10 Coastal-Decorated Homes That’ll Immediately Transport You to the Beach
You might be familiar with a sad longing on beach vacations — the sudden intense desire to bottle up the relaxed feeling and bring it home (or buy a beach house). Luckily, the coastal interior aesthetic lets you do just that. The decor style, full of soft blues, natural textures (think: wicker or rattan), and even nautical elements, feels like an immediate stress reliever.
And maybe the best part about this style is that you don’t physically have to be at the seaside to get that breezy, beachy feeling. With laid-back, yet simultaneously elevated design choices, even a New York City apartment can feel like you’re steps away from the sand.
Even though you might be able to imagine the beachy tones from a coastal home, it’s not a one-size-fits-all style. Keep reading to learn more about the best coastal homes we’ve seen. Disclaimer: You’re about to be instantly transported to the beach.
1. See Why This Teeny 313-Square-Foot Studio Is Nicknamed the “Sailor’s Den”
When Milo and Lance Putnam were decorating their maximalist studio in Provincetown, Massachusetts, they looked to their community and surrounding environment for inspiration. “Sailor’s Den is a trendy studio that is a celebration of queer joy with a tie to the nautical nature of Cape Cod. Our home is anchored in the heart of America’s gayest town — Provincetown, Massachusetts,” Milo wrote at the time of the home tour.
Visit the full home tour to see more of their nautical space.
2. Coastal Grandmother Meets Eclectic Farmhouse in This 200-Square-Foot Apartment
Even though Ashley Watson lives in a small apartment in New York City’s Greenwich Village, you’d never know it if you only saw the inside of her home. Whether it’s the gingham pastel-colored comforter, comfy couch, or natural light that streams in from the two big windows, her space feels like immediate stress relief. “I want my apartment to feel like a hug from grandma and taking that first sip of summer wine on vacation … simultaneously,” Watson shared at the time of the home tour.
See how this New York City renter brought the beach to the city in the full home tour.
3. This Tiny Malibu Cottage Is a Love Letter to Wood Paneling — And Has an Adorable Reading Nook
Coastal style doesn’t only have to feature soft tones and comfortable materials. When you think of how much sand gets tracked inside during a beach trip, you’ll want a home that can be easily cleaned. Amy Roberts achieved this in her Malibu cottage by having wood paneling throughout the home.
Explore more of this gorgeous space in the full home tour.
4. A Tech Expert’s Breezy Beach House Is Decorated with Wellness in Mind
When Carley Knobloch and her family started spending more time in Malibu, they realized they wanted to purchase a second home there — and the one they landed on is just two minutes from the beach. “It has been the most incredible weekend retreat for our family,” Knobloch said at the time of the tour. “It feels like we’re on vacation every weekend.”
Visit the full home tour to experience more of this coastal space.
5. A 150-Year-Old Cottage’s Design Is “Industrial Farmhouse by the Sea”
Not only does Mia Finsness’s 150-year-old cottage in Bermuda have sweeping ocean views, but the inside is also just as calming. Soft tones and minimal furniture (some of the walls are adorned with nautical details like the fish print above a bed) make the space feel similar to the relaxed feeling after a day at the beach.
See more of this airy space in the full home tour.
6. A Renovated Long Beach Bungalow Is Perfect Eclectic Minimalism
Travis Wayne and his family’s coastal Craftsman-style home in Long Beach, California, is just minutes from the beach, but how they’ve decorated the space makes it feel like you’re already there. Most of the interior is white with dots of color from the rattan dining room chairs, leafy plants, and the leather chair in the living room.
Check out the full home tour to see more of this incredible space.
7. This 940-Square-Foot Apartment Is Walking Distance to the Beach
It’s not just the city name (Oceanside, California) that classifies Sarah Ehrich’s organic modern apartment as coastal style. There are several natural textures, like the jute living room rug, and a soft color palette throughout the home. A couple of decorative surfboards add to the coastal style, too.
Explore more of this coastal apartment in the full home tour.
8. Little Changes Went a Long Way in Making This Rental More Sustainable
The color palette in Emily Busam’s eco-friendly house in San Diego, California, is a fun take on the coastal aesthetic. While coastal is often full of neutrals or a combination of blues, her space is a yellow-ish gold with pattern pops throughout. It’s reminiscent of warm summery days in the glow of the sunshine.
Learn more about the sustainable updates in the full home tour.
9. An “Ancient” Garage Was Transformed into a Tiny but Beautiful Cottage
It’s hard to believe that Kate’s tranquil 520-square-foot home in Ely, Minnesota, was once a garage for cars and tools. However, with a little imagination and likely a bit more elbow grease, she turned it into a wonderful home full of coastal details — namely, a pair of white chairs that look like seashells.
Step inside this gorgeous space in the full home tour.
10. This Cardiologist’s Coastal-Inspired Home Also Features Heart-Shaped Decor
Elizabeth Epstein is a cardiology fellow, and her husband is a veterinarian — both arguably high-stress careers. So, when decorating their home in La Jolla, California, they wanted it to be an “oasis,” and clever color choices helped achieve that. “The color palette is inspired by the colors of the ocean, moss-covered rocks, and sand at Windansea beach,” she said at the time of the tour.
Visit the full home tour to see more of their heart-shaped decor.