Easy summer breezes, sand and surf - Australians have always had a passion for their coast. It’s a love affair, ingrained in our culture, really. After all, there are about 34,000 km of stunning shoreline and over 11,000 beaches to choose from in Australia. 

It’s not surprising then that laidback, sun-filled interiors and exteriors continue to be super popular and in fashion. 

But over the last few years, the traditional coastal look got treated to a modern makeover. Lighter colours and hues, more natural materials and updated interior design trends have given coastal decor a cozy, effortless new look with a modern twist.

Looking for some inspiration to spruce up your place and bring in the beach vibes? The team at Flowers Across Australia has gathered its fave coastal home decor ideas for you. 

Fave Five Coastal Home Decor Ideas

Often it’s the little things that make all the difference! We are all for minimum effort and maximum outcome! Our home decor tips won’t break the bank but, hopefully, give you lots of ideas on how to easily transform your living room, bedroom or even outdoor spaces into a breezy and comfy place to relax.

Photo by Katsia Jazwinska on Unsplash

Tip 1: Less is more

You don’t have to go and throw out your entire collection of shells, beach signs, anchors and buoys. But less is definitely more - the new coastal decor trend is cozy but uncluttered and understated. 

So, yes, bring the outside in. But instead of having shells, ropes and nautical knick-knacks everywhere, keep it simple, spacious and light. 

Consider 

• Bundling your nautical mementos and displaying them as one fantastic focal point instead of scattering them around the room  - and if you can’t decide which ones to choose, what’s to stop you from creating a changing exhibition?

You could also:

• Gather your favourite shells, add them to a larger glass vessel with some sand, and proudly display them!
• Use an old rope to create a fabulous hanging basket full of dry foliage or a small plant like the lovely Satin Devil's Ivy. Best of all. This little cutie already comes wrapped in hessian, so it is right on trend.
• Repurpose an old oar or paddle if you have one. Strip it back to its natural wood, add a couple of hooks and voila! You’ll have your very unique, one of a kind coat hanger.

Photo by Jasmin Ne on Unsplash

Tip 2: Light, bright and breezy hues

Did you know there are over 150,000 shades of white to choose from? Unsurprisingly, white is THE colour for homes and rooms. And the modern coastal decor trend is making the most of it, along with pastels and a natural, light palette of colours. 

That’s in stark contrast to the original bold navy blues and whites that dominated the beach look.

To achieve that coastal feel without the significant cost of a complete paint makeover, larger windows or a new room layout, you could:

• Freshen up just one feature wall with lighter paint. Repainting the ceiling in a clean white is another way to instantly brighten up a room.
• Review your artwork and choose a poster in breezy pastels
• Play with the filters on your beach photos and enlarge your favourite ones. Why not try sepia or black and white?
• Add a couple of accent pieces in happy shades of colour.
• Get new cushion covers in natural colours, different sizes, and a variety of, rich materials.
• Does your home have wooden features such as large beams or window sills? Consider whitewashing them. It’s another relatively simple way to creating clean, light and airy spaces. 

Photo by Adriel Kloppenburg on Unsplash

Tip 3: Add coastal vibes with dried grasses and foliage

We wouldn’t be Flowers Across Australia if we didn’t mention dried blooms! A few simple sprigs of dried foliage might be all you need to add beach vibes to your home.! And often, you can find all you need in nature! Australia has got some amazing native flowers and grasses. They will look incredible fresh or dried. 

Have a look at some of these beautiful bouquets chosen by our creative team. They will add a touch of easy, breezy summer sunshine to any space. 

We’ve chosen them for their ethereal look and earthy colour palette. We’re also proudly using the best of Australia’s stunning native flora. All blooms and foliage have been expertly dried to show off their natural beauty in muted, earthy colours and keep that way for up to two years.

If you choose one of our beautiful dried flower bouquets, make sure it stays out of that summer breeze. Even the professionally preserved and dried blooms and grasses struggle in a strong draft.

It’s probably important to note, that the ever-popular pampas grass is considered an obnoxious weed in Australia and cannot be sold on our shores. But there are heaps of alternatives! And for some more ideas on using dried flowers in interior design, well, we've got you covered!

Photo by Elena Joland on Unsplash

Tip 4: Complement the look with natural textures

Rattan, hemp, stone and timber will always add a relaxed, natural and earthy feel to a space. They beautifully complement all shades of blue, turquoise, green and white. 

Of course, none of these materials is new on the scene, but they are all a bit lighter, minimalistic, and with clean lines. They pair wonderfully well with the rich textured rugs, cushions and cozy blankets so popular in coastal decor. 

Here are a couple of ideas on how to instantly and easily change the look and feel of a room:

• Exchange your lampshades. Especially bamboo lampshades make for a fantastic focal point without dominating a room. They are lightweight, and their weaving creates amazing light patterns at night.
• Use woven baskets to tidy away your books, socks or that shell collection.
• A simple hemp or sisal rug can be a quick fix to bring that nautical, natural feel inside. 
• If your existing furniture is made of quite dark timber, consider whitewashing it or painting it the same colour as your wall for example. Before you go ahead and start painting, though, we recommend you get expert advice from a professional first.
• Woven bags and baskets are not just practical; they also make for fabulous wall decor. So why not add a few sprigs of dried Bunny Tails, Hydrangeas and Ming Fern?
• Nothing says easy beach living like a hanging chair made of bamboo and decked out with a couple of comfy cushions! - Just saying.
• Actually, let us add the hammock to this list!

Tip 5: Make it uniquely you

Whatever coastal inspiration you follow, whatever look you go for - make sure it stays YOUR oasis! Your decor and those small touches you add to make a house a home, a place to relax, and a refuge. 

The cool thing about this decor trend is that it incorporates many elements and materials; there is no right or wrong. So go explore what beach vibes mean to you and bring that sand and surf feel home to your place, exactly the way you want it.

Final thoughts

Nothing quite symbolises the Australian way of life more than a beach. It’s where we go to cool down, catch a wave, go fishing, relax in the sun, meet up with friends and family or where we go for solitude and soul searching. We flock there on the weekends, in the holidays and increasingly also in retirement. It is said that 85% of our population lives within one hour's drive of a beach. How lucky are we?

Of course, we want to bring these beach vibes back into our homes and create a space to relax and unwind. Coastal home decor is a perfect way to do just that. It’s a bow to Australia’s natural beauty and bounty but also a nod to the importance of a happy, cozy refuge to come home to.

Whilst we can’t help you with painting advice - 50 shades of grey is really just a book to us and not a colour scheme - we can answer all your dried flower questions. Not sure what to choose to complement your coastal look? Call us!