The Complete Guide to Designing a Relaxing Coastal Farmhouse Living Room
Combining the breezy elements of coastal style with the cozy warmth of farmhouse decor, the coastal farmhouse look has become a popular choice for laidback living rooms. This style strikes the perfect balance between beachy and homey, creating a space that feels open and serene as well as comforting and inviting. Use these tips to design your own relaxing coastal farmhouse living room.
Choosing a Soothing Color Palette
The first step in creating a peaceful coastal farmhouse living room is selecting a color palette dominated by light, neutral hues. Soft whites, sand tones, misty blues, and pale greens evoke the colors of the beach and keep things feeling calm and airy.
Consider an all-white scheme paired with natural wood tones, accented by touches of blue glass or ceramics. Or opt for pale blue-gray walls with crisp white trim and off-white furnishings. Buttery yellows or barely-there greens work nicely too. Deeper shades like navy can be used sparingly on accent walls or in pillows and throws to add character without overwhelming the space.
Selecting the Perfect Flooring
Hardwood floors with a weathered or whitewashed finish warm up a coastal farmhouse living room while complementing the relaxed vibe. For a beachier look, choose a blond wood with hints of grey. Tile that resembles driftwood or concrete is another fitting option.
Layer natural fiber rugs, like jute, sisal, or seagrass, on top of hardwoods to define sitting areas while reinforcing the organic textures of the coastal farmhouse aesthetic. Or use rugs to anchor furniture groupings atop tile floors for visual interest.
Maximizing Natural Light and Ambiance
Coastal farmhouse living rooms rely heavily on ample natural light to cultivate a bright, cheery ambiance. Large windows dressed in breezy linen or cotton curtains filter sunlight beautifully. Hang curtain rods high and wide to maximize the view and make ceilings appear higher.
For evenings and cozy corners, choose lighting that is oversized yet understated. Cluster glass pendant lights over a dining table or position a single dramatic pendant above a sitting area. Table lamps and floor lamps in natural materials like rattan provide ambient glow. Dimmer switches allow you to set just the right mood.
Furnishing with Coastal Comfort in Mind
When it comes to furniture, think slipcovered sofas and chairs in laidback, textured cottons and linens. Neutral upholstered pieces keep the look light and relaxed. Incorporate weathered wood finishes on coffee and side tables or opt for rattan and wicker for breezy appeal.
Display collected antiques, vintage finds, or family heirlooms to add character and a sense of history to the space. Painted cabinets and distressed wood dining tables reinforce the unfussy farmhouse aesthetic.
Weaving in Coastal Touches
Subtle touches of coast lend this style its essence without going overboard. Incorporate shells, bits of driftwood, maps, or beachy artwork. Use a color palette inspired by the sea, accented with ceramics in ocean blues. Hang a wreath of shells or display a weathered oar.
A large piece of driftwood makes a stunning natural focal point, especially atop a mantel or coffee table. Keep seashells clustered in bowls or artfully scattered across tabletops and shelves rather than displayed everywhere.
Adding Farmhouse Staples
To keep the space feeling grounded, blend in elements intrinsic to farmhouse style. Exposed ceiling beams crafted from raw wood or painted white add rustic structural appeal. Natural fabrics like linen and cotton feel right at home here, as do vintage signs, woven baskets, and galvanized metal accents.
Plants are a must to underscore the connection to nature, whether potted succulents on end tables or a large statement fiddle leaf fig in the corner. Lastly, books, books, and more books, lined up on built-in shelving or stacked on side tables, make the room feel collected and welcoming.
Complete the coastal farmhouse vibe with finishing decor touches. Layer rugs over hardwoods, incorporating natural jute and sisal for depth and texture. Throw pillows in soft plaids, stripes, or chambray add subtle pattern and visual interest.
Continue to reinforce the coastal farmhouse aesthetic in your decorative objects - a collection of seashells displayed in a glass cloche, beachy ceramics set on open shelving, natural elements like starfish and sea fans in a shadowbox frame. The possibilities are endless.
The casual warmth and tranquility that defines the coastal farmhouse look can be found in the living room.