From natural materials to ocean-inspired color palettes, island style brings the outdoors in.
Coastal rooms bring the influences from outside surroundings in for a seamless, relaxing vibe.
Window treatments and a ceiling fan keep the room cool and shady.
Credit: Photo Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn, Stylist Liz Strong,
Adding a small potted plant to the bedside table literally brings the outside in.
Tropical foliage and floral arrangements add life and exotic drama.
The light green tubinstead of a traditional white or creamunifies the space.
Credit: Photo: Tria Giovan; Stylist: Elizabeth Beeler
All-white upholstered furniture and bare wood floors keep the room cool and light.
Dusty blue and beige accent colors sync with the understated vibe.
The rest of the room, decked in neutral tones, balances the wall’s bold color.
Credit: Photo: Lisa Romerein; Stylist: Elizabeth Beeler
Pickled, wide-plank pine floors in a light sand tone tie into the beach beyond.
Incorporate Natural Elements
This Maui bedroom is full of island style.
Light blue bed linens lend a watery accent that reflects the home’s oceanfront location.
Credit: Photo: Linny Morris; Stylist: Sunday Hendrickson
The airy canopy lends a touch of island style without detracting from the room’s modern aesthetic.
A stained concrete floor looks like the ocean while keeping the room cool.
Accessorize with found objects, like seashells, driftwood, and greenery.
Credit: Photo: Mark Lohman; Stylist: Françoise O’Neill
Copper, mint green, and sunny yellow mirror the exterior beach scene.
Bright eggshell paint, vintage tiki stools, and folding director’s-style chairs further enhance the effect.
The bright, cheery, tropical vibe makes dining a pleasure.
Credit: Photo: Annie Schlechter; Stylist: Elizabeth Beeler
Weather-Proof in and Out
Keep all eyes at sea by echoing Mother Nature’s color palette inside.
Pops of reds and blues in the fabric echo the flowers and sea, causing an uninterrupted focal point.
Be bold with hues, but see to it they complement one another.
Credit: Photo: Linny Morris; Stylist: Sunday Hendrickson
Layer Terrific Texture
Color isn’t the only way to make an impact.
Neutrals can pack a punch if done the right way.
Highlight Local Fabrics
A simple poster bed with local fabrics lets the sea speak for itself.
Credit: Photo: Gaelle Le Boulicaut
Wood in warm mahogany tones complements the deep blues of the bedspread and breathtaking view of the water.
Then he saw our Instagram, chatted with us, and eventually gave in.
New Orleans artist E. Lee Jahncke Mead (ofE.
Credit: Photo: Mark Lohman; Stylist: Françoise O’Neill
Lee Jahncke Fine Finishes) added the coral stripes to the walls.
Frosted glass allows natural sunlight to stream in without being too harsh or jeopardizing privacy.
Here, the Chippendale headboards frame the room to keep the focus zeroed in on the floral fabric.
Credit: Photo: Linny Morris, Stylist: Sunday Hendrickson
A bright, white background ensures pattern mixing doesn’t overwhelm.
Stand Up to the Elements Stylishly
This outdoor living room is far from a ho-hum porch.
Outdoor lanterns, bamboo furniture, and a ceramic stool will stand up to the elements without sacrificing style.
Credit: Photo: Jonny Valiant; Stylist: Erin Swift
Let Decorative Elements Pop
Mosaic tiles transform an ordinarily boring backsplash into durable wall art.
Keep the rest of the appliances and cabinetry simple to make the more decorative elements pop.
Frame island fronds for an inexpensive D.I.Y.
Credit: Photo Sandra Allen Lynn, Photographer Jean Allsopp,
Show Off Your Travels
Mix antiques and modern furniture for a cultured sophistication.
Woven baskets and rugs say “island style” without competing with signature pieces.
Create Crisp Contrast
The repetition of black-and-white geometric patterns gives this room a calming rhythm.
Credit: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn
The varying shapes and sizes of stripes and rectangles keep the look from being too repetitive.
Oversize basket-weave shades are delightfully unexpected.
Warm Up Black and White
Nothing is more timeless than black and white.
Credit: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn, Stylist Elizabeth Raines Beeler
Mosquito netting further softens the sleek aesthetic of the mirror arrangements.
Sparkle With All White
The bath is an ideal opportunity for an all-white room.
It just sparkles, appearing fresh and clean and inviting.
Credit:Dane Tashima
The unique scale of the sink and mirror lend a modern touch.
Contrast Charm With Rustic
Rethink wall art.
Hand-painted blossoms and an antique tub add charm to this calming bath.
Credit: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn, Stylist Elizabeth Raines Beeler
The bare wood floors keep the space from being too sweet.
Steer clear from muted hues and paint walls a saturated color like this royal blue.
Acanopy bed draped in sheer fabricinstills breezy, laid-back romance.
Add Pop With Tropical Prints
Carmen Miranda knew a thing or two about island style.
Take a tip from her hat and choose prints that communicate the whimsy and fun of the beach.
Pattern success comes when you keep the rest of the room understated with whitewashed walls and ceramic floors.
Credit: Photo J. Savage Gibson, Stylist Heather Chadduck,
See More Beach Living Decorating Room Ideas
Casually Entertain
Keep your prime spots for sunset cocktails casual.
double-check you provide plenty of seating for guests, as well as a quiet place to chill out alone.
An arrangement of a few plants picked from the garden makes a connection to the landscape even more.
Credit: Photo J. Savage Gibson, Stylist Heather Chadduck,
Enhance Ocean Views
Sea-inspired hues are a foolproof choice that lends successful results.
This classic blue-and-white palette enhances the surrounding views and provides a relaxing feel for this indoor/outdoor escape.
Pastel yellow and pink pillows add just the right amount of warmth.
Credit: Photo Jean-Philippe Piter, Stylist Pernille Vest,
Bamboo caning, latticework, and pagoda-inspired umbrellas are staples from that era.
An old brass curtain rod acts as a towel holder and becomes a point of interest in the room.
A blue and white bottle collection adds a tinge of personality to the overall aged, white look.
Credit: Photo Jean-Philippe Piter, Stylist Pernille Vest,
Store Creatively With Built-ins
Make the most out of small island spaces by utilizing tricky angles.
Built-in shelves allow storage for books, and wooden beams provide creative places to store clothing accessories.
All that wood gets a lift with a light wash without covering up the grain.
Credit: Photo Jean-Philippe Piter, Stylist Pernille Vest,
The brushstrokes will make the room look like a work of art.
Complete the look with a simple furniture arrangement and a few key accessories.
Let the Outdoors Inspire
When decorating island-inspired rooms, draw from nature’s color palette.
Credit: Photo Jean-Philippe Piter, Stylist Pernille Vest,
Tropical details bring the outdoors into this Key West kitchen.
Honey tones repeat from floor to ceiling.
One large palm is all that’s needed to add some greenery.
Credit: Photo Sophie Munro, Stylist Brice Gaillard,
Substitute Texture for Color
Keep the laid-back feeling of the islands with barely-there neutrals.
Amp up interest in a room by substituting texture for color.
Go for materials such as rattan, seagrass, jute, and linen.
Credit: Sophie Munro, Stylist Brice Gaillard
Set the Scene
No need for decorations in this room.
Classic blue-and-white pillows add subtle charm.
Trick Out a Bath With Bamboo
Get your bathrooms in on the tropical action too.
Credit: Photo Annie Schlechter
Bamboo-print wallpaper adds just the right amount of pattern for a vintage-beach feel.
A white bamboo-framed mirror adds repetition without making the patterns compete.
A coral-colored skirted sink adds punchy color and softness.
Credit: Photo Annie Schlechter
Here, a formal canopy bed is kept playful with bold red and graphic decorative pillows.
A seagrass carpeta foundation of beach stylesupports the casual, elegant room.
The casual nautical theme is reinforced with a natural rug and wooden chest as a coffee table.
Credit: Photo Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn
A big bowl and basket full of shells localizes the room.
Porthole-shaped mirrors and a mix of wicker furniture maintain the beach theme.
A layer of subtle interest is thrown in with pattern-mixed pillows in the same neutral color.
Credit: Photo J. Savage Gibson
This living room provides both.
A calm color palette of neutrals and pale blues keeps the ocean view the focus of the room.
Pick two standout colorshere, green and orangeand let them pop against white and neutrals.
Credit: Sophie Munro
Ceramic frog stools and a seashell framed mirror add humor to a lux, island look.
An oil-based exterior finish gives the painted cedar floorboards extra durability.
Seashells and fishing poles contribute to the sense of place.
Credit: Sophie Munro
A display of sea-inspired artwork is anchored by two hefty ceramic carp below.
An iconic seagrass carpet frames the seating area.
Huge palms bring the outdoors in.
Credit: Sophie Munro
Natural materialsa cane side table and bare wood floors in mink brownadd balance.
The combination carries an air of refinement along with a mellow, easy vibe.
Try Formal Finishes on Casual Pieces
Shell chandeliers are an island home must!
Credit: Photo Jean Allsopp
The antiqued silver finish on this chandelier adds a bit of unexpected formality to this playful dining room.
This classic Bermuda bedroom is a master class on layersfrom window treatments to bedding to furniture pieces.
Wallpaper on both wall and ceiling pulls off a cohesive, custom design.
Credit: Photo Jean Allsopp
The azure kitchen counter tiles add a zing of color between floor-to-ceiling wood.
Open shelving makes a small kitchen efficient as matching dinner and glassware become part of the decor.
Paintings of tropical scenes and a wood bowl of seashells sync with the island, cottage chic look.
Credit: Photo: Gaelle Le Boulicaut
Keep It Flexible
Use neutral furniture as a blank canvas for bold colors and playful patterns.
Swap out pillows and decorative accessories for a new look whenever you’re in the mood to redecorate.
Curvy, wing chairs look fresh in white and soften dark, geometric metal seating.
Credit: Photo: Annie Schlechter
Get Creative With Seashells
Play up the beach theme with seashells.
But not just in the traditional decorating sense.
Use shells as a backsplash in a kitchen or as wallpaper in a small room.
Credit: Photo: Annie Schlechter
Large shells become a decorative feature along the top of cabinetry.
Sheer curtains provide some privacy without completely blocking the view.
Sea blues come together in the ceramic stool, pillows, and throw.
Credit: Photo: Reena Bammi
Linen-wrapped poufs make for extra, moveable seating.
Wood lamps and a wire-and-linen chandelier cast soft light on the space.
Set a Texture-Rich Scene
Woven grass-cloth walls set the tone for a texture-rich hideaway.
Classic palm-print matching curtains and pillows bring the tropical look forward.
Create a Secret Retreat
Create the ultimate beachside suite by opening up to a private seating nook.
Unfinished teak and woven floor cushions add rugged texture against shades of aqua and sage.
Credit: Photo: Lisa Romerein
The color palette and aged furniture pieces present a seamless style inside and out.
Everyone (almost!)
has a stunning view from the dining table.
Credit: Photo: Deborah Whitlaw Llwellyn
Indulge in Seaside Decadence
This teahouse is a space designed for indulging.
Credit: Lisa Romerein
Credit: Photo: Annie Schlechter
Credit: Photo: Pieter Estersohn
Credit: Photo: Annie Schlechter
Credit: Photo: J. Savage Gibson
Credit: Photo: Annie Schlechter; Stylist: Matthew Gleason
Credit: Photo: Richard Leo Johnson
Credit: Sophie Munro
Credit: Photo: Troy Campbell
Credit: Dominique Vorillon
Credit: Lisa Romerein
Credit: Photo: J. Savage Gibson
Credit: Photographer Tria Giovan
Credit: Dominique Vorillon
Credit: Photo: Lisa Romerein
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn, Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
