15 Coastal Kitchen Ideas to Refresh Your Cooking Space
Enjoy that vacation feeling year-round.
You don't need a home on the waterfront to enjoy the beauty of a coastal kitchen. In fact, recreating that seaside vacation feeling could be just the upgrade your home needs. Whether you are looking for a quick update or a full on renovation, you can bring the beach to your home with these coastal kitchen ideas.
1. Take Advantage of a Window
A large component of the coastal kitchen aesthetic is the open airy feeling produced by wide space and light colors, something that is amplified by large windows that allow plenty of light to stream in. By choosing an all white color scheme with modern silver appliances, and an elegant marble backsplash, you will be able to create a calming coastal feeling. Add touches of raw wood through a kitchen island, bar stools, and kitchen counters to further the sense of living on the coast.
White is a staple color to any coastal kitchen ideas you may have. Perhaps it's the way it brings to mind images of white sand beaches, flowing linen pants, and hammocks gently swaying in the breeze? Lean into the monochromatic scheme by picking all-white finishes including the center island, bar stools, and even your home accessories. To bring in some warmth, go for metallic additions like kitchen cabinet door handles, the faucet, and a warm pendant lighting for dramatic effect.
Blue in all shades is another coastal kitchen essential. Select a deep ocean blue kitchen island as an anchoring piece and stick to more neutral finishes for the rest of the room. A marble countertop will always add some class and you can weave that nautical feeling through by dotting blue decor and canisters here and there.
Are you in search of coastal kitchen backsplash ideas? Look no further! You can create a stunning focal point with a sky blue tiled accent wall. This light powdery hue will uplift any small space, leaving it feeling refreshed and renewed. Try to keep your dinnerware, vases, and even cookware to all white, but for a touch of sunny color, dot yellow pieces here and there. You can also lean into the metallic gold with the faucet and light fixtures.
If you have an open concept kitchen, the brightness of coastal style will lend itself nicely to the room. Ensure yours is a welcoming space that allows you to spend time with your loved ones. Pair a simple tall white table with matching bar stools for a casual breakfast spot that invites you to sit down and relax. If you feel you need more for your coastal kitchen ideas, give your cabinets a coat of blue-gray paint and stick to the oceanic hues by hanging a subtle blue wallpaper reminiscent of sea spray.
Tip!
Learn more about wallpaper and how to measure and hang it in our guides, How Much Wallpaper Do I Need?: How to Measure for Wallpaper and Wallpapering 101: How to Install Wallpaper.
To create a rustic but beachy feeling, opt for clean white wood or wood-look floor boards. Match this crisp aesthetic with a white rolling island with a dark wood top to bring in a little earthy color. A woven rattan barstool will bring in texture while a sea-foam green shiplap wall will add a subtle oceanic color. This is the ideal spot to display your favorite beach finds, like a starfish here and some coral there for a cute effect.
Another way to introduce bold blue into your coastal kitchen ideas is by way of a rug, bonus points if it has nautical-adjacent white stripes. Lay it out beneath a white island and a set of dark wood bar stools to give the feel of a large coastal kitchen. Use glass jars to display your spices but remember to keep everything else simple and minimalist for the greatest impact.
A speedy way to transform your current kitchen into a seaside oasis is with a fresh coat of paint. Try something delicate like a duck egg blue to create a slight contrast against all white cabinets and a kitchen island. You can introduce those sandy tones and textures in a woven rattan kitchen mat, unfinished countertops, wood cutting board, and even a coastal wall clock hung up with a nautical themed rope. Hang an ocean-themed artwork to bring the entire concept together.
Not all coastal kitchens have to be stark white. For a more playful take on modern coastal kitchen ideas, try mixing textures, patterns, and primary colors to inject personality into the space. Wicker and rattan elements will always evoke a beachy atmosphere, especially when paired with fun bold maritime-themed throw pillows in striking blues and reds like this stunning built-in breakfast nook. Continue that graphic element with a crustacean artwork and select dinnerware in matching hues – especially if you have open cabinets to display them in.
Raw floors and unfinished furnishings evoke a feeling of sun bleached wood that spends its days at the ocean side. You can have your pick from our broad range of flooring which comes in hardwood, laminate, and even wood-look tiles – all of which will give the same effect. Adding these elements to your coastal kitchen will emulate a rustic lived-in feeling while still looking polished. Stick to those neutral whites with just a hint of blue for extra visual interest.
Who said your coastal kitchen ideas have to be subtle? If you love the ocean, why not embrace it in any way you can, starting with a striking azure textured wall tile? Pick pots and pans in varying shades of blue and choose dish towels with water-themed prints or embroidery. Select wall art featuring fun ocean critters and even hang up a set of oars as wall decor to go the full nine yards.
The color of the ocean is ever-changing, ranging through those traditional blues and greens, but also an array of grays at times. Reflect this more brooding tone through your coastal kitchen with a gray mosaic tile with different shades to mimic the moody seas. Dove gray and white work well together to create a modern and upmarket feeling, especially when paired with stainless steel appliances.
To create a striking effect in an open kitchen with high ceilings, bring your cabinets all the way to the rafters – your eye will naturally travel upwards, enhancing that visual vastness. Choose a deep blue paint and silver appliances to offset a beige sand-like wood floor. For added opulence, opt for a marble wall tile to bring in a richness to the space.
Make a smaller kitchen more dynamic with an eclectic blue wall tile. By keeping everything else in neutral white and the honey colors, the patterned tile can take center stage without being too overwhelming or overpowered. Free up counter space with wraparound wood shelves to display clean white and glass dinnerware and tools.
Give your coastal kitchen that extra kick with woven lamp shades that are reminiscent of lobster baskets. They will provide a natural and earthy element that makes for both a casual and inviting feel that will encourage guests to gather around your island. Play with varying shades of blue by way of stools and dishes to keep a gentle ocean touch.
No matter which of these coastal kitchen ideas you opt for, we have everything to bring your dream into reality.
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