Living along the South Jersey Shore + being obsessed with the local island real estate {to the point of getting my real estate license} I have seen a lot of good, a lot of bad + a TON of really ugly. With most beach houses in this area being a personal vacation home or income property {or both} they tend to not receive as much love in the decorating department as they should.
True that a coastal home should embrace the feel of it’s locale but there is no need to cram every piece of coastal kitsch you find into the house. I’m floored when someone will pay upwards of $1 million for a gorgeous home then decorate it with the WORST furniture, “art”, lighting + decorative accents. Cutesy fish bathmats all over? No. Seashell print pillows, table linens, rugs, + bedding all under one roof? No, no, no + no.
It’s not to say that coastal home decor is ALL off limits. However, it should probably be tamped down in order to create a cohesive look that is casual yet classic. Being inspired by younger people buying properties in the area I put together a “boho meets classic” inspiration for fresh take on the casual coastal home look, focusing on the main area…the living room.
Don’t forget to Pin this look for later!
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brush stroke pillow // palm leaf pillow // mirror // lamp // console table // basket trio // diffuser // chair // coffee table // oval tray {similar} // rug // sofa {similar} // lidded basket
SEATING
The classic lines of this Carlisle sofa from Pottery Barn furniture with the English roll arms + tapered legs will never go out of style {similar style linked HERE}. But choosing a performance fabric in a linen texture gives it a much more casual {not to mention DURABLE} presence.
To bring more interest into the room, have the chairs, like these Pottery Barn Hadley ones, be upholstered in a patterned or different color fabric than the sofa. Add a mix of pillows in different sizes, colors + styles/patterns like this modern brushstroke square throw pillow + the more traditional + “beachy” palm print lumbar pillow. After all, nothing says comfort like a slew of pillows!
ACCENT FURNITURE + RUG
A boho wicker/rattan coffee table adds a little bit of tension to the sophistication of the other large pieces of furniture, as does this Sombre Kilim rug from Dash + Albert. Low pile, reversible + woven of wool + cotton, this rug is made to be durable. A rattan console table in a sleek contemporary design adds more texture + drama in this deep indigo color.
READ THIS if you need help with how to style a console table or buffet style table.
ACCESSORIES
Moving onto accessories, this lamp from Anthropologie is modern with the glazed porcelain finish but the shape + the little tassel detail give it a much more classic look {beats a lamp with a burlap shade + filled with shells any day}.
Currently obsessed with this round mirror, which comes in two sizes…big + really big…because even though it’s a more formal style it reminds me of a compass rose or porthole in a ship, making it the perfect subtle nod to the coastal home feel.
Finish out the look by adding in a shagreen or faux leather tray + little woven baskets to corral loose ends like beach tags or…wait for it…seashells. Also, particularly love this woven lidded basket {which is really a hamper} to store blankets for those cool, breezy nights.
And although the natural coastal air can smell amazing, it can also start making your home smell musty, especially in bayfront or beachfront homes, so make sure to have a few good smelling candles or reed diffusers on hand. I’m partial to these Archipelago ones in Pineapple Ginger, Pomegranate Citrus + Lemon Grapefruit.
Here are some other favorite coastal home decor pieces:
Follow along with other coastal home design inspiration on the Pinterest board below:
I love fantasizing about having a huge house on the bay one day in Stone Harbor or Avalon. Leave a comment about where would you love to have a coastal home + what your coastal style is!
