Coastal Luxe Style Guide

The Outdoors

From family get-togethers to parties with friends, outdoor living is an important part of Australian culture – particularly for those among us who are fortunate enough to live on the Sunshine Coast. However, without a suitable space to entertain, inviting guests over can be somewhat challenging.

Fortunately, coastal luxe style homes are made for entertaining; whether you have a large open backyard or a smaller patio space, creating an idyllic outdoor area can completely change the way you think about hosting. Wouldn’t you love to enjoy those warm summer nights in a beautiful space of your own? Continue reading to learn how to turn your backyard into a dreamy coastal luxe outdoor retreat.

Outdoor furniture

The first thing your guests will notice as they enter your coastal inspired outdoor living area is your furniture. It’s important that it makes a strong statement. For a truly beachy look, you can’t go past beautiful whitewashed wicker lounge furniture with plenty of weather-resistant cushions. If you have the space, you may even want to add an outdoor dining set for those extra special occasions.

Feature lighting

When it comes to creating the perfect outdoor living space, lighting can play a key role in the overall ambience. If you intend on using your outdoor living space in the evenings as well as the daytime, be sure to add some feature lighting like lanterns and pendant lights.

Greenery

To create a true coastal luxe style outdoor area, greenery is a must. However, how much will of course depend on the amount of space you have available. If you only have a small area to work with, consider investing in some elegant potted plants to add a splash of colour. If you have a larger backyard, create a coastal inspired garden by planting plenty of lush greenery and tropical plants.

Poolside living

If your backyard features a swimming pool, you’re in serious luck, as nothing says ‘coastal retreat’ like lounging around by your own pool. Finish off the look by investing in some timber poolside furniture in a crisp, classic white. Add in some potted plants and for something truly sophisticated, consider surrounding the pool area in durable glass fencing.

 

Designed & styled by Simone Barter Design Studio

Photographed by Rikki Lancaster

 

Coastal Luxe Style Guide

The Bedroom

With soft, soothing tones and a variety of contrasting textures, the coastal luxe look lends itself particularly well to bedroom styling. The style provides a vast range of key styling techniques which will allow you to create a dreamy space in which to begin and end each day.

Comprising of a feature bedhead and lush textiles — coastal luxe styled bedrooms are designed with the intention of creating a comforting atmosphere and establishing a peaceful environment in which one can instantly unwind. Continuing with the gentle, neutral hues, the best coastal luxe bedrooms feature a range of decor and styling pieces which make the space easy to customise. Follow the points below to personalise your bedroom whilst keeping to the traditional coastal look.

Featured fabrics

As the largest piece of furniture in the room, your bed will undeniably be the main focal point and will set the style for the rest of your space. As such, it’s essential that you choose a bedhead, euro size and feature fabric cushions that will be the centrepiece of your bedroom. Colours like grey and cream tend to work best, but for something more bold, an elegant navy blue can also be an excellent choice.

Luxe linen

Nothing says coastal luxe quite like a luxurious set of sheets and decadently layered linens. Let the high thread count do all the talking, whilst keeping patterns to a minimum. For the main sheets, stick to classic crisp whites — then layer up with beautiful blankets, cushions and throws in a variety of colours to compliment the rest of the bedroom styling.

Mood lighting

If you’re looking to set a relaxing mood, make sure you pay attention to all of your light fittings and fixtures. Again, layering is key here, as too-harsh overhead lighting can really affect the ambiance of the space. Instead, try to include a range of lighting options from bedside table lamps, pendant lighting, standing lamps, even some featured wall lighting.

Remember your guests

As with all home styling, it’s vital that you keep your guests top of mind. Spend some time thinking about who will be staying in the room and consider their individual wants and needs. For the master bedroom, perhaps you’ll require additional storage space, a reading light or even a full-length mirror. However, for a child’s bedroom,  you may wish to incorporate more of a fun-loving vibe and include some free space for play.

Artwork and decor

In terms of coastal style artwork and decor, the options are endless, but it’s important to remember that less is more. Choose pieces that follow the coastal style theme and include pops of colour in line with your chosen palette. Try not to over think it, the most beautifully styled bedrooms always include a perfectly balanced amount of empty space.

 

Designed & styled by Simone Barter Design Studio

Photographed by Rikki Lancaster

 

Coastal Luxe Style Guide

The Bathroom

No longer seen as simply a functional space, the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the home. It has the capacity to set the tone for the rest of the property while simultaneously adding value.

Coastal luxe inspired bathrooms tend to encompass the same sophisticated decor and soft, airy colour palette as the rest of the home. They are often viewed as a peaceful oasis in which one can retreat and relax after a
long day. Calming, tranquil and utterly serene, coastal luxe style bathrooms feature a spa-like feel which can be deceivingly easy to replicate. Consider the following elements to create a beautiful coastal luxe inspired bathroom of your own.

Luxe finishes

As with all home styling, the devil is in the detail – and this couldn’t be more true for coastal style homes. While other rooms of the home may enjoy
a more weathered, relaxed look, the bathroom calls for textured surfaces. When selecting tiles, splashbacks and vanity tops, try to keep to your colour palette minimal. Try to use whites, greys, blacks and muted tones or branch out by selecting a special feature tile.

Window treatments

Natural lighting is a key component of a coastal luxe style bathroom, therefore it is important to install window treatments that accommodate as much natural light as possible. For something truly timeless, there is nothing more elegant than timber louvers. Or, for a low maintenance yet equally as stylish look, frosted glass will give you the privacy you need while allowing ample natural light and retaining your classic, coastal luxe home.

Tranquil bath time

If the size of your space permits, a beautiful and tranquil bath will bring this space to life. As a true feature of a bathroom, a stunning bath area will be the first thing that will be noticed. Add feature tiles, hanging plants, featured mirrors and beautiful skin care products to help reinforce that coastal luxe atmosphere.

Feature tapware

As we previously advised, your tapware must be a feature of your coastal luxe bathroom design. Attention to detail must be considered not only for the master bathroom and ensuite but even in the powder room. Consider colours and move away from chrome. Attention must be given to the placement of your taps, shower rails, handles, towel rails and hooks, as it all plays a massive part of your overall look.

 

Designed & styled by Simone Barter Design Studio

Photographed by Rikki Lancaster