Coastal Decor: The New Modern Coastal Design for Interiors

Soft white walls are a great way to brighten up your home and create an open and light feel.

The key to choosing the right white is to go for a calm & relaxed approach; avoid selecting too stark a white which can create the opposite effect.

Read on for our picks of creamy whites and even soft grays that can achieve your goal.

If you want to achieve a good balance of light in your room, you should use different shades of white depending on the direction the room faces.

For example, if your room faces north, select a warm white tone, whereas if your room faces south, you should use a cool white.

This will help ensure that your room is well lit, no matter which direction it faces. It will also make the room feel more open and welcoming.

Cool: Try Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore or Paper White by Benjamin Moore

Neutral: Sherwin Williams, Alabaster or Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore

Warm: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee or Simply White or Snowfall

When it comes to window treatments in a coastal home, less is often more. Make the most of natural light by avoiding heavy drapes or blinds.

Instead, opt for simple treatments that can easily adjust to let in maximum light. There is nothing like natural light for creating an open and airy home.

Popular treatments include canvas roman blinds, top down/bottom up blinds, and sometimes even a light woven straw that allows light in but gives you privacy.

Balancing out the airiness created by a light palette, modern coastal decor utilizes wood floors to create warmth (like sand on the beach). Weathered & distressed flooring adds beach house charm, so stay away from highly polished flooring.

Choose light colors - blonde or warm golden to grays and driftwood tones - instead of dark browns or black.

For high humidty or traffic areas, there are very attractive and functional wood-look vinyl tile options now available. These solutions have come a long way in the last few years.

Coastal design is all about creating a relaxed, natural atmosphere inspired by the shoreline.

To achieve this look, furniture is often made from light woods, rattan or wicker, and fabrics are kept crisp linen or canvas in light shades.

Choose coastal accessories like seagrass baskets, a woven straw hat, a teal scarf hanging in the entry, driftwood pieces, a natural beach stone lamp, and other accessories can be dotted around the room to add interest.

To further enhance the relaxed, beachy feel in your modern coastal design, add plenty of soft pillows and accent pieces like coastal picture frames in light neutral shades.

This can include pastel blues and greens inspired by the ocean, as well as sandy beiges or blondes that evoke images of sand dunes. These colors will help to create a tranquil feel in your space that is perfect for creating a relaxing retreat.

Here are some favorite coastal colors that add the blue and green vibe:

Sherwin Williams Tradewind, Meander Blue, Scanda, Blissful Blue, Cloudless

Behr Coastal Mist, Tahoe Blue, Ocean and Gentle Sea, Basin Blue, Beachside, Pure Turquoise

In modern coastal design, there is certainly a place for shells and starfish, seaglass in a bowl, a coastal candle, a piece of coral styled on a bookshelf, stripes on a pillow, or glass bottles.

The key is to be minimal; avoid going too overboard with coastal symbols or collections in one area. Balance it out with space.