Rugs are the perfect way to find inspiration for the rest of your interior design. They can give you ideas about the color scheme and give your room a fresh new look. The right rug can also set the tone for the style you’re going for.
If you’re ready to redesign your home with a coastal design, then starting with a rug will bring together the whole look of a room. What is coastal style, however, and how does it differ from other styles? The answers may surprise you.
Is there a difference between Hamptons and coastal style?
It may seem like Hamptons and coastal styles are the same. There are a few key differences, however—and the biggest has to do with luxury versus simplicity.
The coastal style is more about feeling comfortable. It’s the sort of room you walk into and want to pull your shoes off. The Hamptons style is gorgeous to look at, but more crisp and formal. You may not want to come skipping in when you’ve got sand in your shoes.
To get the Hamptons look, consider eggwhite-colored walls, a few accent pieces that remind you of the coast, and tailored upholstered pieces. Adding in darker colors like navy and stone are another trademark look for the Hamptons style.
The coastal look is light and bright, using off-while and other cool colors. Darker hues should be limited to accent pieces. Linen and washed cotton are a great upholstery choice. Coastal decor at its best feels bright and relaxed, reminding you of summer days and enjoying life.
What is the difference between coastal and beach decor?
The coastal look doesn’t necessarily have to be a beach theme. While the name implies that they’re the same, there are actually a few key differences that separate them.
While both embrace ocean colors and accents such as seashells, anchors, and seahorses, the beach theme makes them a key part of the look, rather than relegating them to the sidelines. For those that are going for the beach look, that’s perfect, and we recommend finding nautical rugs that strike your stylistic fancy. This is a bit much for the coastal theme, however, which is more minimalist in nature. Neither style is right or wrong, but you’ll have to be a bit more careful when picking out accent pieces if you’re interested in the coastal style.
How do you achieve a coastal look?
Designing your own room means going with what makes you happy, but if you’re going for a specific style, there are a few elements you’ll need to incorporate before you put your own twist on it.
For the coastal style, blue is always a great color choice. It brings to mind the ocean as the waves come crashing in, without being too obvious. Blue rugs can be the centerpiece of your room, so you can add in other colors to bring some more flair to the space.
Our blue abstract waterfall area rug is the perfect focal point. It has shades of blue, white, black, and tan, making it neutral enough so you can be more playful with your color scheme.
White rugs will also make your room pop, especially if the floor underneath has a darker tone. The white rug will allow you to utilize your blue shades in other areas, such as throw pillows or curtains. Using different materials for your rug and choosing a variety of textures, such as braided, handwoven, or chunky loops, will also bring a welcoming feel to your room.
Adding in accents such as seashells and starfish isn’t necessary, but it’s fun, so why not? You may also consider natural materials such as driftwood, basketweave, and flowers. If you’re looking to add layers, this can be achieved with patterns that are light and airy.
Speaking of light and air, this is the third other crucial key to getting the coastal look. Heavy curtains are a no-no for the coastal style. You want to let in as much natural light as possible.
Designing a modern coastal look
Modern coastal looks are leaning more towards clean, simple, and spacious as opposed to packed and cluttered. Dark colors aren’t seen much in the coastal style either, unless it’s an accent piece. It’s certainly not the dominating feature in the room.
The color palette should also flow effortlessly together. There is often one darker color like blue, with lighter shades such as white and tan to pull it all together.
The furniture should be comfortable. If it looks great but makes you wince when you get up, then it’s not really coastal. The furniture is also simple in appearance. Some even go for a bit of a cottage theme.
Another key feature of the coastal look is an open design. Guests should not feel claustrophobic when they enter the room. Rather, they should feel relaxed.
Finally, while there will be some beachy elements, these shouldn’t be overwhelming. One or two paintings with seashells will do more to bring the room together than having anchors covering everything from throw pillows to your coasters.
What gives a rug that coastal look?
There are a few things that can give a rug a coastal flavor. Many are obvious as soon as you look at them. For example, Rugs USA has a flatweave cotton giant octopus rug. It’s a charming design that really pops.
Our turquoise ombre shag area rug is another great addition to a coastal style room. It looks simple, clean, and is incredibly soft. Other coastal rugs include patterns with anchors, seashells, coral reefs, and turtles. Besides them, you can achieve the look with jute rugs and flatweaves that bring an organic beachy vibe to your space. Each has unique colors designed to draw the eyes in all the right ways. Even better is the fact that many of our rugs are washable, meaning you can toss it in the washing machine when it’s time to clean. No matter what type of rug you’re looking for, Rugs USA has it.
