Classic Coastal Style
Maximizing Space in a Small Coastal Home
Coastal homes are notorious for their large rooms and airy open spaces, with high ceilings and large windows opening to a patio with a swimming pool or to the beach.
However, not everyone can afford to live in a perfect big coastal home. And some of us live in small urban (and rented) apartments.
So, one of the biggest challenges many coastal home lovers face is maximizing the space to create a functional, livable, bright, and airy beach-style home wherever we are.
Whether you’re dealing with small bedrooms, cramped rooms, lack of storage, or awkward spaces, figuring out how to make the most out of every inch of your home can be a daunting task.
But fear not!
With a bit of creativity and careful planning, even the tiniest home can become a spacious and comfortable coastal-like retreat. You can create an inviting room by maximizing space through thoughtful design choices and storage ideas.
The Challenges of Small Coastal Homes
Sometimes our homes come with unique layouts and features that may pose challenges when it comes to maximizing space.
An example is the open-concept layout. While this creates an airy ambiance, it also means there are fewer walls to add storage or divide spaces.
In addition to open-concept layouts, many homes also have limited closet space or awkwardly shaped rooms. These factors can make it difficult to store all your belongings in an organized manner while still maintaining a clean and clutter-free aesthetic so crucial in a coastal home.
How to Make a Small Coastal Home Look Bigger
Making the most out of small spaces is crucial for creating an airy, breezy comfortable environment in your coastal home. When you’re dealing with a limited space, every inch counts!
By carefully considering each decor decision and storage solution choice, you’ll be able to maximize functionality without sacrificing style.
In short, maximizing space in your home is not only a practical solution – it’s also a way to create a beautiful and functional living space for you and your family.
1. Use Light Colors to Create an Illusion of More Space
White walls, white furniture, light blue or sandy fabrics, light floor.
One of the easiest ways to make a small space feel larger is by using light colors on walls and floors. White reflects light making the room feel brighter and more open than it actually is.
2. Use Glass and Mirrors
Choose furniture with glass and shiny materials, like a glass top coffee table, glass or acrylic side tables.
Also, add large mirrors that can reflect the natural light. But avoid facing the mirrors straight to a window with a busy view or wall, otherwise you’ll be duplicating the clutter and making the room smaller.
3. Let Light In
Natural light can also help create the illusion of more square footage in your home. Optimize natural light by leaving windows unobstructed by heavy curtains or window treatments whenever possible.
If you have privacy concerns, consider adding sheer curtains or blinds that can be opened during the day to let in light. When you maximize natural light, your home will feel airy, open, and more spacious.
4. Stick to the Essential Furniture and Accessories
When it comes to decorating a small space, choosing the right size and amount of furniture is very important.
Stick to the needed furniture for the room you’re decorating.
If you already have a nice-sized bathroom sink countertop with storage, maybe you don’t need a vanity table in the bedroom. You can store your makeup, perfumes, and brushes in the bathroom.
If you already have space in the kitchen to store all your dishes, maybe you don’t need a china cabinet in the dining room if it’s too small.
Maybe you have things that can be stored together with other items: you can store media gadgets and workout equipment in the same cabinet or closet.
Less is more. You don’t need to sacrifice style, but consider the space you have for the amount of furniture you’d like to have and be reasonable.
5. Declutter
On the same note, minimize the number of accessories.
Keep surfaces to a minimum. Use trays to gather small knick-knacks.
Store items that don’t fit the style or serve no purpose, if it’s too much. Go with the “rule of three”.
6. Leave Space Between Furniture and Free the Walking Areas
You don’t need to choose small-size furniture when decorating a small room. Actually, lots of small pieces will make the room look lost and cluttered which does not go well with Coastal Chic or Hamptons styles.
What you need to consider is the space around the furniture and near the passage areas to make sure the room breathes and everyone can walk around easily.
Leave some inches between the side tables and the sofa or the bed and the nightstands; leave enough space for legs between the sofa and the coffee table. And a good amount of space between areas, such as the dining area/living area; the reading area/sitting area.
7. Choose Multi-functional and Space-saving Furniture
When decorating a small room, choosing furniture that is multi-functional is a game-changer.
Look for pieces that can be used for more than one purpose, such as a storage ottoman that can double as a coffee table or a sofa bed for guests. Balancing style and functionality is key.
Another way to save space is by using furniture with built-in storage.
For example, instead of having a separate bookshelf and TV console, choose a unit that has both features. Not only it saves floor space but it also creates a simple appearance in your home.
In the bedroom, using under-bed storage containers or opting for a bed with built-in drawers can free up closet space.
8. Utilize Vertical Space with Shelving
When you’re working with limited square footage, it’s essential to think vertically.
Floor-to-ceiling shelves are an excellent way to utilize vertical space while also creating visual interest in your home.
You can use them to display books or your coastal decorative objects (to a minimal…).
These are ideal for compact rooms with limited floor space.
9. Maximize your Closet and Cabinets Storage
Closets are often one of the first things that people sacrifice in order to make room for other necessities.
However, there are plenty of creative ways to maximize closet space!
Investing in organizers such as shelf dividers, hanging organizers, and shoe racks can create more usable storage space within a closet.
Hanging clothing on slim hangers rather than bulky plastic hangers takes up less room overall.
If you need more hanging space than your closet allows – consider adding a second rod below your existing one! It’s easy enough to install – just by purchasing an inexpensive closet rod bracket set at any store that sells hardware.
10. Hang your Outdoor Gear and Equipment
Coastal living often includes outdoor activities and water sports, which can lead to the accumulation of equipment such as surfboards, paddle boards, or kayaks.
Storing these items can be a challenge especially in smaller homes.
Installing wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted racks are an easy way to free up floor space.
Place bins or baskets near an entryway or mudroom to easily corral beach towels, balls or frisbees, surfing accessories, when you get home.
Navigating Awkward Spaces
Some homes have unique architectural features that can make it difficult to utilize all the available space. However, there are a few tricks to making the most out of those awkward nooks and crannies.
1. Make use of Awkward Nooks, Corners, and Alcoves
Awkward spaces such as nooks, corners, and alcoves can be transformed into a functional part of your home with a little creativity.
For example, you can add shelving or built-in storage units to a corner or alcove to turn it into a display area or storage space for books and decorative items.
If you have an odd nook in your bedroom that doesn’t seem to serve any purpose, consider turning it into a cozy reading area by adding some pillows and blankets.
2. Create Custom-Built Furniture to Fit Unique Spaces
If you have a particularly challenging space in your coastal home that requires custom furniture solutions, consider hiring a carpenter or furniture maker who specializes in creating custom pieces.
Custom-built furniture can fit perfectly into an odd-shaped room or corner while still providing maximum functionality.
For example, if you have an oddly shaped living room where traditional sofas won’t fit properly, consider having a sectional sofa made specifically for your space. A custom-built sofa will not only fit perfectly but will also provide additional storage options such as built-in drawers or hidden compartments.
3. Add Sliding Doors or Curtains to Divide Open Areas
If you live in an open-concept layout coastal home where there are fewer walls dividing the different rooms, consider incorporating sliding doors or curtains to divide the space.
Sliding doors can be a great addition to separate the living room from the bedroom, or even to create a home office space within a larger room.
Maximizing space in coastal homes requires creative solutions and out-of-the-box thinking. By utilizing awkward spaces, custom-built furniture, and sliding doors or curtains, you can transform your small coastal home into a functional and stylish oasis.
Putting it All Together
Living in a coastal home is all about maximizing the beautiful surroundings while still maintaining a functional, bright, clutter-free space.
With careful planning and by following these tips and tricks for small spaces, you can achieve just that!
Remember to keep your furniture multi-functional while giving priority to storage solutions that are practical yet stylish.
One crucial thing for homeowners to remember is that personalization is key when it comes to creating a functional yet stylish home in any size space, but especially when dealing with tight quarters! As long as you prioritize what matters most, comfort and functionality, you won’t miss out on anything important when living by the coast!
5 Coastal Bedroom Ideas…with Amazon
Are you looking for coastal bedroom ideas that you can easily recreate in your home by yourself?
You’ve surely seen a variety of ideas out there to help you achieve a serene and relaxing coastal-inspired bedroom.
But can you do it all only with Amazon products?
YES! Amazon has a vast selection of items that can help you achieve this.
So, we have scoured the Amazon store, chosen the right products, and made five mood boards for beautiful coastal bedrooms to inspire you and help you save time, whether you prefer the cozy charm of rustic decor or the elegance of coastal chic style.
With no further ado, here are 5 coastal bedroom ideas using only Amazon* products to decorate a coastal bedroom that will transport you to the beach in no time.
1 – Chic Coastal Cottage Bedroom
A soft palette of blue and white makes this coastal bedroom combination classic, rustic, and so relaxing.
A selection of white wood furniture and decor pieces, like picture frames and mirrors complemented by the elegance and lightness of glass table lamps and soft fabric textures.
Products Used:
A coastal style blue and white striped duvet cover and a white upholstered headboard with golden nails for added coziness and a chic look.
A simple white nightstand with a farmhouse touch and beautiful glass table lamps creating a delicate and airy coastal vibe to the bedroom.
Decorate the walls with classic white picture frames to display your favorite beach photos.
Keep it simple and defined with a flat handmade area rug by Safavieh
A white seven drawer double dresser with a round white and golden rustic chic mirror above.
If there’s space, add a rustic bench with storage to store linens or season clothes. Then throw a pair of blue pillows with fringe tassels, that you can also use on the bed.
Install white flat slat faux wood blinds to add warmth and a summer vibe to the bedroom
And last but not least, a beautiful white wood beaded Chandelier with three lights, adding a relaxed chic look to this coastal bedroom
2 – Rustic Coastal Bedroom
The rugged beauty of rustic textures combined with the calming charm of coastal elements in this bedroom captures the essence of a seaside summer retreat. Add brass and gold fixtures for a coastal style, combined with the sandy colors of a rattan mirror and natural fibers rug.
Products Used:
A farmhouse striped reversible duvet Cover with a white farmhouse headboard to complement the look.
A round macrame mirror above the bed adds texture, interest and warmth to the bedroom
The same white nightstand as above but with a set of two classic brushed brass wall sconces freeing space and adding class to the rustic coastal look.
Add texture and warmth with a natural fiber area rug
A white rectangle mirror with a shelf that can be placed over the dresser without the need of instalation.
Useful and cute, a rustic bench with storage with a pair of rustic pattern and sturdy fabric throw pillows with tassels
A pagoda lantern dimmable light fixture with three lights, adding a relaxed chic look to this coastal bedroom .
Install white flat slat wood blinds to add warmth and a summer vibe to the bedroom.
3 – Mixing rustic and soft textures
Classic coastal style balances luxury with rustic elements, so mix rough and soft textures. Again adding gold elements and natural fibers, but a little more rustic and rough. Complemented with white furniture more craftsman style for a country coastal look.
Products Used:
A country blue and white striped duvet Cover set (with 2 shams) with a white upholstered headboard with accent nail trim mixing soft and rustic elements.
Another round macrame mirror with tassels above the bed to add texture, interest and warmth to the bedroom
A light and simple white nightstand with a beautiful Mini Glass LED Table Lamp, resembling an antique oil lamp, so country coastal.
Area Rug: We could use a fiber rug, but we want to mix textures and so we added a white flat area rug for softness.
Dresser and Mirror: A dresser that mixes simplicity and texture with rattan/wicker baskets and a simple wood wall mirror
Bench and Throw Pillows: Small, rustic bench with storage with a pair of blue striped linen decorative pillows
Window Treatment: Install white flat slat faux wood blinds add warmth and a summer vibe to the bedroom
Ceiling Light: A pagoda lantern dimmable light fixture with three lights to keep the coastal country style.
4 – Chic Coastal Bedroom
Elevate the classic coastal look by adding shine and softness. For this coastal bedroom inspiration we use traditional elements, like an oriental rug and blue trellis embroidery throw pillow, soft blues, and an elegant upholtered bench. Combined with gold fixtures it gives an Australian Hamptons-style look.
Products Used:
Bed, Bedding and Headboard: A rugged soft blue and white striped Duvet Cover set (duvet and 2 shams) with the same white upholstered headboard as above for a soft classic look.
Display your beach photos above the bed and corners with a set of classy beveled silver picture frames
Install chic coastal golden wing arm wall sconces over a cute classic coastal nightstand
Define the sleeping area with class and elegance with an ivory and light blue oriental area rug
A simple white drawer dresser and a small golden wall mirror above.
An elegant ottoman bench with storage with a lumbar decorative throw pillow with embroided trelis
Elegance and simplicity with fabric white roman shades with optional blackout liner for a dark rested night.
Create a summer vibe with a chic white and gold ceiling fan with dimmable light, remote control and quiet DC motor.
5 – Coastal Farmhouse Bedroom
Go country coastal with cast iron, rough wood, natural fibers and rough fabrics for a true farmhouse coastal bedroom that can transport you to a simpler time and evoke a sense of tranquility and coziness.
Products Used:
Bed, Bedding and Headboard: A farmhouse stripe reversible cotton duvet cover set (duvet and 2 shams) complemented with a craftsman white wood farmhouse headboard.
Add texture with a round macrame mirror above the bed
Nightstand and Wall Sconces: Keep the fixtures dark with these wall sconces for a country style over a coastal nightstand with black hardware
Area Rug: Define the sleeping area with farmhouse texture with a natural fiber area rug
Dresser and Mirror: A simple white drawer dresser (you can replace the knobs) and a barn door style wood framed wall mirror above to keep the coastal farmhouse style.
Bench and Throw Pillows: An very rustic bench with storage decorated with coastal navy blue artisanal throw pillows.
Window Treatment: Elegance and simplicity with fabric white roman shades with optional blackout liner for a dark rested night.Ceiling Light: The dark metal pagoda lantern will create a farmhouse feel in this bedroom
We’ve explored five beautiful coastal bedroom ideas: Coastal Cottage, Rustic Coastal, Classic Coastal, Chic Coastal, and Coastal Farmhouse. Each concept offers a unique blend of charm and tranquility, allowing you to infuse your personal sanctuary with the soothing beauty of coastal living.
These are just a few of the so many possibilities. You can pick things from each mood to make other combinations.
With a carefully curated selection of Amazon products, creating your perfect coastal escape is just a few clicks away.
Embrace the serenity of the ocean, and let your bedroom become a haven of coastal allure and timeless elegance.
I hope you feel inspired.
5 Ways to Renovate Your Rental in a Hamptons-Style
In this article, we will share some renter-friendly ideas to transform your home into a Hampton’s haven.
If you’re struggling with unsuitable flooring, inadequate lighting, dreary walls, or missing key Hamptons-style elements in your home, but can’t or don’t want to commit to big makeovers, this article is for you!
Whether you’re renting or own your home, and want to give it a Hamptons-inspired makeover without breaking the bank or committing to major renovations, here are some easy ways to add a touch of Hamptons style to your living space!
Dive in and discover how you can turn your home into the ultimate Hamptons retreat with 5 easy updates that won’t drown your landlord or your wallet!
What Upgrades Can You Do in a Rental?
The laws and rules governing what you can and can’t change in your rental may vary depending on your location or the landlord’s policies. It’s essential to review your lease agreement and, if necessary, discuss any alterations with your landlord.
Although there may be restrictions in place for rental properties, there are still several upgrades you can consider to personalize your space and create a more comfortable environment without making permanent changes.
Focus on temporary and reversible upgrades that won’t violate the terms of your lease agreement.
Here are five ideas for reversible upgrades:
- Paint the Walls or use Wallpaper
- Temporary Flooring Solutions
- Window Treatments
- Lighting Fixtures
- Cabinet and Doors Hardware
1. Wall Paint or Wallpaper: Creating a Hamptons Vibe
If you have the option to paint the walls or apply wallpaper, selecting coastal-inspired tones can help you achieve a serene Hamptons aesthetic.
For spaces with limited natural light, consider shades of white or warm white with creamy-yellow undertones to establish a calming backdrop. The goal is to cultivate an open, airy atmosphere that embraces natural light.
Common warm off-white hues include names like “Chantilly,” “Linen,” “Paper,” “Ivory,” and “Pearl.” Purchase sample sizes and apply paint patches to different walls to observe how light influences each color.
Painting the walls in bright white or warm white can make a significant difference, instantly infusing your space with a coastal and Hamptons-inspired ambiance.
2. Renter-Friendly Flooring Solutions
Changing the flooring can significantly impact the overall appearance of your home.
The “wrong” flooring choice can detract from the breezy, coastal Hamptons aesthetic we’re aiming to achieve.
The good news is, if you’re dealing with outdated flooring or something that doesn’t align with a Hamptons-style home, you have the flexibility to make changes.
While updating your flooring may require a more substantial investment compared to painting walls, it’s a worthwhile expenditure that can completely rejuvenate your living space.
Rest assured, upgrading your flooring doesn’t necessarily mean breaking the bank! Additionally, since you can take the flooring with you when you move, it’s a savvy long-term investment.
What is the Best Flooring Color for the Hamptons?
For a Hamptons-style home, opt for wood flooring in dark brown, medium brown, or light wood tones.
Dark and medium brown flooring exudes a classy, nautical vibe that aligns perfectly with the Hamptons aesthetic. However, light wood can be a preferable choice if you aim to enhance the room’s brightness or prefer a softer ambiance.
Can You Install Flooring Over Carpet?
In some cases, it’s possible to install flooring over carpet. However, it’s important to note that this approach might not always provide the best results or be suitable for all types of flooring. Installing flooring over carpet can be a temporary solution, and it’s essential to consider a few factors before proceeding.
- Laminate or vinyl planks are better suited for installation over carpet. These options are designed to float and don’t require adhesive or nails.
- The condition of the existing carpet is crucial. If the carpet is worn, uneven, or has a lot of padding, it might not provide a stable base for new flooring. Ensure the carpet is clean, flat, and in good condition before proceeding.
- Keep in mind that adding new flooring over carpet can increase the overall height of the floor. This can lead to issues with doors, transitions, and room transitions.
- Laying down plastic sheeting first or sheets of plywood over carpet and then installing the vinyl floor on top often does the work.
You’ll find many tutorials on youtube for installing floating flooring over carpet.
Peel-and-Stick Flooring
Peel-and-stick flooring is all the rage these days.
These are ultra-thin vinyl sheets that are built to last and come in a variety of realistic wood textures. And, the best part? You don’t need to shell out a ton of cash or hire a professional to install them! It’s like putting together a giant puzzle.
But there are a few things to keep in mind. While peel-and-stick floors are often advertised as being perfect for renters, they can be a bit tricky to remove from certain surfaces. In fact, if you stick them to a wooden floor, you may run the risk of damaging the finish when it’s time to take them up. It’s a good idea to add a plastic sheet or padding between the existing floor and the peel and stick planks.
Click-lock floors
If you’re looking for a more resistant flooring solution than peel-and-stick, vinyl or laminate click-lock floors might be just what you need!
Although they come with a slightly higher price tag, these planks are built to last longer. They’re thicker, sturdier and easy to put together with their handy click-and-lock system.
Sure, the installation process might be a bit more involved than peel-and-stick, but it’s worth it!3. Window Treatments
Nothing like some beautiful white plantation shutters to balance the formality of the Hamptons style and instantly take you to a summer home. However, real plantation shutters can be expensive.
If it’s your own home, it’s worth the investment, but if you don’t want to spend too much money or if you’re renting, then here are some options:
- Vinyl blinds: regular or faux wood
- Zebra blinds.
These are the most affordable and non-committal choices to simulate a plantation shutter. Vinyl and zebra blinds can cost about the same, overall the effect is the same, they’re both easy to install and they come in several sizes to fit your windows.
Vinyl Blinds
When it comes to vinyl blinds, they are the most similar to plantation shutters, but the slats are thinner and they are not fixed to the window frame.
Vinyl blinds can be plain or imitate wood. Both options are great.
They are durable and water resistant. They can be customized to fit any window size and shape, and they come with a variety of lift and tilt options for easy operation: cord, cordless or automated.
You can dust them with a soft brush, or clean them with a soft cloth, water and soap and you can buy individual slats in case some get damaged.
And, If you can’t drill holes, ou can buy a no-tool-no-drill option!
Faux wood blinds
Faux wood blinds, also known as fake wood blinds, mimic the look of real wood blinds, but they’re made from synthetic materials, like vinyl. They can give a warmer feel because they imitate wood.
Regular vinyl blinds
Instead of faux wood, you can choose plain vinyl slats. They’re exactly like faux wood blinds, except that they don’t imitate the veins of the wood.
They can be cheaper for that and there’s nothing against them. Not all plantation shutters are made of wood. So, don’t feel less for choosing non-faux.
Zebra blinds
Zebra blinds are like horizontal blinds but with sheer fabric holding the slats.
They’re made of a type of gauze and sturdy polyester slats that lets the light in through them, just like a plantation shutter.The shade runs in a roll, making two layers and when you line up the stripes of both layers, the blinds close. And when you offset the stripes, the sheer fabric lets the light in through them, and you get the plantation shutter or horizontal blinds effect.
You can also pull them up like regular blinds and let the window completely naked!They are easy to install and use, and they can be adjusted to fit the window.
When it comes to maintenance, they can be dusted with a feather duster, a soft brush, or cloth, and carefully spot clean with water and gentle soap.4. Update the Lighting
So, now that you have maximized the natural light by painting the walls bright and adding horizontal blinds, it’s time to address the artificial light to make the home cozy and beautiful at night and dawn.
This means adding Hamptons-style ceiling lights, table lamps, wall sconces, gallery lights and even shelf lights.
Sounds simple, however sometimes this is not possible.
Whether it’s your own home or a rental, there are some issues that can prevent you from spreading the light throughout your home:- Wrong existing lighting
- No wiring or misplaced wiring.
1. Update the Light Fixtures
One of the most common things in a rental home is the poor choice of light fixtures, especially on the ceiling.
Boob lights, spotlights, or any other outdated basic light fixtures are typically used because they’re cheap and only serve the purpose of lighting up a room so you don’t stumble in the dark.
They can be great conversation starters, but when it comes to style? Bland, to say the least.
But this is easily solved. You simply replace them with a beautiful Hamptons-style light.
Just find a suitable ceiling light and mount it in the same place. Keep the originals in a box out of sight and install them back once you move out.
2. No Wiring or Misplaced Wiring
Another common issue, whether your renting or you’re the homeowner, is the lack of wiring in some areas where you want to put lights.
Fortunately, for the walls, there are battery-operated, no-wiring lights that fit the Hamptons-style perfectly!
If you don’t like the idea of changing batteries once in a while and you don’t mind seeing the cord, you can choose plug-in wall sconces.Rechargeable bulbs!
The other alternative is using rechargeable bulbs.
The good thing about rechargeable bulbs is that they are like a regular bulb that fit any lamp so you can place a table lamp, wall light, or ceiling light anywhere!
They last a decent amount of hours before you need the recharge them, they are remote controlled, so you can easily turn them on and off, and they are very inexpensive.5. Doors and Cabinets – Change the knobs!
While white doors and cabinets can look stunning in a Hamptons-style home, it’s important to get permission before painting them. Unless you’re painting over existing paint, it can be tricky to go back to the original wood finish.
Contact paper may seem like a quick fix, but it can turn into a disaster. Not only will you need a lot of it to cover every door, the seams and edges will also be visible. Plus, it can peel off and damage the original finish. While contact paper can be great for some DIY projects, it’s not always the best choice for finished materials with some type of coating. You don’t want to be stuck with a peeling mess.A simple solution to give your doors and cabinets a Hamptons-style makeover is by changing the doorknobs! Swapping them out is a breeze, similar to replacing light fixtures.
Just remember to keep the original knobs so you can easily switch them back when you move out.
To achieve that classic Hamptons look, opt for affordable yet elegant brass or black round knobs or pull handles. These will give your doors a touch of sophistication without breaking the bank.Putting it All Together.
You don’t need to settle for a home that doesn’t give you those Hamptons vibes just because you can’t afford or don’t have permission to make permanent renovations.
With these 5 temporary solutions, you can easily transform your living space into a stunning Hamptons-inspired retreat.
