Calm and soothing, coastal chic design allows you to bring a bit of beachside living into your home even if you are nowhere near the ocean. It’s possible to have that calm, relaxed feeling even if you live in the city or the suburbs.
After all, who doesn’t want to feel like every day is a day at the beach?
Recognizing that many people want coastal chic in their home rather than more traditional or formal looks, furniture designers have been creating new pieces that fit into the seaside motif. There are enough choices to create your own coastal feel in every room of the home.
It’s become one of the fastest growing and most popular decorating styles in the country.
Why Is Coastal Chic Popular?
Coastal chic can work with any room in the home. There are design cues that work, no matter what style your home was built in. Also, many of the colors - various shades of brown and blue, for example - are neutral and work with many assorted color schemes.
The real attraction of coastal chic is that it goes for a smoothing, relaxing vibe. The aesthetic is simply this: make every room in the home a haven from the hectic outside world. That’s something everyone wants.
Given the “information overload” of today’s world, it’s not surprising that so many want a relaxing atmosphere when they reach home. Coastal chic fills this need perfectly.
Features Of Coastal ChicWhat are the features of coastal chic? Well, that can depend on which coast you are talking about. A seaside home on the coast of Maine is going to have a different feel than a beach house in Sarasota or a Mediterranean villa.
For those who want a coastal chic look, they should first decide what kind of seaside aesthetic they want. Some of the major choices include:
American. This includes everything from a cottage feel to contemporary design.
Tropical. Features more bold colors, the kind you find in tropical locales. There are also subsets within this group, such as the teak and bold patterns found in Hawaii.
Mediterranean. You'll find features like black iron and terra cotta featured more heavily in this area.
Can you combine all three? Of course! Many take elements from different coastal chic design themes. It’s your home and your idea of what evokes the beach - and creates a relaxing atmosphere.
Coastal Chic Design Elements
Coastal chic furniture covers many distinctive styles. The overarching theme is furniture designed to be warm and welcoming. How is that achieved? There are specific design elements common in almost every type of coastal chic design.
They include the following.
Wood. Most coastal chic designs go for a weathered or distressed look for wood pieces. Handmade wood pieces also feature prominently in many coastal chic homes. This is one of many elements that puts the emphasis on warmth.
Decorative items. This goes together with the choices of wood. To invite more elements from nature into the mix, many choose to decorate their coastal chic homes with coral and shell. Decorative pieces many also include elements of stone or driftwood.
Wicker. This includes wicker chairs with plush cushions for comfort, as well wicker baskets and other decorative items.
Nautical elements. This includes both decorative items or paintings on the wall. Look for images of sails, helms, anchors, portholes and all kinds of marine life in both the decorative items and the images used in paintings.
Space and light. Overall, coastal chic rooms are not crowded! The idea is to create openness. Hopefully, the room also offers lots of natural light.
Simple layout. When selecting your coastal chic furniture, think about building a simple design around them. Clutter creates a chaotic feel. Coastal chic is just the opposite of that! You want lots of space that allows people to move freely around the room.
Variety of textures. Much as in nature, you want the textures in your coastal chic room or home to provide a variety. For example, combine woven rugs with a weathered wood chest of drawers and smooth stone decorative pieces. Make sure each room also has plenty of soft elements such as throw pillows and big cushions - remember that the accent is on comfort and relaxation!
These are the sort of thematic ideas that encourage casual conversation and a calm atmosphere. No one should walk into a room filled with coastal chic design elements and feel anxious.
Coastal Chic Colors
Thinks about the colors you see when at the beach or in a seaside village. Many coastal chic rooms use very muted tones. You don’t want to create a jarring feel with colors that contrast sharply.
Instead, start with colors such as off-white, cream and sandy brown. Grey also is a good choice. Those muted tones, just like you find in nature, help creating a soothing color palette.
The accent colors also should be muted. For example, think about light shades of blue and seafoam green. Another choice are the pastel colors associated with the seaside such as aquamarine, a very light pink or coral.
If you want a bold splash of color such as red or a rich blue, save it for a single decorative piece that you want to be the focal point for people when they enter the room. A glass piece also can serve in this same way.
Modern coastal chic design is all about bringing a sleek, simple look to a room. The emphasis on natural colors and uncomplicated design should play into the kind of furniture you decide to use in your home.
When seeking out coastal chic furniture, it can help to get ideas from professionals. The expert designers at Matter Brothers Furniture has complimentary design services that can help you design your own Coastal Chic look for your living room, bedroom or entire house.
