Coastal Living Room Ideas That Don’t Rely on Seashells

Use Texture, Not Trinkets

Woven, nubby, raw: texture adds dimension without leaning on tropes

Layering tactile elements like bouclé, jute, and linen helps you evoke the coastal mood through feel, not novelty. These textures bring richness and interest to the room without relying on cliché decor. A great place to start is with a bench covered in a textural fabric.

Example below from our blue coastal bench with rope accents.

Skip the seashells—use tactile fabrics to signal coastal comfort

Instead of figurines and theme pieces, focus on soft cushions, woven baskets, or nubby throws that add visual weight and a sense of calm. Explore coastal living room furniture designed with natural materials for a fresh, grounded feel.

Stick to a Sun-Faded Palette

Think driftwood tones, chalky whites, and diluted blues

These colors mimic natural elements like sand, stone, fog, and sky—tones that fade beautifully in the sun and create an easygoing coastal look. Pieces like this coffee table in light wood can help anchor the palette.

Example below is our driftwood console and circular rattan mirror.

Color that feels like it’s been washed by the tide

Choose muted shades that feel timeworn rather than fresh-out-of-the-can. It makes your space feel lived-in and breezy, like a home near the water. Pair pale upholstery with soft metallics for a sun-kissed vibe.

Layer in Natural Materials

Make it feel beachy without shouting it

Rattan, driftwood, stone, and seagrass hint at the coast without turning the room into a theme park. These materials bring authenticity and texture to your decor. Try adding a natural wood side table to keep the vibe grounded.

Example is our natural wood console.

Bring the outdoors in through wood, stone, and woven finishes

Use natural finishes to ground the room. A raw-edge console or a woven light fixture creates a layered feel without overwhelming the space. Pieces in the entryway collection are a good match for this approach.

Embrace Negative Space

Airy layouts

Resist the urge to fill every corner. A bit of breathing room goes a long way in reinforcing the breezy, relaxed tone of coastal interiors. Modular seating or a bench from our boucle benches collection.

Let the room breathe like open water

Think of your floor plan like a tidepool—shaped by what’s *not* there. Float furniture off the walls and leave room between pieces for a naturally open feel. Keep storage options minimal and elegant.

Incorporate Subtle Maritime References

Soft nods work better than direct quotes

A weathered oar leaning in the corner or a rope-framed mirror says “coastal” without being loud. Understatement is the secret to a well-styled beach home.

Use restraint with boat or rope details

A little goes a long way. Look for decor that draws from nautical elements in form or material—not literal anchors and lighthouses. Explore modern mirrors that bring in the reference without becoming kitsch.

Choose Art That Evokes the Coast

Focus on mood, not motifs

Let the art convey calm, movement, or light. Abstract seascapes and soft landscapes are more evocative than shell prints or text-based signage.

Let artwork channel the feeling of a shoreline

Think ocean mist, salt air, open sky. Pick pieces that feel spacious and calm, like the view from a quiet stretch of beach. Consider pairing wall art with a sculptural piece from the home accessories collection.

Bring in Light with Sheer Window Treatments

Diffuse daylight for that beach-house glow

Use lightweight linen or cotton curtains to soften natural light and make the room feel brighter and more open throughout the day.

Let sunbeams and breeze move through the room

Skip heavy fabrics. Go for airy sheers that billow slightly and invite the breeze in. It's one of the easiest ways to make a space feel coastal and uncluttered.

Add Life with Coastal Greenery

Yes, coastal style can handle plants

Incorporate soft, structured greenery like olive trees, eucalyptus branches, or dried grasses. These plants reinforce the natural theme without dominating the room.

Pictured below is our moss decorative centerpiece.

Lean into wispy, relaxed shapes

Choose plants that feel casual and open. Avoid dense, tropical foliage and instead use greenery that reflects the wind-swept shapes found near the sea.

Use Curves to Mimic Coastal Flow

Gentle silhouettes feel more relaxed

Rounded sofas, circular tables, or wavy mirrors echo the natural shapes of water and dunes. They soften the visual rhythm of a room.

Break up rigid furniture lines with organic shapes

Coastal homes feel most inviting when the edges aren’t too sharp. Incorporating curves makes everything feel a bit more easygoing and intuitive. Explore coffee tables and decor with rounded forms to soften your layout.