Coastal living rooms capture the essence of a beach day by using airy and light designs with palettes of white, sandy beige, blue, and green that echo the colors of sandy beaches and ocean waves. These spaces naturally incorporate materials like wood and rattan, emphasizing natural light and simplicity, making them perfect for waterfront settings.
Today’s coastal decor has grown popular for its versatile style, working well in a variety of homes, from beach cottages to suburban houses. Discover inspiration for creating a coastal-style living room, no matter where you call home.
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01
of 40Go Boho
Credit: HausChic / Jacob Fox
Senior Home Stylist Joseph Wanek scattered patterned blue and white throw pillows and natural textures against a neutral backdrop to create a coastal, yet boho essence in this tranquil living room.
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02
of 40Incorporate Inky Blues
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K+Co. Living mixed white and blue dip-dyed curtains with a trio of blue-and-white abstract wall art pieces and pale modern furniture with clean lines to create a coastal feel in this airy living room.
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03
of 40Add a Gallery Wall
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Add variation to a blue-and-white cottage style living room with a colorful gallery wall, like this Florida cottage living room from interior designer Maite Granda.
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04
of 40Use Wavy Patterns
Credit: Design by Curated Nest Interiors / Jacob Snavely Photography
Evoke the water with textile accents like a large area rug. Curated Nest Interiors chose a patterned rug with a swirly marble effect in shades of gray and white that evokes white-capped waves. The understated coastal room is finished with a modern gold pendant light, wood accents, white walls, and blue accent pillows.
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05
of 40Draw Colors From the View
Credit: Tyler Karu Design + Interiors / Photo by Erin Little
If your living room has a view of the water, use it as inspiration for your color palette. Tyler Karu Design + Interiors complemented the waterfront view from the floor-to-ceiling windows of this Maine living room with blues, whites, beiges, and wood tones that harmonize with the landscape and bring the outdoors inside.
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06
of 40Mix Navy and Sandy Beige
Credit: Design by Curated Nest Interiors / Jacob Snavely Photography
Dark navy floor-to-ceiling built-ins and a large sandy beige leather sectional set the tone for this coastal living room from Curated Nest Interiors. A blue-and-tan patterned area rug and a warm hammered metal coffee table styled with blue coffee table books bring it all together.
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07
of 40Decorate With Patterns
Credit: Design by Amanda Barnes Interiors / Styling and Photo by Alyssa Rosenheck
Mixing blue-and-white patterned textiles adds depth to a coastal color scheme.Amanda Barnes Interiors created a breezy coastal palette mixed with a laid-back desert feel thanks to the oversized cactus in the corner (and the black-and-white cactus photo over the couch). Natural wood accents like the organic coffee table add warmth.
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08
of 40Add Tonal Blues
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Folding Chair Design Co. added a mix of blue tones in this living room from the wall art to the throw pillows to create a coastal feel that isn’t too calculated. An airy glass bubble floor lamp adds a lighthearted note.
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09
of 40Paint Walls Sky Blue
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Desiree Burns Interiors painted this spacious living room in pale sky blue, then mixed whites, beiges, grays, and rusty brown tones on the furnishings and upholstery to create a subtle coastal feel. The pair of rounded sandy beige armchairs add a sculptural feel.
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10
of 40Layer With Eclectic Pieces
Credit: Allison Babcock Design / Photo by Matt Kisiday
This living room from Allison Babcock Design in Sag Harbor, NY has a coastal feel that doesn’t feel too obvious thanks to its subtle blue-and-white palette, rustic wood accents, and eclectic mix of furnishings.
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11
of 40Maximize Light and Views
Credit: Christina Kim Interior Design / Raquel Langworthy Photography
Christina Kim Interior Design decorated this beachfront living room with clean whites, wood tones, and notes of blue that maximize the natural light and views from the wall of paned glass doors looking out at the sand and sea.
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12
of 40Add Dramatic Lighting
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K+Co. Living elevated this bright blue and white coastal living room with a beaded chandelier that draws the eye up to the dramatic wood ceiling beams.
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13
of 40Mix With Midcentury Modern
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Louis Duncan-He Designs gave this modern living room a mix of coastal and midcentury styles with clean lines and shades of blue, white, and sandy beige.
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14
of 40Add Sailor Stripes
Credit: Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt
Emily Henderson Design added blue-and-white sailor stripe details on the pillows, throw blanket, and artwork of this light and bright living room for an easy, coastal feel. A painted white shiplap ceiling adds a cozy note.
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15
of 40Use Pale Blues and Woods
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Mindy Gayer Design Co. added the palest of blue accents on the comfy sectional sofa in this Southern California living room decorated in shades of white, light wood, and woven accents that give it a laid-back coastal feel.
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16
of 40Contrast With Dark Wood
Credit: Design by Amanda Barnes Interiors / Styling and Photo by Alyssa Rosenheck
If darker tones are more your style, create a coastal look with darker tones on hardwood flooring and ceiling beams.
Amanda Barnes Interiors focused on warm browns and beiges in this coastal living room, adding hints of blue to boost its coastal look.
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17
of 40Upholster Armchairs in Blue
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Mindy Gayer Design Co. added denim blue upholstery to the armchairs of this coastal living room for a sun-bleached look. Board and batten detailing on the white walls and a chunky natural wood mantel enhance the coastal feel.
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18
of 40Mix With Earth Tones
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Desiree Burns Interiors added earth tones to this coastal living room to create a surf and turf color palette that is both soothing and warm.
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19
of 40Use Weathered Wood
Credit: Christina Kim Interior Design / Raquel Langworthy Photography
Weathered ceiling beams add a warm rustic note that complements the calming modern furnishings and coastal palette in this living room from Christina Kim Interior Design.
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20
of 40Style the Built-Ins
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Mindy Gayer Design Co. added plenty of natural textures and styled the built-ins with a range of objects that add warmth to the neutral-toned coastal living room space.
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21
of 40Display Vintage Paddles
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Becca Interiors honored the coastal spirit of this New York fishing village summer home living room with white beaded shiplap walls, a vintage wood mantel, a jute rug, a denim blue sofa, and a pair of boat paddles that decorate an empty corner. A framed ocean-themed painting above the fireplace adds a homey touch.
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22
of 40Use Moody Blues
Credit: Tyler Karu Design + Interiors / Photo by Erin Little
Mix dark and light tones to create a color palette that is as rich and variable as the sea.
Tyler Karu Design + Interiors painted the wall behind the couch in this coastal Maine living room in a moody grayish blue that is contrasted with pale textiles, rattan chairs, and wall sconces lit with warm Edison bulbs for an atmospheric glow.
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23
of 40Add Minimal Touches of Blue
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Mindy Gayer Design Co. added hints of blue to create a relaxing feel in this slightly formal coastal living room decorated in pale neutrals and mixed wood and leather accents.
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24
of 40Try Coastal Minimalism
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Desiree Burns Interiors used a simple palette of whites, beiges, and the palest of blue tones to create an uncluttered feel in this spacious living room that is a hallmark of coastal style.
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25
of 40Mix Blue and Pink
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When decorating a coastal living room, don’t be afraid to add sunset colors like pink and peach that will complement the whites, blues, and natural tones.
White Sands added pastel blue accents to this all-white living room, on the ottoman seating, and painted built-ins—then complemented them with gold accents and pink throw pillows to add variation.
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26
of 40Try Coastal Farmhouse
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Pair coastal and farmhouse influences to create a calming transitional atmosphere.Kate Marker Interiors used a minimal palette of white and soft blue in this light and airy living room that keeps the focus on the dramatic vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, black metal accents, and whitewashed brick fireplace.
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27
of 40Try Coastal Cottage Style
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Desiree Burns Interiors used a coastal palette of pale blues and bright whites with woven accents to create a cottage feel in this light-flooded living room.
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28
of 40Add Calming Beige Tones
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White Sands added a large beige area rug that complements the soft blue and white tones of this coastal living room flooded with light from every angle. A coffered ceiling and built-ins adds a custom feel.
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29
of 40Mix Shades of Blue
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Kate Marker Interiors upholstered a pair of armchairs in dark navy that grounds the pale white tones and soaring ceilings of this coastal living room, while a pair of tall fiddle leaf fig trees adds a note of greenery.
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30
of 40Mix in Some Green Tones
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Add interest to your coastal living room by mixing in shades of green.
Desiree Burns Interiors decorated this coastal living room in shades of white, blue, and green, adding rounded and organic shapes and a dynamic patterned rug that energizes the space.
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31
of 40Add Comfy Seating
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Kate Marker Interiors created a calming conversation area that promotes lingering and relaxation with a palette of coastal blues and whites, comfortable seating, mixed wood tones, and a round table to encourage flow.
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32
of 40Hang Coastal Photography
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Look for ways to add coastal flair using accessories, finishes, and decor. Interior designer Maite Granda gave this Florida living room a beachy feel with framed black-and-white seaside photography, a weathered wood table, and a pair of woven vases full of palm leaves.
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33
of 40Try a Live Edge Table
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A live edge coffee table will add an organic feel to a coastal living room. White Sands accented this Southern California living room with patterned textiles in shades of blue and poppy orange on the throw pillows and ottomans that add punch to the soothing whites, beiges, and wood tones.
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34
of 40Connect to the Outdoors
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French doors or a double fireplace that provides a view of the patio will give your coastal living room an indoor-outdoor atmosphere. Kate Marker Interiors used a range of blue and brown tones for a natural feel.
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35
of 40Mix Brick and Wood
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Kate Marker Interiors mixed weathered brick and wood on the other side of the double fireplace for a relaxed feel, finishing off the cozy outdoor space with a beige-and-white striped rug and pale blue painted wicker chairs.
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36
of 40Make It Family-Friendly
Credit: Christina Kim Interior Design / Raquel Langworthy Photography
Christina Kim Interior Design used white walls, furniture, curtains, varied wood tones, woven accents, patterned blue-and-white throw pillows, and black-and-white beach photography to add coastal flair to this family living room.
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37
of 40Embrace the Outdoors
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If you live in a warm climate or near an actual beach, open up your living room in fair weather with an external bifold door, like this space from White Sands that opens onto an outdoor patio and grilling station.
Large solid blue ottomans under the coffee table add extra seating and a subtle coastal feel.
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38
of 40Use Contrasting Details
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The breezy coastal feel of this living room from Michelle Berwick Design creates a soothing all-weather ambiance that contrasts with the snow-topped trees outside the windows in the Canadian mountain setting, proving that coastal style can work in just about any context.
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39
of 40Mix Materials
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Complement a quintessential Southern California view of palm trees with coastal blues, soft whites, and leather and wood accents, like this casual modern living room from Brophy Interiors.
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40
of 40Vary Wood Tones
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Mindy Gayer Design Co. added darker wood tones to this coastal living room, from the hardwood flooring to the furniture, that creates a warm and grounded feel in a room with a wall of glass doors.