Leave the knickknacks at the gift shop and follow these tips to achieve an effortlessly coastal home.

The line between beautiful coastal home design and overly literal beach décor is thinner than you might think.

You’ve probably seen it: seashells everywhere, beach signs on every wall, and starfish stamped on every surface. Instead of a lived-in home, it starts to feel more like a vacation rental during the off-season.

At Salty Havens, we believe the most captivating coastal homes whisper their theme. They don’t shout it.

When done well, coastal home decorating is about ease. It’s about light and salt and sky. It’s a feeling of being grounded by nature and wrapped in the kind of calm that lingers long after the tide rolls out.

We help our clients design a coastal home that embrace a refined coastal aesthetic that’s timeless, relaxed, and filled with personal meaning. Here’s how to bring that same energy into your own space.

No. 1: Start With a Coastal-Inspired Color Palette

Let nature lead the way.

Coastal home design always begins with color. And the best palettes take their cues from the shoreline itself.

Instead of the bright turquoise and bold navy you see in themed décor, we favor something more nuanced. Think: seafoam, driftwood, salt-washed whites, sandy neutrals, and those buttery shades of yellow you only catch at golden hour.

Here’s our go-to approach for building a coastal palette that feels effortless and elevated:

1. Begin with warm whites and sun-kissed neutrals to set a light, airy foundation.
2. Layer in color through painted cabinetry, textured upholstery, or a hint of seaglass sage or soft blue.
3. Finish with a subtle accent: a blush pink like a beach sunrise, coral like low-tide shells, or the golden hue of a late-summer bloom.

The right palette doesn’t just look coastal. It feels coastal. It should call to mind the stillness of low tide, the softness of a morning breeze, or the glow of the afternoon sun.

Take a walk along the shore and let the landscape guide you. If your color palette feels like a breath of fresh air, you’re on the right path.

No. 2: Mix Materials & Textures Like You Would Collect Them Over Time

Curate and collect complementary materials. 

That lived-in, well-loved look we all swoon over? It’s no accident. The coastal aesthetic comes to life through a thoughtful blend of materials and textures: woven, weathered, and beautifully imperfect.

To create that effortless, laid-back feel (without veering into themed décor), we start with:

• Linen, cotton, rattan, and natural woods
• Patinated metals and handmade ceramics
• Clean lines softened by organic silhouettes

We always say: if it feels like something you’d stumble upon at a seaside antique shop or bring home from your travels, it’s probably perfect. Handwoven light fixtures, vintage wood pieces, and sun-bleached books bring soul and story to a space.

Focus more on curating than coordinating. Layered materials make sure each room feels like a chapter in your story, not a page out of a catalogue. Too many new or matchy-matchy pieces can fall flat. But when a home feels gathered over time, it becomes truly yours.

No. 3: Curate Art & Objects With Meaning

Let your home tell your story—not just the sea’s.

You don’t need anchor motifs on every wall to create a coastal interior. (Though we’ll never say no to a well-placed vintage anchor.) 

Instead, look for pieces that feel personal and lived-in, like:

• A piece of driftwood your kid picked up on a beach walk
• Your grandmother’s fishing basket or grandpa’s old boat oar
• A framed photo from your favorite coastal vacation

We love layering in books with weathered spines, abstract seascapes, or black-and-white coastal photography. These are the details that give your home depth and meaning. The goal is to draw inspiration from the sea without copying it verbatim. 

No. 4: Let Nature In (But Keep It Refined)

Embrace natural elements without turning your home into a beach shack. 

Coastal living is about creating harmony with the outdoors. Don’t be afraid to bring the outside in through tasteful design elements. Think less faux palm trees, and more details that feel organic, elevated, and just a little windswept.

Some of our favorite nature-inspired design elements:

• Sculptural branches in oversized vases
• Stones, shells, or sea glass displayed like found treasures 
• ​​Textiles and finishes that reflect the curves, colors, and textures of the coast

We love using raw-edged wood, soft greenery, and filtered natural light to blur the line between inside and out. These elements ground the home in its surroundings and bring the outdoors in, without tipping into kitsch.

Related: Make your coastal home feel intentional with these five design details → 

No. 5: Prioritize Comfort Without Compromising Style

Coastal home design is all about livability. 

Above all, a beautiful home should function for everyday life, not just for parties and photos. Think about soft rugs under sandy feet, cozy corners to curl up with coffee, and the breeze gently filtering through linen curtains. That’s coastal living. 

​​We believe comfort and elegance can coexist. You’ll find both in:

• Slipcovered sofas with performance fabric (perfect for red wine and beach towels alike)
• Oversized linen pillows, layered rugs, and warm wood underfoot
• Window treatments that filter sunlight and frame the view

Every design decision should make the home feel as good as it looks. That’s why we choose materials that age beautifully and layouts that make life a little easier, from school mornings to sunset dinner parties.

When form and function work in tandem, the space invites you to stay a while. It’s calm, cohesive coastal comfort at its finest.

Your Coastal Home, Your Story

At the end of the day, the most beautiful coastal homes are personal. They feel like a deep exhale after a long week. They reflect who you are, where you’ve been, and how you want to live.

At Salty Havens, we guide you through the process from start to finish—handling everything from design and construction to those finishing touches that make it yours. 

Ready to create your own version of coastal living?