How to Master the Coastal Grandmother Aesthetic
There’s a certain magic in the coastal grandmother aesthetic — a blend of breezy sophistication, timeless comfort, and a touch of seaside romance. It’s not about being a grandmother (or even living near the coast); it’s a state of mind — one that celebrates slow living, classic style, and the quiet luxury of feeling at home in your space and in yourself.
If you’ve ever dreamed of crisp white kitchens, sunset walks in chunky knits, and always having fresh herbs on hand, you’re already halfway there. Here’s how to master the coastal grandmother aesthetic — no grandkids required.
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What is Coastal Grandmother Aesthetic?
Coastal Grandmother Aesthetic is all about embracing cozy living with style. If you need a visual then just watch a Nancy Meyers movie especially one of them that stars Diane Keaton.
Think about living by the beach, sitting on a porch, embracing the ocean breeze. Having dinner parties with flowers cut from your own garden and sipping wine.
Furniture that is neutral and so soft you could curl up with a good book and read all day. The texture of the linens is very important too. This is the look and feel of Coastal Grandmother.
But the aesthetic doesn’t stop at home decor. It’s also a style of clothing that is very New England. Think linen clothes, large hats waving in the wind, and chic footwear.
Pants and skirts that are flowy, and chunky sweaters with chino pants. Preppy but comfortable is the style of the coastal grandmother.
How did this trend start?
Well believe it or not, it all started with a TikTok post! Lex Nicoleta posted about the look and feel of movies starring Diane Keaton (specifically in Something’s Gotta Give). Chunky sweaters and linen pants, where comfort and sophistication meet.
Other celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon and poof! You have a new viral trend. Not that this look is new at all, but it’s definitely on trend.
I am not going to lie, when I heard about Lex’s Tiktok post I went on and binged like all of her videos and I realized this is exactly the look and feel my home has been trending toward. It’s not 100% there yet but there are a lot of features that are coastal gran.
Coastal Grandmother Lifestyle
This trend isn’t just about home decor and fashion, it’s a lifestyle. Women working in gorgeous white kitchens chopping vegetables from their garden with a bowl full of lemons.
On the porch are adirondak chairs, and in the garden are hydrangeas with big beautiful blooms. It’s the perfect place to sit feel the ocean breeze and sip a glass of white wine.
How to get the Coastal Grandmother look.
Take your inspiration from the ocean. Furnish your home with lots of neutrals. Furniture in white or cream and wood in a light or medium tone. This is the basis of the coastal grandmother look.
Colors and Textures
As I said, start with neutral furnishings then take on a few new colors and textures from there. taking your colors from the ocean use blues, greens, and sea glass colors.
Colors from sea shells such as gray, greige, and pink are also good choices. When it comes to patterns, less is more. Solids and stripes are the best way to go.
Materials
The materials you use in and around your home are very important. Using natural fabrics is the most important. Linens and cotton are the go-to and breezy sheer materials for window treatments, as opposed to something heavy is also on trend.
For flooring, consider natural materials as well such as sisal, jute, rattan, and seagrass.
For accessories, consider woven baskets and chunky knit throws. Also, ginger jars with flowers such as hydrangeas are a beautiful addition. In the kitchen, a bowl of fresh fruit is perfect for the coastal grandmother aesthetic.
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When it comes to hardware, stick with brushed nickel for a subtle and refined look.
Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t take this aesthetic too far. It’s an aesthetic…a feel. Not a theme.
Don’t go too nautical with your decor. A few coastal items are great but adding bouys and dark colors is not the coastal grandmother aesthetic.
Examples of Coastal Grandmother Aesthetic
This gorgeous homes exterior is classic Coastal with the cedar shake siding and the white trim accents. Also the hydrangea hedges all along the front and the white picket fences…you can’t get more coastal grandma than that!
This dining space is so cozy and coastal. The blue accents with the natural fiber rug are essentials in the coastal grandmother aesthetic.
I also love the gorgeous light fixture and white drapes.
When it comes to the kitchen it’s all about neutrals and textures. Here you have the ratan bar stools with the white cabinets and nickel hardware. The island is set for a breakfast buffet with table settings of rattan chargers, gorgeous china and fabric napkins.
The fresh flowers and bowl of fruit round out the aesthetic and look amazing with all the natural light coming in the many windows.
This family room is very welcoming while at the same time very sophisticated. The neutral furnishings, natural fiber rub and beams are just gorgeous.
I love this bed. I love the twine wrapped four poster bed with the neutral bedding. It looks so inviting!
I also love the neutral walls with the picture molding detail. I have the same in my room and it’s gorgeous!
Here we have a gorgeous table setting perfect for the coastal grandma. Blue and white stripped tablecloth with blue napkins set the stage. I love the hurricanes with twine wrapped around them too.
The vase holds the coastal favorite of hydrangeas and lots of candle create a welcoming space.
Another table surface to consider is the coffee table and sofa table. Here we have a natural woven basekt and hydrangeas, a stack of books and gorges vessels that look like they came right from the ocean.
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As a licensed Real Estate Agent and an avid home decorator, I strive to give my clients the very best I can when it comes to staging, selling, and decorating their homes. I have lots of experience with paint color choices and love to DIY my home so I can have everything just the way I want it. I share my ideas and projects with the world in the hopes that I can help others have their homes just the way they want as well.
