What is the Coastal Grandma TikTok Trend and How to Get the Look

TikTok is going gaga over this design style inspired by the stunning interiors in Nancy Meyers' films and a new take on the clean, fresh coastal look.

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April 20, 2022

By: Felicia Feaster

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What Is Coastal Grandma Style?

Twenty-six-year-old California TikTok influencer Lex Nicoleta (@lex_nicoleta) coined the term for "coastal grandma" which then took a turn for the viral. As Lex told HGTV, "The coastal grandmother lifestyle is attainable no matter who you are or where you live. You don’t have to live by the coast or be a grandmother to be a coastal grandmother. It’s more about the way you live your life — slowing down and taking time to enjoy the little things like flipping through magazines and sipping tea on a Sunday morning or preparing a dinner with the day’s farmers' market finds."

Get the intel on more trending design looks, including Cottagecore, Goblincore and Japandi.

A Slipcovered Sofa

The coastal grandmother term describes a luxe-meets-coastal style you might find in a well-to-do grandmother's home in Santa Barbara, California, or Hilton Head, South Carolina, defined by neutral shades; soft linens and crisp whites (slipcovered sofas are key according to Lex); a casual lifestyle and throw pillows galore. Look no further than the elder-chic show "Grace and Frankie" or definitive Nancy Meyers films like Something's Gotta Give and It's Complicated whose older stars played by Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep live in gorgeous homes in places like the Hamptons and define this style.

How to Achieve the Coastal Grandmother Look

Bucket hats, flowing linen tunics from Chicos, turtlenecks and cozy long cardigans perfectly encapsulate the fashion choices of the coastal grandma, who also wants her home to embody this comfortable, low-key look.

From: Purple Cherry Architects

Ginger Jars

"If someone were to purchase three things to achieve the coastal grandmother look," says Lex, "I’d recommend a blue and white ginger jar, a slipcovered sofa and rustic textiles. It’s that mix of new and old. Pop by your local antique shop to decorate your new coffee table, open your curtains and let the natural light pour in, arrange a bouquet of your favorite flowers. For extra ambiance, listen to my ‘Coastal Grandmother’ playlist on Spotify (linked here)."

From: H. Camille Smith

Fresh Flowers Are Key

Fresh flowers in a coastal grandma home show she cares about beauty and has lots of free time to shop for gorgeous blooms at her local farmers' market or fancy gourmet grocer.

From: Liz Carroll

Idle Days at the Farmers' Market

Coastal grandmas are, naturally, retired, so they have lots of time to linger over fresh pastries and artisanal jams at farmers' markets. “Coastal grandmother is a lifestyle and aesthetic that embodies elements of coastal living and homemaking. But more than that, it’s about romanticizing your every day life and finding beauty in the ordinary moments,” says influencer and coastal grandma-originator Lex Nicoleta.

A Killer View

Nothing makes you appreciate the pleasures of retiring in a beachside home more than a stunning view to wake up to every morning as you sip your cappuccino from one of your plush white linen couches.

From: Blackband Design

A Gorgeous Kitchen

A coastal grandma loves to cook but also expects the latest and greatest in terms of appliances and kitchen features, and so her kitchen has to be both charming and up to date. This kitchen feels like a glamorous version of a ship's kitchen, with streamlined, silvery design elements and porthole windows. Mahogany floors are a welcome touch of warmth.

From: Tongue & Groove

Cappuccino and Croissants

Nicoleta says a favorite coastal grandma activity is flipping through catalogs, preferably while enjoying a coffee or hot tea and croissants picked up from the local gourmet market.

From: Sam Henderson

A Bucket Hat Is an Absolute Requirement

All that time in the bright beachy sunshine has made the coastal grandma very aware of the necessity of a great sunscreen and a good bucket hat to protect her skin. It also helps in keeping her hair tamed despite the seaside breeze.

Learn More: 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens in 2022, Reviewed by HGTV Editors

A Hamptons Coastal Grandmother for the Ages

Though Ina Garten is not officially a grandmother, with her lavish, elevated comfort food and her gorgeous Hamptons home, she is the epitome of coastal grandma style. Coastal grandmas also love food and having the leisure time to try out new Barefoot Contessa recipes on their husbands and other family members.

A Gorgeous Garden

Because natural beauty and ladylike activities are key for the coastal grandma, she will want to have a lovely garden where she can grow peonies and roses to make her own floral arrangements inside and grow culinary herbs to add to her recipes.

From: CLINTON+RIES Landscape Architects

Coastal Curb Appeal

Since she's always welcoming friends and family to her home, Coastal Grandmas will want some major curb appeal and visual impact for visitors.

Lots of Warm Wood

This light and bright home office is the perfect backdrop for the coastal grandmother to catch up on her correspondence or work on her memoir. A neutral built-in bookshelf blends into the similarly hued wood plank walls. Various vases and books line the shelf, giving the space the ideal coastal look. A neutral upholstered armchair is positioned at a wood desk, while a white vase of flowers adds a simple finishing touch.

A Very Neutral Palette

This Hamptons home designed by Amy Kalikow of Amy Kalikow Design shows how a neutral look with artisanal details, like this dramatic but funky light fixture, can be restful and elegant and help a coastal grandma convey her pared-back good taste.

Plenty of Space for Visiting Grandchildren

Tones of white, blue and copper combine in this inviting and spacious bunk suite to create an open and airy feel with plenty of room for kids of all ages to rest and relax. Mixing textures and patterns, from the shiplap behind the beds to woven ottomans and soft throw pillows, adds depth to the room and makes every inch feel inviting.

From: Tiffany Brooks

Lots and Lots of Throw Pillows

Nothing offers a cozy berth for cocktails or story reading with your grandchildren like an ample sofa loaded with throw pillows in white or tasteful neutral tones.

A Pool, Of Course

A coastal grandma understands that to encourage visits from the grandchildren and stay in shape without breaking a sweat, a nearby swimming pool is essential. Neutral hues throughout the floor of this swimming pool patio create a beautiful patchwork of tones. The bright blue pool and green grass and trees add instant color to the space. Groupings of wood lounge chairs are padded with white cushions and small throw pillows.

From: NMA Architects

Coastal Charm

Coastal grandmas, naturally, like to play up the coastal theme, but in a tasteful, low-key way. They gravitate more toward seafaring antiques and subtle, beach glass shades. Here a pair of wooden oars are transformed into artwork when hung above the guest bed and bring a playful nod to the home’s coastal location. Layering a mix of pillows in similar tone and texture gives a plush and organic feel to the bed.

From: Tiffany Brooks

Plenty of Lavish Outdoor Space

Because entertaining is de rigueur to the coastal grandma, she keeps her outdoor spaces guest-ready with lots of pillows and places to nap, and pretty plants for a dash of of color. A large sofa with a mix of patterned pillows feels lush and inviting while a trio of smaller pedestal tables can also double as seating, making this a versatile and easy living space.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Flowing Curtains

Windows that let in lots of lights give a room brightness and a clean look. To offset all that sun, flowing linen or sailcloth curtains in creamy shades allow the coastal grandma to shut out some light when it's time for a cat nap. This oversized chaise lounge is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a good book or plan that night's menu.

From: Marie Flanigan Interiors

Baskets

Coastal grandmas like to keep clutter in check and so they use baskets to bring order, to store magazines or firewood, in the pantry or to corral grandchildren's toys.

From: Tiffany Brooks

What is the Coastal Grandma TikTok Trend and How to Get the Look

Related To:

Shop This Look

What Is Coastal Grandma Style?

A Slipcovered Sofa

How to Achieve the Coastal Grandmother Look

Ginger Jars

Fresh Flowers Are Key

Idle Days at the Farmers' Market

A Killer View

A Gorgeous Kitchen

Cappuccino and Croissants

A Bucket Hat Is an Absolute Requirement

A Hamptons Coastal Grandmother for the Ages

A Gorgeous Garden

Coastal Curb Appeal

Lots of Warm Wood

A Very Neutral Palette

Plenty of Space for Visiting Grandchildren

Lots and Lots of Throw Pillows

A Pool, Of Course

Coastal Charm

Plenty of Lavish Outdoor Space

Flowing Curtains

Baskets

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