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Using Coastal Decor in Your Home: Tips From a Pro To Avoid Going Overboard
Get pro tips on how to use coastal design in your home!
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Coastal design evokes a life by the sea. Think light and airy colors and furniture of the same essence. Working coastal elements into your home decorating can provide the feeling of being at the beach whether the shore is right out your window or miles away. If you love all things coastal design but are unsure about using these elements in your home, you're in luck!
We connected with Desiree Kludy, interior designer and owner of Design Key Studio - Decorating Den Interiors. She has some tips for Woman’s World readers about injecting coastal decor into the home, whether you live by the ocean or only wish you did. Keep reading to shop expert-recommended coastal home decor.
Deals on coastal home decor
Looking for the best deals and sales on coastal home decor? Here's where you can find discounts on all things coastal design right now:
What are the key elements of coastal home decor?
Every design style has key elements. For example, modern design is usually indicated by clean lines, open floor concepts and lots of natural light. When it comes to coastal design, natural textures and nautical accents usually inspire the decor.
“Some great key elements would be adding texture to the drapery, such as a woven wood valance and maybe a grasscloth wallcovering,” Kludy tells us. “A woven wood valance brings that nautical texture to the top treatment, complementing and adding interest to a typical window treatment.” Sometimes, paint isn't the answer. As Kludy alludes to, sometimes creating a statement piece in design means adding texture to the wall!
How can homeowners incorporate coastal decor without making their homes look too themed or cliché?
Any home decor can quickly become dated or cliché. Most of the time, this happens when you try using too many elements of a certain decor style into a space. Kludy has a few tips to avoid leaning too far into the coastal decor theme.
"I always suggest adding an area rug that might incorporate the colors they like," says Kludy. We like the area rugs from Wayfair — they always have great deals! "This helps with acoustics and brings interest to the flooring."
Is there anything to avoid when it comes to decorating with coastal decor?
You may not know it, but there are unspoken rules to decorating your home. That's true when it comes to certain decorating styles, too.
When it comes to coastal decor, Kludy says to "avoid anything that might look typical." Think an overwhelming amount of seashells, anchors on every wall, and the like. In the world of decorating, if anything you're adding ever feels like it's too much, it probably is.
Instead, opt for decor that really means something. That will never feel inauthentic!
"I love it when clients bring items from trips and ask how to incorporate them," Kludy elaborates. "They fell in love with the piece on the trip, so it has sentimental value to them and should be showcased."
Does coastal decor not work in certain homes?
While there's really no steadfast rule about where coastal decor works, Kludy mentions how this design style can look out of place in traditional or modern-style homes. If you absolutely love coastal design and live in one of these style homes, fear not!
"There are ways to incorporate a few favorite pieces," Kludy says. Connect with her to find out how!
What are some must-have decor items for achieving a coastal look?
And now for the fun part — shopping for coastal home decor! Of course, we asked Kludy for some hand-selected coastal design picks and she delivered. Discover a few of her professional coastal decor recommendations.
"I think must have items might be a blue glass lamp like this lamp from Elk home," she says. "Also adding any type of rattan to a room really can bring that warm beachy feel, like this bedroom furniture set from Raymour & Flanigan."
Another easy way to bring coastal design into your home is through small accents, like the tropical pillow below. This picture is a sitting area Kludy recently created for a client. "She absolutely loves it!" Kludy shares.
"It has a custom chair from Craftmaster in teal boucle fabric [here's a similar teal chair from Raymour & Flanigan!] with striped velvet trim and side fabric," Kludy explains. "We added this tropical pillow from Eastern Accents that matches the bedding in the connecting space. The flamingo artwork is absolutely fabulous! It's a statement piece and really gives life to the bedroom entry."
Shop more coastal home decor
Need more coastal decorating inspiration? We have you covered!
Coastal Bed Frame: Cottage Isabella Cane Bed
Kitchen Island Chair: Sunwashed Riviera Rattan Counter Stool
Coastal Decor Lighting: Flora Rattan Pendant
Coastal Decor Accent Mirrors: Charlotte-Louise Ruppie Maritime Flat Wall Mirror
Coastal Design Couch: Ahlea 78.75''W Natural Cane Upholstered Sofa by Gracie Oaks
Coastal Bed Frame
Cottage Isabella Cane Bed
Buy from Cottage & Bungalow, starting at:$3400
Description
Pros
More coastal bedroom furniture:
Barlow Bed, $3,998 for a queen Dolores Cane Platform Bed, $1,499-$2,199 Arleen Rattan Bed, $1,537 Ida Woven Bed, $799-$1,299 Anders Rattan Bed, $4,499
Delicate crosshatching at the head and footboards
Handcrafted in North America with Alderwood sustainably-sourced in the USA
Features mortise-and-tenon joinery and heavy ball bearing drawer glides for ease of use and stability
Kitchen Island Chair
Sunwashed Riviera Rattan Counter Stool
Buy from Serena & Lily:$428
Description
Pros
each
More coastal island chairs:
Battista Wicker Outdoor Stool, $325 Estella Counter Stool, $240 Seagrass Bucket Swivel Counter Stool Santorini Counter Stool, $695 Coastal Rattan Bistro Counter Stool Chair, $398
Made from Manau — a sustainably sourced, superior rattan vine with a rich, warm color
Rattan frame is hand-bent and hand-shaped, creating subtle organic marks on the rattan
18"W x 24"D x 42.25"H overall
Coastal Decor Lighting
Flora Rattan Pendant
Buy from Pottery Barn, starting at:$299
Description
Pros
More coastal light fixtures you'll love:
Coastal Living Ombre Wood Bead Chandelier, $1,563 Sanibel Sconce, $848 Caden Single Light Rattan Plug-in Pendant, $138 Ana 3 Light Semi Flush Mount, $444 Rattan Bubble Flush Mount, $199
Relaxed, airy feel that complements coastal homes and softens modern spaces
Rattan surrounds a metal frame for extra support
Crafted by hand
Coastal Decor Accent Mirrors
Charlotte-Louise Ruppie Maritime Flat Wall Mirror
Buy from Wayfair:$197
Description
Pros
More coastal decor accents:
Del Sur Pillar Candle Holder, $198 Braided Seagrass Round Wall Mirror in Black Finish, $150 Coastal Tile Abstract Soft Blue Beige Shapes by Grace Popp Painting Print on Canvas, $68 Cayman Seagrass Vase, $148 Aegean Sea Ceramic Decorative Bowl, $550
Perfect for entryway, bedroom, bathroom, dining room, living room, or mantel area
Hand-crafted and purposeful distressing
The set contains 3 mirrors in different sizes
Coastal Design Couch
Buy from Wayfair:$1320
Description
Pros
More coastal design couches and seating:
Beach House Sofa, $5,698 Isola Sofa in Weathered Teak & Washed White Wicker, $1,399 Huntington Wicker Slope Arm Outdoor Sofa, $2,339-$2,599 Gather Wood Base Sofa 89", $1,919 Monaghan Sofa from Ashley Furniture, $1,000
Reversible cushions made of feather-blend plush, sinuous springs, and foam
Weighs 900 lbs. — super sturdy!
Seat height: 18.25"; seat depth: 32"
For more interior decorating tips, connect with Kludy directly! She offers personalized service, one of a kind design, and specializes in project planning, working with you to create the home of your dreams. Whether you want to decorate one area or the whole space, Kludy and her team can help you create something that is well-made, functional, and elegant.
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