30 Breathtaking Coastal Modern Living Rooms to Inspire Your Next Redesign

Coastal modern style is all about mixing the breezy feel of the beach with modern design.

It’s perfect for making a calm and welcoming space.

The colors are usually soft like light blues, greens, and neutrals, with materials like wood and linen adding a natural touch.

I am also sharing “30 Must-See Coastal Modern Living Room Ideas That You Can Easily Recreate” to give you some great ideas to start with.

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Click here for Top Trends in Coastal Modern Living Room Decor for This Year

Find a Complete List of Accessories

So let’s get started…..

Understanding Coastal Modern Style

Origins:

Coastal modern style is a blend of the relaxed, laid-back feel of beach life with the clean lines and simplicity of contemporary design.

It originated in coastal areas with the goal to create spaces that are both soothing and modern.

This style takes inspiration from the beautiful seaside surroundings, combining the calm of the beach with a sleek, modern aesthetic to make living spaces that are both inviting and stylish.

Key Elements of Coastal Modern Decor:

Color Palettes: Mostly uses light and airy colors such as soft whites, cool blues, and gentle greens to copy the seaside environment.

Materials: Natural materials are the go to choice in this style.

Think wood, linen, and cotton that bring a touch of nature indoors.

Textures: Combines smooth surfaces with rustic textures to create a balance between modern chic and coastal comfort.

This includes elements like jute rugs, woven baskets, and unfinished wood accents.

This luxurious modern coastal living room boasts a serene seafoam color palette, creating a soothing, upscale ambiance.

Plush furnishings enveloped in soft, textured fabrics invite relaxation, while elegant seafoam accents harmonize with crisp white walls and rich hardwood floors.

Plush rug in complementary tones ensure comfort, making the space ideal for unwinding.

Overall, it’s a sophisticated blend of comfort and coastal elegance, perfect for modern living.

A modern coastal living room, Hampton style, exudes an elegant yet relaxed ambiance, characterized by its light, airy feel.

This style typically features a neutral palette with shades of white and soft blues, accented by rich navy or seafoam.

Furnishings are comfortable and plush, often upholstered in linen or soft cotton.

Natural textures like wood, jute, and wicker add warmth, while decorative elements like marine-inspired artwork and glass vases evoke a serene, beachside vibe.

This setting is both sophisticated and welcoming, perfect for seaside living.

Color Schemes and Wall Decor

Recommended Color Palettes:

Focus on colors that reflect the beach and ocean for a true coastal feel. Soft whites, sandy beiges, pale blues, and seafoam greens are perfect.
Incorporate splashes of navy or turquoise for a vibrant contrast that still feels natural and calming.

Coral Accents

This inviting modern coastal living room blends soft, sandy tones with vibrant coral pink accents, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Plush, neutral-colored sofas are adorned with coral pink pillows, offering a pop of cheerful color.

Artwork featuring coastal scenes and abstract designs in matching hues adorns the walls, enhancing the room’s aesthetic appeal.

A light, textured rug underfoot adds comfort, while strategically placed lamps cast a soft glow, perfect for relaxing evenings.

The result is a chic, cozy space that feels both stylish and homey.

The “Seaside Serenity” coastal living room is a haven of peace, adorned in a soothing color palette of soft white and gentle green.

A plush, soft white sofa graced with gentle green accent pillows invites relaxation, complemented by a soft green armchair and a sleek white coffee table for a harmonious look.

The space is enlivened with a variety of lush indoor plants, adding a touch of nature.

Seaside landscape paintings in light wooden frames decorate the walls, enhancing the room’s serene, coastal vibe.

Ideas for Wall Treatments and Artwork:

Wall Treatments: Consider light, breezy textures for your walls. Textured wallpaper or a subtle wash of blue or green paint can mimic the feel of the ocean.
Artwork: Choose pieces that evoke a sense of calm and connection to the sea. Art featuring beaches, oceanic horizons, or nautical elements works well.
Accents: Adding wooden frames or mirrors encased in driftwood can enhance the coastal vibe, tying the room’s aesthetic together beautifully.

Furniture Selection

Tips for Choosing the Right Furniture Pieces:

Sofas: Opt for comfortable, plush sofas in light colors such as white, cream, or pale blue. Look for slipcovered sofas for an easy, breezy feel that’s also easy to clean.
Coffee Tables: Choose tables made of natural wood or with a glass top to keep the space feeling open and airy. Round shapes can soften the room’s look.
Accent Chairs: Incorporate chairs that mix functionality with style—rattan or wicker chairs add a touch of coastal charm, while upholstered chairs in ocean hues can add a splash of color.

Importance of Selecting the Right Materials:

Materials like wicker, linen, and light woods not only reflect the coastal vibe but also contribute to a light, relaxed atmosphere in the room.
These materials are often durable and comfortable, making them practical for a living space that feels both welcoming and stylish.
Going for natural materials helps to bring the outdoors inside, enhancing the coastal feel.

Textiles and Upholstery

Guide to Selecting Textiles:

Throws and Cushions: Choose textiles in light, breezy fabrics like cotton or linen.
Patterns should be in line with the coastal theme—think stripes or nautical prints.
Go for colors that complement your overall color scheme, like blues, greens, and neutrals.
Rugs: Sisal or jute rugs are perfect for adding a natural, earthy feel underfoot.
They’re durable and fit well with the casual, beachy vibe of coastal modern decor. If you prefer a softer texture, look for rugs in light blues or sandy beiges.

Role of Upholstery in Setting the Mood:

Upholstery plays a key role in defining the room’s ambiance.
Slipcovered sofas in light fabrics not only offer a practical solution for beachside living (easy to clean and maintain) but also contribute to a laid-back, airy feel.
Choose upholstery materials that are light and can handle some wear, reflecting the easy-going, lived-in vibe of a coastal home.
Light colors help in making the space feel bigger and more open, enhancing the peaceful feel of your coastal modern living room.

Lighting and Accessories

Advice on Choosing Lighting Fixtures:

Look for light fixtures that evoke a sense of the coast.
Go for materials like glass, distressed wood, or brushed nickel that reflect the natural and nautical elements of the seaside.
Pendant lights with clear or lightly tinted glass can help maintain a light, airy feel in the room.
Lantern-style lights also fit beautifully with a coastal theme and can add a touch of old-world charm.
Consider using soft, warm lighting to enhance the relaxed, inviting atmosphere of the living room.

Layout and Spatial Planning

Strategies for Arranging Furniture:
- Focus on Functionality and Flow: Arrange your furniture to create clear pathways for movement. Consider the natural flow of traffic in your living room and place furniture to facilitate easy access to seating areas and other rooms.

Maximize Views and Lighting: Position seating to take advantage of views outside windows or towards focal points like fireplaces or a television.
Ensure that seating areas are well-lit with a combination of overhead lighting and lamps for a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Create Zones: Use rugs and furniture placement to define different areas within your living room, such as a reading nook, a conversation area, or a space for watching TV.
This can help make a large room feel cozier and more organized.

Utilizing Space Effectively:
- Multi-functional Furniture: Go for furniture that offers storage or can be used for multiple purposes.
- For example, ottomans with storage inside or coffee tables with shelves can help keep clutter at bay while adding to the room’s functionality.
- Keep It Airy and Open: Avoid overcrowding the room with too much furniture.
- Choose pieces that are proportional to the size of your space to maintain an open, airy feel. Consider using lighter or transparent materials for furniture like glass or acrylic tables to reduce visual clutter.
- Reflective Surfaces: Incorporating mirrors or other reflective surfaces can make the space feel larger and more open. Position mirrors to reflect natural light and enhance the overall brightness of the room.

Here are some insights and tips on how to bring outdoor elements inside to create a refreshing coastal feel in your home.

Importance of Incorporating Natural Elements

1. Psychological Benefits: Nature has a calming effect on the mind. Incorporating natural elements like plants, wood, and natural light can reduce stress and improve mental health.

2. Aesthetic Appeal: Natural materials add texture and depth to interiors. They introduce an organic, earthy component that is visually appealing and often complements a variety of design styles.

3. Sustainability: Using natural and locally-sourced materials such as driftwood or stone can be more environmentally friendly, promoting sustainability in design.

This modern coastal living room exudes charm with its eye-catching coral pink chairs, creating a lively focal point.

Complementary coral pink pillows rest on a sleek, off-white sofa, adding a splash of vibrant color.

The room features a rug with subtle pink accents that tie together the color scheme, providing a cohesive look.

Natural light streams in, highlighting the airy and fresh atmosphere.

This inviting space combines comfort with a dash of color, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and social gatherings.

Tips for Bringing Outdoor Elements Inside

Use Natural Materials:

Wood: Incorporating wood in its various forms, from polished floors to rough driftwood pieces, adds warmth and texture.
Furniture made from reclaimed wood or designed with a raw, natural edge offers both sustainability and style.
Stone: Using stone for tabletops, accents, or wall features can introduce an element of rugged natural beauty reminiscent of a coastal landscape.

Decorate with Plants:

Strategic Placement: Position plants to create a natural flow in the home.
Larger plants like palms can act as focal points in living areas, while hanging plants like Boston ferns or spider plants can add interest to higher spaces.
Variety: Mix different types of plants that can thrive indoors, such as succulents for sunny windowsills or leafy ferns for shaded areas.
This variety can mimic the diverse plant life found along coastlines.

Incorporate Water Features:

Small indoor water features can bring a sense of the ocean indoors. The sound of flowing water not only enhances the coastal vibe but also provides a tranquil auditory backdrop.

Use Coastal Colors and Patterns:

Mimic coastal colors by choosing palettes of blues, greens, sandy beiges, and whites. These colors reflect the beach and ocean, helping to create a light and breezy atmosphere.
Patterns such as stripes or wave-like textures can further emphasize the coastal theme.

Display Found Objects:

Items such as seashells, sea glass, and smooth stones can be displayed in clear glass bowls or jars, creating personalized and visually interesting accents that draw direct connections to the sea.

When you’re putting together a coastal modern living room, it’s all about striking that balance between a laid-back beach vibe and your own personal style. Here are some tips on how to add those personal touches and final accents that really pull the room together:

Personal Touches

Artwork: Choose art that speaks to you but also fits the coastal theme.
Think about paintings or photos of the ocean, beach scenes, or marine life.
If you’re an artist yourself, you could even create your own pieces that reflect your experiences or dreams of the coast.
Memorabilia: Display items that mean something to you and fit the coastal vibe, like souvenirs from beach vacations, family photos taken by the sea, or a collection of shells you’ve gathered over the years.

Handmade Decor: If you’re crafty, add items you’ve made yourself, like macrame wall hangings or a hand-painted sign with a beachy quote.
This not only personalizes your space but also adds a unique touch that you can’t buy in stores.
Mix and Match: While sticking to coastal colors, don’t be afraid to throw in a few unexpected pops of color or patterns that show off your personality.
A vibrant throw pillow or an eclectic piece of furniture can add a fun twist.

Final Accents

Lighting: Good lighting can make all the difference.
For a coastal modern look, go for light fixtures made of natural materials, like wicker or rattan. Consider soft, warm lighting to keep things cozy.
Throw Pillows and Blankets: Choose soft, comfy pillows and lightweight throws in natural fabrics. Stick to light colors and nautical patterns, but you can also choose one or two with bolder colors or unique textures to stand out.

Rugs: A rug can tie the whole room together.
Look for something in a natural fiber like jute or seagrass. If you prefer something softer, a light-colored wool or cotton rug with a subtle pattern can work well too.
Decorative Accents: Items like candles that smell like the ocean or a chic, nautical-inspired clock can enhance the coastal vibe.
Ceramic or glass vases in soft blues or greens can also look beautiful with simple flowers or greenery.

The Coastal living room embodies tranquility with its soft white and gentle green color scheme.

A plush, soft white sofa accented with gentle green pillows offers a perfect spot for relaxation, while a soft green armchair adds cozy seating.

A white coffee table anchors the space, set against a gentle green rug that pulls the room together.

Three pieces of seaside landscape art in light wooden frames adorn the walls, creating a calming, cohesive coastal ambiance.

Santa Barbara Luxury

Top Trends in Coastal Modern Living Room Decor for This Year

Natural, Sustainable Materials: Embrace eco-friendly materials like bamboo, rattan, and reclaimed wood. These elements not only reflect a coastal aesthetic but also align with growing environmental consciousness.

Layered Blues and Greens: Incorporate varying shades of blue and green to mimic the ocean’s dynamic colors. Soft aqua, deep navy, and lush emerald can create a tranquil yet sophisticated palette.

Indoor-Outdoor Living: Enhance the flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. Large glass doors, flowy curtains, and continuation of materials like stone or wood flooring can blur the boundaries, perfect for coastal living.

Textured Wall Art: Driftwood installations, woven hangings, and textured canvas art are popular for adding dimension and interest to walls without overpowering the space.

Sophisticated Nautical Accents: Move away from overtly maritime themes to more subtle nautical cues like striped patterns, ship lantern-inspired lighting, and navy or white decor items.

Minimalist Coastal: A less-is-more approach, focusing on decluttered spaces that highlight quality over quantity. Think clean lines, ample light, and unobstructed views.

Organic Shapes: Incorporate furniture and decor with soft, rounded edges to evoke a sense of calm and continuity. This trend mirrors the organic, free-form shapes found in coastal environments.

Multi-functional Spaces: Design areas that serve multiple purposes, such as a reading nook that doubles as a guest sleeping area, using daybeds or pull-out couches.

Light Woods and Whitewashed Finishes: Utilize light woods and whitewashed finishes to keep the space bright and airy, enhancing the coastal feel with a modern twist.

Plush, Comfortable Seating: Incorporate ultra-comfy seating arrangements that invite relaxation and make the living room the heart of the home, perfect for lounging after a beach day.

Complete List of Accessories

Creating a coastal modern living room involves choosing accessories that evoke a serene, beach-inspired ambiance while maintaining a fresh, contemporary look. Here’s a list of accessories that can help achieve that coastal modern aesthetic:

Natural Fiber Rugs: Jute, sisal, or seagrass rugs to add texture and warmth.
Decorative Throws: Lightweight, in pale blues, sandy beiges, or soft whites.
Coastal Art Prints: Artwork featuring ocean scenes, beaches, or marine life.
Ceramic Vases: In shades of blue, green, or sandy tones for a subtle pop of color.
Wicker or Rattan Baskets: For storage that doubles as decor.
Pillows in Various Textures: Choose from linen, cotton, or soft wool in coastal colors with some featuring nautical patterns or motifs.
Driftwood Elements: Pieces of driftwood as centerpieces or wall art.
Seashells and Coral Decor: Displayed in glass bowls or as standalone pieces.

Nautical Mirrors: Mirrors framed with materials like driftwood or designed in shapes reminiscent of portholes.
Indoor Plants: Tall palms or hanging plants that bring life and a splash of green.
Scented Candles: Opt for scents like sea breeze or fresh linen to enhance the coastal vibe.
Soft Lighting: Lamps with bases made of glass, ceramic, or wrapped in rope, paired with linen shades.
Ocean-Inspired Clocks: Wall clocks that incorporate elements like ship wheels or coastal colors.
Books About the Ocean or Coastal Living: Displayed on coffee tables or shelves.
Blue and Green Glassware: For an added touch of color and elegance.