design trend: modern coastal
Image: Salt at Shoal Bay
There’s no denying that modern coastal is having one heck of a moment right now; it’s flooding our social media platforms and it seems like a sparkly new weatherboard-clad home is popping up on every corner.
Where I live, in beautiful Brisbane, we have an abundance of original ‘queenslander’ homes, which in my opinion you could never replicate to a tee, but we’re always looking for design styles that can fit into the neighbourhood.
Let’s be real, an over the top Hamptons home is not always the answer. Sometimes we need a more restrained concept. Cue modern coastal… the perfect alternative.
Image: Janelle Mead Interiors
so what is modern coastal anyway?
Put simply, modern coastal style is a combination of modern fixtures and fittings paired with coastal colours and textures; bringing the relaxed vibe of the beach to your family home.
With some design styles you can be as restrained or as extra as you like, but with modern coastal it’s important to aim for a harmonious balance. You don’t want to take the ‘coastal’ part too literally, otherwise you’ll be reliving holidays at the 90’s family beach shack.
Image: Three Birds Renovations
colour schemes
As made obvious by its name, modern coastal is inspired by seaside living. So naturally you can expect to see a lot of warm whites and sandy beiges, which keeps the overall look very light and bright.
And then there’s the accent colours such as muted blues and greens if you’re looking to be bit more literal with the beach inspo. For the brave, consider bringing in the accent colour with a coloured tile or a feature entry door.
But what ‘really’ defines the modern coastal look is the pairing of your white on white base with timber tones and natural stone accents.
Which brings me to my next point…
all about those textures
Quite often the colour palette for Modern Coastal is very restrained, especially if you’re not into accent colours. So you wanna make sure you’re getting in as much texture as possible to break up your surfaces and add loads of interest.
When it comes to selecting internal fixtures and finishes, be sure to include light oak flooring, stone-look tiles and bench tops, timber cabinetry and VJ panelled walls.
In terms of decorating, add breezy sheer curtains, textural pendant lights, rattan furniture pieces and woven rugs to finish off the look. Don’t forget a mixture of linen bedding and cushions too!
Externally you might want to consider a mixture of cladding materials, with bagged render and brickwork being the most popular choice to pair with your classic weatherboard. Consider your landscaping here too, opt for big hardy plants reminiscent of what you’d find at the beach, stone elements such as pavers, and use light/bright colours for your hardscaping.
Image: The Palm Co.
let’s go shopping
Wondering where you can pick up all the latest coastal furniture and homewares? Here are my favourite picks:
Uniqwa - https://uniqwacollections.com.au/
Boho Art & Styling - https://www.bohoartstyling.com/
Satara - https://www.satara.com.au/
Sea Tribe - https://seatribe.com.au
RAW Sunshine Coast - https://www.rawsunshinecoast.com.au
Note that some of these suppliers are trade only. If there’s anything you’d like to purchase let me know and I can help you out (with some sweet discounts of course).
need a helping hand?
If you are in need of some assistance bringing your vision to life, booking a mini design session could be just the ticket. This is a two hour consultation where you get to pick my design brains about anything relating to your project.
Use the link below to find out more and book in your very own mini design session!