7 Tips for a Neutral Beachside Scheme

One of my favourite coastal looks is a neutral beachside scheme.  We are so conditioned to associate coastal style with the colour blue that we often don't consider using anything else for this look.   Although blue is a favourite colour for the majority of us, in fact Pantone say 70%, we may not necessarily want to use it in our homes.  People often feel obliged though when they live by the magnificence of the ocean to throw in a splash of predictable blue but you can achieve a wonderful relaxed coastal vibe without touching the colour.

7 tips for a neutral beachside style

1. Using the beach as inspiration for a neutral beachside scheme

Take a walk along the sand and take careful note of the local colours at your beach.  The colours in far north Queensland will look quite different to a beach in Sydney and of course a beach in the south of England will most likely be covered in pebbles! It is always a good idea to use local inspiration so that your house fits into the area.  For example, there’s nothing worse than seeing a house of bluestone in an area that is built on sandstone, so think about what is local to you and will therefore naturally work.

7 Tips for a Neutral Beachside Scheme

7 steps to a neutral beachside scheme
Image: Beacon Lighting

2) Putting together a neutral beachside palette

On your walk, pick up some driftwood, shells, pebbles, sand and rock and look at the beautiful natural palette that you have put together.  You will have a wonderful array of whites, greys, soft browns and warm sandy tones from which to choose and you haven’t even glanced at the ocean!

7 tips for a neutral beachside scheme
Image – House and Home
7 steps to a neutral beachside scheme
Image: Ferm Living

3) Finding a wall colour for a neutral beachside scheme

A colour palette for a beachside scheme should start with an off white or neutral for the walls to keep the look light and airy.  Grab some paint chips from your local hardware store and lay them out with your inspirational pieces.  (Remember that in some areas you can’t take shells etc. from the beach so you may need to rely on photographs).  Look at the pieces from your walk that really attracted you.  Was it the soft greys of weathered driftwood, the mix of white and grey from pebbles or the crisp white of a shell?  Did you like the soft greens that cling to the dunes?  Use these to match your wall colour.

7 tips for a neutral beachside scheme

7 steps to a neutral beachside scheme

A slight touch of black can work well too to provide some contrast.  Perhaps for artwork frames or curtain rods.

7 steps to a neutral beachside scheme
Image: OzDesign Furniture

Related: How to find the right white

Related: How to find the right neutral grey

4) Introducing layers

As lovely as all white schemes can be, they can become too one dimensional.  Remember that a coastal look should be laid back and relaxed with nothing too perfect so it is a good idea to introduce some tonal variation with warm greys and natural linens.  So again, look to your beach inspiration and match fabric and rug samples to the pieces you found.

7 tips for a neutral beachside scheme
Image – Vivian Grace

Related: How to select the right rug

5) Select matt as your finish of choice

To keep the relation to the beach, consider the textures that you use in addition to the colours.  Look again at your inspiration and you will see that natural pieces from the beach have been eroded over time and have wonderful matt and rough surfaces.  Even a pebble that has been worn by centuries of waves and is beautifully smooth, will not be shiny.  So ditch the polished glass, granite and metal surfaces and opt for natural matt finishes for furniture and accessories.

7 tips for a neutral beachside scheme

7 steps to a neutral beachside scheme
Image: OzDesign Furniture

6) Introducing timber into a neutral beachside scheme

Weathered, aged timber is really on trend at the moment for lining walls.  So take advantage of this wonderful trend as a way to add interest and beautiful rough texture to your coastal scheme.

7 tips for a neutral beachside scheme
Image – Starfish Cottage
7 steps to a neutral beachside scheme
Image: Globe West

By introducing natural timber elements to the exterior of your home, you achieve a very relaxed look which is perfect for a coastal setting.

7) The finishing touch

A perfectly styled vignette that evokes the beach will be a wonderful reminder of where you are.  Get creative and fill jars with pebbles, make lamps from driftwood and use local stone for a paperweight.  These finishing touches really evoke the beach and will complete a beautiful neutral coastal look.

7 steps to a neutral beachside scheme
Image: OzDesign Furniture

 

7 steps to a neutral beachside scheme
Image: Lisa Sarah – white steel designs

Related: A Coastal Style Vignette

Here is a palette that I have put together from a gorgeous coastal photograph.  Remember that even the ocean is often grey and white too!

7 tips for a neutral beachside scheme

Using this palette as a guideline you have a fresh white for the walls and woodwork or a soft grey with white trim.  Darker smoky blue/greys for the sofas/rugs or the sandy brown neutral could be used.

I would love to hear how you decorate for a coastal look.  Do you love using neutrals for a scheme like this?  Please feel free to comment and also to follow my Pinterest board on Coastal Neutral Schemes for lots of inspiration, now and in the future.  Enjoy!

Do you like a touch of blue in your coastal schemes?  If so you should read the post below:

Related: My top 7 tips for a Classic Coastal Look

Do you love Australian Coastal Style?  If so you should read this:

Related: Australian Coastal Style – 7 steps to achieve this look

Are you planning a renovation or an interior decorating project?  If so you should sign up to my FREE Resources Library where I have FREE e-books and comprehensive checklists to help you.  You can sign up here.

One thought on “7 Tips for a Neutral Beachside Scheme

  1. Tricia says:

    We have started reno
    We live 2 streets from the beach over looking the ocean.kiama downs
    I AM doin neutral colours coastal.

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