16 Ways To Get The Grandma Coastal Aesthetic In Your Home
Remember those cozy beach houses your grandmother decorated with shells, weathered wood, and soft blue hues?
That’s the grandma coastal aesthetic – a style that brings together nostalgic comfort and seaside charm. This decorating trend combines vintage coastal elements with the warm, lived-in feel of grandma’s house, creating spaces that feel both elegant and inviting.
Ready to transform your home into a beachy, nostalgic haven that Nancy Meyers would approve of?
1. Striped Blue and White Textiles
Ahoy there! Maritime-inspired stripes instantly transport your space to a seaside cottage where grandma might be baking something delicious in the kitchen. These classic patterns never go out of style and bring an air of casual sophistication.
Incorporate these beloved patterns through throw pillows, duvet covers, or even kitchen towels. The beauty lies in their versatility – mix different stripe widths for visual interest or pair with solid neutrals for a more subtle nautical nod.
2. Vintage Glass Fishing Floats
Once upon a time, these colorful glass orbs served a practical purpose for fishermen. Today, they’re the perfect touch of authentic coastal nostalgia that grandma would approve of.
Arrange a collection in a wooden bowl or display individually on bookshelves. Their sea-glass colors – typically blues and greens – catch the light beautifully and add that hint of maritime history. For budget-friendly alternatives, modern reproductions capture the same charm without the antique price tag.
3. Weathered Wood Furniture
Who needs shiny and new when you can have furniture that tells a story? Weathered wood pieces with their soft, faded finishes evoke years of salty air exposure – even if they’ve never been near the ocean.
Seek out coffee tables, console tables, or dining sets with that perfectly imperfect patina. The beauty of this look is that new scratches or water rings only add to the character! If your budget is tight, consider DIY techniques to achieve that sun-bleached, coastal-worn appearance.
4. Shell Collections Under Glass
Remember wandering the shoreline with grandma, collecting tiny treasures from the sea? Channel that nostalgic memory by displaying your own shell collection under glass cloches or in vintage apothecary jars.
The key to keeping this look sophisticated rather than touristy is thoughtful arrangement and quality containers. Group similar shells together or create a focal point with one spectacular specimen. Even if you purchased your shells rather than collected them, no one needs to know that little secret!
5. Linen Slipcovers
Imagine sinking into a perfectly broken-in sofa after a day at the beach – that’s the feeling linen slipcovers bring to your home. Unlike their fussy counterparts, these covers embrace wrinkles as part of their charm.
White is classic coastal grandma, but don’t overlook soft blues, sandy beiges, or even faded stripes. The beauty of slipcovers lies in their practicality – grandma knew they could be removed and washed when the grandkids spilled their lemonade.
6. Vintage Nautical Maps
What tales these treasures could tell if they could speak! Framed nautical charts and maps bring history, character, and that perfect touch of maritime adventure to your walls.
Hunt for authentic vintage pieces at antique shops or opt for quality reproductions. The yellowed paper and intricate details of coastlines create instant conversation pieces. For an extra personal touch, seek out maps of coastlines that hold special meaning for your family – perhaps where grandma and grandpa first met?
7. Blue and White Porcelain
Long before it became trendy on Instagram, grandma knew the timeless appeal of blue and white porcelain. These classic pieces bring instant sophistication while nodding to coastal colors.
Don’t fret about perfection; a chip here or there only adds to the heirloom quality. Display them grouped together on a mantel or scatter individual pieces throughout your home as unexpected coastal touches.
8. Sisal and Jute Rugs
Feel the imaginary sand between your toes with natural fiber rugs that bring beachy texture to your floors. These hardworking elements ground a space while maintaining that effortless coastal vibe grandma perfected.
Layer them under softer cotton rugs for added comfort or let them stand alone in their natural beauty. The neutral tones work with virtually any color scheme, while the texture adds visual interest. Plus, they hide beach sand better than any other flooring option – something grandma definitely appreciated!
9. White Painted Shiplap
Before Joanna Gaines made it famous, coastal grandmas knew the power of white painted wooden walls. This architectural element instantly transports you to a seaside cottage, even if you’re miles from the shore.
Consider adding shiplap to a single accent wall or go all-in for a complete room transformation. The horizontal lines create a sense of expanded space while the texture adds depth and interest. For authentic coastal grandma vibes, choose a soft white with warm undertones rather than a stark, bright white.
10. Vintage Oars and Paddles
Straight from grandpa’s boathouse to your living room wall! These weathered treasures bring authentic maritime character and serve as unexpected art pieces in a coastal grandma space.
Mount them horizontally above doorways, vertically beside windows, or create a striking arrangement of several crossed on a large wall. The more weathered and worn, the better – those chips and faded paint tell stories of adventures on the water.
11. Glass Table Lamps With Linen Shades
Picture the warm glow of evening light in grandma’s seaside cottage – that’s the ambiance these lamps create. Clear or sea-glass colored bases let light filter through beautifully while adding that coastal transparency.
Look for bases with bubbles or slight imperfections that mimic sea glass found on the shore. Pair with natural linen or cotton shades in off-white for that perfectly imperfect, casual elegance
12. Vintage Coastal Artwork
Long before mass-produced beach prints existed, grandma collected original seascapes and maritime scenes from local artists. These pieces bring authenticity and character that no modern reproduction can match.
Hunt flea markets and estate sales for oil paintings of shorelines, watercolors of sailboats, or charming prints of seaside towns. Don’t worry about creating a perfect gallery – the slightly mismatched frames and varying styles create that collected-over-time look that defines grandma coastal style.
13. Bowl of Collected Beach Stones
There’s something profoundly soothing about running your fingers through smooth stones collected from countless beach walks. This simple display connects your home to nature in the most tactile way.
Choose a weathered wooden bowl or vintage blue and white porcelain vessel as your container. Fill it with stones in similar color families – whites and grays for a serene look or mix in those with hints of blue, green, or pink for subtle color.
14. Faded Oriental Rugs
Surprise! Authentic coastal grandma style isn’t just about blue and white stripes. Those perfectly worn, faded oriental rugs bring unexpected sophistication and warmth to beachy interiors.
The subtle fading from years of sunlight creates soft, muted colors that complement coastal palettes beautifully. Look for patterns in blues, sandy beiges, and soft reds that have mellowed with age.
15. Brass Nautical Accents
Every coastal grandma knows that a touch of aged brass brings warmth and character to seaside interiors. These elements add a hint of maritime history without turning your home into a theme restaurant.
Incorporate small touches like a vintage compass, telescope, or ship’s clock displayed on bookshelves or side tables. The warm patina of aged brass contrasts beautifully with the cooler blues and whites of coastal decor.
16. White Cotton Curtains
Can you feel that imaginary sea breeze? Lightweight white cotton curtains billowing gently in the wind epitomize the casual elegance of coastal grandma style.
The beauty lies in their simplicity – no fussy patterns or heavy fabrics here. Mount rods higher than the window frame to create the illusion of taller ceilings and maximize natural light. On practical days, these can be tied back; during afternoon naps, they filter sunlight into a dreamy glow.
