Embrace your inner ‘Coastal Grandmother’

The Coastal Grandmother aesthetic is a popular trend that beautifully melds neutral and nautical blue colour palettes with natural textures.

Think shades like Resene Quarter Spanish White, Resene Alabaster and Resene Sea Fog paired with Resene Neutral Bay and Resene Dusted Blue. The trend certainly isn’t about dusty net curtains and crochet blankets – think light-filled spaces, linens and nature-inspired hues on the walls – anything that inspires an elevated and relaxed way of living. The phrase has taken off on social media, and references someone living a relaxed, composed life on the coast – the embodiment of comfort and elegance. Coastal Grandmother chic is a mix of fresh, coastal contemporary design styles and Hamptons-inspired looks. You don’t have to live near the coast to invite this feeling of relaxation and ease into your home. Embrace your inner Coastal Grandma by letting simple and timeless colour palettes take centre stage.

Design inspired by the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic doesn’t have an exact formula, instead it focuses more on creating a soothing, lived-in environment at home. You’ll want to create a vibe that is relaxed and carefree, where natural textures and soothing colours are at the forefront. You want to design areas that invite you to curl up with a novel under a cosy throw and places to relax to feel the salty breeze on your face outside (be it real or imagined).

Capture nature’s soothing qualities by incorporating plenty of blue – it’s one of nature's most calming colours and has been shown to lower heart rates. Go for a dusty blue on your walls with tones like Resene Forecast, Resene Dusted Blue or a cooler tone like Resene Solitude. Paint trims in Resene Black White to add crispness. Don’t forget to add natural furnishings and elements like light wood furniture, woven baskets, rattan chairs or mirrors, linen cushions, blankets in muted tones and light textured rugs. You’ll want to embrace a mix of timeless and modern pieces.

For a kitchen, neutral hues like Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream and Resene Half Merino ring true to the Coastal Grandmother look. Pair these with Resene Alabaster on trims and any architraves and add in ceramic or terracotta planters painted in Resene Ocean Waves. Herbs on window sills, vases of fresh flowers, large wooden chopping boards and candles are perfect additions in the kitchen.

Don’t forget to look at your outdoor entertaining spaces, like this sitting area and outdoor dining nook created. A wall in Resene Baring Head complements wooden decking perfectly. Try Resene Furniture and Decking Oil for a lightly oiled finish. Paint any plant pots, trays or vases in the soothing blue hues like Resene Timeless and Resene Ocean Waves. Rattan furniture with linen cushions in soft white tones will pop against walls in Resene Baring Head. To make rattan furnishings pop and to modernise them, consider painting them in bright white Resene Alabaster. This fusion of contemporary and vintage is bang on trend for the Coastal Grandmother look.

To invite maximum light into an outdoor space, try adding a mirror painted in Coastal Grandmother-approved Resene hues. Cut small lengths of wood around 15cm long (you could even use driftwood) and paint the lengths in alternating colours (we used Resene Timeless and Resene Alabaster). Glue these to the back of the mirror. Paint the mirror’s frame in a deep blue like Resene Bunting or Resene Blue Night to add contrast against your wall in Resene Baring Head. Source your mirror from an op-shop or antique store to really ring true to the trend.

Wood also plays a crucial role in the Coastal Grandmother trend, indoors and out. Consider modernising wooden pieces with Resene Colorwood Whitewash for a whitewash finish. This will keep your natural wood grain and neutral look, while still feeling current. For a bolder look, if you’re after more contrast within a neutral palette, try a darker Resene Colorwood wood stain on your floor or furniture.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Styling by Melle Van Sambeek. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2022