Simply put, coastal design is about calmness and serenity in the home. After years of global uncertainty, doomscrolling, and screen fatigue, there’s a craving for spaces that offer a reset. The beach represents simplicity, clarity, and ease. It’s nostalgic, but not kitsch. Chic, but not sterile.

With social media’s influence, coastal design is more curated than ever. It’s gone beyond navy stripes and anchor motifs, focusing heavily on layers, diversity, and personality. The seaside aesthetic is less about copying and pasting what you see online; instead, it’s about designing for you and your lifestyle, creating deeply personal spaces.

A Breakdown of These Seaside Styles

Coastal Design: Inspired by life by the sea, coastal interiors are light, breezy, and relaxed. They’re a more modern take on the nautical look that captures the feeling of the shore, instead of replicating it. Coastal design features a soft, beach-inspired colour palette and natural light. It uses materials like rattan, jute, rope, and weathered wood.

Scandinavian Coastal Design: This pared-back Nordic take on the coastal trend blends minimalism and the functional beauty of Scandinavian design with the soft, seaside touches of coastal. Its calming, neutral base features whites and greys with organic textures like untreated wood, wool, and cotton. It pairs very light, almost sun-bleached colour schemes with hints of pale blue or dusty green as well as clean lines and simple shapes.

Mediterranean Design: Rich in warmth, texture, and rustic charm, Mediterranean interiors take cues from countries like Greece and Italy. It’s earthy and romantic, featuring arched shapes, curved furniture, and built-in seating. Its terracotta, ochre, cream, and azure blue tones are combined with natural materials like stone, clay, and marble.

The Many Faces of Coastal Style

Mediterranean Bedrooms: Picture warm terracotta walls, crisp white linen, ceramic lamps, and worn-in wood. Mediterranean bedrooms are all about balancing earthy textures against clean backdrops. Consider arched mirrors, olive trees in terracotta pots, and even stone-effect luxury vinyl tiles to complete the look.

Nautical Nurseries: Gone are the days of over-the-top sailor themes. Nautical nurseries in today’s design lean into soft and subtle features to create a bright yet grounded vibe that’s perfect for growing imaginations. Think about washed blues, sandy beiges, rope details, and perhaps a playful whale mobile or shell-print wallpaper.

Coastal Bathrooms: Think soft aqua tiles, natural stone basins, and brushed brass taps, which create the fresh spa-like vibe that defines coastal bathrooms. Layer with waffle-textured towels and glass bottles for bath salts, or even shells. Remember to keep things practical and stylish in the bathroom!

Scandinavian Coastal Kitchens: Think white or light grey cabinetry, oak or birch shelving, and simple hardware. Consider subtle splashback designs like pale blue mosaics and a light-toned engineered wood floor to keep the space both practical and serene. It’s minimalist, but not cold. It’s just fresh, functional, and full of natural charm.

How to Bring the Seaside Home

Stick to a Coastal Palette: Avoid overly saturated colours and go for muted, chalky tones instead. Think about soft whites, greys, and sandy neutrals with sea greens and marine blues.

Choose Natural Materials: Rattan, jute, cotton, wood, and ceramics contribute to the tactile, windswept look that coastal design thrives on. Choose furniture pieces, light fittings, and even rugs made in these materials to bring authenticity to your space.

Create Depth With Texture: Think of crinkled linen throws, seagrass baskets, ribbed glassware, and brushed metals. These add interest by layering textures without making it look cluttered.

Keep the Light Flowing: Where possible, maximise natural light. You can use lightweight curtains or shutters as well as white oak flooring to keep things bright and airy.

Use Coastal Accessories Sparingly: A few well-placed coastal nods, such as a rope mirror, driftwood shelf, or a coral sculpture, can go a long way. Just make sure to steer clear of anything too literal!

From Shore to Chic

Coastal interiors make you feel. There’s a mood that comes with stepping into a breezy, uncluttered room with sea-salt hues and tactile details. It’s calming, timeless, and adaptable to different home styles.

So, whether you’re doing a full coastal renovation or just swapping in some rattan lamp shades and a blue throw, this trend acts as a gentle reminder that your home can be stylish as well as soothing.