Coastal design and styling take inspiration from our laid-back coastal lifestyle, complemented by the colours and textures of our seaside environment. From serene and neutral to clean and luxurious, its a style that can be interpreted and applied in many different ways.
Australia has always had its own unique coastal housing styles, influenced by classic beach house designs, traditional Queenslanders and, more recently, the Hamptons look.
With the increase in people working from home, larger houses and a stronger focus on lifestyle, many families are attracted to the relaxed vibe of coastal-style living. So, it's no surprise that the coastal aesthetic is having a (very long) moment.
Here in Queensland, where our climate is well-suited for indoor/outdoor living, a beautiful family home with a coastal theme is easily achievable. By understanding the key features of coastal style homes and coastal interior design, you can bring a seaside vibe to your home.
If you're looking for a new home inspired by coastal beach house designs that captures a summer feeling all year, read on!
Exterior Features For A Unified Coastal Look
Your home’s exterior sets the tone for what's inside, so it’s important to consider how the façade, materials and textures work together to create a unified coastal look. Whether you’re inspired by classic Hamptons or a more modern coastal beach house exterior, these design ideas will help you achieve a stylish and welcoming façade.
Weatherboard cladding
The clean lines of weatherboard cladding epitomise beachy style. The use of weatherboard is one of the reasons the Hamptons look is so distinctive. Australian coastal style is a little less ornate and cleaner in appearance than traditional Hamptons styling, favouring that relaxed and understated look that suits our lifestyle.
A classic choice for coastal homes, weatherboard cladding adds character and a distinct coastal feel while also offering excellent durability. Its crisp profile lends a sense of modern elegance to the exterior that works beautifully alongside natural materials like timber, stone or render.
Render or stone
Render and stone are a natural fit for modern coastal homes, reflecting the rugged charm of coastal landscapes and pebble-strewn shores.
Textured render can effectively convey a variety of different looks from the lustre and graininess of sand to a more rugged, granular appearance.
Stone-look wall panelling, cladding or accents can add an organic effect that complements weatherboard or render while staying true to neutral coastal palettes.
Roofing
The roof plays a key role in defining the overall look and feel of coastal style homes, contributing to their clean lines and modern appeal. A skillion roofline, with its single-sloping surface, enhances the visual impact of your façade and complements other exterior features like weatherboard cladding and natural stone. It also provides an excellent opportunity to incorporate skylights and solar panels.
Another option for a contemporary coastal exterior is the flat roof. This style pairs beautifully with clean, geometric architecture, to create a minimalist coastal feel.
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Colour Tips for Achieving a Modern Coastal Façade
Coastal design captures the heart of the beachside landscape, drawing inspiration from the sun-washed colour palette of the sky, sea, sand and coastal vegetation.
It's important to consider how every element of your design contributes to the overall coastal theme. From the facade to the driveway, front yard and garden, including neutral tones and natural materials can create a consistent and inviting experience.
To achieve a modern coastal façade, Plantation Homes design studio manager, Di Gaffney recommends choosing natural colour tones such as creams, whites and greys.
"The coastal design favours a lighter coloured palette with shades of blue and white that mimic the ocean, sky and crashing waves," Ms Gaffney said.
Additionally, using natural materials like timber can add warmth and texture to the overall look. This combination helps create a streamlined design that feels relaxed, timeless and effortlessly coastal.
Coastal Interiors: A Perfect Balance of Light and Space
Interior coastal design brings the outdoor elements inside, delivering a resort-like atmosphere all year round. When choosing a home design and floorplan to embody this style, consider open plan living areas, placement of windows and doors, natural flooring and cabinetry in neutral tones.
Natural light
A key goal of modern coastal home design is to create light-filled spaces and seamless indoor-outdoor experiences. Abundant natural light is essential for achieving an open, inviting and airy atmosphere.
To maximise natural light, Ms Gaffney recommends including plenty of windows, glass doors and skylights where possible.
"Natural light is a key element for coastal design. Large opening doors and windows that let the outside in play a crucial part in achieving the coastal design vibe. These essential features will bathe your living space in natural light, breathing life into every corner," Ms Gaffney said.
Timber flooring
The inclusion of natural tones and textures creates a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Timber flooring is an ideal way of infusing this aesthetic into your design.
One of the best things about timber flooring is its natural beauty and warmth. Timber has a unique natural grain that adds character to any room.
Most new builds offer engineered timber or hybrid flooring for a durable, family-friendly option that gives you the timber look without the price of solid timber.
Plantation shutters
Plantation shutters are a fantastic window treatment for bedrooms and living rooms. They add a touch of organic charm that perfectly matches the contemporary coastal home theme and also contribute to immersing a space in light.
Pendant lighting
Pendant lights serve as an eye-catching focal point. Apart from providing functional lighting, they contribute to the overall look and feel of the space. When selecting pendant lights, consider textures such as rattan, timber or beaded glass.
Interior Styling for Coastal Living
When styling a coastal inspired home, the goal is to achieve the perfect balance between casual and sophisticated—an environment that’s as inviting as it is uplifting.
Stone, wood, rattan and wicker are common in coastal interiors, bringing a sense of coastal charm to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Textures
Think of all the textures you experience during a walk by the ocean: grainy sand, crisp grasses, smooth pebbles, rippled rocks and soft foam waves. It's a wonderful mix of textures to recreate in your home.
Natural fibres like jute, sisal, seagrass or rattan can be incorporated into furnishings to enhance the luxe coastal home look. Rugs, window treatments, lampshades, wallpaper, linen and furniture all offer opportunities to feature stunning natural textures.
Design studio manager, Di Gaffney shares her favourite tips for bringing all the elements of coastal interior design together.
"I love to accompany a pale colour palette with light woods, driftwoods, jute, cotton and linen. Focus on natural fabrics and layer them throughout the space for understated elegance."
Indoor-Outdoor Flow
A key hallmark of coastal house designs is the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Creating a fluid transition between your home's interior and exterior helps capture that breezy, open-air feel that's central to the coastal lifestyle.
Alfresco areas
In Queensland, outdoor living and year-round entertaining play a major role in how families enjoy their homes. One essential feature that captures the essence of outdoor enjoyment is a covered alfresco area.
Plantation Homes incorporates generous alfresco spaces into many new home designs, making it easy for families to enjoy seamless indoor–outdoor living.
Carry the coastal theme through to your alfresco area with cladding, render, textures, stone-look tiles and tropical landscaping for the ideal family oasis.
Balconies
If you've taken a stroll along the beach and admired waterfront houses, chances are you noticed how second-floor balconies can offer an amazing view of the beach. Even if you don't have a picturesque view, adding a balcony off the master bedroom or living room can create that same balmy summer-night ambience.
Outdoor Shower
Have you ever been to a resort where you've used an outdoor shower under the open sky, feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin? An outdoor shower provides a unique experience connecting you to nature. They're also ideal for washing off the salt water after a day at the beach!
Tips for Coastal Building
If you're planning to build beachside or near the coast, there are a few things worth considering before starting your new build or knockdown rebuild project. These considerations are essential for creating coastal style homes that are beautiful and built to withstand the elements.
- Orientation: Consider how you can capture the sea breeze by orienting the main living area and bedrooms to maximise airflow.
- Protection: Use landscaping, doors, windows and shutters to provide protection when it gets breezy.
- Materials: Coastal homes in Queensland are regularly exposed to harsh elements like strong winds, salt spray and intense sunlight. Durable exterior materials include cement cladding, Colorbond® Steel and weatherboards.
- Landscaping: Choose native, salt-tolerant plants like coastal grasses and shrubs. These not only enhance beauty but can stabilise the soil and act as barriers against erosion.
Discover the Beauty of Coastal Styling with Plantation Homes
No matter where you're building, drawing on coastal styling and design is an effective way to create a dream home that's perfect for the Queensland lifestyle. Explore our innovative new home designs or our Visualiser tool to create your signature coastal look.
