While the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic may seem like a new design trend thanks to the hashtag trending on social apps like TikTok and Instagram, the truth is, this interior design look has been around for decades. One part aspirational, one part cozy chic, this natural and breezy style is the epitome of easy-going, seaside elegance. We’ll show you how to recreate this look in your own home, regardless of your age or proximity to the coast.
What Is the Coastal Grandmother Aesthetic?
To really understand it, all you have to do is think of the interior design and fashion choices of the grand matrons of the Coastal Grandmother look: Martha Stewart and Ina Garten.
Tiktok influencer Lex Nicoleta is the one who seems to have coined the phrase “Coastal Grandmother.” She defines the look as “open kitchens, rustic textiles, white accents, slipcovered sofas, the mixture of beautiful older pieces with newer ones, and lots of natural light.” This style has captured the hearts of many homeowners and design enthusiasts, offering a fresh take on traditional interior design.
Why Has Coastal Grandmother Gained Popularity Recently?
Any aspiring homeowner will tell you that beachfront property is not cheap—especially in settings like The Hamptons, Cape Cod, and Santa Barbara. However, despite its luxurious origins, the Coastal Grandmother style is all about an approachable, comfortable, and attainable look anywhere. Consider it the lived-in version of traditional interior design or the pared-down version of grand-Millennial or granny chic decor. Coastal Grandmother style is refreshing and unfussy, both in color palette and decor items.
And the key to nailing this look is to start with a backdrop of white paint and then adding simple, functional furniture and accessories. Picture just-picked wildflowers in a vase on a vintage white-washed table next to a cozy, off-white slipcovered armchair. That’s peak Coastal Grandmother vibes, creating a space that feels both elegant and lived-in.
14 Tips for Recreating the Coastal Grandmother Style at Home
To capture the easy-breezy look and feel of coastal living, even if you’re far from the ocean, consider these tips.
1. Choose a Neutral Palette
Take inspiration directly from the sandy coastline, incorporating shades of white, beige, and shell colors, along with various blues inspired by the ocean and sky. But avoid using obvious beach-themed decor like lighthouse lamps or beach signs, as these can make the space feel kitschy rather than sophisticated.
2. Mix Old With New
A key aspect of the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic is the inclusion of slightly worn-in pieces. Whether family heirlooms or thrift store finds, secondhand items add history, character, and warmth that new furniture often lacks. This mix of old and new creates a curated, collected-over-time look that is essential to the style.
Pro Tip: Fifi O’Neill, author of Romantic Prairie Style and a designer featured in This Old House magazine, champions the power of secondhand finds: “Antiques offer such one-of-a-kind beauty.” A soft palette of white, cream, and gold can help bring out the faded patina of vintage furnishings while tying in newer pieces seamlessly.
Jewelry designer Sara Weinstock embraced this philosophy when furnishing her Colonial Revival in Malibu, California. She started with a sofa and armchairs handed down by her mother, gave them new life with off-white upholstery, then built out a palette of watery blues, soft greens, and warm corals piece by piece. “I enjoy the process,” says Weinstock. “Doing everything at once can be overwhelming—and stressful.” The result was a seemingly effortless, updated traditional look—exactly the kind of collected-over-time feel that defines Coastal Grandmother style.
3. Luxuriate in Natural Fibers
From pillows and throws to upholstered furniture like sofas and armchairs, choose pieces in tactile fabrics like linen and cotton within the neutral color palette. To prevent the room from looking too bland, add other natural materials like marble, cane, rattan, seagrass, and jute via decorative items like a table, a rug, and baskets.
4. Add a Handmade Piece or Two
Incorporate rustic ceramics, painted pottery, and accessories that appear handcrafted. If you’re crafty, you can even make your own. These items lend an air of authenticity and history to your space, making it feel more personal and less like a showroom.
5. Add Architectural Elements
Moldings, wainscotting, and shiplap—collectively known as wall cladding—add a luxurious feel to plain white walls while providing an interesting layer to an otherwise simply decorated room. Without these elements, the room may feel cold and sterile. But thanks to these architectural layers, the room instantly becomes a cozier space without adding unnecessary clutter.
Pro Tip: Georgia-based designer Katie DeRario suggests sticking with 10-inch-wide planks for shiplap and V-groove so they look more like paneling and less like siding, which is typically narrower. Similarly, with beadboard, she prefers 3 to 4 inches between beads for a more modern look.
6. Decorate With Farmer’s Market Finds
In the Coastal Grandmother style, nature takes center stage. Place vases of fresh flowers throughout the house, including in bathrooms. Display a bowl of fruit on the kitchen island and consider planting herbs on a windowsill. These natural elements bring life and freshness to your space.
7. Choose Open Shelving With Easy Access to Entertaining Pieces
Kitchens designed with open shelving serve a dual purpose in the Coastal Grandmother style. They not only display decorative platters and dishware but also evoke a casual, “I can throw together a last-minute family-style dinner party without any stress” look. This arrangement allows guests and hosts to focus on conversation rather than matching plates, enhancing the relaxed atmosphere.
Pro Tip: Annie Mathot, an architect in Staunton, Virginia, endorses the look: “I like the look of kitchen things. They add color and texture.” That’s exactly the Coastal Grandmother ethos — your everyday platters, pitchers, and serving bowls become the décor.
Keep It Fresh: One practical trade-off with open shelving: dust. As kitchen designer Kurth cautions, “If stuff sits there it gets dusty. In a restaurant, the turnover is huge, but it’s a little different at home.” The fix? Edit your collections and rotate pieces often — a habit that also keeps your Coastal Grandmother kitchen feeling effortlessly curated rather than cluttered.
8. Show off Your Collections
A favorite element of Coastal Grandmother decor is the display of books. Fill shelves or built-in bookcases with stacks of your favorite tomes, ideally including a mix of art books, novels, and beach reads. Part of this lifestyle choice is relaxing, cozy up on the couch, and unplugging from the rest of the world.
9. Plant Impressive Flowers in the Garden
Blooming flowers add a splash of color to your exterior while they enhance your home’s curb appeal. They also offer an easy way to sprinkle just-cut blooms straight from the garden; hydrangeas are a Coastal Grandma favorite. Leave the fussy and high-maintenance displays to the event planners—the goal here is to gather a casual, slightly wild bouquet, whether in a white pitcher or a rustic vase, and place them center stage on a kitchen island or on an entryway table for a cheerful welcome.
Pro Tip: When cutting flowers from the garden for indoor arrangements, TOH’s Roger Cook recommends using bypass pruners and cutting stems at a 45-degree angle or more—”the more stem surface exposed, the more water the cut flower can absorb.” Cut blooms in the early morning, when plants are most hydrated, and place them immediately in a bucket of water to prevent air from clogging the stems. Kept in a cool place out of direct sunlight, most cut blossoms will last three to seven days.
Why Hydrangeas Work: As TOH contributor Andrew Keys wrote in This Old House magazine, hydrangeas offer “long-lasting blue, violet, pink, white, or chartreuse blooms and an easygoing disposition,” making them perfectly suited to “carefree cottage gardens.” Their flowers even “dry to shades of linen” as the season winds down—ideal for that effortlessly elegant Coastal Grandmother look indoors and out.
10. Bring on the Stripes
Incorporate classic stripe patterns, particularly ticking stripes, which are iconic in the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic. These subtle linear patterns help break up neutral color schemes without overwhelming the space. Consider using striped fabrics for throw pillows, curtains, or even upholstery to draw the eye while maintaining the overall relaxed vibe.
Pro Tip: London interior designer William Yeoward, author of Blue & White and Other Stories, recommends deploying “smart stripes” with a relaxed, unfussy attitude: “Don’t try too hard.” He notes that the trick to achieving a joyful mix rather than a jumble is to stay within a classic color palette. “Blue and white are always happy together, but a dash of red is the deal-maker,” says Yeoward.
11. Layer in Throws
To create a truly homey feel, include throws throughout your living spaces. Choose blankets in the same muted colors as the rest of your decor, but opt for those with interesting textures, such as chunky cable knits. This adds depth and coziness to your rooms, inviting people to curl up and relax.
12. Hang Gauzy Curtains
The Coastal Grandmother style emphasizes natural light, so choose window treatments that enhance rather than block it. Install lightweight, semi-sheer linen or cotton curtains that will filter sunlight beautifully and billow in the breeze. This creates a soft, dreamy atmosphere that’s perfect for lazy summer afternoons.
13. Stick to Light Woods
Whether adding wood accessories like vintage dough bowls or installing wood floors, opt for bleached-by-the-sun tints, like the color of driftwood and white oak, to give you that beach-house feel. Except for the occasional piece, it’s best to avoid cherry, walnut, or espresso finishes, which seem much more formal.
On a recent TOH project, general contractor Don explained the technique of adding a light white stain into the polyurethane finish on wood floors to “help make it a little brighter, little cooler, little more cottage-y.” Host Kevin O’Connor agreed: “Makes it sort of that beach-house feel.” The team ran the same light-stained flooring throughout the open floor plan — from the kitchen through the living room — to unify the space and carry that breezy coastal vibe from room to room.
14. Don’t Forget the Outdoors
To fully embrace the Coastal Grandmother lifestyle, create inviting outdoor spaces for relaxation and enjoyment. While an ocean view is ideal, it’s not necessary. Set up comfortable seating areas on your porch, deck, or yard using Adirondack chairs or similarly cozy furniture. This allows you to enjoy the outdoors and capture the essence of coastal living, regardless of your actual location.
Where To Shop for the Coastal Grandmother Aesthetic
To achieve the Coastal Grandmother look in your home, consider shopping at these retailers known for their coastal-inspired decor.
These stores offer a range of furniture, textiles, and accessories that align with the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic, making it easier to create a cohesive look in your space.
Our Conclusion
The Coastal Grandmother aesthetic offers a timeless, comfortable approach to interior design that can be adapted to any home. By focusing on neutral colors, natural materials, and a mix of old and new pieces, you can create a space that feels both elegant and lived-in. Whether you live by the sea or in the heart of the city, this style can bring a sense of calm and coastal charm to your home.
