Living by the sea doesn’t mean sacrificing classic farmhouse charm. The coastal farmhouse aesthetic beautifully marries the best of both styles: the relaxed vibe of coastal living with the rustic appeal of farmhouse decor.
Liz Walton, CEO and principal designer at Liz Walton Home, describes it as “the blending of nostalgic farm life with the ease of carefree coastal living.” This means you’ll often find rustic farmhouse elements like distressed woods and vintage furniture coexisting with classic coastal colors, prints, and accessories.
Layer Area Rugs
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Add visual interest and extra comfort underfoot by layering area rugs.
Go with a natural jute rug for your base—it’s a great way to bring in texture and a coastal element—and top it with a colorful rug that’s about a foot smaller to allow for a generous border.
Mix Materials
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Take cues from this charming eat-in kitchen and layer materials and textures to create a relaxed, lived-in look.
A large farmhouse table and cross back chairs set an inviting scene, while cozy rattan armchairs at either end bring in a beachy feel that’s dressed up with elegant glass pendant lights.
Use Blue Accents
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Blue is a classic color palette for coastal style. In this charming dining room, it’s used on the walls and in solid and patterned chair upholstery.
The soft blue adds calming energy and a splash of color to otherwise neutral farmhouse features like the wood-covered ceiling, a sisal area rug, and distressed furniture pieces.
Bring in Vintage Pieces
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Display vintage pieces (such as this collection of tinted blue mason jars and white dishes) to give your home character and personality.
The bright white walls and painted hutch set a refreshing tone that’s warmed up by a distressed wood dining table, black chairs, and a candelabra chandelier.
Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
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A fresh coat of blue paint puts a coastal spin on this farmhouse kitchen, infusing it with a playful energy.
Crisp white pendant lights, polished chrome cabinet hardware, and a marble backsplash maintain a cool color palette and give the space an effortlessly sophisticated look.
Add Architectural Details
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When it comes to design, coastal farmhouse ideas often rely on deliberate and sparse use of color.
In this bedroom, soft cornflower blue wainscoting adds a layer of architectural detail that is less overpowering than an entire painted wall.
The wainscoting also adds a touch of farmhouse charm that makes the space feel welcoming and cozy.
Hang a Gallery Wall
Get the best of both coastal and farmhouse interior design by hanging an ocean-filled gallery wall in a dining nook with a traditional wooden dining set.
The table and chairs read farmhouse while the gallery wall leans coastal.It’s up to you whether you choose to display contemporary or antique artwork.
If you go the latter route, flea markets can be an excellent resource for sourcing vintage, coastal-themed pieces.
Style a Bench
@heliconiainteriors / Instagram
Warm up your home with a woven leather farmhouse-style bench, which is perfect for styling at the foot of a bed or in a hallway.
Hang a soothing coastal-themed photograph to get the coastal aesthetic you’re seeking.
You frame one of your own beach pictures or opt for a digital download online.
Decorate a Shelf
@thacherandspring / Instagram
Merge coastal and farmhouse styles perfectly by styling a shelf with coastal and farmhouse accessories.
Coastal elements include driftwood, coral, and shades of white, while farmhouse style shines through in the form of a ceramic crock, decorative beads, and a woven basket.
Farmhouse Blue Ombre Mason Jars and White Flowers

Giving the ambiance of an easy farmhouse morning, this idea creates a wonderful centerpiece for your kitchen table.
In a rectangular wooden box, three blue ombre-painted mason jars hold bouquets of simple white flowers. Each jar is further adorned with a simple twine bow.
Coastal Makeover for a Sophisticated Sitting Area

via The Happy Housie
Updating your decor to reflect the beach’s simplicity, this idea gives your sitting area a coastal makeover.
A two-tiered side table is painted in faded sea green and holds containers in pastel colors, white flowers, and a roped planter.
A nearby chair is given a tasseled blue blanket and an embroidered pillow.
Redecorate Your Living Room with a Coastal Beach Theme

via Coastal Style
This decor idea redecorates your living room in the likeness of the beach.
The color scheme is sandy brown, lush greens, white, and sea blue.
Decorations include cloche succulents, glass containers, and a driftwood-themed chandelier.
Driftwood-Framed Rectangular Mirror for Natural Beach Charm

Adding a simple touch of the beach, this idea works seamlessly in any home decor style.
A rectangular mirror is framed with small pieces of driftwood. A few pieces hang inside the mirror for added natural beauty.
Coastal Elegance with Reclaimed Wood Decor

Function meets coastal elegance with this decor idea that uses reclaimed wood.
A small board of reclaimed wood has been painted in white and gray and has three hanging hooks fastened to it. Four white sea stars have been affixed to the board.
Coastal Wall Art with Taupe Shutters and Wreath Accent

This decor idea makes a lovely coastal piece of wall art for your home’s exterior.
Two taupe shutters hang next to a window frame with inscribed double ‘x’s of the same color. A dark brown bow holds up a simple wreath over the middle.
Learn to Love Distressed Wood
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In many décor schemes, distressed wood could be considered a flaw. But in coastal farmhouse décor, it’s a core feature.
“Some of the hallmarks of coastal farmhouse are distressed woods, left natural or painted white,” Walton says. So if a piece’s paint job starts chipping, leave it as is. This worn-in texture is part of the aesthetic’s charm.
Load Up on Light
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Coastal homes should feel bright and light-filled—and coastal farmhouse homes are no exception to this rule.
“Lighting is an important factor in maintaining a bright and welcoming space, which is a key feature for a coastal farmhouse design,” Kuo says. Let in all the natural light you can, then, layer in a few fixtures that will brighten your space even more.
Keep Your Neutrals Warm and Earthy
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Coastal farmhouse homes are often filled with neutrals. But these neutrals are specifically warm and earthy—like the sandy beiges and rusty browns you’d expect to find on a beach or farm. “Sandy earth tones are the perfect building blocks when designing a coastal farmhouse-inspired space,” Walton says.
Keep this in mind as you outfit your space, and return to this principle any time your décor scheme feels unwieldy: are the colors in your space adequately warm and earthy? If not, can you swap them with shades that are?
Add Pops of Vintage Where You Can
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Coastal interiors tend to be pretty modern, but once you’ve introduced a few farmhouse elements, you can get away with bringing some vintage pieces into your space.
So consider springing for a couple of antique statement-makers. Walton recommends pairing a crisp white sofa with a vintage coffee table to “bridge the gap between beachy and shabby chic.”
Make the Most of Indoor/Outdoor Spaces
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Indoor/outdoor spaces—like covered patios and screened-in porches—are a staple in many homes. But they take on additional significance in coastal farmhouse design.
“Being on the coast feels freeing—think wide skies, salt breezes, and sand between your toes,” Wolf says. “So the hallmarks of coastal farmhouse design are elements that lean into that sensation.”
If you’ve been blessed with an indoor/outdoor space, look for ways to make it even more luxurious. Could you outfit it with a few comfy rocking chairs or a cozy chaise lounge?
Keep Your Palette Light and Airy
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When crafting your coastal farmhouse interior, you may notice some overlap with classic coastal design—and with modern farmhouse design, too.
But one thing that sets the coastal farmhouse look apart is its light, airy palette. “A muted color palette sets the tone as opposed to one that’s deep and dramatic,” Walton says.
Start by making your biggest, boldest pieces light in color. “I like to start with neutral colored walls,” Walton says. “A warm white or soft beige paint color sets the tone for a warm and inviting space.” Then, sprinkle in those coastal colors and earthy neutrals we talked about earlier.
Accessorize a Console Table
Design by Living with Lolo / Photo by LifeCreated
Farmhouse-style furniture is often wood, like this console table. This piece is adorned with more coastal pieces, like woven lidded baskets that are perfect for storage.
The beautiful blue and white abstract art piece feels like a callback to the ocean.
Design With Stripes
Design by Lindye Galloway / Photo by Chad Mellon
Feature a cheerful striped wallpaper in a bedroom for the ultimate relaxing space.
Stripes and coastal farmhouse spaces will always go hand in hand.
Focus on Textured Bedding
Design by Joshua Smith / Photo by Lisa Romerin
This bedroom is simple yet full of texture. A woven bench and various cloth bedding elements look fabulous styled together.
And, you can’t ever go wrong with striped bedding when it comes to coastal farmhouse styling.
Create a Dreamy Tablescape
Design by Lindye Galloway / Photo by Chad Mellon
Remember that farmhouse design is all about prioritizing gathering and entertaining, so having the right coastal farmhouse dining setup is essential.
Think black candlesticks, comfortable seating, and a beautiful floral centerpiece.Anchor the whole dining area with art, as shown here.
The abstract blue and white art piece is reminiscent of a beach shoreline.
Showcase Unique Lighting
Creative Tonic Design / Photo by Julie Soeffer
Hang a unique farmhouse-style light fixture to create a focal point in a living room.
Here, the star-shaped pendant light is a showpiece in this otherwise coastal living room filled with stripes, blue, and green. Shiplap ceilings accented by wooden beams add extra visual interest.
Pick a Large Table
Design by Lucas Eilers / Photo by Claudia Casbarian
This dining setup is another example of how large tables are key in coastal farmhouse-style homes.
The more people you can fit around the table, the merrier the meal will be.
Add a Picture Ledge
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Artwork is a creative way to convey a design style. To tap into the coastal farmhouse vibe, curate a harmonious mix of photographs, sketches, and paintings.
Instead of a classic gallery wall, go with picture ledges that allow you to layer frames and easily switch things up when the mood strikes (or seasons change).
Use Slipcovers
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White furniture is synonymous with coastal farmhouse style but if maintenance is a concern, choose pieces with washable slipcovers.
To add visual interest, anchor the furniture with layered area rugs. Bring in texture and color with plush throw pillows and blankets.
Build a Window Seat
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A window seat is a sure way to add charm to any room.
It’s a cozy architectural feature that presents an opportunity to add style with a colorful seat cushion and throw pillows, as well as extra storage if you incorporate pull-out drawers.
Add Small Decor Pieces
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If you want to add some coastal flair to your farmhouse-style home in a non-permanent way, small decorative touches here and there are the way to go.
Prop up starfish on your kitchen windows, incorporate a blue soap dish, or use striped dish towels for a subtle and inexpensive nod to the beach.
Maximize Space
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Make good use of space and turn an empty spot into a functional breakfast nook or reading corner.
A pair of built-in benches, a collection of patterned throw pillows, a rustic table, and a metal pendant light pack a big punch in this small nook, adding layers of charm to the shiplap-covered space.
Use a Warm Color Palette
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Set a welcoming tone (a key feature of coastal farmhouse style) by opting for a warm color palette.
In this inviting living room, soft white walls are a neutral base for a beige sectional, off-white chairs, and a wood-topped wicker coffee table.
Meanwhile, a navy blue cabinet provides a bold dose of color, contrast, and a beachy feel that anchors the space.
Hang it on the Mantel
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A fireplace tends to be the natural focal point of a room, making the mantel a prime spot to highlight your decor theme.
Here, a wooden piece depicting a whale echoes the elongated brick fireplace and ties in other coastal elements such as a bowl filled with seashells, indigo throw pillows, and sheer white curtains.