The coastal style is one of the best-loved directions for anyone dreaming of a home that is elegant, bright and as relaxed as a holiday by the sea. If you are thinking about coastal style furnishing for the living room, the bedroom or the whole house, here is how to get a refined result that never feels predictable, taking inspiration from the collection dedicated to this style.
What the Coastal style is
The coastal style comes from the atmosphere of the Côte d'Azur and the chicest seaside places, where elegance and informality live together effortlessly. It should not be confused with a nautical theme full of anchors and shells: it relies on a palette of light, dusty colours such as white, cream, pastel blue and sea green, and on natural materials such as linen, rattan, light wood and handmade ceramics. The result is a room that is fresh, bright and welcoming, perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing retreat all year round.
Colours and materials for coastal style furnishing that works
The coastal palette works best when built up in layers: a neutral base of white and cream, lifted by touches of pastel blue or sea green on cushions, fabrics or ceramics. Natural materials take the lead: raw linen for curtains and upholstery, rattan for seating and mirror frames, light wood for the structural pieces. Fine stripes and discreet maritime references complete the picture, but they need to be used in measure so as not to slip into a holiday-village nautical theme.
The living room in Coastal style
In the living room, a sofa in light linen remains the ideal base, paired with a small rattan armchair and a low coffee table in natural wood. Rugs in natural fibres, cushions with different textures and an open bookcase to display ceramics and collected objects complete the space. The Coastal living room from Archade is an example of how these elements can live together in a balanced way that never feels predictable.
Bedroom, bathroom and dining room in Coastal style
The other rooms of the house lend themselves well to the coastal style too. In the bedroom, natural linen bedding and a headboard in light wood or woven rattan create a relaxing atmosphere, as in the Coastal bedroom from Archade. In the bathroom, handmade ceramics, baskets in natural fibre and mirrors with wooden frames recall the same informal elegance, while in the dining room a table in light wood with rattan chairs completes the picture without weighting the space down.
Advice for coastal style furnishing that is elegant and not predictable
To avoid an overly themed holiday-village effect, it is better to limit the nautical references to one or two well-chosen accents, letting the natural materials and the light do the rest of the work. Natural light is a key element of the coastal style: light linen curtains, mirrors that reflect it and light finishes all help amplify it. Even rattan, used in balance across seating, lamps and details, adds warmth without weighting down the light palette of the room.
The coastal style also lends itself well to being mixed with other aesthetics: paired with industrial details, such as a burnished metal lamp or an iron bookcase, it gains a more contemporary character without losing its lightness. With Scandinavian accents, even lighter woods and essential lines, the result is even more minimal and bright. The key is not to overdo it: one or two hybrid elements are enough to personalise the room without upsetting the balance of colour and material that makes this style recognisable.
If you want to discover how Archade turns these principles into a bespoke project, read our complete guide on personalised interior design. For rooms already designed in this style, explore the Coastal collection, or take a look at the shop for furniture available right away.