Picture this: sandy beaches, crashing waves, and a charming coastal living room that instantly transports your guests into a state of relaxation. Even if your vacation rental is not at the beachfront, you can bring that summer breeze and vitamin sea into your rental living room with a few pieces of furniture and coastal-inspired decor.
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From the Hamptons to Malibu, Coastal Style has some key elements.
Read on to learn how to use them to create a must-book beach-inspired living room.
Bring in the outdoors with natural materials and lots of texture.
Sun on your skin, sand under your toes, and the tang of salt in the air. Being at the beach is all about sensation, so adding texture with natural materials is an essential way to add coastal style.
Think wicker, rattan, and seagrass for accent furniture, accessories, and decorative lighting. Choose lightweight linen for draperies and woven linen-like fabric for upholstery.
Weathered, driftwood-type finishes, painted wood, and light-colored stains all work well for wood furniture at the beach. Skip the antiques, highly polished finishes, and anything fussy. Beach living is all about casual.
Layer in more texture with floor cushions and accent pillows, and drape lightweight throws for chilly coastal evenings.
Staging: Maison Modern Home
Interior Design: Pure Salt Interiors
Speaking of nature, choose flooring options that work with sandy toes.
If your vacation rental has beach access, easy-care flooring is a must. Think wood-look ceramic planks, luxury vinyl tile or planks, ceramic tile, or polished concrete – make sure it’s slip-resistant if your guests come in from the pool or an outdoor shower.
If sandy feet aren’t a concern, light-colored hardwood floors look beautiful in a breezy coastal room, whether lightly stained or whitewashed. Strand woven bamboo flooring works with beachy decor, so it’s a good choice if you want to create a more eco-friendly vacation rental.
Area rugs are a good way to add texture and coastal style to your beachy living room. Good quality seagrass rugs are very durable and look great, but they’re not soft, so they’re not the best choice if you expect your guests to flop down on the floor to watch TV. If so, choose an easy-care low-pile, or flat woven rug to anchor the living room.
- Faux Pampas Grass. $69.99 Channel dune grass rippling in the wind with easy-care faux papas fronds.
- Wood Bowl. At just $18.50, this wood serving bowl is the perfect catch-all accessory for coffee or console tables. Drape some beach glass beads in it, and voila.
- Sea Glass Beads. $63 So pretty and big enough to look great in photos.
- Oversized Ottoman Tray $136.91. An upholstered ottoman is a great coffee table option for a casual coastal living room. This tray will look great on it and protect it from spilled drinks.
- Hand Woven Basket $66.99 Perfect for extra blankets or beach towels.
- Antique Fishing Floats, $75.99. These large floats are all texture, and perfect as bookshelf or table accessories.
- Jute Rug. $699 for 12’ x 15’, multiple sizes available. This rug is a great price for the large-size rugs most living rooms need.
- Lightweight Throw $54.40 (on sale at the time of publishing). Available in multiple sizes.
Coastal style is light and bright.
The beach house palette is heavy on neutrals, with white walls to amplify natural light, sandy tans as accents, usually in the form of natural materials like rattan, and accent colors in the blues and greens of the sea. Warm colors like blush pink, coral, and burnt orange can complement coastal blues and greens.
Psst… Since neutral colors naturally make the space look bigger, a coastal Airbnb theme is the perfect solution for small vacation rentals.
Keep window treatments breezy.
Natural lighting is like the secret sauce in the recipe for a perfect coastal-inspired vacation rental. Make the most of it by using sheer or light-colored curtains that allow the sunlight to filter through, creating a soft and airy ambiance. If privacy is a concern, consider adding blinds or shades that can be easily adjusted. This way, your guests can control the amount of light and maintain their desired level of privacy.
- Faux Pampas Grass. $69.99 Channel dune grass rippling in the wind with easy-care faux papas fronds.
- Wood Bowl. At just $18.50, this wood serving bowl is the perfect catch-all accessory for coffee or console tables. Drape some beach glass beads in it, and voila.
- Sea Glass Beads. $63 So pretty and big enough to look great in photos.
- Oversized Ottoman Tray $136.91. An upholstered ottoman is a great coffee table option for a casual coastal living room. This tray will look great on it and protect it from spilled drinks.
- Hand Woven Basket $66.99 Perfect for extra blankets or beach towels.
- Antique Fishing Floats, $75.99. These large floats are all texture, and perfect as bookshelf or table accessories.
- Jute Rug. $699 for 12’ x 15’, multiple sizes available. This rug is a great price for the large-size rugs most living rooms need.
- Lightweight Throw $54.40 (on sale at the time of publishing). Available in multiple sizes.
- Ombre Beaded Chandelier $418.50. This pretty fixture is perfect for a beachy boho rental. Be sure to check the size before ordering; it’s on the small side,
- Woven Pendant Shade. $117+, available in multiple sizes. Casual, check. Textural, check. It would also look great over a dining table. (If you need help selecting the right size, check out my Dining Room 101 post.)
- Driftwood Branch Light. $276.57. Unique and cool.
- Scalloped Raffia Lampshade. $175. Available in small, medium, and large sizes (large pictured.) Choose the color of the linen binding.
- Recycled Glass Lamp. $131.16+. Available with either UK or US plug.
- Solid Wood Lamp. $155.99. Has a 3-way switch. Click through the photos for dimensions.
- River Rock Mini Lamp. $265. Shade is sold separately. Check seller’s listings for other wood stains.
Have fun with lighting
The sun doesn’t always shine, even at the beach, so make sure that your coastal living room has a balance of ambient, task, and decorative lighting.
Decorative lighting can be the star of the show in a sea-inspired living room. Think about a dramatic rattan pendant, a chandelier made of shells, or a one-of-a-kind fixture made of driftwood and rope.
Don’t forget the table and/or floor lamps in your coastal living room because no room should be illuminated only by overhead light. Choose simple table or floor lamps in your accent colors or natural materials, or opt for unique fixtures made from rope, shells, or blue-green glass.
Interior Design: Studio McGee
Coastal-inspired furniture is comfortable and casual.
Beach style is the opposite of formal, so opt for upholstered casual and comfortable furniture. Keep colors bright and breezy, and opt for performance fabrics or protective treatments (like Fiber-Guard) to keep them that way. Think slipcovers, oversized sectionals, and deep seating, usually in linen or linen-like fabrics.
Compliment and contrast the big comfy sofa with light-colored wood or wicker upholstered chairs that makes you feel like you’re sipping a piña colada on a beach, or a breezy rattan armchair, that invites your guests to curl up with a good book. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different textures and materials to create an eclectic, laid-back vibe.
Arrange your furniture thoughtfully to create an open space and position those cozy seating areas to encourage conversation and create a natural flow. And here’s a pro tip: if you do have a beachfront property, position a comfortable sofa facing a large window with a breathtaking view, allowing your guests to soak in the beauty of the ocean from the comfort of their living room.
Digital nomads will undoubtedly appreciate the “office with a view” concept, so if you have the space, why not incorporate a workspace right in your coastal living room? The soothing sound of waves crashing in the background might make those Zoom meetings a little more bearable.
- Teak and White Leather Chair. $311.78. Available in multiple colors.
- Cane Back Accent Chairs $289.99, set of 2. Add a touch of mid-century cool to your beach house.
- Wicker Club Chair $314.10. A more modern take on wicker chairs,
- Handmade Rattan Chair. $299. An excellent price for this charming chair.
- Tulum Lounge Chair $599. Stylish and substantial.
- Buskbo Rattan Chair $279. An affordable option at your local Swedish retailer.
- Mattituck Rattan Chair $1298. An elevated rattan chair with brass accents and performance fabric upholstery options.
- Chloe Cane Arm Chair $309 (on sale at the time of publishing). Other cushion colors are available.
- Desiree Cream Velvet Chair $599. Velvet upholstery makes for a luxe addition to a coastal living room.
Accessories and decor are key to a coastal-style living room.
Accessories and decor are where the magic happens! They add the finishing touches that truly bring the coastal theme to life. Consider incorporating subtle beach-themed elements like glass fishing floats, driftwood, and sea glass beads.
For artwork, choose pieces that depict ocean scenes, sailboats, or coastal landscapes in new or unexpected ways, or add whimsey with art featuring sailor’s knots, vintage swimsuits, or abstract, beach-inspired art.
Playful wall hangings like rope sculptures, groups of vintage fishing buoys, or framed maps can also add character and charm. Use weathered wood frames for your vacation rental signs to seamlessly incorporate important information into your coastal decor.
Pillows, floor poufs, and lightweight throws are just the things that add subtle accent colors and relaxed comfort to your coastal-style living room.
- Vintage Swimsuit Art. $409.50 (on sale at the time of publishing). Cheeky and charming.
- Nautical Knots Painting Digital Download. $11.74. Print and frame to suit your decor (not sure how? I’ll tell you here – scroll to the bottom.)
- Surfers Print $45.50+. Warm sunset colors make a nice complement to beachy blues. Available framed or unframed in multiple sizes.
- Black and White Yacht Print. $45.50+. Add joy to your decor with this happy print. Available framed or unframed in multiple sizes.
- Distressed Wood Fishing Floats. $19.94. These would be a nice addition to a gallery wall.
- Seaside Mixed Flowers $556.50 (on sale at the time of publishing). Paper flowers framed in coastal colors.
- Rope Art Sculpture. $76. Add texture and interest to white walls.
- Set of 9 Coastal Paintings Digital Download $11.10. This set would make a charming display above a sofa. Have them printed on canvas and framed.
- Set of 2 Colorblock Pillow Covers $80+ Multiple sizes and shapes available.
- Lightweight Throw $54.40 (on sale at the time of publishing). Available in multiple sizes.
- Mudcloth Pillow Cover $55+. Multiple sizes are available.
- Chevron Cotton Blanket $69. Lightweight and cheery.
- Terracotta Lumbar Pillow Cover $90. The perfect compliment to blue.
- Textured Stripe Pillow Cover $40.32+. Multiple sizes and dimensions are available.
- White and Blue Striped Pillow Cover $40.32+. Multiple sizes and dimensions are available.
- Muslin Blanket. $26.25+. Many sizes are available, including bedcovers.
- Navy Striped Lumbar Pillow $42.40. Cheery blue and beige accent.
- Cotton Throw $60. Variegated threads add texture and interest.
Functional and Stylish Storage Solutions
While creating a beautiful coastal living room is important, let’s not forget functionality. Vacation rentals often need ample storage space to keep things organized and clutter-free. Opt for storage solutions that align with the coastal theme, such as woven wicker baskets or rope bins for extra blankets or beach or pool towels. These provide practical storage and add a touch of rustic beachside charm to the room.
Add a Sense of Place
Don’t forget the final touches and personalization to make your coastal living room stand out. Consider adding elements that reflect the unique coastal experiences in your area. Impart a sense of place by displaying local artwork or photography that showcases the beauty of the nearby beach, or add books about your area to your Airbnb amenities for guests to enjoy during their stay.
Creating a coastal-inspired living room in your vacation rental is about capturing the essence of beach life and providing that almost-zen atmosphere. I hope these tips help you bring your dream coastal living room to life. However, if you need someone to bounce ideas off of or discuss your vision further, I’m just a complimentary chat away! 🙂
