6 Ways to Channel Summer Beach House Vibes at Home

Now that the weather is finally warming up I’m already thinking about sunny days at the beach. There’s nothing like the relaxed feel of a warm breeze, salty air and endless ocean views. I decided to bring a bit of that easy, breezy beach vibe to this model apartment I designed here in New York. NYC can be a cold, gray place so I wanted to channel that feeling of an endless summer at home. This space has a relaxed, California coastal feeling which makes it so warm and inviting! If you’re looking to update your decor, here’s some inspiration to help you channel that beach house look and have your home feeling like summer all year-round!

1. Add a Slipcovered Sofa. Nothing says summer like a crisp white slipcovered sofa in a breezy lightweight fabric to give your space a relaxed, summery vibe. 

2. Bring on the blue. Blue hues always feel coastal but instead of using true blues, focus on shades of turquoise, teal and aqua which channel the beach and reflect the colors of the ocean.

3. Add a Natural Fiber Rug. Anchor your room with a natural fiber rug made of jute, seagrass or sisal. (I prefer jute because it feels a little softer.) This style rug will add a ton of texture to your room and also feels very coastal.

4. Mix in some tropical greenery. Whether it’s a tropical tree or a stunning plant, adding something living that reminds you of the tropics is a great way to channel beach vibes at home. Here I used a few stems of protea on the coffee table plus a small planter with a succulent on the side table.

5. Incorporate beach inspired artwork. This giant Max Wanger photo above the sofa is the only item in the room that screams beach and it’s such a statement piece. It really helps set the tone of the room and the large size makes you feel as though you’re staring out at the ocean.

6. Don’t go overboard with your theme. Finally, the key to achieving the beach look is to not be too literal with the theme to keep your space from seeming kitchy. Instead, focus on colors, texture, patterns and one or two key statement pieces to help set the mood. I used artwork as a statement piece to set the tone in this room but the rest of that beach feel is achieved in ways that are more subtle.

1. Sofa | 2. Max Wanger Beach Art Print | 3. Risom Amoeba Coffee Table | 4. Turquoise Nevada Lamp | 5. Low Vase Planter | 6. Tiered Percy End Table | 7. Palm Leaf Catchall | 8. Green Block Print Pillow, Pink Indian Flower Pillow, Aqua Ikat Pillow | 9. Hand Woven Jute Rug | 10. Western Color Study Art Print | 11. Turquoise Ceramic Table Lamp | 12. Walnut Credenza

PS – Check out the coastal inspired bedroom from this same project here! Photos by David A Land.

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