You don’t have to live by a lake or sea to get a coastal look for your home. Just by putting a few tips into practice, you will feel like you’ve got the ocean on your doorstep. Classic coastal is easy to achieve, but keep it simple and edit ruthlessly to get this look.
Light neutrals and stripes
Painting the whole room in varying shades of white makes a great background for showing off soft furnishings and accessories. Use striped fabric, particularly widely spaced stripes for upholstered furnishings to create an instant coastal look. Paint your fireplace surround and alcoves in neutral shades to create a great backdrop for displaying specimen shells, coral and coastal art. A limed or weathered oak coffee table completes the look.
Wall Art
You might choose photos of classic yachts in black and white and mix in some close-ups of rope, a ship’s bell and other maritime accessories. Frames can be bought really cheaply from discount stores or from your local flea market. Paint them, lime-wash them or just use a mix of different woods for a well-weathered look.
Window Coverings
Roman shades are always look smart. I often have them made with a mitered border to add definition — try matching the borders with the paint color of your walls. Deep indigo instantly says classic coastal. Simple linen curtains are also perfect for this look. Shutters are a great option for a timeless look.
Furnishings
Traditional and elegant furniture styles and layouts work best for the classic coastal look. Slipcovers are a great idea for sofas and chairs, white or cream always looks upscale, or you can mix it up with some stripes as well. Experiment with contrasting piping to match your wall color for a sophisticated look.
Roseland Draperies and Interiors can help you achieve a coastal look in your Illinois home.
