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What is Coastal Grandmother Style? (and why I’m loving this trend)

If you’ve been following along for a while, you know how much I love both modern coastal and Nancy Meyers style interiors, having embraced both design styles here on my blog and in our home.  So when I heard about coastal grandmother style (sometimes called coastal grandma style), a mingling of coastal décor and the breezy, elevated aesthetic portrayed in Nancy Meyers movies like Something’s Gotta Give, it was a match made in heaven.

If you’ve been wondering what coastal grandma style interior design is all about, today I’m taking a look at this decorating trend, along with easy ways to bring the coastal grandmother aesthetic to your home, inspiration images, places to shop for coastal grandmother furniture and decor in 2024, and more.

Beautiful light filled living room with wood beams and neutral tones - Kate Marker InteriorsKate Marker Interiors

First, what is coastal grandmother style?

The term coastal grandmother was first used by Tik Tok influencer Lex Nicoleta and refers to a relaxed, elevated way of living–the kind of chic lifestyle exemplified by Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give and Meryl Streep in It’s Complicated

I’m sure there are many different takes on this aesthetic, but when I think of coastal grandmother interiors, it brings up visions of light-filled rooms, fresh flowers, an abundance of books, comfortable slipcovered furniture, neutral hues, baskets, and natural elements –anything that represents a relaxed, elevated, lighter way of living and decorating. 

Love this beautiful living room design with a white slipcovered sofa, light wood console table, shiplap ceiling, and neutral decor and furniture - living room ideas - coastal living rooms - living room decor - hamptons style - modern coastal style - cosy living room - livingrooms design - modern organic living roomPure Salt Interiors

Incorporating a mix of elevated Hamptons and fresh modern coastal styles, coastal grandmother style is all about adopting a slower-paced, leisurely lifestyle – even if you don’t live near the coast and/or aren’t a grandmother!

All in all, coastal grandmother style interior design is a chic, comfortable aesthetic that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

How to add a touch of coastal grandmother style to your home

The coastal grandma look embraces the little details that make a house feel like home — herbs on the kitchen windowsill, bowls of fruit, fresh flowers, plenty of books, cozy slipcovered furniture, casually thrown pillows, and an abundance of natural light. 

Beautiful kitchen design with layered elements and mixed metals - Jean Stoffer DesignJean Stoffer Interior Design

To bring the coastal grandma aesthetic to your home, start with a background of white walls, then add in window coverings, bedding, and accents in natural fabrics like cotton and linen.

Next, layer in some natural elements, including light wood furniture, plenty of baskets, and textured rugs. 

Love this beautiful small living room and sitting area in the master bedroom with neutral furniture and decor and a touch of coastal style - coastal living room ideas - coastal bedrooms - boho bedrooms Pure Salt Interiors

The coastal grandmother aesthetic is based on a calming color palette drawn from nature, complete with soft neutral tones and textures.

Finally, accent your spaces with decorative items, throw pillows, and cozy blankets in soft, muted colors of the sea, sand, and sky. 

The key to coastal grandma style interior design is all about mastering the mix of timeless and modern.

A beautiful calming bedroom design with chic coastal grandmother style - coastal decor - coastal bedroom - coastal grandma aesthetic - coastal grandmother bedroom - greige designGreige Design

Since coastal grandma style is essentially carefree and relaxed, it’s easy to go overboard when bringing a coastal-inspired look to your home. 

Some things to avoid overdoing in a coastal-themed home include signs, ropes, anchors, sea creatures, and nautical motifs.

Rather, coastal grandmother style is thoughtful, neutral, serene, and elevated. 

Love this beautiful bedroom design with two beds, a woven chandelier, and neutral bedding, decor, and furniture - bedroom ideas - master bedroom - modern bedroom - coastal bedroom - guest bedroom inspiration - coastal grandmother - pure salt interiorsPure Salt Interiors

Here are some suggested elements to help you capture the coastal grandmother look:  

  • Jute, wool or sisal rugs.
  • Soft cotton or linen slipcovers and bedding.
  • Ceramic or terracotta planters.
  • Fresh herbs on the windowsill, a vase of fresh flowers, orchids, or lush plants in terracotta pots.
  • Linen aprons, napkins, and dish towels
  • Display lovely items used for cooking: a salt & pepper cellar, a marble mortar and pestle, olive oils, wood utensils and rolling pins gathered in a crock
  • Copper pots and pans displayed on an iron pot hanger
  • Fruits and vegetables on display on the kitchen counter
  • Wood cutting boards and marble pastry boards
  • Flowing white or off-white curtains in cotton or linen
  • Baskets
  • Candles
  • Mementos from your travels
  • Lots of books, stacked and displayed on shelves, side tables, console tables, and coffee tables. 

A great example of coastal grandmother style, Nancy Meyers’ own kitchen features white cabinets, an abundance of natural light, and two kitchen islands — perfect for cooking and entertaining.

Love this beautiful kitchen with white cabinets and two kitchen islands - nancy meyers kitchen - arch digestNancy Meyers kitchen – Architectural Digest

Coastal Grandmother Decorating Ideas for Your Home

Coastal grandmother style is a great way to add a chic, timeless look to any space.  Here are some ideas for incorporating this trend in your home.

A blue and white ginger jar, natural fiber rug, and glorious blue door create the quintessential coastal entryway, located on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. 

Shiplap walls, a natural fiber rug, and a glorious blue door create the quintessential coastal entryway.  From Barrow Building GroupBarrow Building Group – door color is Sherwin Williams Denim Blue

This charming bathroom design incorporates plenty of white, light wood elements, and a luxurious bathtub.

Beautiful bathroom ideas, with decorating ideas, designs, lighting, vanity ideas, wood cabinets, hardware, faucets, bathroom decor, glam bathroom ideas, shower tile & more - akb design studioAKB Design Studio

I love the soft color palette and interesting tones and textures in this lovely coastal themed bedroom:

A beautiful lake house master bedroom design with layered bedding and modern coastal decor - lily pad cottageThe Lily Pad Cottagependantstools

Here’s a charming reading nook under the stairs—the perfect spot to hide away and enjoy a good book!

Love this beautiful reading nook under the stairs from Brooke Wagner Design

Brooke Wagner Design

This light and airy coastal grandmother style living room features soft neutral colors and an abundance of natural textures:

Love this gorgeous living room design with two woven chairs, a tv wall with builtins, and light neutral decor and furniture - coastal living rooms - cozy coastal living room - modern coastal interior design - beach house interior design - coastal boho interiors

Pure Salt Interiors

Here’s another view of this beautiful space:

Love this beautiful modern living room design with woven chairs, a wood coffee table, and built in shelves and cabinets next to the tv - organic modern decor - modern organic living room - coastal modern interior design - pure salt interiorsPure Salt Interiors

A fully-equipped coastal grandmother style kitchen with amazing views:

Marianne Simon Design

I love this luxurious bathroom design with a light oak wood linen cabinet and white double vanity.

Love this beautiful modern bathroom design with a wood linen cabinet and white double vanity - bathroom remodel - coastal bathroom - west bay homesWest Bay Homes

I love the thoughtful layering and interesting tones and textures in this beautiful coastal bedroom from Pure Salt Interiors:

A beautiful coastal bedroom design with neutral decor and furniture - coastal grandmother bedroom ideasPure Salt Interiors

This beautiful living room exudes chic neutral coastal grandma style:

Luxurious living room - erin fetherstonErin Fetherston

This elegant kitchen incorporates a hint of coastal grandma style via the brass pendants and charming potted topiaries:

Love this beautiful kitchen design with black framed windows and brass pendant lightsChristopher Architecture and Interiors

This stylish bathroom design incorporates plenty of white, light wood elements, and natural woven textures — as well as a luxurious bathtub — the perfect spot to relax and unwind!

Beautiful modern master bathroom with light wood vanity - pure saltPure Salt Interiors

A dreamy primary bedroom, layered with soft bedding and interesting textures:

 

Alexis Andra Austin

This beautiful family room, with its soft neutral tones and abundance of texture, is the epitome of relaxed coastal style:

Love this beautiful living room design with soft neutral tones, furniture and decor - small living room decor - coastal living rooms - modern coastal style - beach house interior design - pure salt interiorsPure Salt Interiors

Offering a wonderful example of a kitchen any coastal grandmother would love, this space features an abundance of storage, chic striped counter stools, and a beautiful gray-blue island (in Sherwin Williams Smoky Candle).  

Love this beautiful modern kitchen design with white cabinets, a grey blue island color, and striped director's style counter stools - kitchen ideas - kitchen decor - kitchem remodel - modern coastal kitchenAGK Design Studio

A mix of linen pillows–and even a woven light fixture–can be used to create a coastal grandmother look in the bedroom. Of course, cotton is always a great option, too. 

Beautiful small bedroom idea with coastal decor and modern light fixture - Pure Salt Hilltop Design | luxurious bedroom | master bedroom | boho bedroom | small bedroom | coastal bedroomPure Salt Interiors

This lovely coastal grandma bedroom design features a wood canopy bed and a light and airy aesthetic.

Beautiful bedroom with wood canopy bed and modern coastal accents - Pure Salt InteriorsPure Salt Interiors

This elegant kitchen design features black countertops, crisp white cabinets, and timeless brass finishes, exuding a chic coastal grandmother aesthetic:

Love this beautiful kitchen design with white cabinets, black countertops, brass sconces, and black framed windows - kitchen cabinet ideas - kitchen lighting - room decor - jen langstonJen Langston Interiors

Here’s a chic coastal home with a stunning entryway and gorgeous pendant lights, perfect for welcoming friends and family:

Love this beautiful entryway with a vintage Turkish runner, blue doors and modern white and brass cone pendant light - entryway ideas - entryway rug - entryway decor - entryway lightingBarrow Building Group

Contemporary artwork is a great way to add a touch of laid-back coastal grandmother style to the bedroom:

Love this beautiful bedroom design with neutral bedding, decor, and furniture! bedroom ideas - bedroom decor - coastal interiors - modern coastal bedroom - pure saltPure Salt Interiorsartwork

This beautiful kitchen design is a great example of chic coastal grandmother style.  The cabinet color is Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore.

I love this beautiful modern kitchen design with a blue island and brass pendant lights - blue kitchen ideas - kitchen lighting ideas - kitchen island ideas - andrea mcqueen designAndrea McQueen Designpendant lights

This chic open-concept living room, kitchen, and dining area offers a modern take on coastal grandmother style.

Love this beautiful modern living room design with a large neutral sectional, a round wood coffee table, and two square ottomans - living room ideas - living room decor - living room table - living room furniture ideas - coastal style - coastal interiors - pure saltPure Salt Interiors – similar sectionals here, here and here – similar coffee table here and here

This gorgeous kitchen, with its tasteful mix of whites and woods, conveys a relaxed, elevated coastal grandmother aesthetic:

The Cabinet Gallery Utah – Cambridge Home Co.

Here’s a closer look at the sink area in this charming kitchen design:

Love the styling in this beautiful kitchen design with white cabinets and brass lighting and cabinet pulls - the cabinet gallery utah - cambridge home coCambridge Home Co. – The Cabinet Gallery Utah

A dark blue vanity, as well as brass lantern sconces and a large basket, bring a coastal feeling to this lovely bathroom design:

Beautiful modern master bathroom with dark blue vanity, marble countertop, and brass gold accents - bathroom remodel - bathroom design - bathroom decorMindy Gayer Design

This dreamy coastal grandma style bedroom features a rattan nightstand, woven bed, black chandelier, and lovely soft tones of blue and blush.

Love this beautiful modern coastal bedroom design with light neutral furniture and decor - bedroom ideas - bedroom decor - design loves detailDesign Loves Detail

This beautiful coastal grandmother bedroom features a beaded chandelier, woven canopy bed, light wood nightstands, and a cozy sitting area to enjoy a quiet moment:

A beautiful coastal bedroom design with neutral decor and furniture - coastal grandmother bedroom ideasPure Salt Interiors

Here’s another great example of a coastal grandma bedroom.  The shiplap walls, driftwood, and four-poster bed add a hint of coastal grandma style to this space:

A beautiful coastal bedroom design with neutral decor and furniture - coastal grandmother bedroom ideasMarie Flanigan Interiors

A beautiful coastal grandmother style living room, featuring woven lounge chairs, a tiered chandelier, round rug, wood coffee table, and dreamy artwork.  

Love this beautiful modern coastal living room and sitting area with four woven swivel chairs and a round wood coffee table Courtney Egli

Here’s a beautiful coastal themed living room with a round woven ottoman and four light gray swivel chairs.  

Love this beautiful modern coastal living room and conversation area with a round woven ottoman and four light gray swivel chairs - small living room - living room furniture - neutral decor - coastal interiors - coastal style - salt design Salt Design Co.

This beautiful living area adjacent to the kitchen incorporates soft neutrals, wood beams, and a gorgeous grouping of white swivel chairs around a striking coffee table to create a luxurious, yet approachable, coastal aesthetic.

Beautiful spaces of the week: modern coastal sitting area with four chairs around a central coffee table and unique modern pendant light - pure salt interior design #livingroom #coastallivingroom #moderncoastal #coastalstyle #livingroomdecor #livingroomideas #keepingroomPure Salt Interiors

Fresh flowers and herbs, dark blue cabinetry accented with crisp brass hardware, and a white planked ceiling bring a timeless look to this stylish mud room:

Love this beautiful pass-through mudroom design with dark blue-black cabinets, an industrial pendant, and European farmhouse style - kitchen ideas - mud room - mudroom - utility room ideas - entryway ideasStudio McGeependant

Here are a few places to find coastal grandmother decor, furniture, and linens with a light, contemporary aesthetic:

And here’s a collection of coastal grandmother decor, furniture, and home finds I love:

coastal grandmother decor ideas

As I’m sure you can tell, I love everything about this stylish mix of modern coastal décor and Nancy Meyers style, and I hope you found all sorts of ideas to help you bring a touch of coastal grandmother interior design to your home in 2024. 

Wishing you a beautiful day!  xo Jane

For more coastal decorating ideas and inspiration, here are a few favorite related posts from the blog:

Modern Coastal Decorating Ideas for 2024

2024 Home Decor Trends and Design Ideas You Will Love

Color of the Year 2024 + Top Home Color Trends

My Favorite Nancy Meyers Interiors

California Casual Interior Design: How to Bring Chic West Coast Style to Your Home

Beautiful Transitional Style Decorating Ideas for 2024

Modern Coastal Living Room Ideas for 2024

Beautiful Coastal Bathroom Ideas and Trends for 2024

Modern Coastal Bedroom Ideas and Trends for 2024

Restoration Hardware Style: How to Get the RH Look for Less

Modern Beach House Style Decorating Ideas for Your Home

Coastal Kitchen Ideas You Will Love

Beautiful Laundry Room and Mudroom Ideas for 2024

2024 Kitchen Design Trends and Decorating Ideas

2024 Bathroom Trends, Design Ideas and Inspiration for Small and Master Bathrooms

A Simple Guide to Mixing Metals in the Bathroom

A Simple Guide to Mixing Metals in the Kitchen

 

   

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5 Comments

  • Vi
    March 1, 2024 at 8:02 pm

    As beautiful as it all is, I see nothing grandma about any of this aesthetic. Maybe I’m too old to be reading this post and it went over my head! Thanks for the coastal inspiration ‍♀️

    Reply
  • Kim
    June 16, 2023 at 2:24 pm

    Hi Jane,
    Thank you for sharing such great information on coastal grandmother style. I love it. We’re doing an extensive remodel and your post will help me pull it all together.
    Kim

    Reply
    • Jane
      June 18, 2023 at 12:04 pm

      Hi Kim! Thank you so much for your lovely message and kind words! Wishing you all my best with your remodel, xo Jane

      Reply
      • Virginia roesner
        June 22, 2023 at 4:28 pm

        I love it. I think I have always been coastal grandmother. Thank you so much for validating my taste.

        Reply
        • Jane
          January 18, 2024 at 11:00 am

          I think I’ve always been a coastal grandmother, too, Virginia! Thank you for your lovely comment. xo

          Reply

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