In this beautiful island of ours, we're surrounded by oceans and the most beautiful beaches, and as we naturally identify with a seaside vibe and its relaxing and calming influence, it's natural that we love to bring this feel indoors, in our home styling. But if a surfboard on a wall and an oar in the corner are not your thing, rest assured there are other ways to create the relaxed and cool Coastal vibe. So, staying away from strong and obvious summery colours and predictable beach items, I'm going to give you a few tips to help you achieve this desirable coastal look in your home.
COLOURS - A sure winner for the Coastal feel is a backdrop of whites or neutral tones. Milky whites or vanilla tones work perfectly to create a cool and calm background and it allows your favourite colours to still pop. To achieve this look successfully, refrain from using bright and 'noisily' coloured items for your décor; instead achieve a relaxing look by opting for muted shades of your favourite colours, with a nod towards blues and greens maybe, being an easy and suitable addition.
FURNITURE - Large comfy lounges in white linen or neutral tones are inviting to lie back on and enjoy time with the family, while using removable covers makes having white furnishing less of a nightmare to maintain. Adding wicker or cane furniture will instantly create a relaxed and summer feel, as well as an island holiday vibe. White furniture is also perfect for this look, and light grey timbers, which bring the coastal feel to life with their look of washed up driftwood and branches on sun drenched beaches.
STYLING - You don’t have to go over-board [pardon the pun] with sailing items, shells and driftwood to create this relaxed coastal vibe, instead a subtle nod to the nautical will have a more stylish effect. White-washed and weathered brown or greyish picture frames, large glass bottles or bowls, ceramic vases in sea tones of teals and blues... all work to suggest the right feeling. Wicker baskets and woven handmade vessels also work really well to evoke the beach lifestyle, while subtle use of stripes always evokes the feeling of beach umbrellas and awnings on seaside cafés. Start with a few items and keep it light if styling to sell, or keep adding and make it as rich as you like, for your own home.
PLANTS - Large indoor plants work very well for the coastal vibe as they help blur the lines between inside and out. Oversized plants with glossy wide leaves create that tropical paradise feel, while the deep greens contrasts very well against whites, blues and washed greys. If you like to, choose tropical, large scale and colourful flowers to add that lush vibrant island look whilst providing drama to the space.
LIGHT - One of the final touches to give you a costal vibe is to open up your windows and let the natural light in. Soft sheers curtains will allow light through while protecting your privacy, while they gently move with the breeze and provide a calming addition to your home. If the budget allows, adding plantation shutters will help you control the light on hotter days, while inspiring to the resort look.
The coastal style is one we all feel comfortable with and for this very reason it's also a winner if you're styling to sell your property. Especially in this 'cooling market' when buyers are taking their time to pick and choose, a popular styling choice such as the Coastal Feel, in even small additions throughout your home, can help you appeal to a larger slice of the buying audience, resulting in more people identifying with and be attracted to your property.
James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information.
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