10 Things You Need to Know About Coastal Decor Trends

Whether you're looking to furnish the beach home of your dreams in the near future or you want to make some quick and easy style updates to your current coastal home, we're showing off some of the most popular beach house decor ideas, themes and accents that are not only classic in coastal interior design but also modern and trending. Here's what you need to know about making your beach house the best it can be!

1. Minimalism is always in style.

Forget the clutter and let the coastal views be the focal point of your beach home. A minimalist approach to decor and design gives your house a modern, open feel. Choose only what fits in your space and serves its purpose in both form and function. Black and white is an easy way to stay with a clean minimalistic look. Add neutrals or pops of color to accent. The hardest part is finding the right furniture and furnishings to complete your room without overwhelming it. But once you find them, you'll be oh so happy that you did.

2. Nautical ropes can accent any room.

A little bit of nauti goes a long way! Nautical ropes are a classic coastal accent for any home, as long as they're not overdone. Just a touch in the right place adds instant style to your beach house. There are some pretty amazing ways to incorporate ropes if you take a look on Pinterest (we saw rope cabinet accents, hanging rope beds, nautical rope coasters, knotted rope displays, and interwoven rope centerpieces on the table, just to name a few). The classic touch is a roped mirror or picture frame, but really the sky's the limit.

3. Opt for seashells that make a statement.

Skip the overflowing container of seashells in every room of your beach house (so 90s) and instead opt for one statement piece. This oversized clam shell is from Pottery Barn, but you could certainly display your own prized shell in an eye-catching way. Less is usually more these days, so try to keep it minimal but worth looking at. (Refer to #1 of this post.) A nice big statement shell on your mantel or dining room table lends itself to the telling of the story behind it—making it a great conversation piece.

4. Upcycling is always an option.

Upcycling is both useful and on trend. From weathered-looking coastal furniture to unique wall hangings to old nautical pieces made new again, you can bring a nice touch of the past with a modern feel by choosing the right upcycled accents. We love this coffee table made from an old nautical chain and think it perfectly blends old and new. Take time to choose the best upcycling for your beach house space and enjoy this bold, modern and eco-friendly style element.

5. Beachy Bohemian works for eclectic tastes.

If you're a person who leans towards more eclectic tastes and decorating style, then all is not lost. You can still incorporate a mix-and-match approach to your beach house as long as you do it carefully and with taste. Too much and it looks like a cluttered mess. The wrong pairings and your room has no flow or consistency. Vibrant colors, mixed patterns, and even flowers can all be used together and actually look modern and fun. We love this beachy Bohemian look that works beautifully together for a bright, happy, coastal room.

6. Bamboo is beautiful and versatile.

What can we say? Bamboo is just beautiful! It is a classic coastal style element and can work in so many ways both indoors and out. It's smooth neutral tones and texture emanate tropical vibes and classic beach feel. From furniture to wall decor to chairs to, well, just about everything—it's just really hard to go wrong with bamboo. With its versatility, you can find a place for bamboo in any beach home. We say go for it!

7. A little whimsy goes a long way.

We love a little beach whimsy! It can come in a variety of forms like these cute coastal signs and sayings to fun flamingo artwork to whatever suits your whimsical fancy. The key is to not do too much. Just a singular whimsical piece in a room is enough to attract the right attention, without being too much of a distraction. Our advice? Choose your whimsy carefully!

8. Marine fixtures and accents are a nice touch.

Marine fixtures are fabulous! There are so many ways you can use marine items in your beach home. We love this anchor chandelier-style light fixture that is perfect to hang over your dining room table. We've also seen a ship's wheel, a compass rose, and other creative ways to use mariners' treasures in your own home in a similar fashion. Marine wall lights, rope towel holders, and other conversational but functional pieces are your own beach home's nod to beach and boat life.

9. Traditional coastal classics never go out of style.

Ocean scenes, sailboats, seahorses, surfboards, and mermaids are coastal classic accents that never really go out of style. You just have to use them strategically and artfully, as you would with any other statement pieces. As mentioned earlier in this post, materials like bamboo and rattan are also coastal style classics that span the decades. Bright bold tropical color accents and neutral coastal blues, greens and sandy tones are classic beach house decor elements that aren't going away anytime soon.

10. Elevate your outdoor space to the next level.

If you have the gift of the ocean as your view (like the Topsail Island NC rental pictured to the left) you don't need much. A few chairs and a table to sit your drinks on is all that's required. Let nature take care of the rest! If you don't have the luxury of an oceanfront deck, then all you have to do is make the most of your outdoor space and bring it up to the next level. Whether you have a deck, patio, porch, pool, pergola or some other green space—make it the best it can be. Think comfort, beauty, style and convenience. Use some of the same style tips mentioned above to bring your outdoor space on trend.