Rustic Coastal Living Room Reveal
Sometimes a design starts with what you DON’T want. Let me explain: Just because we moved to winter in FL did not mean that I wanted a home that looked like we were at the beach, and I knew I did not want to do a typical coastal home with lots of blues and greens. So scratch out the coastal or beachy look.
The inspiration
I then moved to what I did want and started collecting a lot of images that had a white/ beige serene Mediterranean resort vibe. I love this inspirational photo. (source unknown) It is so peaceful and chill. I started to think about how I create this feel in my home, but make it really functional too.
I wanted it to feel laid-back and cozy, blending the natural beauty of rustic coastal elements with clean lines and warmth of organic modern design. The home lacks the architecture detail to truly create the Ibiza look, so I concentrated on furniture and decor elements, but added more contrast for punch. Here’s how each choice came together to create a unique, curated vibe perfect for relaxed living.
The “Jumping Off” point:
Every room has one item that you start with, that you absolutely love and you build your room and design around this item (furniture, rug, artwork etc). For me, I have been obsessed with this media cabinet for the last couple of years from Canggu.
The Reclining Sofa:
We are at the age now (ahem!) where we lounge around a LOT and we want to be REALLY comfortable doing it…..but I still really care about style, because DUH I am a designer. What a truly exhaustive but rewarding search to find a RECLINING power sofa that doesn’t look like it is a recliner. The Arhaus Coburn reclining sofa delivers! It is neutral and clean with modern lines that ground the room. Its muted, natural hue works as a blank canvas, making it easy to style with a variety of textures and tones.
Seating that finishes off your conversation area
To create contrast I knew I wanted to contract the lighter upholstered sofa, with nice warm leather chairs. I had been eyeing the Four Hands accent chairs (you know I love all things Four Hands by now, right) and I chose these specifically for the detailed cut-out where the wood bends in the arm. I didn’t want large side tables occupying more space in the room, and I wanted something really rustic that made a statement. I chose these small unique rustic stools, perfect to just set a drink on.
Design Tip: Leather is a great choice for adding organic warmth. It ages beautifully, developing character over time, which adds to the room's cozy, curated feel. It’s a lot easier to mix a leather with upholstery, then choosing upholstery that coordinates together. Mix it up though, as too much leather or too much upholstery looks like you bought a grouping a lower end furniture store.
The Coffee Table: Rustic Meets Modern
The sofa is quite large, so I needed a coffee table that could hold its own. Too small of a table, and it would get lost in the room. This wooden coffee table combines rustic charm with modern simplicity. Its natural wood grain and texture are in perfect harmony with the organic elements throughout the room. The rectangular shape is minimalist, yet the natural imperfections in the wood add an artisan feel, bringing warmth and grounding the center of the space.
Design Tip: When selecting a coffee table, look for materials and shapes that complement your sofa and seating group and are about ⅔ the width of your sofa. If selecting wood, ensure the tone of the wood compliments the flooring and other furniture in the room
Art and Accessories: Impact and Curiosities
For the art, I chose a large-scale high-impact minimalist piece in neutral tones that stays true to the room’s color palette but adds depth and visual interest. The artwork leans slightly rustic, aligning with the coastal-meets-organic feel while keeping the space serene.
I layered the coffee table with stacked books, organic-inspired ceramics, and a few vintage objects for character. These accessories are minimal but thoughtfully chosen to add personality without overwhelming the relaxed vibe.
Design Tip: Accessories are a great place to mix high and low. Mix Amazon design books with vintage or found objects. Mix in metals and stones to add visual interest and contrast. Choose items that resonate with your theme without getting matchy matchy—here, vintage finds and natural textures enhance the organic, curated look.
Textured Textiles: Bringing in Cozy Layers
The throw pillows and blankets are in muted, earthy colors, with a mix of textures like linen and vintage Turkish rug recycled into pillows. The layers add a cozy, approachable worn touch and break up the neutral tones of the sofa.
Design Tip: Play with different fabrics and patterns to add subtle visual interest. Sticking with a cohesive color palette keeps it sophisticated while allowing texture to shine. When working with a color palette think 60/30/10 in distribution of color.
Rugs: Soft Underfoot and Subtly Textured
The rug features a muted, coastal-inspired color palette that ties all the elements together without drawing too much attention. It’s textured, adding depth underfoot while keeping the focus on the furniture and decor.
Design Tip: For the love of all things design, if nothing else, get the rug size right! A rug is the anchor that defines a seating area and helps unify a space. In open rooms, use a large rug to connect the pieces, ensuring all furniture is either fully or partially on it to create a cohesive look.
Curated and Cohesive
This living room brings together rustic, vintage, coastal and organic modern elements together to create a warm, chill comfortable vibe. Each piece was carefully chosen to enhance the natural beauty of the materials, creating a welcoming space where every element has a purpose. I hope this inspires you to incorporate a mix of vintage finds, natural textures, and relaxed, earthy tones to craft your own serene retreat at home. If you want to create a dream space in your home, reach out and let’s start your design project today!