A really good trip has a way of staying with you, long after the suitcase is unpacked and put away. The shapes, textures and scents linger in your memory and have a way of staying with you, even after you’ve come home. That’s why I always choose destinations and hotels I know I’ll love, and why I try to bring a little piece of them home with me, to keep those fun, chilled vibes going just a little longer.
Now that summer is just around the corner, it feels like the perfect time to make a few simple updates, freshen up the garden and get into that summer mindset. My recent trip to St. Lucia definitely got me thinking about how to bring relaxed beach-house vibes into our home, without spending a fortune. Luckily, if you’re looking for beach house decor ideas or a more coastal interior design approach, it often comes down to small, thoughtful changes.
Here are a few simple ways to create that laid-back, coastal feel at home.
Pops Of Colour
Perhaps an obvious one, but this is the time to move away from darker, moodier tones and lean into something lighter. I tend to keep it simple by swapping out cushion covers and throws, or bringing in more colourful flowers than I usually would. It doesn’t have to be a big change, even the smallest updates can shift the mood.
Our hall rug is the perfect example of how bright pastel colours can bring lightness into what was once a darker, recently revamped hallway. With the summer light streaming through the windows, this room is at its best at this time of year. A bohemian-patterned rug adds a nice contrast to the 1920s wooden beams too and works beautifully with summer home decor.
Light Woods and Rattan
Light woods feel especially summery and bring a soft coastal feel to a space. Light oak and rattan in particular look beautiful in summer homes. Not only do they brighten up the room, but they also help create that airy, beach-inspired look, whereas darker woods tend to feel more moody. Rattan is one of the most timeless materials of all. It has been used for centuries and its popularity has certainly risen in recent years. It’s something I’ll never get tired of and will continue adding to our home.
A rattan sideboard is ideal for beach house style interiors. It’s easy to create a seasonal display with a few carefully chosen pieces, such as vases and candle holders. Lighter tones, like whites and soft pastels, help to create a light, airy feel.
Scents For A Summer Home
Summer, for me, is all about lighter scents. I tend to gravitate towards citrus scents that smell fresh, fruity and refreshing. I also love fig, particularly when paired with soft cedar notes. Ortigia’s Fico d’India is one of the most intoxicating fragrances for a summer home. I first spotted it at our hotel last month and had to bring it home with me. I’m also drawn to the packaging, and the Sicilian cactus with its vivid orange flowers instantly transports you somewhere warmer. Another Mediterranean favourite of mine is Culti Milano, which never lets you down. All the scents are truly beautiful and last for ages.
Or, why not bring the outdoors in and let nature do its thing? Flowers naturally scent a room (some more than others), but the result always feels more subtle and authentic than anything artificial. I love using branches like this one from a Mexican orange blossom tree, arranged in a simple vase. It not only looks beautiful, but the scent fills the room with the most delicate fragrance. I’ve been changing the water every two or three days and it’s still going strong after almost two weeks.
Wooden Beads Detailing For Coastal Home Styling
This is something I always notice when holidaying in tropical destinations. Wooden beads are having a major moment now, from necklaces to home accessories. One of my favourite Finnish homeware brands, Aarikka, incorporates them beautifully, and I’ve found myself bringing more of their design pieces home every time I visit Finland. Wood is such a versatile material. It works in both small and larger doses and mixing different tones adds a sense of warmth and texture that’s hard to replicate. What I especially love about wooden bead decor is how effortlessly it works across styles, from minimal interiors to more relaxed, farmhouse-inspired spaces, and not just in coastal home styling. It feels versatile, easy, and perfectly suited to a summer home.
Dressing the Walls With Tropical Touches
I do love a tropical print (year-round, if I may say). If you are looking for beach house style decor ideas, a palm tree print or wall decoration can make it feel like summer all year long. Any greenery, whether in print or in the form of real plants, brings a subtle tropical feel into your home. That said, I do think less is more. Try mixing it with contrasting pieces to create a more eclectic, collected look.
I’m sure there are plenty of other ways to bring a beachy, summer feel into your home. It’s often the little things that make all the difference, don’t you think? The fun part is taking inspiration from other places and applying it to your own space. Creating a home that feels a little like a holiday is always the goal.
