If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Home Home Design & Decor 17 Home Décor Pieces That'll Help You Achieve the Coastal Grandma Style Interior designers share the neutral jute, ceramic, and linen coastal grandmother decor items to translate this viral style in your own space. By Rachel Sanoff Rachel Sanoff Rachel Sanoff is a writer and editor in Los Angeles, and a social media coordinator and writer at MarthaStewart.com. Rachel's writing can also be found at MTV News, Insider, Jezebel, Bustle, The Guardian, and more. She was previously the features editor at HelloGiggles and a social media editor at Time Out. Editorial Guidelines and Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould is a veteran lifestyle reporter based in Phoenix, Ariz. with over 10 years of experience. She covers home, wellness, beauty, and travel for outlets such as Martha Stewart, Real Simple, Insider, TODAY, Bustle, TripSavvy, The Zoe Report, and others. Whether ruminating about interior design with the influential leaders in the industry, on the ground at NYFW talking trends with beauty and fashion pros, or venturing to a new corner of the world, she’s always eager to report on the latest and greatest. Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 20, 2023 Photo: Courtesy of Crate & Barrel, Wayfair, Pottery Barn In March 2022, Lex Nicoleta went viral on TikTok when she coined the term "coastal grandmother aesthetic"—a specific style of neutral, earthy décor often seen in the homes of Nancy Meyers' romantic-comedy heroines. "Characteristics of a coastal grandmother's home include open kitchens, slip-covered sofas, white accents, fresh flowers, linen curtains, coastal art, rustic textiles, bowls of lemons, and large windows that allow natural light to pour in," says Nicoleta. "It's impeccably clean, yet warm and inviting—somewhere you instantly feel at home." Best of all, you don't have to be an actual grandmother who lives seaside to channel the coastal grandma style. You just need to the right pieces of furniture and coastal grandmother decor items that fit the aesthetic. Coastal Grandmother Style Is Making Waves in the Design World—Expect to See This Curated Aesthetic Everywhere How to Nail the Coastal Grandma Style Before you make a single purchase, interior designer Shay Holland suggests honing in on this imagined character's lifestyle—what would her home look like? Opt for Coastal Colors "Think light, breezy, nature-inspired colors," says Holland, noting that whites, blues, ivory, taupes, and muted greens are colors you'd associate with water, seagulls, sand, and dunes. Choose Simple Patterns, Finishes, and Fabrics Since the coastal grandmother style "communicates ease, avoid jarring patterns, super glossy finishes, and formal fabrics, like silk, that are too delicate to curl up on with coffee and a book," says Holland, who recommends pieces in straightforward cotton and linen, instead. Speaking of coffee and novels: Strategically placed mugs and stacks of books are part of the coastal grandmother aesthetic, too. Embrace Natural Fibers and Textures The "coastal" aspect of this design style relies heavily on textured natural fibers and materials. "Think rope, driftwood, and jute," says Jade Joyner, the co-founder and principal designer of Metal + Petal. "It's a clean and classic look." Joyner also recommends playing with a combination of wood tones that lean from natural to black—no shiny lacquers or gold finishes needed. "It's luxe in the most subtle way," she explains. "It's high-end design, meets cottage-core, meets a nod to nautical." Grandmillennial Style Mixes Old-School Aesthetics with Modern Flair—and It's Not Going Away Anytime Soon What to Consider When Shopping for Coastal Decor Both smaller accents and larger pieces of furniture can help you translate this design aesthetic in your home. What you choose to incorporate mostly depends on your budget and the space you have available. Should you prefer to work with smaller details, Holland suggests placing jute or wool rugs on your floors and swapping in linen or cotton duvets or comforters in bedrooms; doing so will anchor (pun, intended!) both areas. Then, accessorize with handmade pottery, rattan items, baskets, books, and potted plants in vintage blue-and-white vessels (think Dutch delft or ginger jars) and terracotta pots. If you feel committed to this style and want to invest in larger-scale furniture, Holland says to shop for items with well-worn finishes; pieces should be inspired by nature, which is why she suggests sticking to materials like natural wood and rattan. Upholstery in cozy, soft palettes (think cream or taupe) "fits perfectly into the aesthetic," Holland adds. While these tips should help you identify pieces that fall into this design category, we went a step further and asked interior designers to share the essential home items they recommend for achieving the coastal grandmother style. Our Favorite Coastal Grandmother Decor Finds While these tips should help you identify pieces that fall into thisdesign category, we went a step further and asked interior designers toshare the essential home items they recommend for achieving the coastalgrandmother aesthetic. 01 of 17 Pottery Barn Branching Coral With Clear Glass Base Courtesy of Pottery Barn A pale, textured coral statue blends brilliantly into the coastal style. This one has a clear base that makes it easy to prop up and display as an art object on a bookshelf or windowsill. Or try it as a paperweight at your desk. Price at time of publish: $69 View on Pottery Barn 02 of 17 Two's Company Wicker Weave Photo Frames Courtesy of Amazon These wicker photo frames serve as a simple and functional way for you to infuse that neutral coastal texture into your space. Prop one up on your nightstand, set it atop a bookcase, or nestle it on your desk. The fact that you can fill it with a cherished memory makes it that much sweeter. Price at time of publish: $60 View on Amazon 03 of 17 Crate & Barrel "Addison" White Flange Slipcovered Dining Chair Courtesy of Crate & Barrel "Layering is the most important element to communicate this design style," says Anastasia Harrison, the interior architect behind AHD & Co. This makes slipcovered furniture "a great foundation." Nicoleta agrees; she considers slipcovered furniture to be one of the most high-impact purchases you can make to achieve the coastal grandmother aesthetic. Harrison recommends this elegant dining chair, which features a full-length white coverlet that gives the furniture a relaxed, deconstructed silhouette. Price at time of publish: $419 View on Crate & Barrel 04 of 17 Topfinel Buffalo Check Plaid Throw Pillow Courtesy of Amazon While most patterns affiliated with the coastal grandmother aesthetic are subtle, gingham is the exception: The upbeat, but traditional print is fair game. So, consider stocking up on a series of gingham throw pillows in a mix of checked styles; we love this gray-green, earthy set. Price at time of publish: $22 View on Amazon 05 of 17 Martha Stewart "Isla" Accent Chair Courtesy of Amazon Martha designed a furniture line that speaks to this relaxed, laid-back style. We love this earth-toned chair, complete with cane wings and a subtle striped cushion—it's refined and elegant, which means its perfect for your coastal grandmother-inspired home. Price at time of publish: $480 View on Amazon 06 of 17 Parachute Home "Nomad" Lumbar Pillow Cover Courtesy of Parachute Home Trying to achieve the coastal grandmother look means "naturally leaning towards a laid-back, pared down aesthetic," Holland says. A large pillow in a neutral colorway suits this sentiment perfectly; Holland recommends this handcrafted lumbar piece, which will bring relaxed texture to your bed. Price at time of publish: $79 View on Parachute 07 of 17 Textured Stoneware Mug Sets Courtesy of West Elm These ribbed ceramic mugs in an ivory shade have the texture and tone that is key to the coastal grandmother style, says Holland. Price at time of publish: $44 View on West Elm 08 of 17 HD Buttercup Luna Tall Dresser in Natural Mango Courtesy of HD Buttercup You're not a coastal grandmother if you don't have pieces made from rattan or natural wood in your home. We're partial to this neutral dresser; with its woven cane drawers, straight lines, and earthy brown color, this piece provides storage while easily blending with the rest of your neutral décor. Price at time of publish: $1,196 View on Hdbuttercup.com 09 of 17 Birch Lane Krauss 1 - Light Dimmable Bath Sconce Courtesy of Wayfair "I recommend library lights either as floor lamps or as sconces," Joyner says. Even better if you can find iterations in coastal grandmother-approved colorways—which is where this light blue piece comes in. With its subtly nautical and simple, almost utilitarian design, this sconce brings breezy minimalism to a bathroom or small entryway. Price at time of publish: $52 View on Wayfair 10 of 17 West Elm Mini Pebble Wool Jute Rug Courtesy of West Elm Natural fiber isn't only a key component of the coastal grandma aesthetic—it can transform other aspects of your space. "Add a natural fiber rug underneath your area rugs to elevate the room," Joyner says. She recommends this handcrafted jute rug from West Elm for its durability and bobble texture. Price at time of publish: $49 - $1,099 View on West Elm 11 of 17 Sand and Stable Quenton 24'' Tall Drum End Table Courtesy of Wayfair Bring the natural world indoors with a unique end table. A mosaic of broken coconut shells arranged on distressed wood provides texture and a perfect spot to place magazines, cups, and vases. Price at time of publish: $252 View on Wayfair 12 of 17 Jonathan Y Set of 2 Cottage Table Lamps Courtesy of Amazon These blue-and-white lamps are the kinds of antique-inspired pieces that would fit into a cottage as nicely as they'd fit into a coastal grandmother's living room. What's more, they come with energy-saving LED bulbs, so they can shine brighter for longer. Price at time of publish: $160 View on Amazon 13 of 17 Winston Porter Filipek 22'' Tall End Table Courtesy of Wayfair Remember: Embracing the coastal grandma aesthetic means avoiding glossy finishes and shiny lacquer. This rustic wooden end table, inspired by the simplicity of sawhorses, has the natural look you need. Plus, the shelf beneath the main tabletop provides ample room for stacks of books—another key aspect of coastal grandma décor. Price at time of publish: $72 View on Wayfair 14 of 17 Sand and Stable Hermosillo 19.5'' Tall Solid Wood Pedestal End Table Courtesy of Wayfair Place flower-filled vases, cups of coffee, and your favorite reads on a sustainably sourced munggur wood side table. The exposed ends of branches spotlight the natural beauty of the table materials, creating a modern, but rustic feel that feels distinctly coastal. Price at time of publish: $150 View on Wayfair 15 of 17 Sullivans Ceramic Vase Set Courtesy of Amazon These distressed ceramic vases are perfect homes for freshly-cut flowers purchased at the farmer's market. Since they come in a set of three, use them to tie a room together by placing them in multiple spots. Price at time of publish: $22 View on Amazon 16 of 17 West Elm Classic Rattan Counter & Bar Stools Courtesy of West Elm As a coastal grandmother, you can never have enough rattan or natural wood. This barstool is constructed with sustainably sourced oak and natural cane, and features a comfortable cream cushion and adjustable legs. Price at time of publish: $499 - $549 View on West Elm 17 of 17 Sweetshow Chinoiserie Blue and White Pillow Covers Set Courtesy of Amazon This cozy throw pillow incorporates that signature coastal blue-and-ivory color palette, and is adorned with an antique-inspired illustration in the chinoiserie style. Price at time of publish: $17 View on Amazon Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit