Coastal Vibes: Interior Design Inspired by the Sea
The coast has a way of getting you to breathe a little deeper. Maybe it’s the salt in the air. Maybe it’s the satisfying sound of water lapping. Or maybe it’s just that, by the water, the light is softer and warmer. There’s no reason why you can’t have those feelings right at home and not just on vacation.
L+P Interiors has equally been fortunate enough to be informed by experience. Located near the Sausalito waterfront, the office is a canvas to the shifting shades, textures and moods of the California coast. Coastal-inspired design in the studio does not depend on seashell lamps or beach-themed decor, but on the ambitious presentation of the still serenity, light openness and elegant modernity that seaside living exudes, transposing it into interiors which are as deeply personal and yet as extraordinarily livable as possible.
Coastal design is more than just a style, whether you're near the ocean, in wine country, or in a city. It's also a feeling. If you're someone who wishes your home could be a fresh breath of air, you're in the right spot!
Want to bring relaxed elegance into your own home?Let’s talk about your design vision →
Why Coastal-Inspired Design Never Goes Out of Style
Coastal interiors maintain a timeless appeal because they are not reliant on short-lived trends. They are built upon notions of light, space and organic materials, which are never truly out of fashion.
Sadly, the adjective coastal is often degenerated to blue-and-white-striped, rope-decorated, and bowl-filled seaside cliches that are littered on all available surfaces. These are things that are suitable in a vacation rental, but they do not include high-rise living on the coast. The idea of coastal design at L+P Interiors is all about understated storytelling: adding textures, keeping the palette light on the eyes, and making the room breathe.
Why does it persist? Because light, natural beauty, and laidback prestige speak to everyone. Spaces that feel connected to nature and authentic. This is exactly what a coastal-style design offers.
The L+P Interiors Approach to Coastal Design
Every L+P Interiors project starts with a story. Founding Principal Ansley Majit calls her approach “Classic with a Twist”—a mix of timeless structure and playful, unexpected details. Megan Bettor, our Studio Director, brings over two decades of production experience, ensuring the creative process stays beautifully organised. Malia Lucey and Grace Heller bring fresh eyes and creative depth, rounding out our collaborative studio.
When we design coastal-inspired homes, we look beyond the obvious. We ask: What does the coast mean to this client? For some, it’s breezy, barefoot mornings and weathered textures. For others, it’s sleek yacht-club polish. The answers guide every decision.
And here’s the thing—you don’t have to live steps from the water to embrace coastal design. We’ve brought its easy elegance into Napa retreats, San Francisco townhouses, and Nantucket vacation homes. The principles remain the same: form meets function, architecture meets environment, and design meets your life’s rhythms.
Curious what coastal design might mean for your own space? Let’s explore the possibilities →
Core Elements of Elevated Coastal Interiors
Coastal design is as much about feeling as it is about visuals. Here are the building blocks we return to time and again, always tailored to the home and the client.
Palette: Light-Filled and Earth-Rooted
We do not do design that stops at the anticipated blue-and-white colour scheme. We contrasted charcoal-hued cabinetry with driftwood taupe walls, foggy grey accents, loose clay, and pale seafoam textiles in Sausalito, for example. The effect was a tranquil environment that added a touch to the surrounding environment, to compete with it. And similarly in one other home we set linen-white walling against light-oak floor and warm brass hardware and made an effect of sunshine even upon the highest of grey or cloudy days of the sea.
Natural Materials that Feel Like Vacation
Coastal design embraces materials like rattan, linen, weathered woods, seagrass, honed stone, and unlacquered brass. Their materials gain a beautiful patina over time, allowing one to live with the pieces rather than simply wearing them out. Coastal materials invite touch; good design is for living, not just looking.
Furniture with Flow
Furniture in coastal settings should evoke a sense of being in a wide-open and breezy space. Low-sweeping silhouettes, rounded edges and pieces with concealed utility all help the flow. Imagine an inviting, comforting and adaptable soft linen sectional with a woven accent chair.
Art + Artefacts: Layered, Local, Meaningful
We obtain art from local makers and pick things that pay homage to the ocean without becoming kitsch. That could be a print of a foggy harbour, a ceramic bowl that resembles a tidepool, or a woven wall hanging in tidal colours.
Lighting: Airy Alchemy
Light should feel as airy as the space it inhabits, from woven pendants to sculptural sconces, or fixtures that resemble coral or waves in shape. We also stress layering light - hence ambient, task, and accent- to transition moods from daybreak brightness to dusk glow.
Floor Plan Fluidity
Open layouts are great, but we also create cosy nooks—a window seat with a harbour view, a reading corner with a coastal breeze. True coastal design balances gathering spaces with quiet retreats.
“Think of coastal interiors less as themed decor and more as environments that breathe—intentional, tranquil, and deeply personal.” – L+P Interiors.
Project Spotlight: Belvedere Coastal Home
One of our favourite examples of elevated coastal design is a Belvedere residence perched above the bay. The client wanted a home that felt as if it had grown from the landscape, rooted in place but fresh and modern.
Architectural premises were based on the idea of maximising the views that the bay offered. As a result, large windows take a significant portion of the elevation, providing panoramic views. Focusing on the changeable play of light over the water, the palette was to be a series of delicate tones: the floors are driftwood pale, the walls chalk-white, the accents of textiles are sea-blue. An informed compromise between the hand-made and the personal was struck by having a much-loved armchair reupholstered in a sand-coloured linen, which balanced the whole visually.
Natural textures were everywhere—woven pendants over the dining table, a jute rug underfoot, and honed marble in the kitchen. The home wasn’t about being fancy; it was about being authentic. At the final reveal, the client told us it felt “like waking up on vacation every day.” That’s the magic of coastal design done right.
Does your dream space deserve a designer who can translate lifestyle into living spaces? Let’s create something meaningful →
Who Says You Need to Live on the Coast?
Coastal design isn’t reserved for oceanfront properties. We’ve brought its principles into Napa retreats, San Francisco lofts, and urban condos. You don’t need a water view to benefit from the airiness, light, and organic textures of coastal interiors.
In a city home, it might mean lightweight window treatments that modulate light, light-colored upholstery and furniture that expands the space visually, or natural fibres that mellow the hard edges of city life; in a country home, it might mean combining stone, timber, and soft linens to play off the scenery.
Coastal design is a state of mind. It’s about how a space feels—not just where it’s located.
Practical Luxury: Tailoring Form + Function
Even the most gorgeous home must function in real life. Our clients are often balancing children, pets, jobs, and entertainment. That’s why every coastal-inspired design we do is both high-end and functional.
We’ve built home offices that capture sunrise light, kitchens that work as well for quick breakfasts as for sunset dinner parties, and mudrooms that make sandy shoes or rain gear feel like part of the story instead of a mess to hide.
“At L+P Interiors, practicality is always in partnership with beauty. Design works best when it works for your life.”
How to Get Started with L+P Interiors
All the projects begin with a discussion. We need to understand how you live, what you love, and what inspires you. Then we develop a design scheme that agrees with your lifestyle as well as your dreams.
We take on large-scale renovations, ground-up construction and furnishing projects and have no size requirements. We work with architects, contractors and the representative of the client so as to make the process easy and enjoyable.
Let the coast inspire your next project—no matter where you live. Contact us at hello@larkandpalm.com or (415) 987-5986
Designing a Home That Feels Like a Breath of Fresh Air
Coastal design is not about putting nautical items in a room. It is about creating a house that speaks to the ease of living by the sea, while incorporating the personalities of the owners.
At L+P Interiors, we transform nature into environments that feel ageless, personal, and are intrinsically rooted in your story.
This is you stepping into the story of your home that is inspired by the seams of ocean-inspired comfort and earthiness.
Explore the possibilities with L+P Interiors →
FAQs
1. What defines the coastal interior design style?
Coastal interior design is inspired by the sea, featuring light, airy spaces with soft blues, sandy neutrals, and natural textures. It emphasizes open layouts, abundant natural light, and materials like rattan, linen, and driftwood to create a relaxed, seaside vibe.
2. What is the difference between beachy and coastal décor?
While both evoke the ocean, beachy décor is more casual and colorful, often using bright tropical hues and nautical accents. Coastal décor, on the other hand, focuses on a refined, breezy aesthetic with softer tones and organic materials — think more “Hamptons chic” than “surf shack.”
3. How can I achieve a modern coastal living room look?
To create a modern coastal living room, pair crisp white walls with muted ocean-inspired accents. Incorporate light wood furniture, linen curtains, and abstract sea art. Keep the design minimal and cohesive, emphasizing texture over clutter for a sophisticated, airy space.
4. What are key characteristics of coastal-style interior design?
Key features of coastal-style interiors include:
A calming color palette of blues, whites, and beiges
Natural light and open floor plans
Organic materials like wicker, jute, and wood
Ocean-inspired décor elements such as shells or coral textures
These elements work together to make your space feel serene and connected to nature.
5. What is ocean-inspired décor called?
Ocean-inspired décor is often referred to as coastal décor or nautical design. It draws influence from seaside living, marine colors, and natural textures, using décor pieces like rope accents, driftwood frames, and soft linen textiles to recreate the tranquility of the shore.
6. How do I create coastal vibes in a small beach house?
For smaller spaces, focus on maximizing natural light and using mirrors to open up the room. Choose light, space-enhancing colors like white, seafoam, and beige. Multifunctional furniture and minimal clutter help maintain a breezy, uncluttered feel while staying true to the coastal aesthetic.
