These 11 Coastal-Inspired Designs Are Giving New York Homes A Fresh Look

New York apartments are getting a breath of fresh sea air! City dwellers are bringing the beach vibe home with coastal-inspired designs that transform urban spaces.

These breezy makeovers combine the calm of oceanside living with New York’s bold style, creating homes that feel like year-round vacations.

1. Nautical Blue and White Color Schemes

The classic maritime palette has sailed into Manhattan penthouses and Brooklyn brownstones alike. I’m seeing more homeowners pair crisp whites with various shades of blue – from navy to aquamarine – for a fresh, clean look. You don’t need to go overboard with this trend.

Even small touches like blue throw pillows on a white couch or navy-striped curtains can transform a room. Many of my clients find this color combination instantly calming after hectic city days.

2. Driftwood Accent Furniture

Raw, weathered wood pieces are making waves in urban homes. The natural, sun-bleached look of driftwood brings an organic element that contrasts beautifully with city apartments’ sleek lines.

I recently helped a client in Chelsea incorporate a stunning driftwood coffee table that became the conversation piece of their living room. These pieces work magic because they’re both sculptural and functional. Plus, each piece tells its own story of ocean journeys.

3. Seagrass and Jute Textures

Natural fiber rugs and accessories have become my go-to recommendation for adding instant coastal warmth. Seagrass, jute, and sisal bring tactile beach vibes without being too literal. A large natural fiber rug anchors furniture while softening hardwood or concrete floors typical in New York homes.

My clients love how these materials feel underfoot – a little reminder of beach walks right in their living room. The neutral tones work with practically any color scheme too.

4. Statement Shell Accents

Forget those tacky souvenir shells! Modern coastal design uses sculptural shell elements as sophisticated focal points. Large conch shells as bookends, mother-of-pearl inlay on furniture, or framed vintage shell illustrations make elegant statements.

My favorite application was for a Park Slope client who mounted an oversized clam shell as wall art. Against her dark blue accent wall, it looked like a museum piece! The key is restraint – one or two quality shell elements create more impact than a scattered collection.

5. Sheer White Window Treatments

Billowing white curtains that catch the breeze bring immediate beachfront villa vibes to city apartments. I’m installing more floor-to-ceiling sheer panels than ever before in Manhattan homes. The magic happens when you layer these dreamy curtains with practical blinds for privacy.

The combination gives you control while maintaining that airy coastal feel. My Upper East Side clients particularly love how these treatments soften urban views and diffuse harsh city light into something gentler, more reminiscent of seaside mornings.

6. Ocean-Inspired Artwork

Large-scale seascape paintings and ocean photography are making big splashes in New York interiors. Nothing transports you to the coast faster than a wall-sized image of rolling waves or peaceful shorelines. Abstract water-inspired art is especially popular among my more contemporary clients.

Blues, greens, and sandy neutrals blend into gorgeous impressionistic pieces that evoke coastal feelings without being too literal. One client in a windowless Tribeca loft created an entire ‘view’ with a commissioned ocean painting – it completely transformed the space!

7. Rope and Nautical Details

Subtle maritime accents have sailed far beyond the obvious anchor motifs of the past. Today’s sophisticated approach incorporates rope-wrapped lamp bases, knotted door handles, or jute-bound mirrors that whisper rather than shout ‘coastal.’

A client in Greenwich Village absolutely transformed their bathroom with just two elements: a round rope-edged mirror and hand towels with a subtle navy stripe. The effect was immediately nautical but in the most understated, chic way possible. These small touches add character without overwhelming your existing décor.

8. Glass Vessels and Sea-Colored Accents

Collections of sea glass-inspired vessels are bringing coastal color into city homes. Arranged on mantels or shelves, groupings of blue, green, and aqua glass catch light beautifully, mimicking ocean treasures. I recently styled a Williamsburg apartment using vintage blue bottles mixed with new sea-colored glass pieces.

The homeowner mentioned how the light dancing through them reminds her of sunlight on water. These accents work perfectly because they add color without cluttering – essential in typically smaller New York living spaces.

9. Weathered Wood Wall Treatments

Reclaimed wood accent walls in whitewashed or driftwood finishes are transforming city apartments into coastal retreats. The textured, horizontal planking immediately evokes boardwalks and beach cottages. My favorite application was in a Financial District high-rise where we installed weathered wood behind the bed.

The contrast between the 40th-floor city views and this rustic element created magical tension. Many clients appreciate how these walls add warmth and character to otherwise boxy, modern apartments without major construction.

10. Indoor Plants with Beach Vibes

Coastal-inspired greenery is bringing oceanside freshness to urban homes. Palm varieties, succulents, and grassy plants reminiscent of dunes create natural connections to beach environments. My Upper West Side clients transformed their apartment with a statement fiddle leaf fig and clusters of small succulents in sandy-colored pots.

The trick is choosing the right planters – think textured ceramics, woven baskets, or concrete in neutral tones. These living elements soften city surroundings while purifying air – a perfect combination of style and function.

11. Linen Upholstery and Textiles

Rumpled linen fabrics are bringing beachy casual luxury to formal New York spaces. The slightly wrinkled, relaxed look of linen sofas, chairs, and bedding instantly creates that ‘vacation home’ feeling that city dwellers crave.

I recently helped transform a stiff, formal Upper East Side living room with a slouchy linen sectional in oatmeal. The homeowners couldn’t believe how different the room felt – suddenly people wanted to linger longer. Natural linen in neutral tones works beautifully because it’s both timeless and on-trend.