Bright Ideas
In coastal decorating, the emphasis is on light. Avoid heavy, dark wood tones in furnishings and flooring. Instead, look for beach-tone rugs and light wood varieties, such as oak, maple, and cork, in clear varnishes. Leave the windows minimally covered—or even bare—to bring in as much daylight as possible. Plenty of white in upholstery fabrics, window treatments, or kitchen cabinet paint will also enhance the breeziness of a space.
Ocean Artifacts
To re-create the look of waterside living, incorporate elements that could have been discovered on a walk along the beach. Pieces of driftwood coiled into a lamp base or a jar full of wave-smoothed beach glass, for example, make natural decorative accessories. Take care not to go overboard with the theme; too many single-theme accessories can lead to a heavy-handed look. If you fill a bowl with seashells as the dining table centerpiece, for example, don’t also set the places with sand-dollar dinnerware.
Embrace the Elements
Coastal living is often barefoot living, and what’s outside the house is as important as what is inside. Look for ways to link the two by furnishing the patio, deck, or garden as thoroughly as you would any other “room.” Create comfortable lounging spots for an afternoon spent with a book. Look for ample dining surfaces to accommodate a crowd. And bring pieces that evoke the outside world indoors: a terrarium, a weathered lobster crate turned into a side table, or artwork that depicts favorite outdoor activities, such as sailing.
Practical Tips
If you’ve ever lived in a coastal home or vacationed in a lakeside cabin, you know certain practicalities of this life must be faced—sandy feet track across the floors; harsh sunbeams fade upholstery fabrics; damp swimsuits mar the finish on kitchen stools—but you can remedy these issues with smart decorating choices. Keep to wood floors, which are easy to sweep clean with a broom. Use slipcovers to protect upholstery fabric. And choose hardworking painted finishes as opposed to stained woods for seating and tables. Typically, these choices accentuate the coastal look, too.
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