How to Bring West Coast Style into Your East Coast Home
Think about your favorite hiking trail, an unforgettable vacation spot, or that peaceful place that instantly recharges you and makes you feel your best. Now, imagine experiencing that same restful and comforting feeling in your home every single day. Pure happiness, right? That is how “west coast style” feels to me.
Inspired by its unstuffy, liveable, and relaxed vibe, west coast style invites you to kick off your shoes and sink into your favorite cozy chair at the end of a long day. It’s a feeling so desirable you’re probably already wondering how to create it in your own home. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
Before I share some of my favorite east-meets-west style picks, let’s take a look at what defines west coast style and how to make it your own…
What Is West Coast Style Design?
Having lived in Colorado much of my life, I’m naturally drawn to the laid-back and casual vibe that can be found from Denver all the way to the Pacific. In my experience, the lifestyle in these places embraces the outdoors, blends indoor-outdoor living, and creates a relaxed and effortless flow. My favorite part? West Coast style doesn’t take anything too seriously. By mixing vintage with modern, spaces feel eclectic, personal, and unique.
On the East Coast, interior style can lean towards classic design with a more sophisticated and traditional feel. As a result, you’re more likely to find homes with rich color palettes and heavier materials. Since many homes are historic, a more tailored approach preserves their natural character. But what’s wrong with mixing in a bit of modern and casual to create a liveable, one-of-a-kind space? If you ask me: nothing.
Here are 5 ways I love to infuse East Coast homes with the seamlessly collected and easy-going vibe reminiscent of West Coast living…
1. Work with a Neutral Canvas
I love to set a coastal mood with a soft, neutral foundation. If you’re thinking, “Libby, neutral is boring...” that couldn’t be farther from the truth! Crisp, breezy, and bright walls create sooo much opportunity to let your own unique personality shine through. It’s like a blank canvas — but a relaxing one. The proof?
In the Summit Home above, the clean, neutral walls are like a limitless horizon, while dark wood floors feel as grounding as the ocean. Both of these hues are neutrals, allowing earth-toned pillows, linen Roman shades, a funky end table, and organic patterns to liven the space up. You can’t walk into this room without taking a deep, relaxing breath.
2. Use Materials & Colors Inspired by Nature
The West Coast is known for breathtaking and abundant landscapes. To channel this natural feel, I love to bring in textures and colors inspired by Mother Nature herself. Think crisp whites, fresh blues, sandy neutrals, and earth tones. Incorporate organic materials, woven textiles, laid-back patterns, and of course…plants!
This playful home office was inspired by the Surf Club in Miami. Rattan chairs, woven furnishings, whimsical artwork, and blush accessories work together to create a fresh, eclectic, and inviting workspace. And let’s not forget about the greenery — leafy vs. spiky, tall vs. short. The variation of texture adds so much life into this space. Literally.
3. Get Creative with Mixed Furniture Styles
One size does not always fit all, especially when it comes to furniture. So instead of purchasing that matching set, consider combining items with differing styles and textures for a relaxed, collected, and comfortable space. Give yourself the freedom to get creative and mix up your furniture for an understated and effortlessly “cool” look that makes your home truly unique.
In this bright and peaceful space, a contemporary upholstered bed is combined with modern nightstands, a colorful rug, varying wood tones, and brass reading lamps. Together, they create interest, variation, and depth that wouldn’t have been achieved with a matching set. Hello, relaxed, collected style.
And mixed with the historic architecture of this East Coast home, it gives such a great depth and lets the homes classic details really shine.
4. Embrace the Indoor-Outdoor West Coast Lifestyle
The East Coast may not (always) have the beautiful weather to match the West, but that doesn’t mean we can’t follow suit and invite the beauty of the outdoors into our own homes, right? Amplify natural light by keeping windows bare or thoughtfully dressing them with airy linen curtains or roman shades instead of traditional heavy drapery.
If you have the option, you could also install French doors or a large sliding glass door that flows seamlessly to an outside living area. Adding views and access to the surrounding nature can increase your home value, improve your health, and lower daily stress. Who doesn’t want that?
5. Layer with Intention
The trick to creating a casual, relaxed, and well-put-together home is finding the balance between uber-minimal versus overcrowded. How? By intentionally layering materials and accessories to keep the space feeling cozy and collected.
Here’s a great example — bookshelves are a place that most people find difficult to get just right. Too much, and they’re cluttered. Too little, and those shelves look naked. I achieved the right balance by limiting each shelf to just one or a few items each, creating small groups that don’t compete with each other. This creates a sense of openness yet coziness. The mix of textures, hues, and greenery also helps visually break up the items, so remember that variety is your friend!
My Favorite West Coast Style Products
Looking for a way to amp up the West Coast-inspired details in your own home? I’ve curated a few of my favorite products, perfect for introducing laid-back style into your East Coast home:
1/ Sink your feet into this stunning and incredibly soft vintage-inspired rug. Not only is it affordable, but it’s made of durable materials and built to stand the test of time.
2/ The subtle texture and soft lines of this linen slip-covered sofa will bring a casual yet refined look into your home. It’s the epitome of comfort and a perfect neutral backdrop for some of life’s best memories.
3/ Shed some light with this stunning floor lamp. Made with a combination of unlacquered brass, natural cane, and topped with a linen lampshade, this exciting mix of materials instantly captures a West Coast vibe.
4/ I’m a huge fan of this little side table! With its pedestal base, rich wood grain, natural finish, and pared-down aesthetic, it could literally be tucked into any room.
5/ Liven things up a little with this woven rattan armchair. Its beautiful and simplistic design offers a comfortable, natural, and relaxing place to land.
6/ This dreamy bed combines traditional and modern elements like smooth curves, stunning white oak, and linen upholstery for a laid-back and comfortable style.
7/ The warm-toned hues and textural dimension of this rattan bench will instantly infuse your space with necessary function and a casual, relaxed style. Perfect for any coastal-inspired home. What’s not to love?
8/ The Tide White storage basket is not your traditional basket! Made from a mixture of recycled paper and chalk powder, adding an interesting and natural texture to any room. Sooo West Coast.
9/ Cocktails? Yes, please! Bring the outdoors in with seagrass glassware crafted from recycled materials. What a great way to bring texture to the table.
10/ Modern, minimal, but packed with elegantly natural character. This low-profile wrapped dining chair creates a fresh option for any home seeking a casual yet refined vibe.
I’d love to help…
Feeling inspired and ready to create the perfect blend of style, personality, and function into your home? Let’s chat. Together, we’ll create beautifully fresh and inspiring spaces designed for easy living.
Until next time,
Libby