What does it mean to create a ‘coastal’ home? And what flooring can be used to achieve this? Here we’re going to answer these questions and more as we delve into what defines a coastal style home interior.
Drawing inspiration from the sea, sky and nautical elements, a coastal style interior is ideal for those desiring a blend of luxury and comfort in their home. A coastal home features bright, open living spaces, flooring in light neutrals, grey, or dark oak, and predominantly white tones. This style pairs beautifully with touches of blue or green, making it a great choice for plant enthusiasts. Incorporate a mix of timber furniture, plush sofas, and outdoor wicker pieces, balanced with rugs and decorative cushions to achieve the best results.
A coastal designed home can also embrace darker nautical elements in its design, creating spaces which are reminiscent of a captain’s quarters. Darker or grey flooring would work perfectly for this style.
Here are a few flooring tips to achieve a coastal style home.
1. Embrace the Coastal Vibe - Light, neutral-coloured timber flooring is ideal for creating the beachy ambiance typical of a coastal home. The subtle knots and grains of European Oak flooring complement this style perfectly
2. Maximise Your Samples - When working with samples, create a design board incorporating all the colours and elements you plan to use in conjunction with the floors. Ensure they harmonise well together.
3. Opt for Whitewashed and Weathered Finishes - Coastal style emphasises relaxed luxury, and whitewashed or weathered flooring finishes capture this essence. Whitewashed hardwood floors are especially popular, evoking the coastal feel of sun-bleached driftwood and creating a fresh, beachy ambiance.
4. Consider Wideboard Flooring - Wideboard flooring can help create an expansive look, a hallmark of a coastal interior. These planks highlight the natural beauty of the wood grain, enhancing the overall visual appeal of your space.
5. Make a Statement with Herringbone - Herringbone flooring, with its distinctive zig-zag pattern, draws the eye and creates a flow within your home. This pattern adds a touch of luxury to your coastal interior, making your home stand out.
6. Ensure Harmony - If you have specific timber furniture in mind, make sure your flooring complements it. Lighter floors serve as a versatile canvas, working well with a variety of furniture styles.
7. Add Comfort and Definition with Rugs - While hardwood flooring is a key feature of coastal style, area rugs can soften and define the space. Natural fibre rugs, such as sisal or jute, add texture and warmth. Patterned rugs in soft, muted tones can also break up the floor's monotony and add visual interest.
Final thoughts
Coastal style flooring is essential for achieving the timeless elegance and nautical characteristic of this interior design aesthetic. By embracing natural materials, whitewashed or weathered finishes, wide planks, and a light colour palette, you can create spaces that exude the relaxed sophistication of coastal living.
By Ebony Fraser
