Modern coastal or beach house style is such a great way to add an interesting and contemporary look to the bathroom. With that in mind, in today’s post I’m sharing some simple tips on how to add a touch of coastal or beach house style to your bathroom in 2024, with images of beautiful coastal bathroom designs, coastal decorating ideas, and more.
Before we renovated both our master bathroom and guest bathroom, I spent months gathering tips, ideas, and inspiration on this topic, and today I’m sharing everything I learned about adding coastal style to the bathroom.
Whether you’re designing a new bathroom, remodeling, or making choices regarding decorating and updating your current space, I hope you’ll find all sorts of ideas and inspiration in this post.
First, what does a coastal bathroom look like?
A coastal bathroom is inherently light, open, and airy. Inspired by the colors of nature, modern coastal bathrooms might include baskets, natural fiber rugs, woven light fixtures, and a light color scheme.
Although there are many different approaches to coastal style, my favorite is modern coastal design, which is light, minimal, and fresh, incorporating a mix of relaxed beach house decor and classic, elevated Hamptons style.
For a coastal look in the bathroom, I recommend starting with a background of white walls and/or cabinets.
2024 coastal bathroom trends are all about natural materials, including wood vanity cabinets and woven lighting, so I also recommend adding in a few natural elements as well as interesting textures via rugs, towels, decor, mirrors, window coverings, and light fixtures.
Mixed metal finishes are also extremely popular in bathroom designs this year.
In gathering coastal bathroom inspiration, you might want to take a look at sites like Serena and Lily, Dear Keaton, Arhaus, or Pottery Barn, all of which beautifully convey what modern coastal style is looking like in 2024.
You can learn more about bathroom trends for 2024 in my post, 2024 Bathroom Trends, Design Ideas and Inspiration for Small and Master Bathrooms.
And see this year’s most popular design trends in my post, 2024 Home Decor Trends: 10 Ideas to Try This Year.
Is coastal decor going out of style?
Not only is coastal decor still in style in 2024, it’s a versatile, timeless design aesthetic that continues to evolve, expand, and grow in popularity with each passing year.
In fact, Arhaus recently released a new coastal furniture collection for outdoor spaces, joining Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn, both of which launched contemporary coastal home lines last year.
Whether your dream bathroom is clean and classic, California casual, organic modern coastal, traditional coastal, beach house, or somewhere in between, I hope you find all sorts of inspiration in the beautiful coastal bathroom ideas below.
See my post Modern Coastal Decorating Ideas for Your Home for more tips and ideas for decorating your home with contemporary coastal style.
Elements of coastal bathroom designs
Whether you prefer a relaxed beach house aesthetic or timeless East Coast style, there are many ways to achieve a beautiful modern coastal look in your master bathroom or small bathroom.
Following are elements you’ll typically find in coastal bathrooms:
1. Coastal style lighting
Both pendant lights and sconces are a great way to create a focal point and add coastal style to the bathroom.
I love the timeless look of this elegant bathroom design, with its chic coastal style chandelier, warm wood cabinetry and brass metal finishes. From Pam Maher Design.
Most coastal bathroom designs incorporate some type of pendant lighting with fabric or woven shades, beaded chandeliers, or metal finishes — often brass or a mix of glass and brass.
I love the sconces in this stylish master bathroom from Studio McGee:
See my post, Modern Pendant Lighting Ideas You Will Love, for more modern coastal bathroom lighting ideas.
2. Natural materials
Natural materials are a key element in modern coastal bathroom designs.
Things like wooden floors, shelving, and beams; woven pendant lights; and natural fiber rugs create the warm and inviting atmosphere of a beach house style bathroom.
Here’s a beautiful coastal bathroom design from Pure Salt Interiors incorporating natural elements for a casual, modern coastal look, while the traditional vintage rug and white cabinetry bring a timeless look to the space.
Adding natural wood open shelves over the tub gives you a great option for bathroom storage and decor. From Pure Salt Interiors.
Here’s another view of the bathroom shown above.
3. A coastal color palette
When it comes to choosing a color palette for a modern coastal bathroom, incorporating hues of the sea, sand, and sky — such as crisp whites, deep blues, and neutral tones — will tie everything together beautifully.
I love the beautiful styling, separate sinks, and blue vanity cabinet color in this coastal master bathroom from Mindy Gayer Design.
A trough sink, blue cabinetry, and wall mounted plumbing fixtures enhance this stylish master bath from Studio McGee. The vanity color is Polaris Blue by Benjamin Moore:
A coastal color palette doesn’t have to mean blue. Beautiful neutral earth tones are perfect for creating a calming beach house look in the bathroom, as shown in this chic small bathroom from Pure Salt Interiors:
4. Coastal bathroom vanity and cabinetry ideas
Natural wood vanity cabinets are a popular choice for modern coastal bathroom designs in 2024, especially when paired with white walls, as a white background naturally creates a light and airy beach house atmosphere.
This chic modern bathroom design features a white oak linen cabinet paired with white vanity cabinetry for an elevated, modern coastal touch.
I love this beautiful small bathroom design featuring a light wood vanity, iridescent tile, and warm brass finishes on the sconces, faucets, and cabinet pulls. From Henri Interiors.
This beautiful master bath incorporates warm wood cabinetry, along with brass metal finishes and soft textiles to create a chic California coastal look in the bathroom. From Alexis Andra Austin.
5. Coastal bathroom mirror ideas
Whether you’re designing a coastal, beach house, or Hamptons style bathroom, the mirrors should complement the overall look of the space.
Vanity mirrors are available in different sizes and styles, from large round mirrors to rectangular to oval and modern asymmetrical shapes.
The rectangular brass mirrors in the elegant bathroom below, from Intimate Living Interiors, are softened with rounded corners, perfectly complementing the arched cabinet nook.
Brass mirrors and sconces, mixed with polished nickel faucets and black pulls and a warm wood vanity cabinet, reflect a chic coastal aesthetic, making this space a perfect example of 2024 master bathroom trends. From Lindye Galloway Studio.
Unique flower-shaped sconces and a round woven mirror bring a stylish touch to this beautiful coastal-inspired bathroom from Salt Design Co.
Here, a white oak wood vanity pairs beautifully with the large rectangular mirror, enhancing the coastal aesthetic of this stylish bathroom space. From Pure Salt Interiors.
These arched brass mirrors add a feminine touch and help soften the straight edges and angles typically found in a bathroom. From Rehabitat Interiors.
For more bathroom mirror ideas, see my post Beautiful Bathroom Mirror Ideas for Every Style and Budget.
6. Coastal bathroom decor
Adding beach-inspired decor to your bathroom can help you create a fresh look in your space. However, since modern beach house style is generally carefree and relaxed, it’s easy to go overboard.
This beautiful powder bathroom from A Thoughtful Place shows how to bring abundant style to a small space.
For an elevated coastal look, avoid the overuse of coastal decor like signs, rope accents, anchors, nautical themes, and sea creature motifs.
Sea-themed artwork (and a shiplap wall treatment) bring a chic, elevated touch of coastal style to this beautiful bathroom from Jean Stoffer Interior Design. I all love the mixed metal finishes in this space.
See my posts, What is Coastal Grandmother Style? and Chic Modern Beach House Decorating Ideas for more beach house decorating ideas for the bathroom.
7. An open, airy feeling
Creating open spaces is an important element in modern coastal bathroom design. If you’re planning a bathroom remodel or renovation, you might consider removing unnecessary walls to create a more open and airy feel.
One of my favorite modern bathroom floor plans, this chic and stylish master bathroom shows how to make the best use of a narrow space.
High ceilings also create an open and airy atmosphere in a modern coastal bathroom. And adding architectural details such as wall molding or coffered ceilings brings interest, depth, and character to coastal bathroom designs.
This organic modern coastal bathroom from Pure Salt Interiors has an open and airy feeling, via the light tile flooring, natural fiber window coverings and rug, and abundant natural light.
8. Shiplap
Using shiplap on bathroom walls, and even ceilings, adds visual interest and helps create a focal point in the bathroom.
This modern master bathroom from Pure Salt Interiors features a shiplap feature wall behind the double vanities.
Incorporating a shiplap paneled wall treatment in a coastal or Hamptons style bathroom can add a touch of coastal charm and warmth to a space.
This wonderful family bathroom from Bria Hammel Interiors features a light wood vanity, double sinks, and shiplap walls.
This lovely bathroom layout from Tamara Magel also features a white shiplap wall treatment along with crisp black accents, creating a chic, modern coastal look.
To achieve a refined look, shiplap can be installed in a classic horizontal or more modern vertical pattern, as shown in this modern coastal bathroom from Pure Salt Interiors:
9. Abundant natural light
Large windows are another important element in modern coastal bathroom design, allowing natural light to flood in, and creating an open and airy atmosphere reminiscent of the beach.
This beautiful master bathroom from Michelle D. Young Design features abundant natural light, as well as shiplap walls, a warm wood vanity cabinet, and mixed metal finishes. Here’s a source for the statement chandelier.
A timeless yet modern master bathroom design featuring a mix of natural wood and brass finishes, as well as abundant natural light.
10. Mixed metal finishes
Almost any metal finish can work well in a modern coastal bathroom design — especially if you’re keeping the rest of the color scheme fairly light and neutral.
If you want to mix metals in a coastal bathroom, I recommend mixing cool metals with warm metals to create a nice, eye-pleasing balance.
Warm metals include brass, gold, copper, and oil-rubbed bronze. Cool metals include chrome, polished nickel, and brushed nickel.
Black is considered either a cool-toned metal or a neutral and makes a great third metal to balance out your mix, as shown in this coastal style bathroom design from Pure Salt Interiors.
See my post, A Simple Guide to Mixing Metals in the Bathroom, for more on choosing metal finishes for your bathroom.
I’m sure it’s clear by now I love a coastal style bathroom! In my opinion, adding a touch of modern coastal design to the bathroom results in a stylish, timeless space.
Whether you opt for lots of natural elements, glass and brass light fixtures, light woods, or just an abundance of fresh white, there are countless ways to bring a touch of modern coastal decor to your master bathroom or small bathroom.
Modern coastal design is simply all about bringing the natural beauty of the beach and ocean to your home.
For more bathroom decorating ideas, you might also be interested this post: Beautiful Bathroom Decor and Design Ideas.
Where to Shop for Coastal Bathroom Fixtures and Decor
Below are a few of my favorite places to shop for coastal style bathroom fixtures, vanities and cabinets, and beach house decor in 2024.
Wayfair
Serena & Lily
Pottery Barn
Rejuvenation
Amazon
West Elm
Lowe’s
And here’s a selection of bathroom cabinets, faucets, mirrors, door and drawer pulls, and lighting.
Bathroom Vanities and Linen Cabinets
Bathroom Faucet Ideas
Bathroom Lighting Ideas
Bathroom Mirror Ideas
Cabinet Pulls and Knobs
For more modern coastal bathroom design ideas, beach house interior design, bathroom trends, and modern coastal decor, here are a few favorite related posts from the blog:
2024 Bathroom Trends, Design Ideas and Inspiration for Small and Master Bathrooms
2024 Home Decor Trends and Design Styles You Will Love
A Simple Guide to Mixing Metals in the Bathroom
Chic California Casual Style Decorating Ideas for Your Home
Bathroom Design and Decor Ideas for Small and Master Bathrooms (2024)
Bathroom Wall Mirror Ideas and Trends for 2024
Modern Coastal Decorating Ideas for Your Home
Modern Coastal Style Living Room Ideas for 2024
Color of the Year 2024 + Top Home Color Trends
What is Coastal Grandmother Style? (and why I’m loving this trend)
My Favorite Nancy Meyers Interiors
I hope you found this post informative and helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions about modern coastal or beach house style in the bathroom. Have a wonderful day! xo Jane
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