How to Design The Ultimate Classic Coastal Style Home

By Zephyr and Stone

Does the idea of balmy breezes, sun-soaked rooms and an air of relaxed luxury sound like perfection to you? What if we told you it’s possible to create that same look and feel in your home?

Classic Coastal homes embrace light, airy spaces, natural fibres and colours - resulting in an atmosphere that’s comparable to a beachside resort. It’s amongst our favourite home styles because Classic Coastal houses feel so good to live in. So how do you achieve this look in your home, and what are the must-have inclusions?

Classic Coastal White kitchen island bench with wooden stools with rattan pendants and brass handles

Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Kitchen featuring kitchen island bench with rattan pendant lights

Colours and Finishes

A Classic Coastal home should feel uncomplicated, organic and comfortable. Colour selections and material finishes are vital to achieving this and will affect other decisions like furniture and soft furnishings. Taking the time to gather samples to compare colours and materials is essential to ensuring you get your colour scheme right.

Incorporating whites should be high on your agenda, and is essential to creating the feeling of light, open spaces. From painted wall panelling to kitchen cabinetry and splashback tiles, injecting white elements into every room in the house will create the perfect base for your Classic Coastal home.

classic coastal white laundry with brass taps and handles and grey laundry cabinets for laundry storage

Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Laundry

Next, you’ll want to add timber or timber-look materials to introduce natural materials found in nature. There are many ways to effectively add timber to your home design, like timber wood flooring, cabinetry, handrails and panelling, or through features like floating shelves and furniture.

round bathroom vanity mirror in classic coastal powder room with timber vanity and vj panelling

Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Powder Room

Finally, to up the warmth and add contrast, incorporate light, neutral colours like greys or beige through finishes like tiles, cabinetry, carpet and paint, as well as furnishings. These soft, neutral colours work seamlessly with white and timber and will stand the test of time and changing trends. Remember when choosing colours, to also stick to either warm or cool tones throughout your home for consistency.

classic coastal ensuite bath with timber vanity and vj panelling

Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Ensuite

Just Add Brass

Adding metallic elements to a Classic Coastal home is the perfect way to add a touch of luxe. In every space from the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry to walk in closet, adding the warm golden hue of a brass tap or handle pairs beautifully with timber tones, and results in a soft and sophisticated space. You can incorporate brass in a range of finishes, like tapware, knobs and handles, and through accessories like towel rails and hooks. These elements can really make or break a space - so take the time to compare your options, and opt for classic, simple shapes so they don’t overpower or dominate the room.

modern grey bathroom tiles with freestanding bathtub and brass tapware

Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Bathroom

Design Elements

If you take a moment to imagine your ideal coastal getaway, stand-out features include ample natural light, fabulous cross-ventilation, and big picturesque views. Of course, not all homes have the luxury of being built by the water, but you can definitely incorporate these classic design elements in your Coastal style home to replicate that resort-style feeling.

For a home that feels comfortable all year round, positioning windows and doors to maximise the Winter sun and Summer breezes is essential. Incorporating large windows and sliding doors is vital, and for homes with warmer climates, louvre windows are ideal for adjusting airflow and keeping homes cool. For rooms where large windows aren’t viable, skylights are a fantastic option for flooding a space with natural light whilst creating a beautiful feature.

Classic coastal wooden dining room table with white chairs and engineered timber wooden flooring

Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Home

Pattern And Texture

Especially when incorporating a predominantly white interior, softening a space and adding pattern and texture are essential. This can be achieved with a range of interior finishes, including wall panelling, carpet, sheer curtains and soft furnishings.

Use wall panelling to create feature walls in bedrooms and living areas, and instantly add pattern and a relaxed element to your space. You can also use similar panelled profiles for your cabinetry to continue this look in different spaces throughout your home.

Classic coastal walk in closet with timber cabinetry and a arched vanity mirror

Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal WIR

Then choose a light, looped pile carpet to add texture and contrast with white finishes, and soft sheer curtains to create a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere. Sheer curtains allow sunlight into your home whilst providing good privacy by day. Sheer curtains are our go-to window furnishing, especially for bedrooms and living rooms, as they instantly finish and soften a space like nothing else.

Classic coastal bedroom with grey carpeting and timber wood side table and wall panelling

Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Bedroom featuring DIY Blinds Sheers in colour Allusion ‘Snow’

Coastal Furniture

We’re often asked how we’re able to pull together furniture pieces for a consistent and cohesive look. Our secret? Keep it simple! A Classic Coastal home should have a connection to natural materials and casual comfort that makes you feel instantly at home.

When investing in pieces like sofas, dining tables or chairs, choosing light, neutral pieces results in spaces that feel light, calm and uplifting. Opting for neutral colours for larger furniture pieces, allows you to add soft colour through cushions and accessories. These smaller pieces are inexpensive to change if you want to refresh your space down the track, or as interior and colour trends change over time.

Worried about light colours with kids and pets? Opt for slipcover sofas that can be removed and washed, and timber tables that have been sealed for easy clean ups.

Classic coastal dining room with round wooden dining table with white chairs and engineered wooden flooring

Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Dining Room

Choose light timbers like Oak, and keep your timber tones consistent in colour to achieve balance and cohesion in each space and throughout your home. The natural texture of these pieces will help bring a sense of the outdoors and create a relaxed atmosphere. If you’re installing pendant lights in your kitchen or dining room, natural fibres like rattan also provide the perfect pairing for Oak elements in the same space.

Love the Classic Coastal look and want to recreate it in your home? Download our Classic Coastal Home Design Bundle. It’s the complete interior design solution, including cabinetry plans, bathroom layouts, colours schemes, products and more - taking all the guesswork out of your new project.

Rory James CarterZephyr and Stonecoastal, coastal homes, coastal design, coastal home, coastal bedroom, coastal facade, coastal home design, coastal kitchen, coastal bathroom, coastal living, classic coastal, classic coastal design, classic coastal home, coastal interior, colour scheme, coastal colour scheme, classic coastal colour scheme, classic coastal bedroom, classic coastal kitchen, classic coastal bathroom, classic coastal laundry, interior design, interior design tips, interior design guide, interiors, coastal hosue, coastal house, interior designer, pendant light, pendant, rattan pendant, rattan, rattan light, panelling, wall panelling, beach house, beach house laundry, beach house design, beach house bathroom, beach house floor plan, bathroom layout, beach house colour scheme, downloadable colour schemeComment