Get the Coastal Look: New England Style Decorating for Your Home

The New England coastal style is all about bringing the beauty of the sea into your home. With its light, airy colors, nautical accents, and cozy furnishings, this style creates a relaxing and inviting space.

How to Get the New England Coastal Look in Your Home

If you have ever had the chance to visit the New England coast then you know that it has a very distinct style.

Maybe it stems from the historic homes or the small cedar shake cottages you will find near the beaches up and down the coast.

We love our history…I mean this is where the American Revolution happened after all. The New England coastal look often mixes in some vintage or antique elements to add some character and sprinkle a little of that history into our homes.

The style is light & airy in the warmer months. With the 4 distinct seasons, we want to create a relaxing & inviting home. In the winter it needs to be cozy but in the Summer the style tends to be what I would call “not fussy”.

Since the winter seems to last forever once it’s nice out everyone wants to spend as much time outdoors as possible.

Creating a New England coastal look in your home can be a beautiful way to infuse a little classic, beachy charm into your space. Here are some tips on how to achieve this style:

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New England Coastal Color Palette

Stick to a neutral color palette: When it comes to the New England coastal look, a neutral color palette is key.

Think shades of white, beige, and taupe, as well as blues, green, and grays that reflect the ocean and sky. Incorporate these colors in your furniture, bedding, and decor pieces to create a serene, calming atmosphere.

Cottage On Bunker Hill Color Pallete

Sherwin Williams ‘Ancient Marble’ is the main paint color in my house. It runs through the kitchen, living room, and main hallway. It is a neutral green shade.

The bathroom is painted with Sherwin Williams ‘Sea Salt’.

Sea Salt makes a great front door paint color if you are going for that New England coastal vibe. It works year-round…not just in Summer!

Coastal Inspired Decor

Accessorize with coastal-inspired items. There are a number of coastal-inspired items that you can use to accessorize your home. These include things like seashells, starfish, and artwork.

We are talking about creating a coastal vibe not a “let’s go to the beach” signs with flip-flops.

I usually have a small tray or basket out somewhere with a few collected sand dollars or interesting starfish. Not only are they pretty the neutral colors and texture add another layer of visual interest to a room.

I’ve added these 3 coastal Maine watercolor printables to my library. Just download them for free and have them printed out.

Easy and budget-friendly way to create a little bit of coastal charm in your home.

Instead of hanging a wreath, get a traditional coastal look with a hanging basket with greenery. Here I hung a Nantucket-style bike basket and tied a starfish around it with raffia.

On the front porch for a Summer look, I mixed red, white, and blue accents like the outdoor rug and chair cushions and pillows (all from Christmas Tree Shoppe) with traditional coastal accents.

I filled a vintage New England clammer’s basket with a buoy, driftwood star, various starfish, & artificial seagrass.

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Natural Elements

Use natural materials. Wood and wicker are all popular materials in New England coastal homes.

They add a touch of warmth and rustic charm to any space.

Natural touches throughout the home, whether it be a vase filled with dried grasses that are reminiscent of the dunes at the beach. The wooden fish cutting board was a thrift store find.

In our home, you will find that I use plants and natural elements in every room. The tall wooden bookshelf in the living room is a great spot to display a mix of plants, books, and interesting decor pieces that I have gathered.

This DIY woven dried botanical shadowbox is the perfect accent piece to display dried flowers from the garden.

Using wood and wicker trays throughout your home is an easy way to capture that coastal feel. Here I have my DIY faux sea glass bead garland on a natural teak wood tray.

A stack of seagrass bins in the living room is both decorative and useful for storage.

Keep It Simple. 

The New England coastal style is all about simplicity. Don’t overcrowd your space with too much furniture or décor.

Instead, focus on creating a few focal points that will make a statement.

Add a Touch of Whimsy

Don’t be afraid to add a touch of whimsy to your décor. This could include things like vintage maps, nautical prints, or sea glass.

My family has collected jars of sea glass over the years from our walks on the local beaches. It’s one of my favorite things to do, just stroll the beach looking for those little gems in the sand.

I even used some of the sea glass to make this mosaic bird bath for my garden.

Get That New England Coastal Look

Here are a few finds so that you can easily create a New England coastal look in your home.

• Mirror
• Cape Cod Retro Map
• Blue & White Vase
• Natural Curtains
• Seagrass Boxes
• Whale Tail
• Harbor Artwork
• Coffee Table
• Nautical Bowl Filler
• Seashell Bowl
• Glass Lamp or this one, (similar set)
• Rug
• Pillow Covers

Coastal Summer Outdoor Finds

• Oar
• Blue/Yellow Oar
• Rectangle Umbrella
• Patio Chairs
• Harlequin Patio Rug
• Fish Tray
• Outdoor Cart
• Wind Chime
• Outdoor Dining Table
• Seagrass Placemats
• Bamboo Flatware
• Dishes
• Table Runner
• Blue Outdoor Rug
• Endless Summer Hydrangeas
• Planter

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