It’s the perfect blend of cozy and chic — neutral yet bright, airy yet grounded. The coastal grandmother aesthetic captures high-end style without the intimidation factor. It’s the kind of space where you’re drawn to sink into the sofa with a good book, where elegance meets everyday comfort, and where every detail invites you to relax and stay awhile.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on how you can capture the essence of coastal grandmother-styled interiors and replicate them within your living space, whether you’re buying a home in Jersey City, renting a home in Charleston, or an idyllic Norfolk, VA apartment.
What is Coastal Grandmother?
The Coastal Grandmother trend is a nostalgic yet modern design style that evokes the serene, cozy atmosphere of a seaside retreat owned by a chic, well-traveled grandmother. It’s a blend of coastal décor with elements that feel lived-in and full of stories. Think of it as a marriage between the laid-back elegance of coastal living and the timeless charm of classic, comforting interiors.
“Coastal Grandmother style is the art of bringing the serene and classic elegance of the seaside into your home without being cliched or twee,” explains Sarah with Beach House Art. “Art prints offer a canvas to capture the essence of this aesthetic which we believe is a lifestyle, not a trend. From sail yacht and beach paintings to botanical prints of seaweeds and ferns, this laidback style favors subtle references. These pieces can transform a space into a tranquil retreat that will transport you to the coast, wherever you live.”
Key elements of Coastal Grandmother design
Now that you know roughly what the coastal grandmother aesthetic is, it’s time to channel the coastal grandmothers we all know and love.
1. Color palette
The Coastal Grandmother style is rooted in a soothing, neutral color palette. Whites, soft creams, sandy beiges, and pale blues dominate the scene, creating a calming backdrop that echoes the colors of the beach and sky. “I believe that the coastal grandmother style is a nod to classic, timeless coastal style and simplicity,” shares Stacey Haynes with Anchored Soul Designs. “It’s an easy coastal look for anyone to accomplish because of the neutral colors and natural tones that seem to set the coastal grandmother style apart from the occasional loud and bold style of other coastal decor,” Haynes notes.
2. Natural materials
Natural materials are a cornerstone of this trend. Light, weathered wood, wicker, rattan, and linen are frequently used, lending a relaxed and organic feel to spaces. These materials not only bring a touch of nature indoors but also contribute to the overall sense of comfort and ease.
3. Comfortable, cozy furniture
Furniture in this style is all about comfort. “My coastal grandmother style is all about casual comfort,” Karin Brosnan of Karins Kottage emphasizes. “In my family room, white slipcovered sofas and pillows in sea blues and greens make everything cozy. It’s a “come on in and put your feet up” kind of vibe. Whether you rent or own you can create that coastal grandmother vibe with texture, color, and simplicity.” The look is relaxed and unpretentious, with an emphasis on creating a space that feels like a true sanctuary.
“Coastal Grandmother style is best when there are elements that remind you of comfort and time,” Chrissy Powers emphasizes. “Grandmothers are a reminder to slow down and be in your home doing something that isn’t necessarily productive but calming like knitting or quilting. This trend teaches us to embrace a soft, neutral color palette with whites, beiges, and light blues, and incorporate natural textures like linen, cotton, and jute to create a calm and inviting coastal retreat.”
4. Textured layers
Texture plays a significant role in the Coastal Grandmother style. Layering different textures, such as a chunky knit throw over a linen sofa or a sisal rug beneath a wooden coffee table, adds warmth and interest to the space. These layers help create a tactile environment that feels both luxurious and welcoming.
5. Emphasis on minimalism
The comfort of the ‘grandmother’ aesthetic is woven throughout this trend, emphasizing simple, minimal design to echo the calm and warmth associated with both a grandmother and a coastal retreat. Grant Romundt of Ocean Builders describes a similar design philosophy in their SeaPods: “The interior design of the SeaPod epitomizes minimalist living, where limited space encourages a discerning choice of quality over quantity. Immersed in the serenity of the ocean, the SeaPod seamlessly integrates nature into its design, creating an idyllic holiday atmosphere with a cozy, homely vibe. Surrounded by water, the SeaPod promotes a ‘blue mind’—a calming and peaceful state of being. This tranquil energy is thoughtfully infused into the SeaPod’s interior, ensuring you feel perfectly at home on the water.”
6. Unique nautical and coastal accents
While the style is more subtle than traditional coastal décor, there are still nods to the sea. “Coastal Grandma Aesthetic may include a craft or two that grandmas make with love,” notes Linda McKinney with Costello Coastal Knobs. “For instance, a white canister with a wooden top with a sea life knob to open it sitting on a desk, holding crayons for the grandkids. Or maybe a flip-flop holder in the mud room made from a broad board (driftwood) and sand dollar knobs to hook the flip-flops on. Grandmas love making things for their family: brownies to clothes, useful items to toys, grandmas express and create love in many ways.” These grandmother coastal accents are understated, contributing to the coastal feel without overwhelming the space.
Diane Jentilet, with Sweep and Sand, echoes this sentiment that accents tie the whole aesthetic together. “Coastal grandmother style evokes a calm comfortable home by the sea. It’s bright white with soft cool blues. Big overstuffed couches with crisp linen slipcovers,” Jentilent begins. “Gatherings from the sea turned into decor. Wide glass vases filled with white shells, others with blue hydrangeas. A piece of driftwood nestled with books on the shelves. Simple, easy, comfortable.”
7. Botanical elements
“Our mind immediately jumps to blue tones, creams, and neutrals when crafting a Coastal Grandmother look. However, natural greenery is essential for bringing the outdoors in and balancing an otherwise airy palette,” recommends Lindsay Veremis of Anchored In Elegance. “Look for opportunities to add a potted plant on a table or tree in a corner. This is also an opportunity to place that greenery in and if you worry about maintenance, there are incredibly realistic faux options on the market.” This presence of greenery adds to the organic, natural feel of the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic and connects the indoors with the outdoors.
8. Combining old and new
“Coastal Grandmother style to me is a curated collection of old and new traditional-style pieces in neutral colors and natural fabric,” shares Samantha Seibert with SLS Needlepoint. “The overall look is inviting and relaxed. The style is made yours by adding vintage and handmade items that add personality, texture, and warmth. For example, stitch a pillow in the classic art of needlepoint, the quintessential coastal grandmother hobby, to display on your new sofa.”
“Coastal Grandmother style is a look that is here to stay and we aren’t sad about it one bit,” exclaims Danielle Shield-Lawrence of Antiquely. “When we think of this style we have visions of slipcovered furniture, lashings of linen, blue and white ceramics with the occasional celadon green porcelain, and a carefully curated selection of antique and vintage furniture with at least one cane or wicker piece. This style is light, bright, and airy and it’s a true dream to surround yourself with.” This mix of old and new offers a sense of comfort that is unmatched in the design world.
The Lifestyle Connection
The Coastal Grandmother trend isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also a lifestyle choice. “The coastal grandmother aesthetic is all about easy, breezy elegance. Put yourself in a Nancy Meyers film, and picture cozy (but bright) spaces filled with natural light, soft colors, timeless prints, and natural materials. It’s sophisticated, yet appears effortless,” Emily Fanning shares. “But if you’re trying to achieve coastal grandmother status, remember that at the end of the day, it’s more than a decor trend — it’s a lifestyle. White wine with an ice cube in it. Fresh herbs plucked from your garden, ready to garnish an Ina Garten dish. Watercolor classes in a studio that overlooks the coast. It’s about romanticizing your life, no matter your age.”
Why it’s trending
In a fast-paced world, the Coastal Grandmother trend offers a respite, a return to simpler times, and timeless elegance. It’s a style that feels both nostalgic and contemporary, blending the best of both worlds. As people seek to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also comforting and personal, this trend provides a blueprint for achieving that balance.
In juxtaposition to the interior design name, the younger generations are leaning into this trend as well. “Dorm Therapy readers have been loving the coastal grandmother aesthetic, and we don’t see that changing anytime soon, especially as students head back to campus. The trend really embodies a laidback beachy, seaside vibe mixed with a traditional home style, and who wouldn’t want to channel the energy of a calming beach vacation in the midst of classes, due dates, and late-night study sessions,” shares Kylie McConville, editor-in-chief of Apartment Therapy, which recently launched Dorm Therapy.
“Expect to see lots of linens, natural wood tones, and light and neutral colors like blues, whites, and grays in dorm rooms this fall. We also love adding warmth and texture with a jute rug, wicker basket, and rattan chair to make a cookie-cutter dorm space feel less formal and much more personalized,” McConville explains.
How to achieve the look
To bring the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic into your home, emphasize comfort and create spaces that invite relaxation and enjoyment. “Coastal grandmother interior design is all about mixing seaside charm with cozy, granny vibes,” notes Matt with Simplicity Home Living. “Picture soft, beachy colors like sandy beiges and seafoam greens, comfy sofas you can sink into, and natural materials like rattan and linen. Add in some fun vintage finds and coastal décors like seashells and driftwood, and you’ve got a space that feels both nostalgic and fresh. With plenty of natural light and lush indoor plants, it’s the perfect blend of breezy and homey,” Matt concludes.
Make coastal grandmothers proud
Coastal grandmothers have spent their entire lives achieving their style, so make sure you do them proud! If you’re ever stuck, simply ask yourself, “What would Martha Stewart do?” And you’ll have a handle on the coastal grandmother style in no time.
