If there's one interior design style that screams calm and tranquil, it's coastal. And what better room in your home is there to inject that serenity than your bedroom?
As the space in which you retreat at the end of a busy day, or start one, you want it to feel fresh, relaxing, and comfortable – like a day at the beach. That's where these coastal bedroom ideas come in. But it's so much more than just decorating with blue and white.
Reminiscent of the oh-so-popular Nancy Meyers aesthetic, a coastal bedroom feels welcoming, cozy, and breezy. It's built up in layers of textures, soft sun-bleached neutral hues with watery blues and nods to the nautical.
Designing a coastal bedroom is a great way to bring the airy ambiance of the seaside into your home, but if you're wondering how, we've asked the experts. To find out how to bring coastal decor ideas into the bedroom, we've rounded up interior designers for their thoughts on how to create a soothing and serene coastal bedroom.
6 Coastal Bedroom Ideas To Follow For A Serene Space
The charm of coastal bedroom design lies in its ability to evoke a sense of relaxation, making it an ideal style for the bedroom. A well-designed coastal bedroom should feel like a seamless extension of the beach. By thoughtfully integrating elements that evoke the sea and shore, you create a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and deeply soothing.
So if you're in the mood to design your way into a personal sanctuary, these coastal bedroom ideas are bound to inspire.
1. Embrace natural light and coastal views
Now this is true whether your bedroom looks out onto a seascape or a high-rise. Making the most of natural light helps you to blur the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors, enhancing the airy, open feel that is so essential to this style.
'In coastal and waterfront homes, I always start with playing off of the natural light coming through the space, especially in bedrooms,' says Susana Simonpietri, creative director of Chango and Co.
To ensure you've achieved this, consider using sheer light-filtering fabrics for your window treatments to keep the room feeling bright. Lightweight fabrics such as voile or muslin allow natural light to flood the room while still providing some privacy, as will drapes that billow with the breeze.
It's also important to arrange furniture in a way that doesn't obstruct any light or views, like facing the bed or seating areas in positions that offer the best view points to create a sense of expansiveness. And of course, if you really are lucky enough to have stunning coastal views, might we suggest adding large glass windows or doors onto a balcony to further create that connection to the sea.
2. Look to neutral, sandy hues
The success of a coastal bedroom's calming atmosphere starts with the color palette. A foundation to any seaside space is neutral and sandy hues to create that effortless, laid-back and restful coastal look.
Take your cues from California Casual style; decorating with neutrals that instantly transport you to sunny days. But this doesn't just mean white. Look to earthier, muted shades like beige, taupe, and cream and layer with tones of off-white, soft grays and pale blues.
Note, your color palette can also come from the furniture and decor too, not just your walls. Opt for wooden furnishings in light, bleached tones and natural textures for your upholstery to add comfort. This subtle range of colors will add depth and interest to the space without overwhelming the scheme or looking too 'on theme'.
3. But of course, add some blue
Of course, it wouldn't be a coastal scheme without some hints of blue. While sandy tones form the backdrop, the addition of blue is what truly brings the inspiration to life, evokes the calming and restorative qualities of the ocean.
Interior designer Mindy Laven, who designed the space seen above, wanted to reflect the ocean breeze of the local Newport Beach in this property. 'Each of the rooms have a casual easy breezy feeling that says: Relax, breathe, stay a while,' explains Mindy. 'I love the sandy neutral tones, the natural woods and the watery blues. In this coastal cottage, it's summer all year round.'
Add in your blue tones through accents like bedding, throw pillows, rugs and accessories and consider paler tones for the walls or larger surfaces. Deeper blues like navy or indigo can add depth, creating a grounding contrast against the neutral tones when used in something statement like a headboard or accent chair.
4. Keep fabrics and textures light and airy
Your choice of fabrics and textures play a crucial role in creating a relaxed space, reminiscent of a beachfront retreat. Light, breathable fabrics and airy textures are key to achieving the laid-back feel of coastal design.
The triple paper lantern lights in the bedroom seen above further enhances that beachfront feeling. 'While we typically stick with neutrals and lighter wood tones in primary spaces, we always incorporate different textures, lofty and sheer fabrics, and oversized lighting to add interest and layers,' adds Susana Simonpietri of Chango and designer of the space above. 'Fresh greenery and florals can always add some further color and depth.'
Begin with your choice of bedding. Opt for something like linen, which provides a soft, effortless vibe thanks to its lived-in look, and ability to keep you cool in warmer weather. Then layer up with woven blankets, quilted bedspreads and plenty of throw pillows to dial up the cozy factor.
5. Focus on natural materials
Natural, rustic, and reclaimed materials not only echo the organic beauty of seaside environments but also contribute to a sustainable and eco-friendly design. 'When it comes to coastal bedroom designs, focus on creating a serene atmosphere by using natural materials,' says Denise Morrison of Morrison Interiors. 'Incorporating luxury bedding, soft textures, and soothing lighting complement a coastal bedroom design.'
Wooden furniture with a weathered or whitewashed finish can evoke the feel of driftwood and seaside cottages, while rattan and wicker, on the other hand, are perfect for accent pieces like nightstands, chairs, or headboards.
'Design is in the detail, so look at ways to incorporate layers of texture and pattern,' suggests Mara Rypacek Miller, managing director and founder of Industville. 'Rugs help to bring a scheme together and add warmth to a space, so consider materials such as cotton, jute, and wool. Additionally, lighting crafted from rattan and raffia will amplify the organic feel, bringing a sense of calm and coziness to your decor. The beauty of these handmade designs is that they will allow light and shadows to create patterns within the space, bringing a natural light effect that mimics that of the sun.'
Finally, look to your walls and floors to provide texture. Shiplap, paneling, and whitewashed hardwood floors are all synonymous with coastal design and shouldn't be overlooked.
6. Lean into the nautical-theme with accents
One of the biggest coastal decor mistakes is going too themed with the space.
'We don’t like to be too literal when decorating a coastal bedroom,' advises Michelle Morgan Harrison of Morgan Harrison Home. Pulling in colors of the natural palette, like blues, greiges, and sandy beige, communicates the theme beautifully. Natural wood elements add a breezy look and feel as well as white. We like to keep coastal design airy and light, but when we do add color, soft pinks and pops of blue add the right amount of ‘tropical.’
Nautical accents bring a playful and nostalgic touch to a coastal bedroom, evoking memories of seaside holidays. However, artwork and decor featuring ocean scenes, blue glass vases, or ceramic lamps can all contribute to the theme without overwhelming the space. So consider keeping your seaside themes and motifs, like anchors, cabana stripes, maritime ropes, waves, and coral to smaller accent pieces.
'To keep the space from feeling overwhelming, I focus on keeping the walls relatively light, typically with a neutral shiplap, and ensuring that bedding is sumptuous – perfect to dive into after a long day,' adds Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design. I’m a huge fan of using elements related to the coast/beach in new ways – whether that’s surfboards as wall decor or shells as a motif to name a few.'
Whether you live by the coast or simply want to bring a touch of the beach into your home, these coastal bedroom ideas offer a blueprint for achieving a stylish and serene retreat. By following these expert tips, you can enjoy the calming and rejuvenating atmosphere of a coastal escape every day.
