7 Keys to Picking Accessories for the Coastal Modern Taste in Your Home

If you love the breezy, light, relaxed feel of coastal style, but also want clean lines, sophistication, and minimal clutter, then the Coastal Modern look is for you. We love how it's that sweet spot between serenity and modern elegance rooted in nature.

Check out our 7 tips to get a coastal modern taste into your home, using accessories that bridge both worlds. Key tip to get the look: don't limit yourself to things from the coast or things made recenlty. 

1. Stick to a Natural, Soothing Color Palette

“Coastal modern” is all about soft, neutral tones infused with subtle ocean hues. Think whites, creams, sandy beiges, driftwood grays, soft blues and greens. These colors evoke sea, sky, sand, wood and rocks — yet feel calm and modern.

For example, many Our Taste Design woven and carved pieces use natural materials and subdued tones that mesh easily with white walls or pale wood floors. This Thai Temple Dragon mounted on a clear base or a hand-made, one-of-a-kind Fish Creel basket from the Philippines mixes texture without jarring contrast. 

2. Texture and Organic Materials Dominate

To avoid a flat, cold feel, bring in texture. Natural fibers like rattan, bamboo, woven baskets, driftwood, carved woods, sea grasses, linen, light wool — these materials add warmth and tactile interest.

We've got many options at Our Taste Design, including handwoven baskets like a Square Woven Basket from the Philippines or a Trio of Handwoven Baskets arrnged in a group give a coastal yet artisanal touch. Even vintage or handmade pieces help accent a modern base by adding character without overly ornate details. 

3. Choose Clean, Simple Shapes & Minimal Ornamentation

While coastal style often means relaxed, it doesn’t mean frilly. To keep the modern edge, select accessories with clean silhouettes. This is where the "modern" of coastal modern can come in, but keep the color aestehtic, tones and vibe in the same range of other elements.

Think geometric lines, simple curves, minimal embellishment. Avoid overly ornate shells or heavy decorations. Let quality and texture speak more than busy patterns. For example,  this Carolina Clay vintage stuio pottery ashtray can be used as a bowl on a table. Shapes with subtle geometric carving or simple lines -- like this Mid-century Vintage Studio Pottery -- provide interest and remind us of the natural forms we see along the coast. 

4. Mix Vintage or Handcrafted with Modern Finishes

One of the best ways to get that coastal modern look is to mix in handcrafted or vintage pieces to add uniqueness, but balance them with modern, streamlined accessories. Our  vintage Tzintzuntzan Plate featuring Two Birds and One Fish from Michoacán, Mexico adds history and subtle texture. Then balance that with more modern frames, mirrors, lamps and other accessories such as our Antique Wooden Gear on a sleek, black acrylic base.  

5. Use Accessories to Evoke the Sea & Shore, But Tastefully

Accessories are your chance to hint at the beach without going full nautical kitsch. Think driftwood, seashells, coral shapes, artworks of water, beach grasses, light linen, natural fiber rugs. These evoke coastal vibes. But to keep the modern side, use them sparingly, placed in curated groupings, or as accent pieces.

For example, our Zebra Jasper Freeform rock segment on a clear acrylic base feels like it could be a piece of coral or unique shell. Our vintage Maine Scallop Dragger mounted on rustic wood is a guarantted conversatrion starter in your home, as is our custom-mounted Orthoceras Fossil Tower with clear acrylic base. Pick accessories that serve well as focal accents rather than dominate the space. 

6. Pay Attention to Scale & Balance

In coastal modern interiors, space, light, and proportion matter. Smaller decorative items (bowls, small carved objects, trays) work best when you don’t overcrowd surfaces. Oversized accessories can overwhelm the calm aesthetic. Keep balance: use one large piece (say a carved wood tray or sizable, sculptural basket like this Butit Locust Basket from the Philippines made from woven split bamboo) plus several smaller ones (like those featured here). Also, bring in mirrors and reflective surfaces to bounce light, which helps enhance the airy, open feel typical of both coastal and modern design. 

7. Let Functionality Matter

Modern coastal décor isn’t just pretty—it’s livable. Choose accessories that serve dual purposes: baskets that hold blankets, ceramic bowls that corral clutter, trays that are both decorative and useful. Textiles should be comfortable, light colors but easy to clean. Using vintage woven baskets like ours is not only decorative but functional. You get texture, visual interest, and storage. 

The Recap

To capture that coastal modern style in your home:

• Start with a neutral, soft color palette + touches of seaside hues.

• Choose natural textures and materials.

• Favor clean lines and simple shapes.

• Mix handcrafted/vintage with modern pieces for balance.

• Use seaside inspiration subtly.

• Be mindful of scale and functionality.

When shopping accessories, www.OurTasteDesign.com offers you unique, vintage, one-of-a-kind, handpicked pieces that you can use to curate a collection of accessories to help your home embody coastal texture, natural materials, and unique character. Combine our taste with your taste to get the coastal modern vibe in your home in just a few easy steps.