South Florida is well-known for its expansive coastlines, year-round warm weather and beach houses. It’s a highly coveted area to live, work or play in. From sunbathing and shopping to sailing and surfing, there is something here for everyone. Living in the tropics makes everyday feel like you’re on holiday and with a few interior design tips, your home can feel just like a vacation beach house.
American Coastal Style for Your Home
Give the coastal vibes in your home’s interior a boost with beach-inspired style drawn from the sand, shells, sea and sky. Relaxation and comfort are the goals of any beach house, whether it’s by location or design only. Beach houses boast clean lines, crisp whites and natural materials with a pop of nautical-related colors.
Beach House Design Elements
Natural lighting is the most important design element used to create the look and feel of a true beach house. Whether the house you are decorating is your winter home or just a vacation rental, sunshine flooding into your living space all year makes it feel like an endless summer. By design, the large windows, glass doors and skylights that coastal homes are known for allow maximum light in along with cross breezes for natural ventilation.
Beach House Style on a Budget
To create a tropical resort-style living space that is fresh, comfortable and classic, you don’t have to live in an oceanfront condo. Adding coastal elements to your land-locked family home, winter home or vacation rental will give the space a casual and comfortable feel. Layering crisp whites and neutrals gives your interior the fundamentals of a beach house interior. Soft, washable slipcovers in white transforms existing furniture with little fuss making it an affordable choice for families or rentals. Painting your walls in soft whites or neutrals makes the rooms feel more open and airier.
Accent colors like yellow, coral or turquoise impart a sophisticated beach resort look. Use textures and materials that have a natural appearance such as beach rock, blue-green glass driftwood pieces for tabletops and shelf displays. Incorporating live plants, like snake plants, palms and succulents add character and depth to an already charming space.
Carpet-Free Coastal Flooring Style
When changing your home’s interior to embrace the beachy vibe, one overlooked aspect is the flooring. It’s time to let go of that wall-to-wall carpeting. Weathered wood floors are beautiful and are reminiscent of the boardwalks and beach cottages in coastal communities.
There are a variety of options, including wood flooring alternatives, to get the desired look:
- Real hardwood flooring
- Eco-friendly bamboo
- Engineered planks
- Laminate flooring
- Vinyl wood-look flooring
- Wood plank porcelain tile
Tips for a Modern Beach Style Home
Easy, breezy yet elegant and classy, that’s the hallmark of beachfront homes along A1A, from the Florida Keys to Juno Beach. Whether your home is ocean-front or ocean-close-by, having your own tropical paradise is possible with some interior decor changes. By choosing the right color scheme, textures and furniture, you can turn any space or home into a luxurious seaside retreat.