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Coastal living room ideas
Coastal modern is about light and air rather than seaside souvenirs. White and soft sand walls, a bleached wood floor and a slipcovered linen sofa create a pale base, with sea-glass blue picked up in cushions or a striped rug. Rattan chairs and woven pendants add texture, and sheer curtains let daylight pour in. Many people choose it for living rooms that face the sun or sit near water, though it brightens a dim room far inland just as well.
Try Coastal on a photo of your living room
Palette
- Soft white (#f3f1ea)
- Sand (#d8c7a6)
- Sea-glass blue (#8db3ac)
- Driftwood grey (#a59f94)
Key pieces
- White slipcovered linen sofa
- Pair of rattan armchairs
- Whitewashed or bleached oak coffee table
- Woven seagrass or rattan pendant
- Striped jute rug in sand and sea-glass blue
- Soft blue ceramics and a piece of driftwood
Materials and finishes
- Bleached oak or whitewashed pine floors
- Rattan, rope and seagrass
- Washed linen and cotton in white and sand
- Sheer linen curtains
- Matt glazed ceramics and frosted glass
Tips
- Keep the blue soft and greyed, like sea glass, and use it in two or three places only. Navy and bright turquoise push the room towards a nautical theme.
- Sheer curtains on a ceiling-mounted track give privacy while letting the most light through. In a north-facing room, paint the walls sand rather than bright white to avoid a grey cast.
- Slipcovers and outdoor-grade fabric on cushions cope with sun, sand and damp swimwear, and keep a pale scheme looking fresh through summer.
What to avoid
- Anchors, ship's wheels and rope knots
- Navy and red nautical stripes
- Dark, heavy curtains and furniture
Questions
Will coastal style look out of place in a city flat?
Not if the obvious beach references stay out. The core is a pale palette, natural texture and plenty of light, which works anywhere. Use rattan, linen and bleached wood, keep one soft blue accent and skip shells, driftwood signs and boat prints.
What wood tone works best for coastal modern?
Pale and weathered. Bleached oak, whitewashed pine and light ash all suit it, along with natural rattan. Orange-toned pine and dark walnut fight the look. If you already own a dark piece, balance it with a pale rug and white upholstery nearby.
More living room styles
- Scandinavian living room ideas
- Japandi living room ideas
- Mid-Century Modern living room ideas
- Minimalist living room ideas
- Industrial living room ideas
- Boho living room ideas
- Modern Farmhouse living room ideas
Coastal in other rooms
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