10 Ways to Ace “Coastal Grandmother” Style

Cozy and sophisticated but a little retro, this new home decor trend makes sturdily built, "lived in" stuff cool again.

By Theresa Clement | Published May 23, 2022 2:18 PM

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Even if you haven’t seen it on TikTok, you may have heard the growing buzz about “coastal grandmother” style. Similar to the granny chic and “grandmillenial” trends, coastal grandmother style is defined by textures and patterns associated with a highly curated and elegant—yet cozy—grandma’s personal style and home decor.

Coastal grandmother decor is casual and uncluttered, yet it’s where a tailored and tasteful lifestyle thrives. The style combines simple and elegant textures, like cream-colored cable knits, linen, cashmere, and canvas. Vintage decor, blue-and-white hairline stripes, simple florals, teak, neutrals, and other natural textures are also key to nailing the coastal grandmother look.

A coastal grandmother home may not be where a grandma (or even a mom) resides. Anyone can be a coastal grandmother, but the trend is especially popular among early risers, cooking enthusiasts, farmer’s market regulars, and those who enjoy sipping iced tea, coffee, or white wine on a lovely deck, patio, or porch.

If you want to bring out your inner easygoing matriarch at home, check out these coastal grandmother style ideas.

1. Retro Kitchen Appliances

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Mid-century appliances can infuse your kitchen with a coastal grandmother vibe. Choose toasters, coffee makers, and other kitchen appliances in creamy neutral colors, like this Smeg coffee maker. If you prefer bolder colors like red or blue, you’ll be sliding past coastal grandma into another category called Nauti Auntie.

2. Cashmere Throws

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Made from the undercoat of goats, cashmere is delectably soft and naturally cozy. This makes it the perfect texture for capturing the upscale-yet-comfy sensibility of coastal grandmother style. Consider a cashmere blanket in cream or white, like this State cashmere throw. When draped over a more formal sofa or armchair, a throw blanket can give it an inviting and grandmotherly appeal.

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3. Teak Furniture

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Traditional materials are essential to coastal grandmother style, and teak wood possesses both elegance and casual sensibility. Adding teak furniture like this Christopher Knight chair to your deck or porch creates an inviting and comfortable place to sip coffee or iced tea with friends. The chair’s white cushions and teak finish offer a timeless and unfussy design without sacrificing durability.

4. Cable Knit Throw Pillows

coastal grandmother

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It’s tough to separate the sweater from any grandma-inspired style. Coastal grandmother decor particularly leans on traditional and upscale sweater styles, such as cable knit. The pattern is present in home products like the Threshold Cable Knit Chenille Throw Pillow. Made to spruce up an indoor sofa, this trendy pillow’s cable knit pattern best fits the style in cream.

5. Stoneware Bowls

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Like most coastal grandmother design elements, natural materials like stone blend in seamlessly. Stoneware fits with the casual, elegant, and simple mojo since it typically comes in neutral hues, resists scratching, and has a minimalist look. The light-colored stoneware bowls and plates in this Gibson Home dinnerware set are the perfect spots to display (and enjoy) seasonal produce from a trip to the farmer’s market.

6. Duvets and Quilts

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While it can be expensive to change an entire bedroom to achieve the trendy coastal grandmother aesthetic, there are some affordable and easy ways to update your space to reflect the trend. One example can be found in this Laura Ashley duvet set, which features a delicate blue-and-white flower pattern that’s spot-on but doesn’t break the bank. And for a more gender-neutral look, consider this thinly striped Great Bay Home quilt set.

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7. Weathered Classic Furniture 

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“Formal but subtly worn” is a hallmark of coastal grandmother style, and light weathering on vintage furniture can give off that sense of relaxed charm. The beige fabric and natural wood finish of these Christopher Knight Louis XVI chairs combine the upscale form of traditional furniture with a lived-in look.

8. Linen Curtains

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Breezy linen pants are a trendy coastal grandmother fashion item, and that look can be translated to window treatments, as with this Latitude Run curtain set. The oversized ivory curtains caress the floor to create a chic indoor vibe, maintaining a bright ambiance even when drawn.

9. Rustic Ceramic Vases

coastal grandmother

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Savoring the day in a stylish and unhurried manner is another key coastal grandmother principle. Whether you’re enjoying a pleasant conversation or a good book, it’s best done near a well-tended garden or aromatic bouquet of fresh flowers kept in simple ceramic vases like these from Sullivans.

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10. Natural Light Fixtures

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Updating your home’s lighting is another affordable way to try out coastal grandmother style. This rattan pendant light from Jonathan Y offers the clean lines and natural textures of coastal grandmother style. The simple globe design is offered in cream (as well as white), making it an understated focal point capable of tying your space together.