I know. Instead of bringing you to a dreamy beach feel that you desire, you walk into your own bathroom and feel you are imprisoned in a beige jail. I know what it is like: to look at boring walls and imagine the ocean breeze and the Sandy beaches. The upside? You should not renovate your bathroom completely or have a trust fund in order to make it a coastal paradise.
I am, by now, an expert on how to design a bathroom near the coast (in both senses of the word). And now I am going to spill the beans: the secrets that do work. These are not those Pinterest-worthy suggestions, ones that are stunning but eat your bank account dry, there are simply changes that can be made – ones that will turn your bathroom into a seaside escape.
Color Palettes That Actually Work
Soft Blues and Sandy Neutrals
It has, quite literally, been years, and I have spent a significant amount of time striving to master the craft of how to go about designing a coastal bathroom (much of it entirely trial and error, if I am being completely honest with myself), so please allow me to impart these words of wisdom to you. And no, not those totally awesome yet totally crazy-expensive ideas posted on Pinterest that only make you want to cry because you can never realistically afford it, these are real, practical, doable chanHere is where most people think wrong, they think coastal means yelling out loud, YES! I am the ocean! Wrong. The finest beach bathrooms talk instead of yelling.ges that will make your bathroom sound like an ocean side sanctuary.’
I will never forget that feeling from painting my first bathroom with a blue color so bright it looked like a Smurf bonanza gone wrong. Softer, milder blues combined with soft warm sandy beiges are the perfect laid-back combination against intrusive, themy park.
Try these winning combinations:
- Pale seafoam green with cream
- Dusty blue with warm white
- Sage green with natural linen tones
How the prettiest beach houses never seem too much? Their colors are realistic; colors you would see on a real coastline not the cartoon version of the ocean.
White with Natural Accents
Blank canvas, pure white, but twist is that it’s totally natural and that’s what gives it, its fill. I am talking Wood that has seen better days, rustic rope, and those fabulous beachy shells you more than likely didn’t swipe from that beach getaway (wink, wink).
It is a matter of combining various textures and shades of white. White walls, white fixtures (creamy in color) and perhaps shiplap, colored in an off-white. In theory it is dull, but stick with the program.
Texture Magic: Materials That Make a Difference
Shiplap and Wood Elements
Before you roll your eyes and grunt in the back of your throat, well “basic”. Shiplap is good because it resembles the informal worn appearance of beach houses – when it is done well. What turns it on is the right application.
I have witnessed folks go too far (pun intended) and used shiplap on every piece of surface. Never be that kind of a person. Choose one accent wall, behind vanity or around bathtub. It is seasoning; that is, a little stirred up does a lot of work.
If I had known one thing, this is it: reclaimed wood or wood look tiles give that coastal vibe, minus the maintenance anyway. Real wood looking in bathrooms is stunning but is also too much of a commitment for me.
Natural Stone and Pebbles
Do you wanna know a secret? The shower floors made out of river rocks that literally everyone is freaking out over, are stunning, but on your feet they feel like a medieval torture device. Done it, sorry about it.
Rather experiment with pebble accent strips, or miniature pieces of natural stone. You get the feel and appearance with the added analogy of not making every day shower an ordeal. IMO either a pebble border at theinity of your bathtub or a little accent wall would be just right.
| Material | Pros | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| River Rocks | Stunning visual impact | Accent walls only |
| Pebble Tiles | Easier on feet | Shower niches, borders |
Lighting That Sets the Mood
Natural Light Maximization
You know what nobody ever talks about? Coastal bathrooms are all about that soft warm light you get near the ocean. Harsh overhead lighting is the quicker killer of vibes than saying “beach house.”
My builder grade vanity lights have been changed to rope-wrapped sconces and it made a world of difference. The soft warm light creates a relaxed sense of softness to everything. It is your bathroom with an Instagram Valencia filter.
It helps, especially when you are not blessed with many natural lighting sources; mirrors are your greatest asset. I framed my window with a large round mirror (think shipss porthole) and in a blink that small of a bathroom felt twice as gaily lit up and spin-free.
Coastal-Inspired Fixtures
Don t think about modern geometric fixtures–that would be in a loft downtown, not your beach escape. Coastal lights in lantern style, wrapped distressed finishes or pendants wrapped in rope, or fixtures that are weathered looking are a sure way to nail that coastal look.
Pro tip: seek fixtures that have an aged or patinated appearance. Brass that is brand-new, shiny screams out its commitment to trying too hard, whereas weathered brass swears with a hint of chagrin whispered in its earlobe, effortless elegance.
Hardware and Fixtures That Count
Nautical Without the Kitsch
It takes a delicate touch to have the perfect coastline theme and not look too cute or kitschy. Pick hardware that helps evoke the clean lines coast-ingro- inspired finishing touches, imagine brushed bronze, weathered brass or even a matte black modern touch.
I would have thought all hardware must resemble parts of a ship. Spoiler: it does not. There are occasions when a plain cabinet pull in the correct finish will work better than anything with an anchor shape handle.
Here’s what actually works:
- Rope-wrapped towel bars (subtle, not overwhelming)
- Shell or driftwood drawer pulls (used sparingly)
- Oil-rubbed bronze faucets (timeless and coastal-appropriate)
Mirror Magic
The mirror in your bathroom on the coast must give an impression as you would get a mirror in an antique store on the coast. Mirrors on rope frames, weathered wood frames, or, in some cases even plain unframed round mirrors embrace that easy beach house flavour.
I am constantly looking for old mirrors at estate sales- you will be surprised of what people are letting go. Not mention it is just gratifying to re-use an old object and make it feel new in your own room.
Storage Solutions with Style
Woven Baskets and Natural Materials
Coastal style does not like plastic storage bins. The collection of your things would be stored in woven seagrass baskets, weathered wooden crates and linen storage boxes keeping your stuff in order, but retaining that natural and relaxed effect.
Guess I’m spoiled, I learned this after blowing a boat-load of cash for “coastal-style” storage that looked like it belonged in a tiki bar. Real natural materials will always beat a themed imitation.
Floating Shelves Done Right
Floating shelves made of reclaimed wood are both practical and stylish, yet the thing is that less is more. Do not over stuff them with tchotchkes. One or two select items will have more of an effect- perhaps a bit of coral, a little succulent or lovely bottles of glass.
Consider what you would really have in a beach house. Possibly a good deal of old favorite books, a little of nature misunderstood out of hand, and useful objects that put in a little beauty.
Plants and Natural Elements
Coastal-Appropriate Greenery
All plants should not be kept in a bathroom near the coast. Succulents, air plant and snake plants love the humidity of the bathroom but still provide the carefree feel you want.
I murdered quite a few plants, before I realised which plants actually work. Ferns are lovely, but more care demanding than I cared to concern me. Air plants, by contrast, make an idiot-proof addition that can never go wrong and looks spectacular when hanging in glass terrariums.
Natural Decorative Accents
This is where you can have some fun but keep in mind authenticity always wins to quantity. Some real coral, pretty shells, or even driftwood you have really picked up will have more effect than a dozen of the manufactured fakes at the store labeled as coastal.
The most wonderful of sea board bath-rooms have an air of acquired furnishings, not of instant decoration as you shop. A vacation treasure of sea glass in Maine is worth more than some mass-produced decoration.
Budget-Friendly Transformation Tips
DIY Projects That Actually Work
To achieve coastal style, you do not require having contractor funds. Repainting old vanities in paler beachy hues makes you get the most out of your dollar. I updated my builder-grade vanity using a little seafoam green paint and new hardware -less than 150 bucks.
Making of your own art is more fun than you may think. Take a stunning coastal photo shoot, press some seaweed between glass or make a simple rope and driftwood wall decoration. The thing is, keep it simple & keep it real.
Smart Shopping Strategies
Coastal decor is the treasure trove of thrift stores and estate sales. Old brass hardware, antique picture frames and vintage fiber rugs are just a part of the treasures you can find at half the price when you scavenge out their secondhand price.
I frequently discover some of my best stuff at a garage sale: that just right rope wall mirror, one of my favorite weathered wooden stools, old glass bottles that throw out a wonderful light. It turns into the fun of a hunt.
Almost thinking of converting your bathroom into that coastal retreat you have been imagining? Take one or two elements; perhaps something new in color scheme and a bunch of natural textures and use that as a framework. Believe me, you are going to experience your mornings so much closer to a mini vacation with all these soothing coastal vibes 🙂
The greatest coastal bathrooms don’t yell “beach style”- they whisper “relaxed sophistication.” Simplify, be natural and most importantly, own it.
Your Coastal Bathroom Journey Starts Now
Listen, I wont be untruthful – making the ideal coastal bathroom takes a while. But I’ve found out after many years of trial and error (and plenty of fails) the ride is half the fun.
Start small. Perhaps some seagrass baskets this weekend or replacing some of those harsh vanity lights with a warmer light. You do not have to do it all and at once, well, you are not supposed to. The most natural coastal spaces develop by bits and pieces.
The bathroom is where your story must be told and not someone elses pinboard. Your anniversary vacation piece of driftwood? Much nicer than any big box store will have. Shells your children gathered last summer? Naked-sea gold.
And the last thing I would say is: go with your intuition. When something feels good in your space it is likely to be good. Coastal style is not about being strict to rules; the feeling you get relaxed and delighted every day on a daily basis is what makes coastal-style.
FYI, don;t get bummed that it takes some time to get it all going. My bathroom When it comes to my own coastal affair which took me twenty-four months to complete and I continue to fine-tune it. That is the beauty of it, coastal style is never finished growing with you.
And so start planning your transformation. The future you (the one, who will have the luxury of taking a shower in a serene, coastal-type oasis, every morning) will be grateful to you.