Avoiding a monotonous coastal design in the kitchen: steer clear from overuse of blue and white colors, as well as unnecessary shells and coral decorations, cautions designers.
**Timeless Coastal Decor Alternatives to Avoid: Creating a Chic and Inviting Coastal Kitchen**
When designing a coastal kitchen, it's essential to steer clear of common pitfalls that can make your space look dated or tacky. Here are some tips to help you achieve a chic, inviting look while avoiding clichés.
**Avoiding Overuse of Nautical Themes**
Steer clear of overly obvious nautical themes like anchors, ropes, or excessive blue and white stripes. Instead, opt for more subtle coastal elements that evoke the natural beauty of the ocean.
**Heavy Traditional Millwork**
Avoid heavy, ornate wood treatments. Instead, favor understated wood finishes that echo the natural weathering of driftwood.
**Too Many Coastal Accessories**
Refrain from over-accessorizing with coastal-themed items. A few carefully chosen pieces can create a more sophisticated look.
**Designing a Chic Coastal Color Scheme and Layout**
To craft a coastal kitchen that feels both chic and inviting, consider these design principles:
**Coastal Color Scheme**
Move beyond traditional blue and white by incorporating a range of ocean-inspired colors. Consider seafoam greens, warm sand tones, and the grays and silvers of weathered coastal rocks. Use a balanced approach: 60% neutral base, 30% main color, and 10% accents. This creates depth without overwhelming the space.
**Layout and Design Elements**
Incorporate natural textures like wood, stone, and woven fibers to add warmth and depth to your kitchen. Maintain an airy feel by using open shelving, lightly finished woods, and minimal clutter. This keeps the space feeling spacious and inviting. Add some coastal vegetation or greenery to bring a natural, fresh feel to your kitchen.
By avoiding clichés and incorporating natural elements, textures, and balanced color schemes, you can create a timeless coastal kitchen that feels both stylish and welcoming. Opting for a closed, crowded kitchen layout is a mistake, as coastal kitchens are loved for their open, airy, social feel. A more refined approach to a coastal color scheme is recommended, using neutral tones and bolder colors sparingly through accessories.
The woven trays add a textural, natural element that has a timeless feel to it and are practical for hosting. The counter stool with a scallop detail and a comfy striped seat cushion is a fun way to introduce the coastal aesthetic into the kitchen.
Incorporating functional features with coastal elements ensures a good balance in the kitchen design. Creating a kitchen scheme that feels too themed can make it look kitschy. Incorporating an open layout for the kitchen is important, as it allows for socializing and gathering, which are synonymous with coastal homes. Consider adding island seating, a breakfast nook, or a dedicated drinks station for smoothies and cocktails to a coastal space.
The kitchen island or sink placement should take advantage of a coastal view, as it is a place where people spend lots of time in the kitchen. Stopping cabinets short of the ceiling can create a dust-collecting ledge, chop up the visual height of the room, and make the space feel smaller. Taking cabinetry all the way to the ceiling creates a seamless, custom look that feels elevated and timeless.
Novelty is the enemy of stylish design in coastal kitchens. The use of novelty items, such as a kitchen covered in shells and driftwood, can make a coastal kitchen look kitschy and distasteful.
Coastal is a popular style among designers for kitchens. By following these guidelines, you can create a coastal kitchen that is both chic and inviting, avoiding the common pitfalls that can make it look cliche and distasteful.
In the process of creating a coastal kitchen, it's recommended to eschew overuse of nautical themes and instead embrace interior design elements inspired by the natural beauty of the sea, like seafoam greens, warm sand tones, and weathered coastal rocks. To achieve a harmonious balance between style and comfort, home-and-garden enthusiasts might find it beneficial to implement a lifestyle approach that emphasizes open spaces, natural textures, and a well-planned coastal color scheme.
