Preparation
In March 2022, Lex Nicoleta went viral on TikTok when she coined the “coastal grandmother aesthetic”—a specific style of neutral, earthy décor often seen in the homes of Nancy Meyers’ romantic-comedy heroines. “Characteristics of a coastal grandmother’s home include open kitchens, slipcovered sofas, white accents, fresh flowers, linen curtains, coastal art, rustic textiles, bowls of lemons, and large windows that allow natural light to pour in,” says Nicoleta. “It’s impeccably clean, yet warm and inviting—somewhere you instantly feel at home.” And you don’t have to be a grandmother who lives on the coast to channel this design style—you just need to buy the right furniture.
Before you make a single purchase, interior designer Shay Holland suggests honing in on this imagined character’s lifestyle—what would her home look like?
“Think light, breezy, nature-inspired colors,” says Holland, noting that whites, blues, ivory, taupes, and muted greens are colors you’d associate with water, seagulls, sand, and dunes.
Since the coastal grandmother lifestyle “communicates ease, avoid jarring patterns, super glossy finishes, and formal fabrics, like silk, that are too delicate to curl up on with coffee and a book,” says Holland, who recommends pieces in straightforward cotton and linen, instead. Speaking of coffee and novels: Strategically-placed mugs and stacks of books are part of the coastal grandmother aesthetic, too.
The “coastal” aspect of this design style relies heavily on textured natural fibers and materials. “Think rope, driftwood, and jute,” says Jade Joyner, the co-founder and principal designer of Metal + Petal. “It’s a clean and classic look.” Joyner also recommends playing with “a mix of wood tones that lean from natural to black”—no shiny lacquers or gold finishes needed. “It’s luxe in the most subtle way,” she explains. “It’s high-end design, meets cottage-core, meets a nod to nautical.”
Both smaller accents and larger pieces of furniture can help you translate this design aesthetic in your home. What you choose to incorporate mostly depends on your budget and the space you have available.
Should you prefer to work with smaller details, Holland suggests placing jute or wool rugs on your floors and swapping in linen or cotton duvets or comforters in bedrooms; doing so will anchor (pun, intended!) both areas. Then, accessorize with handmade pottery, rattan items, baskets, books, and potted plants in vintage blue-and-white vessels (think Dutch delft or ginger jars) and terra-cotta pots.
If you feel committed to this style and want to invest in larger-scale furniture, Holland says to shop for items with well-worn finishes; pieces should be inspired by nature, which is why she suggests sticking to materials like natural wood and rattan. Upholstery in cozy, soft palettes (think cream or taupe) “fits perfectly into the aesthetic,” Holland adds.
While these tips should help you identify pieces that fall into this design category, we went a step further and asked interior designers to share the essential home items they recommend for achieving the coastal grandmother aesthetic.
Crate & Barrel ″Addison″ White Flange Slipcovered Dining ChairMartha Stewart “Isla” Accent ChairParachute Home ″Nomad″ Lumbar Pillow CoverSand and Stable Hermosillo 19.5’’ Tall Solid Wood Pedestal End TableSullivans Ceramic Vase SetPottery Barn ″Ainsley″ Toile Pillow CoverBirch Lane Krauss 1 - Light Dimmable Bath SconceWest Elm Mini Pebble Wool Jute Rug
