We recently completed a kitchen renovation (below) in a coastal style. This coastal home interior design approach is particularly popular right now across the country, but it’s especially appropriate for San Diego homes that really are influenced by coastal living. Some people here seem to shy away from this theme because they fear it will come off cheesy – too much of a beach house look – but coastal can be just as tasteful as any other design if you use the right touches.

Our recent coastal kitchen design shows the beauty of this crisp approach.

When I begin with a client I always look through design books with them to get a feel for what appeals to them. The kitchen client above liked the blue and white combination that is a cornerstone to the coastal theme. Building on that, we chose crisp, white cabinets and a lot of clean lines set off by the dark wood flooring. Shiny white subway tile was used for the backsplash, which makes a terrific backdrop for the kitchen’s blue and white accessories.

Coastal interior design doesn’t necessarily need to be blue and white, though. Your color palette can include anything reminiscent of the beach or even sunsets, such as reds and corals. Accents can include beautiful seashells, sailboat pictures or old pieces of driftwood. Just don’t get too kitschy with it – you don’t want your space to turn into a beachy tourist shop. A hand-painted, distressed end table is one thing but a room full of starfish can be overwhelming.

For coastal-friendly fabrics, stick with cotton and linen, perhaps in a washed look. Lighting can have a nautical flavor too – consider table lamps with glass bases you can fill with shells. Chrome, pewter, stainless steel and white should be your goal for lighting fixture finishes.

Overall, go for a light and breezy feeling. Coastal design should make you feel happy – as if you are bringing a little bit of vacation into your home. Don’t hesitate to experiment with what feels right for you and your family.

Please contact us at Tracy Lynn Studio if we can help with any of your home design needs.