Coastal style has evolved over the years, embracing a more natural, balanced colour palette. Echoing the softer tones of our beautiful coastline, interior designers use neutral soft furnishings and home accessories to create relaxed interiors similar to those found in the Hamptons.
Here we discover how you can achieve the ultimate beachy-boho Australian coastal style by combining subtle furnishings and understated decor.
Create a neutral canvas
Painting your walls white is a great start in achieving neutral coastal bliss, instantly delivering a fresh and breezy coastal feel. Go the extra mile and panel your walls; a nod to the great Australian weatherboard beach shacks and time spent on carefree summer holidays.
Style from the ground up
When it comes to flooring, stone, tile, or wooden floors work best when creating a neutral coastal look. Lighter greys and soft beige carpets, or an oversized area rug, will also work well if you prefer a little comfort underfoot.
Think furniture
Pair your natural textures and surroundings with furniture that creates a relaxed and welcoming vibe. Worn wood, classic cane and different shades and types of rattan all combine exceptionally well to create that relaxed coastal environment.
Choose your textiles carefully
“Wabi Sabi” - is a Japanese expression which means ‘perfectly imperfect’. Use this approach when considering the textiles for your Australian coastal style. Rustic hand-woven rugs in vintage faded tones are perfect for setting the right tone. Our bestselling Nomad Tarifa and Andulacia Cadiz rugs offer depth, texture and gentle hints of colour, whilst our Medina Tangier range echoes the natural dye-free designs of the Beni Ourain tribes in Morocco.
Create dimension
Use cushions with subtle patterns and colours to complement your neutral spaces. Our Minerva cushions in Chinchilla and Charcoal combine beautifully, or use our Jaipur cushions in Dove Grey and Monsoon for pretty block print designs. Alternatively, try our timeless black and white Eivissa cushions for cool Ibizan coastal vibes.
Step just outside of the box
If you want a more striking coastal finish, rugs with a hint of colour can be a great focal point. While keeping your walls and most of your furnishings neutral, a rug that steps slightly out of the neutral box will add some fun to your relaxed ocean vibe. Emulate soft sandy beaches with the muted tones of Weaver Green’s Chenille collection, or go one step further with our slightly bolder Diamond, Iris and Juno ranges. Another popular choice and a coastal favourite is our Kasbah Smoke rug; its soft blue and grey Moroccan pattern makes it one of our most versatile rug designs.
Finish the look
Complete your neutral coastal style using natural accessories like clay pots, wooden vessels and indoor plants. Palms will offer a more tropical feel rather than coastal, so consider stunning Aussie coastal natives instead.
For more tips on achieving the ultimate Australian coastal style, read our recent guest blog with the coastal style experts at Coastal Vintage.
Whether you live by the water, or simply long to, it’s easy to achieve a chic coastal look using beautiful neutral furnishings and textiles.
