24 Coastal Kitchen Ideas To Make Every Day a Vacation

By: Andrew Saladino | 4 min
November 16th, 2023

Coastal kitchens are beloved for their relaxed and inviting atmosphere, often evoking the charm and tranquility of beachside cottages, seaside escapes, and coastal living. From soothing ocean-inspired color schemes to rugged wood accents, we'll explore various coastal kitchen ideas and decor choices that can transform your kitchen into a culinary seaside oasis.

1. Channel the Ocean With Your Color Palette

Coastal kitchens typically feature a light and breezy color scheme. Soft blues, pale greens, sandy neutrals, and crisp whites are commonly used to mimic the colors of the ocean, sky, and beach.

2. Incorporate Natural Materials for a Beach-Like Feel

To evoke a beachy vibe, natural materials like wood, bamboo, rattan, and stone are often used for countertops, flooring, and furniture. These earthy elements add warmth and texture to the space.

3. Keep Your Cabinets White and Bright

White kitchen cabinets create a clean, airy, and timeless backdrop that reflects the brightness of beachside living. Their versatility allows for easy pairing with a variety of coastal color schemes and decorative elements, from seashell-inspired accessories to ocean-blue accents.

4. Put Your Favorite Nautical Decor on Display With Open Shelving

You can use open shelving or glass-front cabinets to display beach-themed decor, such as seashells, beach glass, or coastal artwork, adding a personal touch to the design.

5. Bring the Outdoors in With Large Windows and Natural Light

When you think of the ocean, sunny days and gentle breezes likely come to mind. Elicit those vibes by incorporating as much natural light as possible, especially in tiny kitchens. Large windows, glass doors, and even skylights can help your kitchen feel fresh and breezy.

6. Add Rustic Charm With Rope

Rope accents in nautical kitchens add a distinctive maritime touch, evoking the rugged charm of life at sea. Whether used as cabinet pulls, pendant light cords, or decorative elements, ropes add whimsy to a nautical aesthetic, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere reminiscent of coastal cottages and beachside homes.

7. Entertain an Open Concept

An open-concept design that seamlessly blends the kitchen, dining, and living areas delivers a relaxed and inviting atmosphere that captures the essence of coastal living, especially when combined with natural decor and a light color palette.

8. Weave in Basket Storage for Function and Style

Baskets serve as both practical storage solutions and decorative elements that enhance a laid-back coastal aesthetic. Woven from natural materials like rattan or seagrass, these baskets infuse a touch of texture and warmth into the space while providing a convenient place to stow away beach towels, picnic supplies, or fresh produce.

9. Keep It Casual With Island Seating

Island seating in coastal-inspired kitchens not only provides a functional dining space but also fosters a relaxed, social atmosphere reminiscent of beachfront gatherings. Whether it's barstools lining a shiplap-finished island or casual seating arrangements on a driftwood-textured peninsula, these seating areas become natural hubs for family and guests to enjoy meals, conversation, and the feeling of being on a coastal vacation.

10. Add Breezy Blue Accents

While your overall kitchen color scheme may be light, pops of vibrant blues are a common accent color in coastal kitchens. Whether through ocean-inspired tiles or maritime-themed decor, shades of blue infuse a sense of serenity into the space.

11. Decorate With Driftwood

Incorporating driftwood or raw wood elements like natural wood cabinets, cutting boards, island countertops, or bowls brings a rustic, weathered charm to your kitchen design. It adds a touch of coastal ruggedness and earthiness to the otherwise airy and light palette, anchoring the space in the coastal theme and evoking the feeling of finding treasures washed ashore.

12. Hang Basket Pendants

Basket light pendants are a distinctive choice for coastal kitchens, as they combine functionality with a beachy, organic aesthetic. Their airy, open design allows light to filter through, casting captivating patterns on walls and surfaces reminiscent of dappled sunlight on a sandy beach.

13. Design an Outdoor Dining Area

You don't need a beach house to reap the benefits of outdoor dining. Whether you're working with a poolside patio, screened-in porch, or fifth-floor apartment balcony, you can design the perfect setting to enjoy a breath of fresh air, picturesque views, and savory meals.

14. Cozy Up With Terracotta

When used for backsplashes, tiles, or cookware and dishware, terracotta channels the sun-drenched Mexican shoreline. Its natural and rustic appeal complements the coastal theme by grounding the space, reminiscent of terracotta pots on seaside patios.

15. Incorporate Industrial Flair

Elements like exposed metal beams, stainless steel appliances, or industrial-style kitchen lighting can create a balanced juxtaposition with the typically soft and airy coastal design. This fusion of styles can add depth and character to the space, capturing the essence of coastal living while infusing a hint of urban coastal chic.

16. Lay Down Beach-Inspired Flooring

Popular options for beachy kitchen flooring include light-colored hardwood floors that mimic the look of weathered driftwood or whitewashed planks, creating a beachy, rustic feel. Durable and easy-to-clean materials like ceramic or porcelain tiles in sandy or sea-inspired shades can also be a great choice for coastal kitchens, providing both style and practicality, especially in high-traffic areas near the beach.

17. Make a Statement With Mediterranean Tiles

Incorporating Mediterranean tile into a beach house kitchen can infuse a sense of exotic charm and vibrant character. Terracotta, mosaic, or hand-painted tiles with intricate patterns or vivid colors create a striking focal point, evoking the ambiance of a Mediterranean coastal retreat.

18. Tie in Navy Blue Cabinets

Navy blue cabinets in coastal kitchens provide a stunning contrast to the typically light and airy coastal color palette, especially when dressed in gold hardware. They bring depth and sophistication to the space while maintaining a nautical feel reminiscent of deep ocean waters.

19. Create a Statement Shiplap Wall

Create a timeless beach cottage feel by adding shiplap paneling to your kitchen walls. Whether painted in soft pastel hues or left in a natural finish, shiplap walls instantly infuse a coastal ambiance into your space.

20. Sparkle With an Iridescent Backsplash

An iridescent backsplash creates a stunning focal point that brings to mind sunlight dancing on ocean waves. The shifting colors and luminous quality of iridescent tiles bring an ethereal element to your kitchen, enhancing the coastal ambiance with a touch of enchantment.

21. Decorate With Sea Glass Accents

Adorn your coastal-inspired kitchen with sea glass accessories like vases, drawer pulls, or pendant lights to add a pop of color to your design and a tactile reminder of beachcombing adventures.

22. Build Your Own Tiki Bar

Create a dedicated beverage station or bar cart featuring coastal-inspired glassware, cocktail shakers, and beach-themed spirits for a fun focal point perfect for entertaining.

23. Opt for Charming Beadboard Cabinets

Beadboard cabinets in a beach kitchen bring a charming and cottage-like quality to the space. This cabinet door style features vertical grooves and a cozy, textural appeal, perfectly complementing the relaxed ambiance of beachfront living.

24. Bring in the Green

Create your own tropical oasis by adding lush greenery and colorful blooms to your space. A stunning monstera or a tall vase with birds of paradise will have your kitchen feeling bright and welcoming.

Whether you're settled on the Florida coast or in a high-rise New York apartment, these coastal kitchen ideas will inspire you to design your own slice of paradise during your next kitchen remodel. If you're considering replacing your cabinets, we offer countless colors and design styles in both ready-to-assemble and pre-assembled options, perfect for beachside-inspired kitchens.