32 Coastal Bathroom Ideas That'll Transport You to the Shore

Stick to Classic Coastal Colors

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Coastal design is known for its iconic beachy palette, so set the scene with a few seaside colors. Stock up on oceany blues, sandy beiges, and crisp seafoam whites. And if you’re craving a pop of color, a sunny yellow or a playful orange should do.

Let the Outdoors In

A coastal interior should make you feel like you’re at the beach, so look for ways to let the outdoors in. Maximize the sunlight streaming through your windows by trading curtains for flexible blinds, and capture some of that classic ocean breeze by leaving your windows propped open whenever you can.

Play With Beach-Inspired Prints

Hoping to design a coastal bathroom that isn’t terribly on-the-nose? Use beach-inspired prints to get you there. Look for wallpaper lined with ocean-inspired waves or sand-inspired flecks. Or snag something that reminds you of classically beachy plants, like pampas grass or palm trees.

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Put an Accent Wall in Your Shower

Accent walls make a fun addition to any space—your shower, included. And when it comes to coastal design, you have all kinds of accent wall options. You can line one shower wall with printed titles, or you can stick to a punchy color. Either way, you’re in for something eye-catching.

Put Up Some Playful Wallpaper

Coastal design is inherently pretty fun—it is inspired by the beach, after alll—so get playful with your design choices. Take a risk on some printed wallpaper in a classic coastal color, and don’t be afraid to get kitschy. As long as you love looking at the print you’ve picked, the wallpaper is sure to look great in your space.

Score Some Timeless Striped Towels

Towels are a necessity in any bathroom. And when chosen thoughtfully, they can also double as décor. So snag a set in a classic coastal print, like nautical stripes, and turn your well-stocked towel rack into an accent piece.

Mix and Match Earthy Materials

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“Earthy” may not be the first word that comes to mind when you envision a coastal bathroom. But, beaches are full of organic materials worth using in your space. Pair woven baskets with a textured stone sink, and layer in wood accents that nod to your local boardwalk.

Stock Up on Beachy Photographs

One particularly easy way to make your bathroom feel more coastal? Stock up on beachy photographs. Sure, the decorative accent is a little obvious. But it’s a classic for a reason: It will immediately transport you and your houseguests to the beach.

Take a Risk on a Fun Backsplash

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There are lots of ways to have fun with your backsplash. And since coastal style welcomes pops of personality, take advantage of the opportunity to get playful. Snag backsplash tiles in a bold print or a vibrant color, or lay out your tiles in a surprising design.

Keep It Airy With White Walls

Capture coastal design’s classically breezy feel by painting your walls white. This simple choice should leave your bathroom feeling bright and airy—and it should give you the sleek backdrop you need to play with vibrant colors and beachy textures.

Turn Your Structural Beams Into Statement-Makers

Structural beams may seem like an accent fit for a farmhouse—not a beach house. But if your beams are distressed enough to look like driftwood, they’ll evoke visions of the sea. Consider leaving the wood beams in your bathroom exposed.

Decorate With Pampas Grass

Flower-filled vases put the finishing touches on any space. But since you’re crafting a coastal bathroom, consider trading garden-picked flowers for a beachier plant, like pampas grass.

Snag a Rustic Bath Stool

Looking for a way to add flexibility to your bathroom? Snag a bath stool. The shower-friendly stools are perfect for seating, storage, and more. And if you score a particularly rustic option—one that resembles driftwood—you’ll end up with an accent that ties your beachy space together.

Add Texture With a Woven Lampshade

No coastal space is complete without a few woven accents. So ground your floors with a jute rug, store your essentials in seagrass baskets, or swap your bathroom light fixtures for rattan-lined pendants.

Paint Your Cabinets

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Remember that your bathroom walls aren’t the only thing worth dressing up. If you’ve decided to keep it simple with white walls and a white tile backsplash, consider adding a pop of coastal color to your bathroom cabinets.

Put Woven Baskets Everywhere

Every bathroom deserves a solid organization system. And if you want a storage set-up that can double as décor, consider stocking up on small woven baskets that you can stack, place on your shelves, or tuck inside your drawers.

Mount Some Nautical Sconces

Commit to your décor scheme by ditching your basic bathroom lights and replacing them with classical nautical fixtures. Cage sconces look like the kind of thing you’d find by a dimly lit dock—and they’re sure to make your space feel beachier.

Cozy Things Up With a Rug

Bathroom floors can get incredibly cold and slick—offering your toes a rude awakening the moment you step out of the shower or bathtub. So treat yourself (and your feet) to a cozier atmosphere with a printed bath mat or a waterproof woven rug.

Sprinkle in Some Kitschy Accents

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Your coastal bathroom can tolerate as much—or as little—kitsch as you’re in the mood for. So feel free to sprinkle in a couple tongue-in-cheek accents, like a letter board that playfully reminds your guests to brush and floss.

Favor Lighter Wood Tones

Wood accents are available in a range of different shades—some dark and rich, some warm and bright, and some light and subtle. And though you can probably pull off just about any wood tone in your space, consider keeping your coastal palette crisp and sticking with a sandier stain.

Add Drama With a Beachy Chandelier

A bathroom chandelier may seem entirely out of place in a coastal interior. But snag a fixture made from textured wooden beads, and you’ll end up with something that doesn’t just suit your beachy bathroom—but that actually brings it together.

Layer Earthy Textures

From the grainy sand to the smooth shells to the dappled water, beaches are absolutely packed with texture. And by mimicking these layered textures—through printed wallpaper, woven rugs, and plants—you can craft a bathroom that feels decidedly coastal, even if you forgo the classic blue-and-white palette.

Load Up on Greenery

The best coastal spaces make you feel connected to nature even when there’s no beach in sight, so stock up on greenery, and bring the outdoors to you. Obviously, featuring beachy plants is the easiest way to capture some seaside ambiance. But even less traditional plants can feel beachy when surrounded by classic coastal colors.

Hang a Rope-Lined Mirror

Nautical accents are a surefire way to make your bathroom feel more coastal. And if you want to keep things from veering too on-the-nose, you can always stick with a referential rope mirror—rather than a wall-mounted anchor, ship wheel, or oar.

Keep Your Neutrals Warm and Earthy

Neutrals hold any palette together, giving you the flexibility you need to play with brighter shades. And though you can’t really go wrong with a neutral, keep the focus on warmer, beachier options—like sandy beiges, stone grays, and cloudy whites.

Have Fun With Your Floor Tiles

If you have the wherewithal to renovate your floors, consider springing for an eye-catching option. Snag a printed tile, and cover your floors with it. The choice will be decidedly bathroom-appropriate—and it’ll add some welcome fun to your coastal decor scheme.

Add Ambiance With Woven Blinds

Choosing window treatments for a coastal bathroom can be tough. On the one hand, you want something that’ll let in plenty of light. On the other, you want something that’ll give you the privacy to bathe in peace. Woven blinds strike this balance masterfully. The textured pick should give you the flexibility to adjust your ambiance on the fly—and it should fit right into your coastal decor scheme.

Let Your Space Feel Casual

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Coastal interiors should feel warm and welcoming, so look for places to make laidback choices. Could you trade a neat-and-tidy towel rack for more casual towel hooks? Little touches, like these, can give your bathroom the by-the-beach feel you’re looking for.

Sneak in Pops of Personality

Being playful isn’t just about snagging the kitschiest décor you can find—it’s about making surprising choices that’ll put a smile on your face every time you see them. So line the back of your shelves with printed wallpaper, or tuck pretty rocks next to your vases and towels.

Add Contrast With a Few Dark Pieces

Coastal spaces are often bright and white-filled, but there’s nothing wrong with adding a little contrast—so sprinkle in a couple of bold accents. A thoughtfully chosen charcoal countertop will bring out the white paint on your vanity, and a  few matte black drawer pulls will, too.

Give the Room a Sense of Place

Coastal interiors naturally have a sense of place. But if you want that sense of place to be more specific than “beachy,” add touches that are specific to your particular locale. Hang photos of nearby places, feature locally made pieces, and snag plants you can only find in your part of town.

Invest in Your Finishing Touches

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Bring your bathroom together with a few finishing touches that’ll make you feel like you’re at a 5-star hotel. Adorn your sink with a matching hand soap and lotion set, invest in a pretty hand towel, and keep extra linens at the ready. These details will make your bathroom look even lovelier—and they’ll make it feel better to be in, too