There's nothing more calming than a trip to the seaside, so why not inject your living room with some of that easy, breezy coastal bliss? Whether it's muted Breton stripes or on-trend wooden paneling, there are plenty of ways to dip your toe into this living room design without it feeling garish.
By choosing soft shades of blue and white and weaving in subtle nods to sea life and nature, you can create a beach-inspired paradise that doesn't feel overly themed or cliché.
Below, I've gathered some of the most beautiful ideas that would fit perfectly in a contemporary home, and I've asked interior design experts how to pull them off.
Article continues below1. Use driftwood as a curtain rail
Put a coastal twist on your curtain rod by choosing one made from – or that mimics the look of – driftwood. This fundamental accessory is so often overlooked, but this creative idea by Annie Sloan looks fantastic next to the powder blue walls and the wooden frames on the cabinet.
“Driftwood can look stunning as a curtain rod – it brings in an organic, weathered texture that instantly gives a room that relaxed, beachcomber charm. But there are a couple of important things to think about," says Yvonne Keal, product expert at Hillarys.
"From a practical point of view, you need to make sure the wood is properly treated, cleaned, and sealed so it’s sturdy enough to hold the weight of your curtains and won’t shed or warp over time. It’s also essential to choose a piece with a relatively straight form so the curtains can glide easily."
Yvonne is a product management specialist with over 20 years’ experience in the interiors industry. Since joining Hillarys in 2003, Yvonne has successfully launched many window dressing collections, including roller blinds, vertical blinds, Roman blinds, curtains and voiles.
2. Add rustic beach hut charm with tongue-and-groove panelling
I've always loved the idea of having a beach hut for the summer, so maybe one day I'll give this tongue-and-groove panelling idea a try.
Achieving this relaxed coastal look is relatively easy, and you can install DIY wall panelling in a few simple steps. There are plenty of kits that let you do it without the help of a professional.
"Tongue-and-groove is popular in coastal living for both aesthetic and practical reasons. A more contemporary way of using it is with joinery, which is available in MDF panels and is also relatively cost-effective. I have recently clad an entire small bathroom in it which gave the space a layer of quiet charm," says interior designer Francesca Leat.
This wall panelling kit has everything you need to create a beautiful rustic feature wall – simply attach it to your surface with nails, glue, or screws.
Francesca Leat is the Owner, Director and Head Designer of Francesca Leat Interiors, a boutique studio renowned for crafting timeless, elegant residential spaces that balance beauty, comfort and functionality.
3. Install white shutters for a bright and breezy holiday feel
By installing white shutters, you’ll instantly create a bright and airy atmosphere reminiscent of European holidays abroad. This coastal living room idea works well no matter the size of your space, but I particularly love these dramatically large ones from Hillarys, which act as a focal point in itself.
“White shutters have always been a hallmark of coastal interiors because they capture that bright, airy quality we associate with living by the sea. I love them for the way they bounce natural light around a room while still giving you full control over privacy," says Yvonne Keal.
"The clean lines also feel very calm and uncluttered, exactly the mood you want in a coastal space. For me, they echo the simple, functional architecture of traditional seaside homes, where shutters were used to protect windows from strong light and salty breezes. That blend of practicality and timeless style is why they suit the look so well.”
4. Inject a playful feel with stripy wallpaper
There's nothing more quintessentially seaside than blue and white stripes, and I love how this wallpaper feature wall has been used as a dramatic border around the seating nook, with the primary blue tied into the skirting board and panelling inside.
The best way to incorporate blue and white stripes into your coastal living room design? "Layering," says Francesca Leat. "I would look to include a variety of other patterns and colours, using the stripe as a ground."
"Think textured and patterned cushions and upholstery, or contrasting trimmings and bed throws, to give a relaxed and characterful feel," she continues.
This ticking stripe wallpaper comes in a lovely muted shade of blue and is made from sustainably sourced materials.
5. Add drama with a deep blue feature wall
In this gorgeous coastal living room, the homeowners have turned a large alcove into a dramatic feature wall by painting it in a deep shade of navy blue, which complements the stunning ocean views outside.
The limewash-style texture of the wall is another nod to the coast, almost as if it’s mimicking the movement of waves.
You can create a similar effect using a clever paint technique, which we’ve explained in our guide on how to limewash walls. Alternatively, a textured wallpaper offers an easy, quick solution.
Our top paint shopping picks
Suitable for walls and ceilings, this limewash-effect paint by Rust-Oleum is the perfect colour match for the idea above.
This dark blue paint is easy to apply and provides a modern matt finish.
6. Choose a subtle sea print wallpaper
Sea-themed décor doesn’t need to feel tacky or garish – this wave-print wallpaper by Abigail Edwards (available from Wallpaper Direct) is beautifully delicate, adding a subtle pop of colour and a nod to the ocean without being overly literal.
You could tone this coastal living room idea down even further by opting for a neutral colour, such as beige or grey, or by using it sparingly to highlight a small area, such as a reading nook or alcove.
If you decide to tackle this job yourself, be sure to read our guide on how to wallpaper like a professional, which includes a step-by-step summary and all the equipment you will need.
7. Use sandy shores as your colour muse
Coastal living rooms don't have to adopt a blue colour scheme. For a contemporary twist on beachside decor, take inspiration from the sandy shores instead of the sea, mixing neutral hues with natural wooden textures.
"The palette is not the problem in a sandy monochrome scheme. The finish is. We have delivered schemes in almost exactly the same sandy tones that have felt completely different from each other, purely because of how surfaces were specified," says Samantha-Jane Agbontaen, Interior Designer and Founder of House Designer.
"Sand is also a deceptive palette to work with because it shifts significantly under different light. We always view materials on site before signing off a scheme. A tone that reads as warm biscuit in a south-facing room will pull grey and lifeless in a north-facing one."
Samantha Jane Agbontaen is the founder of House Designer, a London-based interior and garden design studio. They often recommend limewash to clients who want an elegant, natural wall finish with texture and warmth.
8. Reference coastal nature through artwork
It wouldn’t be a coastal living room without a reference to nature and sea life, and these blue heron prints make the perfect subtle gesture.
"When it comes to referencing sea life and shoreline landscapes, I prefer to do so in a more abstract and artistic way," explains Katie Malik, interior designer at Katie Malik Design Studio.
"A beautiful piece of coral on a bookshelf, a painting of a coastal scene, or a sculptural piece of driftwood can all add a touch of the sea without being overly thematic. The aim is to create a space that feels fresh, airy and connected to nature – a true sanctuary that soothes the soul."
Katie Malik is the founder and creative director of Katie Malik Design Studio, based in Cambridge. She originally studied at Cambridge University as a linguist, then retrained in Interior Design at Chelsea College of Art in London and the National Design Academy. Katie launched her own business in 2014 after gaining previous experience at high-end London design studios.
9. Let the views do the talking with panoramic windows
If you're lucky enough to have coastal views from your living room, choose a panoramic window style to show off what nature has to offer and opt for minimal window treatments to maximise the view.
Here, a picture-frame window has been used to capture breathtaking views of the ocean, with a triangular top that makes use of every inch of space and follows the pitch of the roof.
The dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass also helps the room appear bigger and floods it with natural light, brightening this beautiful coastal living room.
10. Mix and match organic textures
Combining different natural materials – whether it’s rope-inspired accessories or a wooden living room panelling idea – is a gorgeous take on coastal living rooms (and works particularly well with the sandy monochrome look we previously mentioned).
"The question to ask before bringing in any natural material is whether it is doing a design job or just referencing the sea. Rope on a pendant shade that is also providing beautiful diffused light is doing a design job. Rope knotted around a mirror for no structural reason is decoration for decoration's sake and it always shows," says Samantha-Jane Agbontaen.
"With timber, the finish is the difference between coastal and nautical. Light oiled or whitened oak with a clean, considered profile reads as refined. Heavily distressed driftwood finishes on multiple surfaces read as a theme park. We specify timber in coastal schemes for warmth and organic contrast but we keep the profiles simple and the finish consistent."
Shop timber-style accessories
This rope-style floor lamp is the ultimate addition to any coastal living room.
These wooden panels are the easiest way to add coastal charm to your living room while helping with the acoustics.
Crafted from natural woven string, this pendant shade instantly creates a beach bar vibe.
11. Embrace the colours of the sea in your coastal living room
This coastal living room truly embraces all the colours of the sea – from the ocean-inspired blue sofa and green algae cushion to the sandy hues of the curtains, wooden table and carpet.
To help the gorgeous views blend seamlessly with the room, the window frame has been painted in the same colour as the walls, creating a sense of continuity with the natural surroundings.
Katie Malik says, "Think of the soft, muted blues and greens of the sea, the sandy tones of the shoreline, and the crisp white of breaking waves. These colours can be used to create a serene and calming backdrop. Natural materials are also key. I love to use weathered woods, linen fabrics, and woven textures to bring a sense of the outdoors in."
12. Choose wooden flooring in your coastal living room
Last but not least, another way to add a coastal touch to your living room is by choosing wooden flooring treatments, as shown in the photo above, where the furniture also ties in nicely.
Wooden textures perfectly mimic seaside life – whether it's the boardwalk to the sea, the character-filled beach huts, or washed-up driftwood – making them the ideal choice for a coastal living room.
Aesthetics aside, wooden flooring is also a practical choice for this busy space, as it can be easily cleaned and often sanded to remove dents and other damage.
As you can see, coastal living rooms don't need to be all ship wheels and life buoy souvenirs – there are plenty of ways to use colours, textures, and patterns to create a beach-like feel that is both modern and calming.
For more inspiration, take a look at these cosy living room ideas or how to pick the best colour for a living room.
