15 Colorful Design Ideas with Happy Beach Vibes

A trip to the coast is filled with a vast array of hues, and we’re bringing home the brightest and cheeriest shades to our homes — whether we’re waterside or landlocked.

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By: Chelsey Bowen

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Bring on the Coastal Colors

An all-white color palette was not made for these homes. They’re interested in a deep dive into color where hues of sun and sea and sand abound. Aqua, coral and navy make this outdoor space feel light and fresh. Sleek furniture is pulled around a firepit for a welcoming gathering spot.

From: Castle Design

Deliver Seaside Hues

Open and airy, this living space is made for Hawaiian living. Terracotta tiles floors make it easier to keep up with tracked-in sand, and mid-century mod furnishings feel right at home in the fiftieth state. Aqua is the keynote color of the space, mimicking the unforgettable Hawaiian skies, and instead of a brilliant yellow shade, a tone of mustard is used to ground the vivid hue.

From: Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers

Hello Sunshine, My Old Friend

We’re leaving the darkness behind and stepping into the light. Radiant yellow walls brighten up this made-for-gatherings dining room, and distressed floors add a weather-worn aesthetic underfoot. Natural wood tones act as a counterpart to the paint color, while still reflecting beachy sand hues of their own.

From: Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers

Let’s Go Surfin’ Now

It’s a room designed for Gidget! Aqua walls and a pineapple yellow alcove set the scene for this girl’s bedroom. At the head of the bed is a hand-painted trio of surfboards with the message of day — relax! A rainbow of striped colors dots the room, and a Sputnik-inspired light fixture is a cool contemporary addition overhead.

From: Windermere Real Estate

Choose Complementary Colors

Pair your main hue with its true complement to create a high contrast design. Using the color wheel as your guide, simply glance across to the opposite side to discover your color’s complement. When placed side by the side, they make each other appear brighter. The dynamic duo of blue and orange make a statement in this chic nook. The window seat is covered in a deep blue wave-inspired fabric and paired with a mix of pillows in the same pattern, as well as a coordinating motif. Orange-and-white graphic pillows bring in the highlighting color.

From: Demi Ryan Interior Design Studio

Show Off a Rainbow of Colors

This lively bathroom is a breath of fresh air. Stripes of colorful tiles alternate with white subway tile for a vibrant shower design, and abstract artwork repeats two of the hues: pale pink and mustard. Oversized shiplap lengthens the space and plays against the crisp-lined vanity and toilet.

From: Chango and Co.

Opt for Pure Americana

Looking for some color inspiration? Turn to combos you know work, like the Stars and Stripes. Red, white and blue are a classic arrangement and always in style. We love the muted take on the hues this living room takes for a softer, cozier aesthetic. White plank walls and natural woods install subtle texture throughout the space.

From: Robin Gannon

Play With Shape

Use a repeating shape to deliver a visually interesting and pleasing design. Colorful geometric wallpaper echoes the penny round tile and adds hits of vibrant color to the all-white bathroom. Chrome wall-mounted faucets perfectly coordinate with the streamlined trough sink.

From: Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

Relax Into the Blues

This window-laden nook is transformed into the ultimate daybed. Certainly not just for show, the oversized tufted bed is made for taking a nap, reading a book or hanging out with family and friends. Comfort reigns supreme with its piles of pillows, all in different patterns and shades of blue and gray, and a rope chandelier is a swanky nautical moment.

From: Kennedy Cole Interior Design

Infuse With Sand and Sea

Take a nod from the beach when selecting your room’s colors. Sunny yellow and ocean blue for this bedroom start and end the day on a coastal note. Brushstroke wallpaper envelops the room in graphic pattern and brings a cool, contemporary vibe to the crushed velvet bed and white footed nightstands. Artwork of the shore and a lifeguard stand are quintessential elements of the locale.

From: Chango and Co.

Lay Down Colorful Tiles

Deliver color to your bathroom with dazzling tilework. Fish-scale tiles in deep teal fashion a walk-in shower, and the same tile in soft gray is used above the vanity. Instead of staying safe with an all-white vanity, a dark blue one adds further depth and color to the room. Matte black fixtures and hardware provide a nice contrast.

From: Breeze Giannasio

Arrive Home to Delightful Color

Open the door to an impressive entryway. Green palm-printed wallpaper makes a major statement and sets the tone for this coastal Hamptons home. With modular poufs and a large entry table, the foyer acts as a welcome to the home and a workspace when needed.

From: D2 Interieurs

Engage in Surfer Love

A little bit of geometrics, a lot of color and a splash of surfer life all combines for an ultra-fun girl’s bedroom. Curtains in a retro hexagon print dress each window in brilliant hues, and the bright coral bed is paired with aqua bedding.

From: Tiffany LeBlanc

Relish in Subdued Hues

If stepping into a full-color world isn’t quite your speed, try the more subtle side. Muted hues of orange and blue fill this bedroom with beautiful color without overwhelming the space or your design sensibility. Enormous pendant light fixtures illuminate the texture-filled space, from the wood planked ceiling and grasscloth walls to the natural fiber rug.

From: Robin Gannon

Color Your Outdoors

No home in the south, particularly those on the coast, are complete without a haint blue porch ceiling. The timeless look may be known to keep away spirits, but today, it’s mostly about nodding to the past and bringing the beauty overhead. Royal blue cushions on the dining chairs add bold color to the weather-worn table and are topped off with multi-colored throws.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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