Beach House Design and Coastal Decorating Ideas

There's something magical about living in a beach house that draws people in like waves to the shore. Maybe it's the relaxed feeling you get when you walk in, the soft blue and white color scheme or the breezy air that makes every room filled with ocean-inspired calm.

Beach houses have become popular retreats along the coast from Maine to California, offering a chance to escape and connect with the sea. But you don't need to live by the ocean to bring coastal decorating ideas into your home. In this post, we show you how.

How is a beach house different from other homes?

Beach houses have their own special style that sets them apart from traditional homes. The design style is much more casual and relaxed than what you might find in a city home.

Instead of formal rooms, beach houses focus on open, flowing spaces where family and friends can gather for entertaining. The whole house feels like it's designed for a permanent vacation.

Location plays a huge part in how these homes look and feel. Being close to the sea or ocean means you need to choose materials that can handle salt air, humidity, and lots of sun.

The spectacular views become part of your decor, so you want to frame them with large windows and keep things simple so nothing competes with that natural beauty.

Materials in beach houses need to be durable yet visually appealing. You'll find lots of painted wood, stone, and other surfaces that can handle the coastal climate while still giving you that relaxed, seaside feeling you're looking for.

Beach house design elements

These key features help create that perfect coastal vibe. Each element works together to bring the shores indoors.

Open floor plan

Design with an open concept to create a spacious and flowing environment that captures natural light. This layout is prevalent in beach houses because it makes the most of those stunning views and lets sea breezes move through your space.

The open design also makes smaller beach houses feel much bigger and gives you that airy feel that's so important in coastal style.

Large windows

Install floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize water views and provide a seamless connection to the outdoors. These big windows are the most crucial feature in any beach house because they let you enjoy those stunning views from inside your home.

Large windows also flood your rooms with natural light, which is key to getting that bright, coastal look. When you can see the waves and sky from your living room, it feels like the water is part of your home decor.

Outdoor living

Create multiple outdoor spaces, like decks, patios, or balconies, to extend your living area and enjoy the fresh air. Beach houses are all about taking advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting, so you want lots of places to sit and enjoy the views.

A deck facing the shore gives you front-row seats to watch the waves, while a side patio might be perfect for morning coffee. These outdoor rooms become just as important as your indoor spaces.

Coastal color palette

The right paint colors set the mood for your entire beach house. These color choices bring the outdoors inside.

Neutrals

Think whites, creams, beiges, and grays to evoke the sand and sky. White is the foundation of most beach houses because it reflects light and makes your space feel bigger and brighter.

These neutral colors also let your views take center stage without competing for attention. You can mix different shades of white and cream to add depth while keeping that clean, coastal look.

Water hues

Soft blues and greens are essential to capture the calming effect of the open water. These colors evoke the serene hues of sea glass and shallow water, transporting that peaceful beachy feeling directly into your living space.

Pale blue works great in bedrooms, while soft green might be perfect for a bathroom or kitchen. These ocean-inspired colors make any room feel more relaxed and coastal.

Pops of color

Use bold colors like red for a "preppy" Palm Beach feel, or use a mix of blue and green tones. While your base should be neutral, adding some brighter colors keeps your space from feeling boring.

A few red pillows or a coral throw can add energy to a white sofa. You can add these pops through art, rugs, or other accessories that you can change with the seasons.

Coastal decor and accessories

The right materials and accessories bring authentic coastal style to your space. These elements add texture and interest while staying true to the style.

Wood and rattan

Incorporate natural elements like weathered or reclaimed wood, driftwood, wicker, rattan, and bamboo for warmth and texture. Wood adds warmth to all those white walls and gives your space that relaxed, beachy feeling.

Rattan furniture is an excellent choice because it's casual yet looks good, and it can withstand the humidity near the shore. Use reclaimed wood for shelves or choose a bamboo side table to add natural texture.

Layered accents

Use items like seagrass baskets, woven accents, and natural ceramics to add depth and interest to the decor. Layering different textures keeps your space from looking flat or boring.

A collection of woven baskets can hold everything from throw blankets to beach gear, while ceramics add subtle color and shape. The key is to mix different natural materials so your space feels rich and interesting.

Woven textures

Use rattan, wicker, jute, and seagrass in furniture, baskets, and rugs. These materials add that casual, beachy texture that makes your house feel relaxed and welcoming.

A jute rug grounds your seating area, while wicker chairs add comfort without feeling too formal. Seagrass baskets are both pretty and practical for storage.

Fabrics

Choose soft, natural fabrics like linen and cotton for upholstery, throws, and pillows. These fabrics feel good in humid weather, and they have that relaxed, lived-in look that's perfect for beach houses.

Linen becomes softer over time and with washing, while cotton is easy to clean, especially when sandy feet track through your home. Both materials work with the casual, comfortable style you want.

Ceramics and glass

Use ceramics, stoneware, and glass for decorative accents and lighting. These materials reflect light and add subtle color without overwhelming your space.

Glass lamps let light shine through, while ceramics can bring in soft blues and greens. Both materials handle coastal humidity well, and they're easy to clean.

Nautical touches

Add elements like seashells, starfish, sand dollars, rope details, or vintage maps. These details should be subtle - you want to hint at the sea without making your home look like a souvenir shop.

A few carefully chosen nautical pieces can add personality and show your love for the open waters. Rope details on mirrors or vintage maps make for effective wall art.

Art

Frame coastal landscape artwork or simple prints of sea-inspired themes. Art is a great way to bring water views indoors, especially if your home isn't right on the water.

Look for simple, clean artwork that shows the sea in an abstract way rather than obvious beach scenes. Black and white photos of waves or simple paintings of the horizon work beautifully.

Lighting

Incorporate woven baskets, lanterns, or statement lighting fixtures made from natural materials. Good lighting is required to create that bright, airy feel you want in a beach house.

Rope or rattan pendant lights add texture while providing the light you need. Lanterns work great for outdoor spaces and add to that relaxed, coastal style.

Furnishings and landscaping

The right furniture and outdoor design complete your coastal look. These choices should feel comfortable and work with your beach setting.

Comfortable and casual

Opt for comfortable, relaxed seating with neutral-colored sofas and accent furniture. Beach houses are all about relaxing, so your furniture should invite people to sit down and stay awhile.

Choose sofas and chairs that look good but can handle sandy feet and wet bathing suits. Slipcovers are a great choice because you can throw them in the wash after a busy week of entertaining.

Coastal details

Add subtle coastal touches like stripes, nautical accents (anchors, oars), or oceanic artwork to define the style. These details should feel natural, not forced.

A striped throw pillow or two can add pattern without being too busy. If you're interested in nautical touches, choose just a couple of quality pieces rather than filling every surface with anchors and seashells.

Keep it simple

Avoid overcrowding the space with too many items. Let the natural beauty of the location be the main focal point. The water view is your best decoration, so don't compete with it.

Choose a few beautiful pieces rather than lots of small things. This approach makes your space feel calmer and lets the natural beauty of your setting shine through.

Coastal plants

Incorporate coastal-friendly plants into your landscaping to complement the home's design and connect it to the natural environment. Plants that can handle salt air and sand make your beach house feel like it belongs in its coastal setting.

Native plants work best and need less water and care. Palm trees, ornamental grasses, and salt-tolerant shrubs all work well near the shores.

Resilient materials

When building, choose durable materials like cedar shingles, hardy plank siding, or large-format tiles that can withstand salt, sun, and humidity.

These materials need to look good and last in harsh coastal conditions. Cedar weathers to a beautiful gray color, while hardy plank siding gives you the look of wood without the upkeep.

Large tiles are ideal for floors because they are easy to clean and are resistant to damage from sand and saltwater.

Beach house plans

The floor plans for a beach house should cater to the needs of its residents or appeal to potential tourists (if you plan to rent it out). Consider the number of bedrooms, shared spaces, the layout and the number of stories. 

Generally, priority is given to creating open social areas, such as living and dining rooms that integrate with terraces, patios, or verandas, creating a natural flow between the interior and exterior.

Bedrooms should have good natural light and ventilation. And, for added privacy, the master bedroom is often separated from the rest, with an en suite bathroom.

You can easily use digital tools like Planner 5D to help you with the entire process. Create your beach house plans in 2D plans and preview the design in 3D.

Adjust layouts and designs as needed. You can create beach house plans of different sizes and styles, tailored to any terrain and budget.

Design your dream beach house with Planner 5D

Ready to bring your coastal dreams to life? With today's design technology, you can plan your perfect beach house before you build or buy.

Upload your floor plan or try existing layouts, then add furnishings, decor and finishing to see what works best in your space. You can check different room sizes, test various color schemes, and even see how your furniture will look with those views.

This saves time and money while helping you create exactly the coastal style you want.

Conclusion

Many people today find inspiration from seaside style and bring those same design elements to their indoor spaces. Creating the perfect beach house is all about balance. You want that relaxed, coastal feeling without going overboard with nautical themes.

Whether you have beach house plans on your mind for a new coastal retreat or just want to add some nautical decor to your current space, the key is creating that perfect mix of comfort and style that makes you feel like you're always on a seaside trip.

Whether you're building a new coastal home or bringing beach house style to your current space, these design ideas will help you create a retreat that feels like a permanent vacation. Remember, the best beach house is one that makes you feel relaxed and happy every time you walk through the door.

FAQ

How to make a house look more beachy?

Start with white or neutral paint colors, add natural textures like rattan and linen, and bring in blue accents through pillows and art. Keep window treatments light and simple to capture that bright, breezy feeling, even when you're not near the water.

How much does it cost to build a beach house?

Costs vary widely based on size and location, but expect to spend 10-30% more than inland homes due to required building materials and codes. Interior decorating can range from a few thousand dollars for basic coastal touches to much more for custom furniture and high-end finishes.

What furniture is best for a beach house?

Choose comfortable, casual pieces in natural materials like rattan, teak, or painted wood that can handle humidity and salt air. Slipcover sofas, wicker chairs, and weathered wood tables all work well and maintain that relaxed coastal style.

How to decorate a beach house without being tacky?

Keep nautical elements subtle and choose quality over quantity. Stick to a neutral base with natural textures and add coastal touches through fabric, art, and a few carefully chosen accessories rather than theme-heavy decorations.