Summer Vibes: Achieve a Stylish Coastal Look with Secondhand Finds

Craving a summer makeover for your living room? Forget the same old seashell decorations and kitschy starfish!

I’m here to show you how to achieve a sophisticated and stylish coastal look for your home, and guess what? Every piece is a secondhand treasure. Ready to unlock the secret to creating a stunning summer space on a budget?

Thrifted Coastal Style: Decorate Your Living Room for Summer on a Budget

Maybe it’s the endless stretches of sandy beaches or the cozy nights spent sitting on the beach looking at the stars, but growing up near the New England coast has definitely left its mark on me.

There’s a sense of calm and ease in coastal living that I’ve always gravitated towards, and it’s definitely influenced my taste in decorating.

This summer, I wanted to capture that feeling in my living room, but with a modern twist. So, I headed out to the thrift store, determined to find unique pieces that looked coastal without feeling kitschy.

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Decoding Coastal Style: More Than Just Seashells

Before I show you what I found and how I decorated for Summer let me tell you a little bit about what coastal style is.

The coastal look is all about embracing a relaxed, casual vibe. Think breezy, casual, and effortless style.

When it comes to color palette, coastal decor tends to favor natural and airy shades.

Think about all the colors you would see at the coast: blues, greens, sandy beiges, & whites.

In terms of materials, natural fibers are a must. Think linen, cotton, and rattan – all materials that are breathable and perfect for warm weather.

Finally, the coastal look is all about incorporating natural elements into your decor.

This can include anything from seashells and driftwood to potted plants and woven baskets.

These elements help bring the outdoors in, and create a sense of harmony with nature.

Thrifty Treasure Hunt: Finding Coastal Gems at the Thrift Store

One of the main benefits of shopping secondhand is the affordability factor. I’ve been able to find high-quality items for a fraction of the cost of buying new. This has allowed me to stretch my decorating budget further and invest in more pieces to create the look I want.

Forget mass-produced decor! Shopping secondhand also allows me to find unique and one-of-a-kind pieces that I wouldn’t be able to find in a traditional retail store.

I love the thrill of the hunt and discovering hidden gems that will add personality and character to my spaces.

When I walked through the door at my local Savers thrift store I spotted a big ceramic shell-shaped bowl sitting on the first set of shelves…I ran to grab it! Perfect for adding a little bit of coastal in a stylish way.

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Remember, the key to a successful coastal look is balance. Don’t overcrowd your space, and focus on finding pieces that complement each other and evoke a sense of serenity.

Beyond the Beach Towel: Creating a Sophisticated Coastal Look

Beachy decor can sometimes get a bad rap for being kitschy or overwhelming. But fear not, it’s absolutely possible to achieve a coastal look that’s both stylish and sophisticated. Here’s my secret:

With just a few touches you can create a coastal living room that’s both stylish and inviting. It will be a space that reflects your love for the beach, but with a touch of grown-up sophistication.

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Shop Your Home First: Unexpected Coastal Touches from Your Own Stash

When I revamp a room, the first stop is always my own home decor stash. You’d be surprised how a familiar painting or vase can feel brand new in a fresh setting.

I’m sure you’ve collected treasures over the years, so before you spend a dime, see what you can use to create that summery coastal vibe in your living room!

Living by the New England coast has inspired me to collect a variety of starfish, shells, sea glass, and driftwood which I love to incorporate into my decor.

As a dedicated thrifter, I have quite a collection of baskets, frames, and vases that I repurpose throughout the year to match the season.

So my best advice before you start any decorating project is to take a walk around your home and peek inside those storage closets to see what you can use. Be creative!

Mantle Magic: Transforming Your Fireplace with Secondhand Finds

The first area that I am going to restyle is the fireplace area at the back of my living room. This is always a fun space because I can change up the artwork on the wall plus redecorate the mantle.

The first part of the makeover was to switch out the artwork for Summer. I do love the large botanical prints but I wanted to bring in a coastal feel. This was an easy switch, I borrowed the large landscape painting from my office.

My framed abstract is no longer available at Target but here are a couple of newer options: 47×24 Haze Abstract or 58×38 Abstract Horizon

Who says decorating can’t be fun? Keep your eyes peeled for unique finds that add personality to your space.

Like this fish I snagged – it totally stole my heart! It’s adorable and quirky, perfectly complementing my coastal theme with its unexpected cement finish.

Bring the breezy essence of summer indoors with natural materials! Rattan and wicker pieces instantly evoke coastal vibes, and the best part? They’re timeless treasures.

Hit up your local thrift & secondhand stores – they are the perfect spot for unique baskets and trays at a fraction of the price.

Plus, these versatile finds can be effortlessly transitioned throughout the seasons, offering endless decorating possibilities.

On the mantle, I stood the round rattan tray up and leaned 3 larger starfish against it. Easy & inexpensive look!

The ceramic shell bowl was large enough to use as a planter for my lipstick plant. No makeover is complete without adding some greenery!

Plants bring your spaces to life and are another inexpensive way to make your room look put together.

To complete the coastal theme here I added one more tropical plant for visual interest and a small rattan lamp.

Entryway Inspiration: A Welcoming Coastal Greeting

Our home is small so we don’t have a separate entry area. The front door is in a small hallway separating the kitchen/dining area from the living room.

But even though this is technically the same space as the living room I create the feel of an entryway by using a small console table with a large arched mirror.

Mirrors brighten a small room and make it feel more spacious by reflecting the light

Quick Coastal DIY Project:

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Secondhand Styling

Now for the styling of the entryway using my new thrifted finds plus secondhand goods that I already had.

The thrifted art print is of vegetables but the sepia tones and light frame work for this look. Then I added the sand dollar art & a set of beads found at an antique shop last year.

To bring in natural elements, I incorporated an orchid nestled in a wicker basket. A large faux urchin shell adds a coastal touch, while a smaller oval basket, thrifted for a touch of personality, sits propped in the back, creating another layer of texture.

Secondhand picnic baskets are a versatile and budget-friendly choice for your home. Not only are they inexpensive, but they can also double as handy storage solutions when needed.

On the bottom shelf of the entryway table, I stacked 2 picnic baskets, and added a little bit of greenery and a large starfish on top.

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Coffee Table Calm: Creating a Coastal Oasis for Relaxation

The coffee table already has a coastal look to it. It looks just like driftwood so that works!

My tip for quick & easy coffee table styling is to break up a rectangular table into thirds and add something to each space.

Looking for a simple and budget-friendly way to add summer flair to your vases? Look no further than eucalyptus! This long-lasting greenery offers pops of color and a touch of coastal vibes, all while lasting for weeks on end.

The green vase was another thrift store score from earlier this year.

My collection of sea glass is always a fun addition to my Summer decorating! It’s taken years and years of strolls on the beach to fill up this bowl.

On the last third of the coffee table, I added the brass footed tray (looked brand new and still had the Target tag!). The perfect spot for a seasonal candle(Magnolia Greenhouse) and a few more pretty shells.

End Table Elegance: Finishing Touches for a Stylish Coastal Retreat

I completed my summer refresh by adding some touches to my end table, a thrifted treasure I repainted years ago. A long woven tray (from Magnolia) now graces the top. On one end sits a pretty satin pothos in a sleek black planter from Walmart.

While the other end features a pretty display: a glass box filled with smooth, flat beach stones and tiny sea urchin shells.

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Summer doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank to bring coastal vibes into your home. With a little creativity and a trip to your local thrift store, you can unearth unique treasures and natural elements to create a breezy and inviting space.

So, put on your favorite Summer playlist and get ready to infuse your home with a little coastal fun!

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