16 coastal interior decorating tips from our favourite summer homes

The entrance hall is a great place to set the scene for coastal style. Use your sideboard as a blank canvas to build a coastal vignette with woven textiles, found branches and driftwood sculpture. Tie in wall art to complete the look.

A little texture goes a long way and when looking for decorating ideas to achieve the essence of coastal living, use natural, neutral tones and pair with tones of blue for a calming, coastal effect. This all white kitchen is punctuated with a striking navy blue kitchen island adjacent to a dining area with a generous timber dining table, all within easy reach of the outdoor entertaining zone.

Stick to the essentials and keep it simple. A small space can prove ample to tuck in all the trappings of beach house style and living simply has its benefits – easy cleaning, clutter-free and multi-functional spaces working hard to cater for living, dining and entertaining.

Stacked or sliding, bi-fold or French – whatever you choose, be sure to have doors that open wide to extend the outdoors inside and allow for a flow of fresh air, light and lifestyle as the sun shines. Keep surfaces simple to transition from indoors to outside and make the most of natural light in clerestory windows when everything is shut up.

Simple solutions to everyday issues arising from coastal living. Sand travelling into your home in a seaside location can be remedied with design choices. Flooring is required to be durable, beautiful and natural in appearance, so opt for sand-coloured flooring in the high traffic areas.

Coastal living calls for flowing textiles, billowy curtains and light, breezy interior design. Natural linens, timber accents and an open plan layout as seen here can easily extend to the master suite to enjoy a beach house vibe from the moment you wake up.

Think classic, rather than cliché when it comes to decor ideas. Nautical touches take on a modern look when paired with all-white paintwork in living areas. Keep to neutral tones in key furniture pieces to maintain an uncluttered result overall.

There’s nothing like an all-white home to tick boxes on the beach-house decorating wish list. Crisp and clean, white finishes in walls and shutters allow light to bounce off surfaces and further into the living areas of the home. In this twin bedroom, a soaring skylight infuses the space with a sunny summery feel year-round. The bedlinen and lamp are in keeping with the coastal setting, as are vintage holiday posters.

A great way to channel the great outdoors and capture the surrounding views is to elevate your interiors with soaring ceiling heights that let in the airflow and flood a space with natural light. Incorporate as many window panes as your structure will allow and paint it all white! Breathe easy.

For the ultimate summer furniture solution, invest in a sofa with removable covers for easy cleaning and to save wear and tear. You’ll find that most companies have a range of heavier fabrics to switch on the warmth in winter. Plan your layout with lifestyle in mind. Opt for oversized, modular furniture that offers flexibility for a busy household. Team cushions in neutral tones with a throw to ensure the palette is layered with warmth.

Aim to create a comfortable yet refined aesthetic to imbue your home with barefoot luxury. It’s about creating indulgent and luxurious spaces that are effortlessly unpretentious. Try incorporating natural elements like timber, stone, and organic textiles to bring a sense of warmth and texture. Concrete also works well as it’s sleek, yet hard-wearing. Choose furniture that is elegant but not overly formal, with a focus on comfort and livability.

Not confined to blue and white, coastal interiors call for a palette that reflects the sand, sea, and sky. Think soft, soothing colours such as whites, creams, beiges and blues, with the addition of green for a gentle, earthy feel. Fabrics should be soft and inviting, with a mix of plush upholstery and natural materials like linen and cotton – inspired by nature – to create a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

Incorporate natural textures in architectural details. Timber and stone bring the outdoors inside when doors and windows are shut against the cooler weather outdoors and if you must experience the cooler weather, a fireplace is the only way to relax.

Incorporate natural textures in architectural details. Timber and stone bring the outdoors inside when doors and windows are shut against the cooler weather outdoors. However, with a view out to lush tropical giant elephant ear plants, this bathroom has a resort-like vibe that feels like the outdoors.

No matter how large or small your home is, coastal living often involves outdoor activities, so blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor zones is essential for summer living. Large windows, sliding doors, a kitchen server and outdoor furniture for dining and relaxation will extend your living and entertaining to the outdoors.

Go beyond a token beach theme in your decor and use function to dictate your decor ideas. Fast becoming a must-have in any beach house is an outdoor shower – nothing says holiday quite like it and in terms of practicality, it can certainly take the pressure off an indoor wet area when accommodation is at maximum capacity.