20 Beautiful Coastal Beach Themed Kitchen Ideas You Need for A Charming Home

This post is all about tips & ideas to create a stunning coastal beach themed kitchen!

Do you dream of airy spaces, seaside-inspired color palettes, and natural accents? If that sounds like you, then a coastal style kitchen is exactly what you need!

This beautiful interior design style started in coastal towns to integrate the coast’s relaxed atmosphere and natural beauty into home decor. Over time, it then gained popularity beyond coastal areas, becoming a great way to create timeless, sophisticated, and serene environments everywhere.

Whether you are looking for an easy kitchen refresh or are going for a full renovation, adding coastal elements to your space can help you elevate your home and make it feel more unique. In this post, we’ll look at 20 different coastal kitchen ideas you can recreate to bring seaside charm right into your space!

20 Coastal Beach Themed Kitchen Ideas To Inspire You

1. Refresh Your Backsplash

A tile backsplash is a must-have for a beautiful coastal kitchen. If your budget allows for it, consider installing hand-painted Portuguese tiles. They will help you create a beautiful statement backsplash.

If you’re looking for something more budget or renter-friendly, opt instead for peel-and-stick tiles. Stick to a blue or sandy color scheme and simply cover your existing backsplash for a completely new look with minimal effort! In this case, I would recommend buying a few additional tiles for backup. You’ll thank yourself when you need to quickly replace a peeling corner or a fading pattern!

2. Don’t Forget Navy Stripes

We can’t talk about decorating with a coastal theme without mentioning navy stripes. They are a staple of coastal interiors and an understated way to include nautical accents in your decor. I love including navy stripes in textiles. Whether it’s upholstered bar stools, a set of kitchen towels, or some chic curtains.

For a more understated take on the theme, you could use them for wall art or dinnerware/glassware. A more discreet pattern in light blue and off-white can also ensure stripes don’t become too overwhelming compared to the relatively neutral surroundings.

3. Use A Blue & White Vase as A Centerpiece

The color combination of blue and white is a quintessential feature of coastal charm. One of the easiest ways to include this in your coastal beach themed kitchen is by using a blue and white ceramic vase as a centerpiece.

For a timeless, more elegant piece, opt for a beautiful, oversized chinoiserie vase. The delicate flora and fauna motifs are a perfect way to include natural references in your decor. Alternatively, if you’d like something more fun and modern, look into minimalist designs or even some funky stripes. The options are endless!

4. Include Wicker Seating

Wicker seating is a fantastic way to introduce natural elements and textures into your coastal kitchen. Whether you have available a small dining area, a kitchen island, or a kitchen/dining room combination, this idea can help you completely change the feel of the room without requiring a huge investment.

If you’re concerned about comfort, make sure to enhance your wicker chairs with beautiful linen pillows. I promise you won’t regret the extra purchase.

5. Add Coastal Wall Art

Art is a big part of coastal design. It’s often used to spice up simple white walls and to introduce a personal touch that can make this popular style feel a bit more unique.

The type of art you choose depends on how modern you want your design to feel. For instance, a watercolor of a local beach is a great fit for a more traditional, cottage-inspired version of coastal design. On the other hand, abstract art in a gorgeous blue, white, and gray palette can fit a minimalist space.

6. Install Open Shelving

Open shelving is a staple of modern coastal kitchen design. Especially in smaller spaces, it can help open up the environment, giving the impression of a larger room. Additionally, it’s a cost-efficient way to increase storage and provide great surface space for displaying your favorite coastal decor.

When choosing the perfect shelves, opt for high-quality, natural materials like wood. You can let the natural wood color and texture shine through for a rustic look. For a more elegant, formal finish opt instead for white shelves (bonus points if you can replicate the built-in look!).

7. Include Bamboo Accents

Bamboo is a beautiful material and a great example of natural textures that can give a beachy vibe to your kitchen. It’s also a great way to introduce accent pieces in your space without straying too far from a traditional coastal palette.

In this kitchen, you see a beautiful bamboo light fixture, but you can even add bamboo cabinet handles, bamboo stools, or a vintage bamboo bar cart. Make sure to scour your local antique store and vintage market when looking for the perfect piece. Bamboo used to be extremely popular, so you can find some true hidden gems among pre-owned items!

8. Opt for Flowy Linen Curtains

A great coastal beach themed kitchen needs to be filled with natural light. A breezy, luminous environment is a non-negotiable when it comes to this design style.

To achieve this look without sacrificing privacy, consider investing in a great set of linen curtains. These pieces work well with large windows and high ceilings, as well as a bistro window in a small kitchen thanks to their naturally flowy and light feel.

As a bonus, white and beige linen won’t completely shield the outside world, allowing you to still enjoy a full appreciation of the surrounding views.

9. Display Your Coastal Dinnerware

In your beach-themed kitchen, any coastal element can become a piece of decor, even your more functional items. If you have a beautiful set of dishes with nautical designs or coastal table decor, don’t be afraid to display them on open shelves.

The different colors, textures, and finishes will add an element of visual interest to your kitchen design. The reflective surface of glassware, for instance, can help add brightness to your space. On top of that, you’ll have your favorite pieces readily available for all your hosting needs. I like to call that a win-win solution!

10. Display a Rope Tray

A good display tray in a kitchen is essential, no matter what design style you’re working with. It can make for a gorgeous kitchen island or dining table centerpiece, as well as elevate your hosting. For a great coastal piece, opt for a rope tray. It will pair perfectly with the natural colors of your seaside palette and it will add gorgeous texture that reminds you of hot summers and sandy beaches.

Don’t be afraid to go for a big, oversized tray. They have become extremely popular in recent times and make for a great statement piece for your kitchen!

11. Create an Indoor Herb Garden

Another example of functional pieces that can be decorative elements are herbs and greenery. Nothing screams Mediterranean coast more than a small herb garden in terracotta pots. Think of rosemary, lavender, thyme, sage, and basil. They will make your kitchen smell great, your cooking taste amazing, and your stone countertops look gorgeous.

You can place the pots near your stove to keep them close when cooking or by your kitchen sink if it’s an ear with better light exposure.

Of course, you can always opt for some faux herbs if you love the idea but can’t keep a plant alive. Sometimes the aesthetics is the only thing you need – no judgment here!

12. Embrace the Blues 

The coastal kitchen style embraces the color blue in all of its shades. From sky blue cabinets and soft blues to pale blue-gray subway tiles and cobalt accents, the limit is your imagination.

Make sure to include in your fresh new color palette also tones that can complement or enhance your blue of choice. Beiges, browns, light greens, and dark red/oranges are all great options to prevent the blue from completely overwhelming your design.

13. Include a Beautiful Runner

Textiles are a big part of the coastal look. Fibers like cotton, wool, silk, and linen are all great examples of natural materials you should include in your coastal beach themed kitchen. A runner is a great idea to bring in these textures and make your decor feel even more complete. It’s also a great way to safeguard delicate flooring like light wood or terracotta tiles.

If you don’t want to go for a basic, neutral rug, look into typical coastal colors or opt for something more creative like a fish-themed fabric or a geometric pattern.

14. Choose Ocean Decor

Even if you are not decorating a beach house, coastal living does require the addition of some ocean references to your kitchen. Consider these pieces as small accents that pay homage to the origins of this design style and tie back your decor to the nature it draws inspiration from.

It can be something as simple as a fish-shaped serving tray or a set of on-theme painted ceramics. Bonus points if you can include souvenirs from your favorite seaside locations or local pieces like decorative shells.

15. Invest in Beautiful Counter Stools

If you are looking for a new kitchen look but only want to change a few pieces, rattan stools will be your best friend. While they are extremely functional, they have essentially become one of the most iconic decorative items of coastal kitchens everywhere.

Another great alternative is to choose stools in natural wood. The simple design reinforces the casual atmosphere of your coastal kitchen in an effortless but chic way.

16. Upgrade Your Cabinet Knobs

One of my favorite coastal kitchen ideas is to replace your current cabinet knobs and handles with new ones. It’s a simple switch that can make a world of difference! Even if you have simple white kitchen cabinets or some old-fashioned shaker-style cabinetry, a new set of knobs/handles can add the impression of custom detail.

What you’re looking for are replacements with special features that can stand out in your kitchen. Think, for example, of a gold or silver finish, a nautical reference, or a high-contrast color. You can even mix and match different sets for a more eclectic look.

17. Add Pendant Lights for Your Kitchen Island

Light fixtures are great design elements to help create a focal point in your kitchen. In coastal interiors, in particular, you’ll often see pendant lights placed over kitchen islands. They tend to be a bit less formal than a standard chandelier and provide better ambiance lighting.

If you don’t have the electrical wiring setup for pendant lights, you can always opt for batter-operated accent lighting. It won’t look as elegant but it can help you achieve a similar look for a fraction of the budget!

18. Opt for Gold or Brass Hardware

Kitchen hardware is something that can truly take your design from basic to amazing. It’s one of those small details that you’ll hear interior designers say play a crucial role in the final look of the room.

As far as your coastal beach themed kitchen is concerned, consider using gold or brass hardware. These pieces pair exceptionally well with light blue or glossy white cabinets and can help add a touch of warmth to your color palette.

19. Go For Light Woods

Light wood flooring and light wood cabinets provide the perfect neutral, sandy backdrop a coastal kitchen needs. Choosing a light color scheme for your wooden accents can also help open up your space, giving the impression of a larger and more luminous kitchen. This is the perfect choice if you love a more modern take on coastal design!

20. Add A Pop of Color

While coastal kitchen designs embrace light blues, soft beiges, and white cabinetry, it does not mean you can’t add a few bold colors to your design. An unexpected pop of color can actually help enhance your neutral palette and introduce an important element of visual interest to your coastal kitchen.

Whether it’s through art, smaller decor pieces, or even furniture, make sure to include at least one daring color choice in your scheme. I promise you won’t regret it!

To Conclude

This post was all about the best coastal beach themed kitchen ideas!

The perfect coastal-style kitchen embraces a nature-inspired color scheme, combining curated details with a more casual and relaxed atmosphere. Unlike other design styles, coastal kitchen decor focuses on elevated simplicity, letting the natural beauty of materials and seaside references take center stage.

Don’t be afraid to also add your interpretation to this style for a coastal kitchen that feels truly unique and that speaks of you and your home’s history!