A relaxed, coastal-inspired bedroom is more than having the proper colors, textures, or materials.
It’s finding ways to channel the zen and peace of the seaside into your own living space. The place to start when trying to achieve this is the bedding you choose. The right textures, colors, and materials can completely alter your bedroom, and Serena and Lily bedding is a perfect example of chic, high-quality linens that evoke the seaside effortlessly.
The Coastal Color Palette: Light, Airy, and Refreshing
Color sets the tone for any space, and a coastal bedroom should echo the colors of the coast. Soft blues, crisp whites, sandy beiges, and seafoam greens — these colors evoke that coastal calm and create a softness within a bedroom. So how do you make it happen?
Start with painting your walls. Choose a soft white or pale gray hue for a simple and chic neutral backdrop in your space. Then, add blues and soft, natural-looking neutrals through your bedding, pillows, and décor. Serena & Lily offers a wide range of beautifully made home goods in these beachy colors.
Layering for Comfort and Style
Your bedroom should be as lovely as a day at the beach, mid-August! The right mix of textiles and patterns makes for a bedroom that is relaxed, beautiful, and speaks the truth. Plus it is hard to relax in something that looks as if it is in chaos or had a tornado of toddlers! The best part of this entire post? Say texture, people! USE TEXTURE TO SUMMER UP YOUR BEDROOM. Won’t you? Can you? Will you?
Combine sheets and coverlets with a cozy blanket for an extra layer of warmth. Mix washed linen and subtle piping contrast and chambray and seersucker for a more lived-in feel. Have color and pattern. Your room is a destination. Have a space to live in and color and pattern to share with the world. Don’t forget the pillows! Layer those euro shams, lumbar, and standard pillows flannel, soft geometrics, and nature-inspired prints to keep things cozy, modern, and relaxed.
Natural Materials for an Authentic Touch
Beach designs use natural elements like reclaimed wood and organic fabrics. So, get the outside into the house with these textures. Introduce light and airy rattan or wicker furniture as the foundational base. Add a touch of earthy comfort with weathered wood night tables or a bed frame. Finish with a soft and durable jute or sisal rug to tie it all together and introduce an earthy appeal underfoot.
For bedding, stick to breathable natural materials, such as cotton and linen. A slightly wrinkled linen instantly lends the look a relaxed, lived-in appeal. If you’ve ever vacationed by the beach, you know beds are always layered in linen. A duvet cover, with a textured and heathered weave, fits in perfectly in a coastal-style bedroom.
Let There Be Light
Lighting defines the mood and sets the tone in a room. In a coastal-style bedroom, capitalize on daylight when you can. Gossamer, floor-length curtains — just in front of the windows, not on the walls — rather than bulky drapery filter light, creating a dreamy effect.
With artificial light, you want to emulate its natural counterpart, so soft warm, or cool light is ideal. Rattan pendants and a table or floor lamp in a matte white finish lend an unexpected organic feel to the space. For functionality, you can even attach sconces on either side of the headboard, rather than taking up room on your nightstands.
Coastal-Inspired Decor: Less is More
Do not go overboard when styling a room with a coastal aesthetic — no pun — we mean literally! That type of overdo treads closer to kitsch than chic. A light touch and a few design details will create the right atmosphere. Even the finishing touches, like smoothed-over driftwood, are basically sculptures that don’t take up very much space.
Meanwhile, the varied frameless nature of borderless photos creates visual interest a room can be built around. Plants are always welcome. Even if not truly a designer style, a potted plant always feels like there is better air in the room. There’s always room for new growth.
The Sensory Experience: Beyond Just Looks
A crisp set of cotton sheets with a tight weave that will be covered with layers of light blankets to create an optimal sleeping temperature. Have a bottle you can spray or a diffuser in which you can release calming scents of essential oil (lavender works well) and a bottle of light-scented oil (lavender also works but a sea scent is my favorite). Serenity beach music playing in the background or an album of nothing but waves on loop.
Making It Your Own
The coastal design certainly has its staples, but there are no rules when it comes to how you should bring a little bit of beach to your bedroom. Maybe a beachy vibe for you is fresh white bedding on a cool summer night. Or maybe you prefer a minimal, modern option. The design possibilities are endless.
Get your basics in order: neutral-toned bedding, light, breathable textiles, and accessories in natural materials. Add your customized style and surround yourself with things you like. A collection of beach glass or framed beach prints makes even the darkest winter morning a little easier to handle.
Small Bedroom? No Problem
You don’t need a sprawling master suite to create a peaceful coastal oasis in your bedroom. With the right furniture and decor, you can still make a small space feel light and bright, open and breezy.
Opt for light bedding and walls to open up the space, and use mirrors to amplify light and create the illusion of more room. Streamlined furniture — a storage bench or a trunk at the foot of the bed – does double duty and keeps your room clutter-free.
Swap heavy bookshelves for simple floating shelves, so you can show your coastal decor without overtaking the room. Don’t block the sunlight with large window treatments. Bright natural light is part of the fresh, airy vibe.
Why Bedding Matters Most
Coastal bedroom decor isn’t just about furniture and accessories. The core of your bedroom is the bed itself, and great bedding makes all the difference to your room’s style and your sleep. Linen and cotton are seasonless essentials, breathable and wicking, so you stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Soft sheets and a more comfortable bed mean a better night’s sleep. Quality, beautiful bedding is the simplest thing you can do to up your coastal retreat bedroom. It’s the core on which everything hangs, and the good news is that it’s a soft sell.
Your Coastal Haven Awaits
Creating a coastal escape brings incredible peace. Soft, breezy textures, bright, open colors, natural elements, some key decor accents, and Serena and Lily bedding will come together to get you there. So why not take a page out of that easy summer afternoon book and find your way to the coastal bedroom of your own?
