The Sea-Inspired Look That's Replacing Polished Coastal Interiors

Associated with summer and the breezy freedom of the seaside, coastal interiors will never truly go out of style. They are, however, evolving to incorporate broader trends that have been shaping home design for the last few years. Pristine and sleek design features have taken a back seat to sustainable and biophilic interior decor. The longing for a connection with the great outdoors while indoors is intrinsically connected to a sharper awareness of environmentally friendly practices and materials. In turn, these philosophies lend themselves to an increasing interest in vintage finds or handcrafted, bespoke, long-lasting furniture. Few design styles embody these maxims like maritime living, which offers a more rugged take on coastal design.

Beachside homes have always been in dialogue with the ocean, exporting its motifs and even its contents to inspire fabrics, materials, colors, and decorations. Recent trends are taking this conversation a step further by moving away from the rarefied, clean-cut yacht club aesthetic and closer to the real, unpolished maritime experience. In essence, we're swapping boat captains for fishermen. It's all about embracing the ruggedness of the sea and celebrating organic, artisanal decor, whether you have an ocean view from your front door or simply want to bring a bit of the sea to your landlocked home.

Maritime living design infuses nautical decor with rustic charm by spotlighting natural materials and handmade details. Wood, of course, is a staple for its evocation of fishing cabins, traditional ships, sailboats, and driftwood. Embrace a more authentic, sustainable look by opting for natural and reclaimed wood instead of plywood or chipboard. Thrifted wood furniture offers the perfect addition to your decor, even if it's a little rough around the edges. Imperfections shouldn't be covered — they should be flaunted. Similarly, look toward the shoreline to guide your use of stone. If you want to convey a Mediterranean look, limestone is the most accurate, while the deep, volcanic richness of basalt will bring a touch of Iceland to your home. For a classic New England look, go for granite. 

The beach is also the ultimate inspiration for the color palette for a coastal home decor style, though geography can influence that, too. A tropical beach in the Maldives is much livelier and brighter than the gray moodiness of the British seaside. Still, you cannot go wrong with ocean teals, airy whites, sandy beiges, rocky browns and greys, and beachgrass greens. 

When it comes to decorating, rope touches, recycled or sea glass details, and handmade ceramics are a must. For patterns, stripes continue to reign supreme. Other materials that easily fit the maritime living aesthetic for their organic qualities are cotton, linen, jute, rattan, and seagrass — introduce them in curtains, bedding, rugs, chairs, and baskets for a serene interior that is at one with the exterior. 

To truly do justice to maritime living's biophilic and sustainable essence, remember to choose artisanal and natural over mass-produced and engineered whenever possible. Considering handmade and artisanal items can be more expensive, you'll be glad to know that another mistake to avoid with a seaside makeover is clutter. Like the beach and the ocean, this modern take on coastal interiors is all about airy spaciousness and minimalism. Design your beach house without cliché coastal decor by rejecting the excessive boat-themed ornamentation of a typical nautical style. There's no need to buy too many things — a few quality pieces that will last you a lifetime are a much better investment.  

Also passé is the classic navy, crisp white, and bright red combo. Modern coastal interiors gravitate towards neutral, less contrasting hues. Switch the stark, dark blues for pastels in the color of the sky or the sea, and mix up the whites with sandy tones. Instead of looking for your warm tones in a sailor's uniform, consider sunset oranges and yellows. Finally, although they can be irresistible for their fascinating geometric perfection and nature-kissed patterns, seashells and conches brought home from your beach vacation are also something to avoid. Removing these little guys from their natural habitat can seriously affect coastal ecosystems.