The term “coastal grandmother” has really taken the interior design, fashion and lifestyle worlds by storm lately. Ever since TikTokker Lex Nicoletta went viral with the concept in March, women and men all over America – and of all ages and generations – have been looking inwards to ask themselves, “Am I actually a coastal grandmother?”
The answer for many? A resounding “Yes. Yes, you are.”
And with good reason. Coastal grandmother style embodies all the coziness, chicness and coolness of Diane Keaton or Meryl Streep in a Nancy Meyers movie. Think relaxed mode. Overstuffed couches. Artfully wrinkled linen. Books. Baskets. Books in baskets. You get the drift. (Oh and driftwood, of course!)
What you don’t need to be a coastal grandmother is a coast. Or grandchildren. Or even to be of the age when grandchildren are a possibility. All you need is a dream and a vision to, as Lex Nicoletta calls it, “romanticize your own life” and you too can be making an Ina Garten recipe at the kitchen island wearing a bucket hat and listening to Nina Simone in no time.
Scroll down for our quick and budget-friendly tips on how to incorporate the coastal grandmother style into your home. Because you don’t need marble countertops and overflowing pitchers of peonies to rock this grandma vibe.
The Coastal Grandmother Aesthetic
First thing’s first: let’s define what the coastal grandmother aesthetic is so we’re all playing from the same…croquet court. Coastal grandmother combines natural elements like light, flowers, wood and stone with neutral design pieces to create calming, slow-paced, streamlined and homey environments. There is no conflict in the coastal grandmother world, or if there is it’s the type that’s cleared up over a nice, home-cooked meal and an oversized pour of oaky chard.
The coastal grandmother aesthetic is all earth tones and soft edges. There is nothing stressful about being a coastal grandmother, unless you count choosing between handsome, successful men or worrying about how to keep your hat on in your newly classic convertible stressful. But even during those tough times, coastal grandmother can (try to) relax with a book, a cup of perfectly steeped tea, and an upholstered window seat looking at the rain.
Pieces constructed from natural materials, like ceramic or wood, are 100% coastal grandmother. If you have anything made of plastic, resin or other manmade material, think about replacing it with a more muted, “of the earth” item.
Speaking of the earth, plants are a major part of the aesthetic. After all, coastal grandmother is a relaxing, nurturing sort. So in addition to cut flowers, the style calls for at least a few scattered plants. A terra cotta herb garden in the kitchen would do the trick. As would orchids. Or spider plants. Or anything else you choose. As long as it’s lush and green and brings that little bit of nature in, you’ll have hit the nail on the head. Now if you go build yourself a greenhouse and spend all day “puttering” with cutting shears in overalls – now that, that my friend, would be full immersion. Let’s just start with a plant or two.
Coastal Grandmother on a Budget
If you’re trying to get the look on a budget, you’re in luck: coastal grandmother works particularly well for the thrifty set because a lot of its charm is in its weathered, worn appeal.
Here’s a quick list of items you can pick up for cheap, or fairly cheap, at secondhand shops and estate sales.
- Baskets – all shapes and sizes. Even beat-up ones can be upcycled for a new look.
- Cookbooks – the more dogeared the better.
- Wine glasses – perfect for sharing that tasty vintage you stumbled upon.
- Serving platters and unique, mismatched dishes or silverware – just the thing for hosting.
- Pitchers or vases – for your farmer’s market blooms or dried stems and stalks.
- Interesting design pieces – bonus points if they’re ocean-related.
- Heavy coffee table books – to anchor the space.
- Old trunks – from which your throw blankets can artfully spill.
An appropriate storage unit is also a great idea if you’re holding onto coastal grandmother finds and furniture flips.
Get your Coastal Grandmother On: Find Storage Near You.
As for upholstery or other fabrics, you’re going to want to look for linens and cottons in pale, washed-out colors. Couches or overstuffed chairs can be slipcovered in neutrals, which is great if you’ve got a bright but otherwise comfortable piece begging for a new look. And every room comes across as instantly more appealing with plenty of throw pillows and floor pillows, which can be found at most major budget retailers (e.g., HomeGoods, Big Lots, etc.).
While you don’t have to live anywhere close to a seashore to pick up nautical themed items, the cup overfloweth at discount stores the closer to the shore you go. Even grocery stores near major tourist towns will have home decor and serving pieces with sea life and other marine or shipping themes for quite a bargain. While these types of pieces aren’t a must-have of the coastal grandmother look, they certainly underscore the “coastal” part of the appeal.
Driftwood, sea glass, coral, shells and any other (free) natural elements you might find at the beach would also work great in a coastal grandmother setting. Group them together for added impact. Think a low dish of sea glass and small shells next to a large chunk of coral. Or a centerpiece made of several pieces of driftwood.
We even like the look of old lobster pots and buoys, but that might be veering a little too far into the nitty gritty of life on the sea. Try what works with your aesthetic, space and budget and feel it out. Above all, it has to stay true to you – not just a trend.
Coastal Grandmother is more about a relaxed mood and vibe than anything else. And you can get 50% of the way there with a few candles, some marinara simmering on the stove, and an old Sam Cooke song playing softly in the background.
The key isn’t about spending a ton of money or radically refurbishing your living quarters. It’s about relaxing. Making the effort to live the good life. Realizing that spending time cooking dinner, and cutting flowers, and drinking wine, and reading books all adds up to a life well spent. And that’s the lifestyle each of us should be aiming for.
