How To Design A Coastal Themed Living Room

A coastal-themed living room evokes memories of sandy beaches, the sky meets the sea and the laid-back vibe of the seaside making most of us want summer to never end. While this idea might be far-fetched, especially for those who live in countries with temperate climates, we can easily keep the illusion of summer and beaches right into our homes.

Coastal-themed spaces, beach cottage style, or simply, cottage-style spaces, evoke a very casual and laid-back feel which helps keep a relaxing and comfortable environment. Spaces look cozy, and inviting and always feel like there’s a personal touch to them. Below we share some of our best coastal-themed living room designs so you can get ideas for implementing these ideas in your own interior design.

Simply combining accents of green and blue to the neutral-colored pieces already gives the living room above a coastal look. The muted turquoise and slate blue tones add a soft & subdued coastal feel to the space, which is further emphasized by the use of textured materials such as linen fabric, jute rug, and natural wood finish. The accent color selection gives this room a bright and fresh appeal, which is easy on the eyes.

For a truly immersive seaside atmosphere, start by maximizing natural light: swap heavy drapes for sheer linen panels or bamboo shades that filter daylight without blocking the view. Then apply the classic 60-30-10 color rule—let whites and warm neutrals cover roughly 60 % of the room, devote 30 % to soft blues or sea-glass greens, and reserve a punchy 10 % for coral, sunny ochre, or navy accents.

Layer in tactile elements that echo the shoreline—think woven seagrass baskets, driftwood candleholders, and matte ceramic vases that resemble weather-bleached beach pottery. Finish with sense-based touches such as a subtle ocean-salt diffuser or a bowl of dried eucalyptus to engage smell as well as sight.

It is fairly easy to transform any space into a coastal-themed space, especially if it uses whites and neutral colors mainly. Adding a few coastal-themed pieces here and there, pops of color and texture, and you can already achieve that beach cottage style you have always dreamed of. To help guide you into creating your perfect coastal-themed space, here are some essentials/elements often found in cottage style spaces:

Coastal Decorating Ideas for Living Rooms

Bold stripes – you would often encounter bold stripes of blue and white (in different varieties of blue) in coastal-themed spaces. It gives that very youthful and casual feel to it, as it is reminiscent of umbrellas and beach blankets.

Slipcovers on furniture pieces – if not already upholstered in a linen fabric, furniture pieces are then often covered in slipcovers. Commonly used colors are white, beige, and taupe.

Jute (or other natural fiber) rugs – this adds a raw, natural texture to the space. It is often used in coastal-themed spaces, probably because the texture and color are reminiscent of ropes used on boats.

Bright-colored accents – as cottage-style spaces are usually white or neutral-colored, few accent pieces with bright colors are used to give more life and a more youthful vibe to the space. Commonly used colors are turquoise, teal, and various shades of blue and green.

Fun accent pillows – pillows used not only come in bright, solid colors but also in fun & bold prints. You would often encounter batik designs, Moroccan-style patterns, and even simple geometries and classic patterns.

Sea-inspired accessories – it is not surprising to find shells, white corals, sea-related art, and boat scale models in coastal-themed spaces.

Throws – throws are used to accessorize the sofas, giving them a more casual and laid-back feel. They come in a variety of materials and textures, and can easily give your living room a “lived-in” feel.

Lighting – These elements often make or break a coastal scheme. Aim for a tri-layer lighting plan: (1) ambient illumination from recessed LEDs or a white‐washed rattan pendant, (2) task lighting via swing-arm sconces for reading nooks, and (3) accent lighting—think glass-base table lamps filled with shells or LED tape tucked into floating shelves to spotlight your sea-inspired décor. Keep lamp temperatures in the 2700–3000 K range; their warm glow flatters sandy neutrals and makes blue accents feel vivid, not cold.

Flooring – Underfoot, pale finishes reinforce the breezy aesthetic. White-oiled oak, bleached pine, or water-resistant luxury vinyl planks (ideal for high-humidity zones) echo sun-faded boardwalks. Layer a chunky sisal or jute rug with a soft cotton dhurrie on top for comfort without sacrificing texture. If you’re itching for architectural interest, half-height shiplap or V-groove paneling instantly reads “beach cottage” while protecting walls from scuffs in high-traffic family rooms.

Natural themes – Finally, weave in eco-minded touches that honor the coast you’re channeling: FSC-certified wood furniture, reclaimed driftwood accents, and recycled glass hurricanes or vases. Seasonal switch-outs keep the room fresh—stash an alternate set of pillow covers in coral or sand tones so you can trade them with your teal/navy set as moods (or months) change.

These elements may or may not all be found in a coastal-themed living space. When it comes to transforming your current living room into a cottage-inspired living room, always consider the existing colors, finishes, and accessories, and decide how bold you’re going to be with your transformation. Just have fun mixing and matching different patterns and materials in order to achieve the perfect combination for your space.

White interiors can easily be transformed into a more coastal-themed space by simply adding the correct colors and accessories to the space. In this case, teal pillows were added as accents to the beige linen sofa, along with more subtle blue accessories, giving it a very subdued coastal look.

Think holistically about flow, especially in open-concept homes that blend living, dining, and kitchen zones. Repeating one finish, such as brushed brass hardware or a whitewashed wood tone, creates visual continuity while you play more freely with accent colors from room to room. Pattern variety follows the classic “rule of three”: pair one bold stripe (rug), one organic motif (coral-print pillow), and one small-scale geometric (throw blanket) for depth without visual chaos.

Large-scale artwork goes a long way; try a panoramic shoreline photograph split into a three-panel triptych to mimic the horizon and widen the space. Even easier, mount salvaged paddles or a vintage nautical chart for instant character. If your living room opens to a deck, blur boundaries by repeating outdoor elements indoors—weathered-teak side tables or rope-handled lanterns tie the two areas together and encourage that barefoot-in-the-sand mentality to get the coastal look.

Today’s “new coastal” look tempers laid-back beach vibes with crisp architecture and smart tech. Keep the palette pared down—chalky white walls, graphite window frames, and restraint with your blues (choose one hero hue, then use lighter tints). Introduce mid-century silhouettes—splayed-leg accent chairs or a surfboard-shaped coffee table—to strike a balance between nostalgic and contemporary.

Visit this page to see more beach themed living room ideas.