How I’d Design Your Coastal Getaway
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
Coastal design often gets reduced to navy stripes and shell collections, but that's not how we approach it. I’ve designed homes all along the Gulf Coast, and while each one looks completely different from the next, there is a method to making sure the “coastal” vibe is present, even when there’s no anchor in sight.
1. The floor plan has to handle a crowd
Extended family, weekend guests, and multiple generations are usually using a second home simultaneously. The floor plan has to accommodate fluctuations in group size and in activity.
Our Miramar Beach project might be the one time in my career that I was pro-open floor plan. In this condo, the small-scale kitchen opens completely to the living area to eliminate cramped, awkward transitions.
The dining and living areas are a shared space with plenty of comfortable seating, so everyone can be together without being on top of each other.
2. Use luxurious performance fabrics
Coastal upholstery takes a beating. From salt air to sunscreen, wet bathing suits to sand, performance fabrics aren’t optional.
The sectional in our Palm City project uses performance upholstery in a warm brown to minimize upkeep. Guests don’t realize it’s treated until something spills, and that’s the point. We choose beautiful materials that handle real life.
3. Natural textures over nautical themes
We like to create a coastal feeling without being literal about it.
Our Lake Charles project uses neutral wool rugs throughout.
In addition to being easy to vacuum, they feel casual enough for a beach house and work in any style from traditional to modern. We always advise having them Fibersealed to extend the life of the wool, and we tell our clients that the best way to clean spills is to use warm, gentle soapy water, place a bucket under the rug, then pour the water through the rug until the stain releases. Never scrub!
3. Keep the palette warm
The bright sun of a coastal location can make true (cool) whites too harsh. Instead, we opt for warm whites and soft neutrals that feel fresh without coldness.
The Miramar Beach living room features a khaki grasscloth wallcovering with natural wood accents and cream upholstery.
Contrast that to the guest room, where the client specifically requested “one blue room,” and you’ll see how they read totally differently.
4. Skip the coastal clichés
No anchor art. No “Beach House” signs. No seashells in a jar. The personality comes from the architecture, the materials, and how the space functions, not from themed decoration.
All three of these projects feel coastal without a single literal beach reference. Referential design choices such as artwork, beach glass, and bold stripes help the vibe read as beachy without being overtly cheesy.
5. Design for barefoot living
Coastal homes are inherently casual, and the finishes should reflect that. Think durable floors and spaces that don’t require constant maintenance or worry about damage. Beautiful materials can handle how people actually live at the beach if selected thoughtfully.
You can see the full projects here: Miramar Beach | Lake Charles | Palm City
Ready to talk about design for your home (at the beach or otherwise)? BOOK YOUR DISCOVERY CALL
Comments