A beach-inspired kitchen can project a relaxed and refined style, even if it is not actually located at the beach. Some beach house homeowners prefer that their kitchens match the outdoor surroundings.
However, beach elements can be incorporated into any home, even if it is not near a body of water. A beach aesthetic can be achieved by using lighter colors and natural materials. There is flexibility in incorporating as many or as few coastal décor elements as the homeowner wants.
What is a Beach-Style Kitchen
A beach-style kitchen or coastal kitchen is often associated with waterfront homes on the East Coast, Florida Keys, or California Coast. However, a coastal kitchen is not only for houses near the water; this style can easily work in houses anywhere. This type of kitchen can be classic casual or anything in between.
Beach-inspired or nautical materials are sometimes used to define the style. Distressed or weathered finishes might be utilized, as well as driftwood, twine, rope, or linen.
Layered shades of white or cream are often used to create a relaxed, crisp atmosphere. Color can be incorporated in different shades, depending on whether the overall goal is classic or casual.
Classic: Think East Coast charm, like Cape Cod. A classic coastal kitchen will use crisp colors such as navy and white and can incorporate striped fabric, most often wide stripes. Stormy grays and dark blue prints, like chevrons, can also be used to create a classic beach kitchen. There may also be some nautical influences.
Casual: Think easy and natural, like the California coast. Casual beach-style kitchens use organic and natural textures, wood elements, greenery, and stone. Tans, greens, and knotted wood or woven fabrics are the colors and textures that are utilized.
Rebecca Heane of Houzz compares classic coastal style to “Riveria meets Hamptons.” She defines the classic look as utilizing bold stripes and a distinct palette of whites, neutrals, blues, charcoal, and black. The style uses beautiful accessories and has a clean, sophisticated feel.
For the casual coastal kitchen, more natural tones are used.
Will Taylor, author of Dream Décor, states that the core features are usually jute textures, earth tones, layered blues, crisp whites, stripes, and loose linen upholstery.
The palette “can be adjusted according to taste: true blues and crisp whites for a Med-like vibe, warm whites, and pale blue-green shades for a country coastal mix, and bright coral paired with sky blue for an exotic coastal style.”
Cabinets
Cabinets in a beach kitchen are most often white or light in color, such as light gray. Shaker cabinets are often used for their simple, clean lines. Extending the cabinetry all the way to the ceiling can help make the kitchen seem larger and lighter.
Or if all-white is too austere, some homeowners are mixing cabinets for a two-tone kitchen with light-painted cabinets for the base or island, which complements the white upper cabinets. The key is ensuring the cabinets are light, as darker woods are usually not used in this kind of kitchen.
Glass is often used in the cabinets in a beach kitchen, a natural material that works well. Glass cabinet fronts help to create an open aesthetic, especially in smaller kitchens.
Color Palette
A relaxed coastal kitchen will incorporate neutrals and natural colors. The color palette for a beach-style kitchen uses natural colors that are found near the beach:
- White
- Light Blue
- Dark Blue
- Soft Gray
- Light Green
These light colors on the walls give the room a spacious feel. Bright colors such as coral can be used as accents. Beach kitchens can also be all white with white cabinetry, white appliances, and a white countertop. The result is a bright and airy feel.
Another option is a completely blue kitchen with a pale shade on the walls and a deeper blue for the cabinets. Wood floors may also have a blue hue. The mix of shades reflects the colors of the ocean.
As mentioned above, stripes are an important component of the classic coastal design. Often found in upholstery or in accessories, they add a crisp vibe.
Countertops
Countertops can be quartz or granite and are often light in color. A creamy white quartz with swirls or veins can emulate the sky, pebbles found at the shore, or sandy beaches.
With its nonporous surface, it will resist scratches and stains. Similar to the technology used for quartz, glass countertops now use recycled glass blended with resins.
No matter what type of countertops are used, the color should be light to add to the brightness of the space.
Backsplash
Nothing says coastal quite like iridescent tile, which is reminiscent of tiny shells glistening in the sunshine. Even a small tiled area, such as above the range, can really be beautiful.
Tiles in blue hues can also make a big impact, especially against white cabinets. White tile with navy blue accents is a good choice for a more classic spin.
Ceiling
A beach-style kitchen might have a tray ceiling to make a larger space appear. Painting the recessed part of the ceiling in larger kitchens can add color.
Using the color white for the ceiling will add to the brightness of the space. A white ceiling base with exposed wooden beams to match the hardware can also work well in this type of kitchen.
Lighting
Again, the lighting is about adding brightness to the area. There is recessed lighting and pendent lights over the island. Glass pendant lights incorporate natural elements and can be classic or casual, depending on the style.
Another option is a minimalist glass chandelier, which incorporates a natural element and can stand out against all-white.
A certain amount of lighting in a beach kitchen should be from natural sources. For a major kitchen redo, large windows will bring in the most light possible.
Appliances
Appliances in this style of kitchen are not a focal point. Stainless steel appliances stand out less with white wooden structures providing a background. Some homeowners prefer to use all-white appliances to avoid distracting from the cabinets.
Appliances can also add a pop of color. Vintage-inspired appliances are a fun addition, and aqua and turquoise shades look great in a crisp white kitchen.
Kitchen hoods are hidden with slab materials like marble, veneer porcelain, and plaster, so they also do not detract from the design.
Hardware
The hardware is usually simple in a coastal kitchen. For example, white cabinets and drawers accented by gold hardware. Brushed nickel is also used for hardware to match the stainless steel appliances.
Another option is oversized drawer pulls. They can be placed vertically on tall cabinets or horizontally on larger drawers.
Beach Kitchen Flooring
Beach kitchens usually have hardwood flooring or a material that looks like hardwood. The flooring should be able to stand up to water and sand.
The color of the flooring is up to the homeowner’s preference. A light oak will add to the room’s openness, while a darker wood will provide a contrast against lighter cabinets.
Tip: Tile on the floor is not the best choice for kitchens at the beach, as it becomes very slippery when wet.
Beach Style Kitchen Sink
For the beach-inspired kitchen, an under-mount sink will not detract from the house’s overall aesthetic. Stainless steel or another material can be used.
Wall Art
Unlike some other kitchen styles, a coastal kitchen almost always has art on the walls. Wall art in this style ties together the theme. A classic coastal kitchen might use black-and-white photos of yachts, boats, water, or maritime accessories.
Frames might be white and matched. Coastal kitchens with a more contemporary spin might include canvas pictures of the beach, beach grass, or other natural themes. Frames might be unmatched or natural wood.
Walls can also add texture to the space with shiplap or tongue and groove paneling. This can be laid horizontally or vertically, bringing character to the room. Painting it all white gives a light and fresh feel.
Beachy Kitchen Theme Accessories
Accessories and accents are often used in a beach-style kitchen. Bold pieces can create a fun vibe for an all-white kitchen. Bold colors with natural textures are also utilized in this design.
For example, a light-up anchor can add enough interest without going overboard.
Shades of blue are often used for accessories. A table runner with stripes, a woven basket, or a vase incorporating shades of blue are ways to accessorize on a beachy day. Some homeowners use items found along the shoreline to add to the décor.
Coastal-Themed Kitchen Furniture
A coastal kitchen often features natural fibers and materials. Furniture should be relaxed and not formal.
It tends to be simple and sturdy, often made of traditional hardwood. Sometimes, the wood is left unfinished or has a natural finish.
Woven bar stools for the island really say beach. Similarly, woven chairs around the kitchen table add a relaxed feel.
A woven jute rug will also add to the room’s texture. Linen is another fabric that can be used in this style of kitchen.
Bar stools, like navy and white, can also be paired with color blocking to bring a classic appeal. Similarly, ones in different shades of blue can add color to an otherwise neutral kitchen.
Beach-Style Kitchen Trends 2024
A coastal or beach-style kitchen can make smaller kitchens feel larger. Replacing traditional brown wood cabinets with lighter ones is one of the best ways to update a kitchen.
For 2024, glass elements are being used in more coastal designs. Accents of blue, from aqua to navy, are now being used for the kitchen island.
Another trend is to bring more of the outdoors inside, as homeowners will continue to spend more time at home. For a coastal kitchen, this means larger windows and sliders or bifold doors. Windows that sit almost at the countertop will give a less obtrusive view.
Beach-style kitchens can be a sophisticated addition to any home. They can lean toward a classic East Coast design, a more relaxed California coast vibe, or something in between. Homeowners will want to choose long-lasting cabinets to create the perfect beach-style kitchen.
