Tips for Designing A Modern and Chic Coastal Home

The interior design trend of summer 2023 is modern coastal design. Modern Coastal design highlights natural materials such as rope and linen while bringing in modern elements of brass and clean silhouettes.  Coastal is the theme of the season. Fashion trends such as coastal cowgirl, have taken social media by storm, and modern coastal design is the home design counterpart of this trend. Below are several tips to creating the perfect coastal and modern mix in your home. 

Don't be afraid to utilize navy. Often, navy colors are used to decorate a more nautical-themed home. However, in modern coastal design, navy tones can be used to bring a chic element to whatever room you're adding navy to. A navy blue rug is one way to add navy to a room. Rugs are a good way to add character and atmostphere to the room they are placed in. In a Modern Coastal home, a navy blue rug adds the right amount of modern touch. 

Home office with a navy rug. Photo: Katie Hodges Design 

Linen textiles. Linen is the it girl of the summer. It's easy to see why, linen is a highly-breathable, durable, and natural material. There are various ways to use linen in the home. The first way is linen curtains. Linen curtains are a breathable, natural material and the perfect example of mixing coastal and elegant design. Linen curtains are naturally antimicrobial and mildew resistant. 

Another great option for using linen in your home is linen bedding and pillows. In addition to being visually appealing, linen bedding is practical since it's a breathable material and will keep you cooler than other bedding options. Linen pillows are another way to incorporate linen into your home. The linen texture adds a coastal component to any couch or bed. 

Keep your woods light. Light woods are a staple to any coastal design. Lighter woods have certainly been trending largely in part to the farmhouse interior design craze ushered in by HGTV shows like Joanna Gaines' Fixer Upper. However popular they may have gotten, one thing is sure, light woods are timeless. Because of this timelessness, they will modernize your coastal design and flow with coastal colors. Use woods such as white oak, maple, or, red oak for the desired effect. 

Work with strong and simple patterns. This may seem like kind of an odd suggestion, but hear us out! When you think summer and coastal you probably envision, light blues, beaches, and summer activities. What is more coastal than strong and simple patterns such as blue and white stripes or plaids? Even pops of sea-inspired patterns (think Sanddollar) are acceptable if done in a non-obnoxious way. 

Rope-textured decor. We promise this won't get too nautical. What we mean by rope-textured decor is either baskets, rattan, or thinner rope. One of the easiest ways to add coastal design is by utilizing baskets. Baskets make for aesthetically pleasing storage and add practicality to your modern coastal home. 

Another option for integrating rope textures is with rope light fixtures. You'd be surprised at how many types of rope are used on lighting fixtures. Often, the rope is combined with other elements such as brass or wood so you get a mixture of modern and coastal design.  Shop our Coastal Home Collection to see some of our favorite coastal home lighting options.

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