Contemporary coastal design: how to style the ultimate summer oasis

Contemporary coastal design is the ultimate Australian summer escape. It’s a sleek and luxurious holiday home by the waterfront, but also an earthy and organic bungalow where the surfboards are never truly put away and the air is always warm and balmy and smells faintly of sunscreen.

It’s the melding of comfortable and relaxing beach design with stylish modern décor that both makes you feel perfectly at home while also giving you the sense of being away at a chic holiday hotspot.

It’s a living contradiction, and one that makes for the ultimate summer oasis.

What is contemporary coastal design?

Modern coastal design pulls together the best of all the coastal designs – from the stylish and open interiors of the Hamptons style home to the breezy beachy vibe of the rugged surf hut.

It begins with a pure white base across the walls, and often in the drapes as well. This look creates a sense of openness and airiness that lends itself equally well to a modern chic style as it does to a beachfront, summery one.

Layered over the white are muted, soft tones of creams and greys, as well as pale natural colours and materials. The most common pops of colour in coastal interior design are often light and dark blues across the décor, and the lush deep green of live tropical plants dotted about the space.

Joining the colour schemes are beautiful natural items, from rattan trays, seats, and lamps, to rustic jute artworks, rugs, and homewares. Soft furnishings are lusciously supple cotton and linen, all in light and muted tones.

The overall look is deeply relaxing, a meditative inhale and exhale in a calming space. It’s modern sleek touches holding hands with relaxing coastal vibes, and it’s understandably popular in homes across Australia.

A touch of the Hamptons: The Hampton Chaise in cement grey is the epitome of modern coastal design. It’s sleek and modern yet effortlessly slouched and cool, with a high linen content material for a soft touch and grey hues for pared back style.

How to style your own modern coastal home

The most difficult part about styling a modern coastal home is scaling back. This is a style that’s almost Scandinavian in its minimalism, demanding only touches of oceanic décor and hints of breezy outdoor design, without adding too much or even getting close to being over-decorated.

Clean white walls are just the beginning. Install simple white curtains to continue the flow of the open room, and consider opting for a sheer fabric to amplify the sense of coastal breeziness.

Add layers of pale natural hues to build your colour palette. Rug adds a relaxed beachside touch, while the Eden Armchair in white pairs an elegant natural timber frame with a sleek, clean fabric for a look that’s both coastal and modern.

Decorate with light and deep blues, natural fibres such as jute and rattan, and the occasional piece of ocean-inspired or naval décor. Welcome texture into your coastal interior design, from your homewares to your artworks and soft furnishings, provided they work within your colour palette.

Finally, add live plants throughout the space. Tropical fronds work best, but any greenery can bring the space to life, adding colour and nature to a place of total relaxation, elegant style, and absolute comfort.

Contemporary meets coastal: The Bronte Marble Dining Table is utterly contemporary. With its sleek lines, white marble table top, and modern leg design, it would be at home in any city penthouse. Yet its natural and white colour palette and open style ensure it will also be at home in any coastal dining room.

Want to style your own coastal escape? Discover our Contemporary Coastal collection here.