How to Create a Coastal Style Whole Home Paint Palette

What is Coastal Style?

Coastal style brings the calm and refreshing vibe of the shoreline into your home. Imagine the colors of sand, sea, and sky surrounding you, creating a serene and inviting space. This style is all about relaxed living in a peaceful environment. To truly capture the essence of coastal style, the feeling you are trying to convey through your paint palette is light, airy, and natural. A coastal paint palette has colors like soft blues, gentle grays, and warm whites that mirror the coastal landscape. In addition to paint, furniture often has a worn, weathered look, adding to the charm of the style. Coastal decor isn’t gimmicky, but rather, it’s subtle to create a peaceful retreat in a home. Whether you live by the sea or in the heart of the city, incorporating elements like natural wood, sea glass, and coastal accents is an easy way to transform any room into a coastal-inspired space that feels tranquil and calm.

The Importance of Color in Coastal Style

Color isn’t just a detail in coastal style; it’s the heart of it. Therefore, it is crucial to think of what your coastal color palette will include. Think of the seaside – the blues of the ocean, the whites of the sandy beaches, and the beiges of seashells. That’s your palette right there. These beachy colors work together to create a relaxed, airy vibe that screams ‘coastal living.’ Keeping everything balanced will not only give you a casual coastal palette, but will maintain an elevated look.

Blue, in various shades, adds depth and tranquility, mirroring the sea and sky. White brings in brightness, making spaces feel larger and more open. Beige and other earth tones ground the look, adding a touch of nature and warmth. When picking paint colors for a coastal style home, you’re not just choosing paint; you’re crafting an atmosphere. It’s about creating a space that feels like a breezy day at the beach, even if you’re miles away from the water. Keep it light, keep it airy, and let the colors guide you to that coastal feeling.

Popular Coastal Paint Colors

When it comes to giving your home that breezy, tranquil coastal vibe, choosing the perfect paint colors is key. Popular coastal colors reflect the seashore’s natural palette. Think of the serene sky, sandy beaches, and gentle waves. A soft blue shade will mirror the clear day sky and water. These hues bring a sense of calm and spaciousness. For those who love the beach, sandy tones such as beiges create a warm, inviting atmosphere, echoing the beach’s soft sands. Whites and off-whites are essential in a coastal palette, offering a crisp, clean backdrop that enhances natural light. To add depth and intrigue, consider adding a dash of green, navy or charcoal. These darker tones are reminiscent of the deep ocean and lush coastal vegetation. Blending these colors in your home can evoke a seaside look, making every day feel like a vacation. Remember, the best coastal palette mixes light, refreshing hues with a few deeper accents to create balance and variety. Keep it simple and let the colors do the talking.

Choosing the Right Paint Finish

When picking paint for your coastal home, the finish is as crucial as the color. It’s best to keep it simple. So, let’s discuss a little more about paint sheen info. There are mainly five types of finishes: flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. Flat offers a matte look, hiding wall imperfections but is tricky to clean. Eggshell, a bit shinier than flat, is easier to clean, making it a good fit for living spaces. Satin is a step up in sheen and durability, ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Semi-gloss and high-gloss are reflective and durable, perfect for trim and areas that face moisture or heavy traffic. Think about your room’s use and wall condition when choosing. It’s simple – more shine equals easier cleaning but shows more imperfections. Keep it straightforward and practical for that calm, coastal vibe.

Coastal Paint Colors for the Living Room

Choosing the right paint colors for your coastal living room is all about creating a calm, relaxing vibe that brings the coast into your home. Think soft, muted hues that remind you of the sand, sea, and sky. Start with a base of white or soft gray on walls to keep the space feeling fresh and open. Since this space is a hub of the home, a neutral background is helpful to create an airy feel. A few favorite colors for your living room:

Whites

• Sherwin Williams Pure White – just like the name proclaims, a very true white that creates a sense of warmth.
• Benjamin Moore White Dove – a warm white that keeps the space open without feeling too stark.
• Sherwin Williams Snowbound – mostly white but with its own unique undertones that create a little more depth.

Beiges & Grays

• Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist – a pretty greige that will give you some contrast against white trim.
• Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray – another greige that feels warm and neutral.
• Sherwin Williams Repose Gray – a little cooler grayish option but still has a lot of warmth.

For trim, there’s a couple of strategies you can use to finish off your coastal space. Bright whites are always a classic look. Or, another strategy is to paint your trim the same color as your walls, but use a different sheen. This approach helps to keep a simple and balanced look. A few favorite’s for trim if you’re going for a bright white look:

• Sherwin Williams Extra White – adds a bright white look without being too cool.
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace – same as Extra White, beautiful, crisp and classic.

Most likely, these colors are neutral enough that they can be carried throughout more common and transition areas. Hallways, entryways and stairways in these neutral tones will flow with your other spaces. So, choosing the right living room color is crucial to give your home cohesion.

Creating a Serene Bedroom with Coastal Hues

Transforming your bedroom into a serene space inspired by the coast doesn’t need to be complex. Start by choosing soft, calming colors that evoke the peace and simplicity. Again, think of the soothing shades of sand, sea, and sky. For the walls, a sandy beige brings in warmth. If you prefer a hint of texture or a contrast, consider adding an accent wall with a grasscloth wallpaper or shiplap.

To tie the whole look together, incorporate accessories like artwork depicting ocean scenes or even a family photo perched atop your nightstand from a beach day. These small touches can make create visual interest, further enhancing the coastal atmosphere of your bedroom. Remember, the goal is to create a space where you can relax and feel connected to the serene beauty of the coast, so keep it light, simple, and peaceful.

Bright and Airy Coastal Kitchen Colors

When you think of a coastal kitchen, imagine light pouring in, with the colors of the sand, sea, and sky creating a serene ambience. To achieve this, your color palette should lean towards soft whites, sandy beiges, oceanic blues, and subtle greens. Whites and off-whites (same list as living room colors mentioned above) are perfect for walls and cabinets, making the space feel larger and more open. Sandy beiges also work well can add warmth, mimicking the beach right outside your window.

Favorite Beiges for Cabinets

• Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige – beautiful neutral that mimics a sandy shore without being too yellow.
• Benjamin Moore Pale Oak – richer but still light enough to keep the space open.

Favorite Blues for Cabinets

• Sherwin Williams Krypton – perfect for a subtle pop of color with pretty gray undertones
• Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray – this color is reminiscent of beach glass with blue, gray and green undertones
• Benjamin Moore Hale Navy – the perfect navy that works well with beiges and grays.

For a splash of color, an island in a blue-gray or navy hue can bring in the tranquility of the sea. White perimeter cabinets combined with a blue island is one of the most timeless pairings out there, too. There’s so many great options, but the best way to ensure you pick the right shade of blue is to make sure the undertones are more neutral / gray versus purple.

These colors combined create a bright and airy feel, essential for the perfect coastal kitchen vibe. Keep it light, keep it bright, and let the colors flow naturally.

Bathroom Paint Ideas for a Coastal Look

For a bathroom that echoes the serene vibes of the coast, think soft blues, gentle grays, and muted beiges. These colors pull in elements of the sky and sea you find by the coast. Start with soft white or gray on the walls (same favorites here as the living room) to mimic the sky. It invites calm and brings an airy openness to the room. Pair it with cabinets in sandy neutrals or dusty blues to ground the space without weighing it down, hinting at weathered coastal rocks and sandy shores. Crisp whites also work well for bathroom cabinets, as well as muted dune grass greens. For your trim, consider a crisp white (SW Pure White or BM Chantilly Lace) to tie everything together and give that fresh, clean finish reminiscent of coastal cottages. Opt for paint with a bit of sheen in bathrooms; it handles humidity better and makes cleaning easier. Don’t forget, the goal is to create a light, breezy atmosphere that soothes the senses and connects your home to the coast.

Exterior Paint Colors for a Coastal Home

Choosing exterior paint colors for a coastal home is all about honoring the natural surroundings while adding personal style. Start with light, breezy hues. Think soft whites, serene blues, and cool grays. These colors mimic the beachy vibes and open up the space, making your home blend beautifully with the coastal environment. For doors and accents, consider a raw wood look or a blue hue. Always opt for high-quality exterior paint designed to withstand the salty air and harsh sun typical of coastal areas. This way, your home not only looks stunning but is also protected. Remember, the goal is to create a peaceful retreat that reflects the simplicity and beauty of coastal living.

Tips for Incorporating Coastal Colors into Your Home

Thinking of bringing the calm, serene vibe of the coast into your own home? Good choice. Coastal colors can transform your space, making it feel open and airy. Here’s the trick – balance is key. Don’t overwhelm your space with too many bold colors. Instead, choose one or two as your main accents and use them in places like throw pillows, vases, or wall art. For a truly cohesive look, mix these colors with natural textures and materials like wood or rattan. This approach will not only brighten up your home but also bring a touch of nature indoors. Remember, the goal is to create a space that feels like a breezy, beachside retreat, no matter how far you are from the coast. Keep it simple, keep it light, and you’ll nail the coastal look.