10 Times HGTV Stars Pulled Off Coastal Grandma Designs

As TikTok influencer and coastal grandma expert Lex Nicoleta (@lex_nicoleta) tells HGTV, the newfound viral trend is impossibly chic — in a grandmotherly, luxe-meets-coastal type of way. It's a lifestyle, not just an aesthetic, but here at HGTV, we value interiors that match the way we live. As it turns out, HGTV stars were doing coastal grandma before coastal grandma was a thing, and the evidence lies ahead amidst neutral palettes, rustic textiles and lots of charming accessories.

Naturally, anything Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent (The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project) design is deemed luxurious, but the key to coastal grandma is subtlety. This particular living room designed by the duo oozes relaxed coastal grandma opulence with its natural textures, creamy textiles and a black-and-white hearth.

An open, spacious kitchen — updated, of course, but with just the right amount of antique charm — is the only type of cook space conducive to the coastal grandma lifestyle. However, what really tips the scales in this design by Christina Hall (Christina on the Coast) is the natural light. It pours in through large windows, dousing the space in a soft glow and amplifying the gold hardware, rattan accessories and warm wood tones.

HGTV Smart Home designer Tiffany Brooks knows how to make nautical subtle enough for our coastal grandma. While designing the HGTV Smart Home 2022 guest bedroom, Tiffany wove warm, rich textures and colors into a cool neutral palette (notice the rust-colored ceiling). Botanical-inspired prints and cotton bedding create a soothing ambiance that invites guests to relax and enjoy.

Entertaining is a way of life for the coastal grandma, and where better to host a soirée than this cozy, waterside spot à la HGTV designer Brian Patrick Flynn? What's important here? Stellar views — and guest accommodations of, course. Must-have touches include throw pillows galore, ample seating and convenient pedestal tables where guests can set their drinks.

Leanne Ford's (Restored by the Fords) cottagecore-meets-coastal-grandma living room boasts, not only rustic textiles, but dried flowers and neutral furnishings. It's all about layering here, and Leanne's use of mixed materials — cane, wicker, linen, wood — is a combination any coastal grandma can get behind.

Old World charm defines the whitewashed, cobblestone-effect veneer Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson (Married to Real Estate) installed on the walls in their winning Rock the Block kitchen. For the full coastal grandma effect, however, updated touches are necessary. A waterfall island, rattan pendants and contemporary cabinetry bring the whole look home.

The classic coastal grandma loves spending time in the garden — so, it's safe to assume fresh flowers are a critical part of her aesthetic. Here, an arrangement of pastel-hued blooms in a bronze vase adds subtle color to a cozy wooden table in Jenny and Dave Marrs' (Fixer to Fabulous) famed Arkansas inn. Cane-back chairs and glowing pendants give an ooh-ahh, homey feel.

Even small touches matter when it comes to the carefully crafted coastal grandma aesthetic. Take this kitchen vignette designed by Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis (Unsellable Houses), for example. Wooden utensils offer all the comfort of a chic grandmother's warm embrace. Of course, the coastal grandma loves to cook, so when it comes to accessorizing, functionality as well as elegance is key.

The most important element in any coastal grandma design? A neutral color palette, which Jenn Todryk (No Demo Reno) pulls off flawlessly in this traditional living room. She's pulled out all the stops: big windows and natural light, cozy rugs, coastal furnishings and pristine, white couches.