21 Beach Cottage Ideas: Inspiring Decor for Your Coastal Getaway

As I sit here on the beach, listening to the waves crash against the shore, I can’t help but think about the charm and simplicity of beach cottages.

These cozy little homes are the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

They offer a peaceful retreat where you can relax, unwind and enjoy the beauty of the ocean.

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In this article, I will be sharing 21 beach cottage ideas that will inspire you to create your own little piece of paradise.

From classic nautical themes to modern beachy vibes, there’s something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking to renovate an existing cottage or build a new one from scratch, these ideas will help you create a space that is both functional and beautiful.

So, sit back, grab a cold drink, and get ready to be inspired!

1.Make It Modern

Pin Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

This coastal kitchen from Emily Henderson Design has a palette of crisp white and navy blue that complements rustic hardwood floors and painted ceiling beams,

with gold-toned accents and modern accessories that make it feel fresh rather than kitschy.

2.Honor the View

Pin Design by Michelle Berwick Interiors

The decor of this Canadian beachfront cottage from Michelle Berwick Interiors complements the ocean view without overwhelming.

Even if you can’t see the water from your bedroom, this subtle approach to coastal decor, using simple furniture, tones of blue and white, and natural elements can work in any home to add a relaxed, livable feel.

3.Add a Striped Rug

Pin Design by Becca Interiors

The dining room of this Southampton, New York surfing village retreat from Becca Interiors is anchored with a large scale sailor striped rug.

Painted shiplap walls, furniture in pale wood tones, and natural accents like wicker pendant lights add timeless coastal charm that could work in any setting.

4.Keep It Minimal

Pin Design by Tyler Karu Design +Interiors / Photo by Erin Little

This Maine kitchen from Tyler Karu Design +Interiors is a clean, minimalist take on coastal decor, with vertical painted white shiplap walls, bare windows, deep blue lower cabinetry, and cool silver-toned accents.

5.Mix It Up

Pin Design by Allison Babcock Design / Photo by Matt Kisiday

This Sag Harbor, New York living room from Allison Babcock Design has an organic coastal feel with its rustic ceiling beams, white walls, and mix of eclectic furnishings and decor.

6.Add Themed Wallpaper

Pin Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

The walls of this cheerful laundry closet from Emily Henderson Design are washed in blue wave motif wallpaper, with white appliances and painted doors strung with hooks for holding everything you need to sweep up those sandy floors.

7.Play with Gray Tones

Pin Design by Tyler Karu Design + Interiors / Photo by James R. Salomon

This Maine coast beach cottage powder room from Tyler Karu Design +Interiors has a weathered wood sink vanity with a blue-gray finish that is complemented with soft gray wallpaper with a subtle nautical rope motif.

A beveled mirror and marble countertops complement the cool palette.

8.Keep It Simple

Pin Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

Nothing says coastal like blue-and-white stripes.

In this light and bright living room from Emily Henderson Design, a cozy off-white sectional is strewn with a casual assortment of pillows.

Simple artwork and painted shiplap ceilings complete the easy, beachy vibe.

9.Hang Vintage Coastal-Themed Art

Pin Design by Becca Interiors

The breakfast nook in this Southampton, New York beach cottage from Becca Interiors is decorated with framed vintage coastal-themed art that adds some quiet kitsch to a corner decorated with antique wood furnishings and a comfortable banquette upholstered in neutral tones.

10.Add Bohemian Design-Inspired Touches

Pin Casa Watkins Living

This compact laundry room from Casa Watkins Living has a coastal blue-and-white palette with bohemian design-inspired touches like bold patterned wallpaper and a woven pendant light that keep it interesting.

11.Add a Spa Vibe

Pin Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

This bathroom from Emily Henderson Design has easygoing beach cottage spa vibes, with its soothing blue walls, built-in bench seating,

crisp white open shelving stacked with crisp folded towels, and warm-toned wood pegboard hook on the wall for towels and robes.

12.Hang a Gallery Wall

Pin Design by Michelle Berwick Interiors

This homey beach cottage bedroom from Michelle Berwick Interiors has a cozy quilt, a pair of woven pendant lights, and a small gallery wall mounted on the shiplap wall above the bed in lieu of a headboard.

13.Mix Finishes

Pin Design by Tyler Karu Design + Interiors / Photo by Erin Little

Shades of blue on the kitchen backsplash and island, clean white built-in cabinetry, and pale wood accents and flooring bring the coastal beach cottage vibes to this home in downtown Portland, Maine from Tyler Karu Design + Interiors.

14.Paint the Ceiling Beams

Pin Design by Allison Babcock Design / Photo by Matt Kisiday

In this beach front living room in Nantucket, Massachusetts from Allison Babcock Design, shiplap walls and painted ceiling beams add texture to the all-white interior.

A mix of furnishings and decor in natural materials like wood and rattan, vivid blue accents, and built-ins styled with books and objects give the cozy space a clean, coastal vibe that could translate to any interior.

15.Set the Scene With Printed Wallpaper

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Printed wallpaper is at home in a classic cottage or a kitschy beach house, so it’s a great way to set the tone in your beach cottage.

Line your walls with simple stripes, cover them with pretty florals, or add personality with a playful beachy pattern.

Since there are so many ways to design a beach cottage, there’s no going wrong here.

Find a print you love looking at and let it inspire the rest of your space.

16.Commit to Classic Coastal Colors

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When decorating a beach house, you can’t go wrong with classic coastal colors—like sky blue, seafoam white, and sandy beige.

By sticking to this palette, you can make your home feel beachy and coastal, no matter how many rustic pieces you throw in the mix.

17.Stock Up on Wicker Furniture

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Wicker furniture looks great in any outdoor space, and it’ll look just as good inside your beach cottage.

Why? Its natural texture and outdoor friendliness are perfect for any laidback beach house.

And since wicker was big in the ’50s and ’60s, the furniture is both charming enough and homey enough for any cozy cottage.

18.Line Your Walls With Beadboard

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Beach houses are known for their crisp white walls—and you don’t have to sacrifice those to score some classic cottage charm.

By lining your walls with beadboard, you can make your walls feel textured without disrupting your breezy palette.

And you can nod to one of the most rustic materials used in both cottages and beach houses: wood.

19.Make Your Own Mini-Mudroom

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If your beach cottage isn’t big enough for a full-blown mudroom, build a mudroom nook, instead.

With a bench, some cushions, and a handful of hooks, you can craft a mini-mudroom that makes your entryway cozier and more functional.

20.Invest in a Stone Fireplace

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Snuggling up by the fire is lovely—no matter how hot it is where you live.

So, cozy up your space by building a fireplace in your living room.

Keep the addition feeling beachy by favoring warm-weather materials, like brick, travertine, and stucco.

21.Soften Your Sleekest Pieces

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Beach houses and cottages have one thing in common: they’re perfect places to relax at the end of a long day. Identify the sleekest pieces in your space, and soften them with pillows, cushions, and blankets.