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Key Takeaways
- Thanks to coastal grandmother and Nancy Meyers aesthetics, New England home decor is trending.
- Blue and white are still used, but in softer shades with brown instead of stark white and navy.
- Use layered textures, blue and green accents, and vintage decor to bring the look to your space.
If you find yourself daydreaming of a summer spent along the East Coast soaking up the sun, sea, and unwinding in a beautiful beach house, you’re not alone. The Hamptons and Nantucket aren’t just iconic destinations—they’re also home to the coastal interiors that fill our moodboards.
The secret to bottling up that warm yet breezy essence is introducing a New England color combination through your decor, and designers are here share to exactly how to style the area’s most popular palette in your space, no matter where you live.
Meet the Expert
- Susan Petrie is the founder and principal interior designer of her eponymous firm.
- Karen Wolf is an interior designer and creative principal at K + Co Living.
- Ann Couser Kittredge is an interior stylist and founder of Dabbling & Decorating, a New England design blog.
Why the New England Coastal Aesthetic Is Making a Comeback
The comforting yet vacation-inspired feeling of coastal decor has always been popular, and its prominence in New England homes accounts for a big part of the draw of spending summer breaks in the Hamptons and Nantucket.
With the rise of soft living, quiet luxury, and trending social media aesthetics—like the aspirational Nancy Meyers look—classic coastal colors have been given a breath of fresh air.
“I don’t think it ever went out of style, but the coastal grandmother aesthetic brought fresh eyes to this breezy, classic look,” stylist and blogger Ann Couser Kittredge says. “It’s approachable yet elevated, nostalgic but current, inviting you to relax while still feeling curated—like your favorite linen shirt and boat shoes, but in room form.”
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A Modern Update on the Classic Coastal Color Combo
It goes without saying that blue and white are a tried-and-true coastal color combination—but instead of the bold contrast between white and navy, modern New England interiors are incorporating more gentle, nature-inspired shades in a color palette of creams, beiges, blues, and greens drawing from sand, shells, sea glass and shallow waters by the shore.
The modern version of this color combination also leans into the natural shades of brown seen in wooden materials, and relies on comforting textures such as linen, plaster, and lime wash.
“There has been a shift towards more ‘quiet luxury’ by way of less saturated colors—think warmer instead of crisp whites, and subdued versus stark blues,” designer Susan Petrie says. “The look offers a more organic, sophisticated and relaxed vibe, maintaining the coastal feel but offering a much softer approach to spaces.”
How to Decorate a New England-Inspired Home
To incorporate the soft and luxurious tones of high-end homes in the Hamptons, designer Karen Wolf recommends building from a light neutral base.
“Use white, cream, beige or pale gray on walls and trim for brightness,” she explains. “Then, introduce shades of blue or green in art, cushions, throws, or furniture for visual interest.”
To keep things elevated while also staying true to the more classic coastal charm of Nantucket cottages and beach houses, our experts also suggest layering textures, leaning into natural materials for grounding shades of brown, and playing with vintage elements.
“I use braided or vintage blue rugs to add warmth and texture to otherwise airy spaces, and also love vintage wall decor: think soft sailboat paintings, old maps, and framed antique swimwear,” Kittredge adds. “Even vintage life vests or oars can be turned into art.”
Coastal-Chic Decor Tips for Every Room
Although many of us living outside of the region tend to limit our use of coastal color schemes and beachy decor to bathrooms and guest bedrooms, today’s New England look can work in every room:
- Look for woven storage baskets, rattan-border mirrors, and vintage decor to use in the bathroom.
- Opt for soothing pastel green and blue artwork, lime wash finishes, linen bedding, and cozy cool-toned cushions in bedrooms.
- Source reclaimed wooden tables and layer textiles through vintage rugs, woven blankets, and throw pillows in living and dining rooms.
- Consider seashell-inspired tiles, tinted glassware, and hanging baskets for a beachy Hamptons-style cottage coastal kitchen.
