The coastal style is one of those styles you simply have to love. It’s never kitsch, always looks clean and stylish, and allows you to bring beach vibes into your home every day.
Whether you live on the coast or inland, there’s no better style for your bathroom. So, check out our coastal bathroom ideas and find out how to get a perfect coastal bathroom in no time!
Let’s dive into it!
Make Sure There’s Enough Light
Coastal bathrooms should be airy, light, and breezy. They should make you feel almost like you’re outside, on a white sandy beach, rather than indoors. So, it’s essential to have lots of light in there.
This is especially important if you want to create a small coastal bathroom, which can feel a bit cramped if not well-lit.
Ideally, you should have large windows that let in lots of natural light. But not all is lost if this isn’t the case with your bathroom. You can always add lots of carefully positioned artificial light sources to mimic the effect.
Bright ceiling lights and glass scones can be a great option. And remember, the more, the merrier.
Herringbone Tiles for the Win
In the US, the herringbone tile pattern is usually associated with old houses, so many people consider it outdated. But this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Although it’s a style that’s been around for centuries, it’s still chic and modern.
The herringbone tile pattern brings a lot of movement into your bathroom and gives it a dose of luxury. It also introduces texture and creates a more visually exciting look.
Since this is all a coastal bathroom craves, there’s no wonder that the herringbone pattern is considered one of the best coastal bathroom tile ideas.
Since herringbone tiling is very effective, there’s no need to use it in the whole bathroom. Apply it on only one or two walls, or use it to create attractive bathroom flooring.
White Airiness
White is one of the first colors that pop to mind when thinking about the coastal style. And no wonder! It’s clean, airy, and breezy — everything a coastal style stands for.
So, if you want to create a perfect beach bathroom, white must be included.
Using a white bathtub and toilet is a must in a coastal bathroom, but you shouldn’t stop there. Consider adding at least a bit more white details (e.g., mirror frames, light fixtures, decorative pieces, etc.) to get that clean, breezy look.
You can also opt for a completely white coastal bathroom to make your bathroom look as light and airy as possible.
To prevent the space from looking too monotonous, you can add a couple of details in different colors. For example, you can add a bathroom vanity worktop in the color of natural wood, a grey soap dispenser/ soap dish, a white shower curtain with attractive geometrical linework, etc.
Tip — Don’t forget that there are many ‘whites‘ to choose from. Off-white hues (e.g., ivory, Navajo white, vanilla, etc.) are also acceptable in this style, so you don’t have to stick to only one shade.
Shiplap Paneling
Shiplap paneling was used to cover the sides of boats for centuries. Some time ago, interior design found another practical use for this type of paneling, so now we use it to decorate our living spaces and give them that beautiful beachy vibe.
So, what better place to use it than your coastal bathroom, where it’ll serve as incredible beach bathroom decor?
You can use shiplap panels for an accent wall, or you can opt to cover half of your walls with shiplap and simply paint the other half in a complementary color.
And, if you can’t find shiplap panels in your vicinity, regular vertical paneling can do the job just fine too.
Opt For Retro Geometric Coastal Tiles
Need something that’ll instantly bring your bathroom to the next level? You can’t go wrong if you pick eye-catching blue and white tiles like these.
Their presence will certainly make your bathroom look original and attractive. These tiles will look great as a backdrop for your sink, as an accent wall, or even as a coastal bathroom floor tile option.
Just make sure not to go overboard with other patterns while styling your bathroom to avoid the space looking too busy. Pair them with neutral colors (e.g., white, lighter natural wood colors, etc.) and sleek lines for the best results.
Choose Accessories Made From Natural Materials
The coastal style uses nature as inspiration for creating alluring, peaceful spaces. So, adding some natural elements to your bathroom decor is never a bad idea.
Choose natural materials like bamboo, wood, jute, and rattan for your coastal bathroom accessories. They all have interesting textures, so they’re sure to make your space more attractive.
For example, add a jute rug for extra warmth and texture or introduce a large jute basket and use it as a laundry basket.
Combine Beige And Turquoise
There’s no better color scheme than beige and turquoise for homeowners looking for an authentic and eye-catching beach–themed coastal bathroom.
The idea of combining these two colors might seem strange at first. Still, it’s perfectly logical! Beige is the color of sand, and turquoise is the color of seawater, so there’s no doubt they’ll go well together.
For the most effective combo, we recommend either painting your walls beige (or choosing elegant beige tiles) and adding distressed coastal style turquoise furniture and details.
For example, you can opt for a turquoise vanity and a mirror frame to add the necessary pop of color to your bathroom. You can also add a turquoise shelf (or multiple shelves if the space allows it).
Modern Coastal Bathroom With an Effective Vanity
If you like coastal colors and that beach house feel but want to make your bathroom more modern, there’s a solution. You can easily mix and match the modern design with traditional coastal details and get fantastic results.
Pick a sleek and modern-looking vanity with simple, minimalistic lines, and then play with the color palette to bring in the coastal spirit. For example, you could use turquoise and other beach-inspired colors.
Then, add a stylish bathroom mirror and bring everything together with neutral color tiles like the sandstone ones you can see in the picture.
Use Blue for Your Walls
Blue is the color of the sea and the color that can help you instantly get that beachy feel you’re after.
So, the easiest way to create a beach coastal bathroom is to incorporate some blue into your space. There are many ‘blues‘ you can choose from — turquoise, navy, sky blue, etc.
And if you’re not a fan of bolder colors, you can always opt for lighter shades with no fear you’ll get any less beachy results.
Paint your walls (or only the top/bottom part of them) blue or combine white tiles with light blue paint to soften the look. You can also opt for only one blue accent wall. The choice is yours, as you can never go wrong with either of these combinations.
Add a Tropical Touch to Your Bathroom
People often confuse tropical style with coastal style. While coastal is neutral and sophisticated, tropical is brightly colored and much more visually entertaining. But this doesn’t mean combining them is impossible and that it won’t look good.
Tropical accents in your bathroom can make for great coastal bathroom decor if combined well with the rest of the environment. They can introduce a pop of color and texture into a previously neutral space.
An excellent way to add a touch of tropics into your coastal bathroom is to introduce fun shower curtains, wallpaper, or towels with tropical print. You can choose just one or combine a few of these details.
Add a final touch by using some lush tropical plants and enjoy your one-of-a-kind tropical/coastal fusion bathroom.
Conclusion
Coastal bathrooms are one of the best choices you can make when it comes to bathroom design. The look is easy to achieve, and it’s an excellent addition to your home, especially if you already have a beach-inspired coastal kitchen.
FAQ
What is modern coastal design?
The modern coastal design combines the traditional nautical details and color palette of the coastal style with clean, minimal lines of the modern design.
So, it’s a more minimalistic style that doesn’t have to burst with coastal details to be stylish.
How do I make my bathroom look tropical?
To achieve that exotic, tropical look, you should pick the right color palette. You could start with tame white and add pops of tropical colors like fuchsia, canary yellow, turquoise, etc., through details like shower curtains and various decorative pieces.
Use natural materials that evoke the vibes of palm-tree-surrounded tropical bungalows. Bamboo, rattan, jute, etc., are all good ideas. So, adding a rattan chair (if there’s enough space) or a bamboo mirror frame can go a long way.
And don’t forget to include lush tropical plants (e.g., dragon tree, philodendron, umbrella plant, etc.). They’ll enhance the look of your bathroom and turn it into a true tropical oasis.
How do you style a coastal bathroom?
The easiest way to style coastal and beach bathrooms is to play with colors. Use white and beige that emulate the color of the fine sand, different shades of blue, sea green, etc. You can also never go wrong with navy blue and white nautical stripes.
Use natural materials (e.g., ceramics) for your fixtures (bath, toilet, etc.), and avoid acrylic since it can disrupt the space’s overall aesthetic and make it appear unnatural.
Then add some finishing touches by adding beachy decor. Add some sea shells, nautical rope baskets, anchor-shaped decorations, and rattan details, and your coastal heaven will be ready to shine!
If you need more inspiration, scroll up and take another look at our coastal bathroom ideas above.
