4 Ways to Style Coastal Decor for Summer

As someone who grew up in a cute little beachside town, coastal decor has always held a special place in my heart. Maybe that’s because the ocean feels like home to me. But I also adore the clean, neutral beauty of the coastal aesthetic.

That said, I personally find it a difficult style to pull off year-round if you don’t live close to the ocean. Nautical decor can look a little kitschy if you’re not careful. And if you’re like me, you’re not trying to make your home look like a beach town Airbnb.

But summer always gets me excited about the beach, which is why I like to add a few coastal elements to my seasonal decor, while still keeping the overall look fairly neutral and minimal. It’s the perfect way to lean into this aesthetic without fully committing to it.

If you’re also looking to bring that seaside vibe indoors this season, here are four of my favorite ways to style coastal decor for summer.

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In This Post

1. Start with a Light & Airy Color Palette

One of the things I love most about coastal decor is how airy and open it feels. To pull off this look, you want to start with a bright, neutral color palette that mimics the feel of the beach.

What elements and colors do you think of when you think of the coast? Clouds, sand, open sky, water, and coastal plants — these should be your foundation and starting point.

A coastal color palette with a coastal summer table setting featuring a tall taper candle, a piece of driftwood, and dried botanicals on a soft blue linen runner, along with swatches of white, sand beige, warm brown, dark brown, and soft sea blue.

Typical colors for these elements include white, cream, beige, and warm browns. I also like to add some pops of color with soft blue accents.

A bright, airy living room with minimalist coastal decor featuring a warm brown leather sofa, a round white coffee table, and ivory curtains.

Close-up of a brown leather couch styled with a blue striped coastal pillow and a fluffy white pillow, with a light-colored cat stretching on the cushions.

Choosing colors that reflect the light and open feel of the beach is the best way to set the stage for the rest of your decor.

2. Curate Simple Vignettes with Organic Textures

Once your color palette is established, it’s time to incorporate some organic, coastal textures.

One of my go-to decorating principles is to focus on curating simple vignettes throughout your space, rather than amassing huge amounts of decor and redecorating your entire home. It’s both cost-effective and helps preserve a clean, minimalist feel.

When it comes to coastal decor, using organic textures in these vignettes is essential.

A piece of white coral and a polished nautilus shell resting on flowing, soft blue fabric to create an organic coastal texture.

Here are some examples of coastal textures:

Seashells
Sand
Coral
Seaglass beads
Sisal
Rattan
Rope
Wicker
Driftwood
Stone
Linen
Mother of pearl

You don’t have to use all of them, and in fact it can make your space overly busy if you do. Pick a couple of your favorites and repeat them throughout your home to create continuity.

I tend to focus on seashells, glass, and wood textures. I also use non-coastal-specific elements that align with the coastal color palette, such as books, vases, candles, frames, and more.

A wooden tray holding a large glass jar filled with seashells, a blue book, a white candle, and a framed lighthouse print.

A white bookshelf styled with simple coastal vignettes, including books, brass candlesticks, a marble chain link, and a decorative globe with seashells.

You can use bowls or trays to corral your smaller items and give them a unified look. For example, placing this seaglass bead garland in a bowl rather than just displaying it on its own helps give it structure and intention.

A textured gold bowl holding a garland of large, white seaglass-style beads strung on jute rope, displayed next to a green houseplant.

For larger vignettes, group items in odd numbers. Vary heights by stacking objects and using different sizes.

A coastal vignette featuring a coconut wax blend candle with a wooden lid resting on a light blue book with gold details, next to a jar of seashells.

Most importantly, be sure to leave a lot of negative space, since coastal decor is supposed to be airy and light.

A minimalist coastal vignette on a white bookshelf featuring a white marble chain link resting on a white Joy of Cooking book, next to a decorative globe.

3. Incorporate Subtle Maritime Motifs

Another great way to embrace this aesthetic is by incorporating subtle nautical themes. You do have to be a little careful, as this is the easiest way to make your decor look contrived or cheesy.

A minimalist black and white framed sketch of a lighthouse styled next to a jar of white seashells on a wooden tray.

A classic wooden ship's steering wheel mounted on a light wall above lush green palm leaves.

But lighthouses, ships, and simple maritime items are all beautiful ways to bring the sea to your home. I’ve found that choosing minimalist and monochromatic elements helps keep the coastal look elevated and less “on the nose.”

4. Add Life with Botanicals

Lastly, you want to add some life to your coastal decor. Using botanicals is a really classic and simple way to do this.

If you’re like me and can’t keep a houseplant alive to save your own life (it’s sad but true), air plants are one of my favorite hacks. And they look very coastal since they don’t need any soil, which isn’t found at the beach.

Placing them in glass terrariums (the hanging ones are especially fun), surrounded by sand, seashells, or stones, is a great way to bring some botanical life to your seaside aesthetic.

A gold geometric glass terrarium holding an air plant and small seashells, resting on a stack of three books on a white shelf.

If you want to mimic the look of sea oats blowing on the dunes, dried bunny tails are another fantastic (and very low-maintenance) option. I also love using fresh baby’s breath for its delicate, airy texture.

A coastal centerpiece featuring dried bunny tails in a ceramic vase, driftwood, and a taper candle on a blue table runner.

Fresh white baby's breath flowers in a small round glass vase sitting on a wooden table to add a light, airy texture.

You can also display traditional real or faux houseplants. While they might not be strictly beachy, greenery helps seamlessly bridge the gap between your coastal accents and your usual interior design.

A gold bowl filled with white decorative beads and a small potted green houseplant resting on a coffee table book titled The Art of Home.

These are some of my favorite easy tips for bringing the ocean to your space. But if you’re feeling in need of a bit more inspiration, it’s the perfect excuse to plan a little trip to the beach.

So happy decorating, and stay salty!