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Beach Cottage Decorating Ideas for Summer With Coastal Charm

Looking for summer decor ideas for your home? As the summer months roll in, there’s no better time to create a fresh and inviting coastal vibe for the season. Take a tour of my 1920 beach cottage where I’ll share simple summer coastal decorating ideas that will transform your home into a serene and relaxing beachy oasis.

Using natural elements and classic coastal colors is a perfect way to give your home a charming coastal cottage style during the summer months ahead.

Summer coastal beach cottage living room

Summer 2023 Home Tour

Today I’ll be showing you my beach cottage living room and kitchen with you. I’ve gone with a coastal cottage decor style this summer and can’t wait to share my ideas and inspiration with you.

I’m so excited for you to see even more summer home decor inspiration this week with 26 other home tours.

Today is day four of the 2023 Summer Home Tours blog hop hosted by Marty from A Stroll Thru Life. She has brought 27 talented bloggers together this week to share our summer homes with you.

If you’re hopping over from Cindy of County Road 407, thanks for being here, and welcome to my blog. I’m sure you loved her festive summer decor. And the fact that her ideas were both easy and inexpensive was even better!

Be sure to visit all 27 homes on the summer tour this week. You can find every blog link at the end of this post.

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. My blog contains other affiliate links as well for your convenience. Click here to read my privacy policy.

Beach House pillow
standing in the cut flower garden carrying a basket of flowers

Welcome to Shiplap and Shells

If this is your first visit here, welcome to my home. I’m Kim and you can find out a little more about me HERE. Shiplap and Shells is a lifestyle blog where I share my Pacific Northwest home, gardening, our Puget Sound boating adventures, and so much more.

We moved into our “forever home”, a 1920 small beach cottage, eleven years ago and literally renovated, refurbished, refreshed, and remodeled every inch of the house.

My husband, two dog boys, Jax and Ollie, and I live along a cove in Puget Sound. located in Washington State. If you’re not familiar with this body of water, it’s basically a sound of the Pacific Northwest which is an inlet of the Pacific Ocean and part of the Salish Sea.

Summer coastal beach cottage living room

Our Summer Beach Cottage Home Tour 

It’s that time once again when sunny days are the new norm, and open windows let the fresh air flow through your home.

You don’t have to have a coastal home to embrace a beach cottage look for the summer. Using coastal elements such as seashells, vintage oars, or glass bottles is not only easy to decorate with but is relatively inexpensive.

Here are some of the other summer tours I’ve shared on the blog in the past.




Summer coastal beach cottage living room

Coastal Living Room

I’m starting off my beach house tour with our living room.

As you can see, I have a small space to work with so it can be quite challenging to decorate my home without becoming cluttered. This is a challenge I’ve faced since we moved here.

The trick to a clutter-free (alright, who am I kidding…moderately clutter-free) space in our small cottage is to pick only some of my favorite things and try to show some restraint.

white slipcovered chair and coffee table

Coastal Style Coffee Table Charm

The perfect place to start adding coastal-style decor is the coffee table.

There are so many great coastal living room decor items you can add such as seashells, flowers in glass jars, or coastal-inspired books.

Summer coastal beach cottage living room

A gray and white striped scarf I bought in Greece last year was the foundation for my coastal cottage coffee table vibe. It provided much-needed texture and added warmth to the stark white table.

vintage glass container with sand and seashells

One of my favorite beachy cottage decor pieces to display in the summer season is a vintage glass container that I fill with sand and seashells.

aqua colored glass jars with faux flowers inside a basket

I found this round whitewashed wicker basket at HomeGoods a couple of weeks ago and decided to replace my vintage wooden dough bowl to mix it up. This was more of a beachy style.

The aqua glass vases were also from HomeGoods and were a great price. I’m sorry I don’t remember how much they were now, but I bought 3 so I must have loved the price. I know they were under $10 each.

I’ve had the faux flowers for years and love them in these vases.

starfish and clean cotton candle on the coffee table

A vintage white enamel oval tray is perfect for displaying a glass float, starfish, and clean cotton candle. I love this fragrance for summer.

SHOP CANDLES FOR SUMMER

fuchsia gladiolas in vase

Bring in Fresh Flowers for Summer

There’s nothing better than bringing fresh flowers into the house all summer long. There are so many vessels to choose from when arranging them, including glass bottles, mason jars, and vintage galvanized buckets.

lavender in terra cotta pot

Lavender and rosemary are also great options to show off in the summer.

cut flower garden with white picket fence and waterview

For those of you that are new to Shiplap and Shells, what you might not realize is that I grow a cut flower garden every summer so I can have fresh flowers ANYTIME I want during the season.

Here are a few of the cut flowers I grow every year… and the list goes on.

Summer coastal beach cottage living room

Coastal Accents for a Summer Beach Coastal Cottage

Sea glass, coral, and nautical-inspired decor is a great way to create a beach house look that exudes coastal charm.

aqua glass float, blue and beige vintage books and starfish

Some beach house decorating ideas include vintage books in coastal blues and shades of beige and sand, glass fishing floats, and starfish and seashells.

starfish, seashells, and blue glass balls inside a vintage enamel tray

Use bowls, trays, and jars to display seashells and glass floats.

seashells and starfish

Seashells are simple to use and are budget-friendly.

Summer coastal beach cottage living room

Natural Fibers and Textures

Lighten up textures for summer by switching to cotton and linens.

Summer coastal beach cottage living room window seat

Light throws and pillows on our living room window seat help to create a coastal haven.

Summer coastal beach cottage living room

For a more coastal feel, incorporate natural textures and fibers into your beachy cottage decor. A jute rug adds both visual interest and a beachy feel to your living space.

Crisp white slipcovered chairs are a classic beach cottage necessity.

beach house pillow and wicker chair

Wicker baskets and furniture are a perfect coastal home decor choice for the season and play off beautifully with summer whites.

cream dog laying on blue patterned blanker with pillows

Summer Coastal Colors in Our Beach Cottage

When it comes to coastal cottage decorating, blue colors are an obvious choice. Opt for pale blues that remind you of the sea for a feeling of tranquility.

Summer coastal beach cottage living room

Use blue, white, and sand colors in pillows, curtains, throws, and upholstery.

Summer coastal beach cottage living room

Because we are out on our deck so much in the summer, a pile of light throws is available when the sun goes down and the temperature drops.

black glass door cabinet with white ironstone dishware

Wood Tones

The wood tones in our ceiling beams and wood flooring add warmth to our beach cottage.

Wooden oars, dough bowls, and vintage wood stools used as side tables are other coastal decor ideas for your home in the summer.

wooden dough bowl with shells, vintage books and glass vase

Natural Elements for Coastal Cottage Decor

Use natural elements like driftwood, seashells, and woven baskets to bring a touch of the beach indoors.

Summer coastal beach cottage living room

Incorporate these natural materials through wall art, decorative accents, and even furniture to enhance the coastal vibe.

My shiplap white walls are a blank canvas that reflects white, making the space feel brighter and more open. It also provides a perfect backdrop for my cottage decor.

Summer coastal beach cottage living room

The oversized hanging basket in the corner has been a great investment piece. Since the summer cut flower garden hasn’t started blooming yet, I filled the basket with dried eucalyptus in the meantime.

Summer coastal beach cottage kitchen

Coastal Kitchen

Our bright and cheerful coastal kitchen is inspired by a beachy color palette, open shelving, and seaside decor.

This is where the living room meets the kitchen.

We were so lucky to be able to keep this black cabinet here next to the kitchen. It’s where we store the white vintage ironstone but had no room for it in our small kitchen.

Summer coastal beach cottage kitchen

I get many comments about there being a floor trim piece separating the two rooms. This is because the kitchen was slightly elevated and wasn’t level where the flooring came together after taking down a wall.

There used to be a wall dividing the kitchen and living room. All that was there was a small opening into the kitchen. You couldn’t see the table at all.


Summer coastal beach cottage kitchen

Coastal Color Palette

The summer colors I chose this year were white and a mix of blue shades, including navy, aqua, and mid-blue tones. This color palette gives the kitchen a sense of tranquility and a connection to the sea.

This year I added yellow accents with bowls, lemons, and pillows on my window seats to the color scheme. but you could also use sandy beiges or corals with your beach cottage decor.

open shelving in kitchen with coastal décor

Use Open Shelving to Show Off Your Coastal Charm

Display beachy elements like starfish, crisp white dishes, and fish-themed dishes on your kitchen open shelving.

vintage scale and yellow and white patterned bowls

I love incorporating vintage pieces like white ironstone dishware and this scale on the shelving as well to create interest.

Summer coastal beach cottage kitchen

Storage Solutions for a Small Kitchen

Pot Rack

We made the iron pipe pot rack for more storage. We hang our vintage copper pans and utensils, colanders, baskets, and dried flowers.

Summer coastal beach cottage kitchen

Kitchen Island

Our kitchen island is a repurposed antique dresser we found on Craigslist. Our contractor installed a butcher block top that he found from a Dunkin Donuts that was going out of business.

This piece is the perfect size for our small cozy kitchen.

Summer coastal beach cottage kitchen

I’m still looking for the perfect vintage barstools to sit here. I’ve always had mismatched ones and I will celebrate the day that I find the perfect set.

aqua vintage kitchen cabinet

Vintage Cabinet

It was meant to be.

This old cabinet, which was orange when I first saw it, was love at first sight for me. I found it at an antique store in Gig Harbor over 20 years ago. For those of you that live in this area, the store was located in the same building where the Dolly Mama Boutique is now. I loved that place and miss it every day.

aqua glass door cabinet in kitchen

I love that there are glass doors to show off certain things and closed doors that store the not-so-pretty kitchen items.

This is probably the boldest color I’ve ever painted a piece of furniture but it’s the first thing that people see when they walk into the kitchen.

The perfect coastal color!

Summer coastal beach cottage kitchen

Natural Textures and Materials

I’ve added wicker chairs in the kitchen for more of a coastal cottage style.

Add the charm factor to your coastal kitchen with woven placemats and table runners.

basket with vintage wooden rolling pins and breadboards

Wicker baskets are an essential item in our beach cottage kitchen.

Whether they’re picnic baskets, hanging from the pot rack, or used for storage and organization, they make quite a statement.

This basket is perfect for holding my vintage wooden rolling pins and breadboards.

Coastal Linen candle

Here’s a fabulous summer candle fragrance…Coastal Linen.

SHOP FOR CANDLES HERE.

Summer coastal beach cottage kitchen eating space

Summer Dining at the Beach Cottage

We don’t have a formal dining room but do have this eating space in the kitchen that looks out to the bay.

I love my rustic farmhouse table from Dutch Crafters in this space with wicker chairs and window seating.

Our pendant lights are from Barnlight Electric Company.

Summer coastal beach cottage kitchen with yellow and aqua pillows on window seat

We added the window seat after living here for a few years. There wasn’t much space for entertaining so this works nicely. The new seating also gave me extra drawers underneath for storage.

Outdoor patio coast style tablescape

We have fun coastal tableware for summer dining which you can see in another post. The link is below.

Summer coastal beach cottage kitchen

The Coffee Station

Remember when I told you (several times) that our kitchen is small?

I’m always thinking outside the box when it comes to our 1600-square-foot home. Just to the right of our refrigerator is the coffee bar. It’s actually across from our walk-in pantry (which used to be a bathroom).

coffee station in hallway

This is basically a small hallway from the laundry room and primary bedroom to the kitchen.

We put a narrow dresser in the space for the espresso maker and a shelf for seasonal decor. Just recently we installed reclaimed wood to the ceiling of the hallway.

coffee station and kitchen view

As you can tell, we always find a way to use every inch of space in our cozy coastal cottage.

Summer coastal beach cottage living room

Enjoy Your Home This Summer With a Coastal Vibe

Decorating your home or beach cottage for the summer season is a perfect way to bring the coastal style into your home. By incorporating natural elements, coastal colors, and a variety of textures, you can create a fresh and inviting space that captures the feel of coastal living.

So, open your windows, enjoy the sunny summer days, and use some of these beach house decor ideas that will transform your home into a coastal haven you’ll love to call home.

Summer coastal beach cottage kitchen

If you have any questions or have a message for me, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below. And be sure to share this blog post link with anyone who may find these coastal-style decorating tips inspiring.

Next up on the tour is my talented friend Pasha from the blog, Pasha is Home. You’ll love her fabulous faux flower finds for summer. Be sure to check out the other blogger’s home tours below.

Until next time,

Happy Summer Decorating!

More Summer Home Tours to Inspire You

Click on any line below to catch up or see any tour.

Monday, June 5th

A Stroll Thru LifeSimply2MomsOur Southern HomeThe Tattered PewWhispering Pines Homestead

Tuesday, June 6th

Eleanor Rose Home The House of SilveradoCalypso In The CountryStoneGableMy Wee Abode Southern Home and Hospitality

Wednesday, June 7th

Worthing CourtThrifty and ChicThe Stonybrook HouseDecor To AdoreChalking Up SuccessShe Gave It A Go

Thursday, June 8th

Shiplap and Shells Pasha is HomeDIY Beautify CitrineLivingThistle Key LaneCountry Road 407

Friday, June 9th

White Arrows HomeIt All Started With Paint Southern Crush at HomeAmy Sadler Designs


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16 Comments

  1. Hi Kim! I always look forward to seeing your sweet cottage! You are a master at using the most with the space you have. I love all the coastal touches you add. What a lovely home. Great touring with you! Blessings,Lori

  2. Kim ~ The beach is my happy place and you capture it perfectly with your decor! I love it! Thank you for sharing in such a fun summer blog hop! Let’s do it again soon!

  3. You have the most beautiful home, Kim! You incorporate so many great pieces in your decorating. I love the leather couch and that teal cabinet in the kitchen. All of your flowers are gorgeous. You do such a good job!

  4. Kim, your home looks absolutely beautiful! I love your decorating style, it’s so unique and pretty!! Thank you for sharing your fantastic ideas with us today, so good to be touring with you!

  5. Your coastal touches in your home are perfect! You know I love coastal touches! And it was fun seeing the view of the fridge, along with the coffee bar! I pinned a couple of your photos, love the idea of the basket with the bread boards and rolling pins. I may steal that idea! 😉

  6. I’m loving these coastal vibes you have going Kim! It’s always a treat to tour your home and see all your beautiful flowers. What a labor of love! It’s also fun to see the little changes you make in your vignettes and kitchen displays. By the way those oversized trays of shells are simply gorgeous! 😊

  7. Kim, your coastal cottage tours are always a delight! I too struggle with editing but I feel you’ve done a great job of utilizing every square foot and making it look functional and intentional, while still beautiful and interesting! Your sweet little coffee bar is one is my favorites! Always fun touring with you, hope you have an amazing summer!

  8. I just adore your style, Kim. It is so beautiful and effortless. The beachy vibes are so perfect for your home, and of course, perfect for summertime!

  9. Kim, every little inch of your home is just incredible! Do you ever leave?! I never ever would! You must feel like you are on vacation every single day…what a beautifully curated beach home you have. I want to move to a warmer climate one day so I can live like this! Just beautiful! And your garden is amazing…I’m so inspired by you! Happy Summer! xo

  10. Oh my goodness Kim, you are the cutest thing. Love that photo of you! I think you have magic in your decorating fingers. I am always so excited to see what you do and this season is no different. I’d spend a large portion of my day with your pup in the window seat and the rest going back and forth to the kitchen and outside. I’d look like a bee bussing back and forth. Not kidding! Loved every nook and cranny. Happy summer friend. I think I pinned every single picture! 🙂

  11. Oh how I love visiting your home. I lived in Oregon for many years and visited your beautiful area many times. Such a gorgeous place to live and you have turned your home into such an amazing spot. I love your garden, it is fabulous and then all the pretty vintage and antiques that you use to decorate your home definitely grab me. Love it all. Thanks so much for sharing and joining the tour again this season, such a thrill to visit.

  12. It’s all so beautiful Kim, I don’t know where to start. All I know is, if I had a beautiful window seat like yours with that stunning view beyond it, I would sit there every day and just stare out the window – not sure how much blogging would get don then though haha! I love all of your coastal decor, particularly the paddle above the window and the blue glass ornaments – gorgeous! Thanks for the beautiful summer home tour my friend. I hope you (and your flower garden) have a brilliant summer!

  13. Well, that settles it…I need a window seat! If only I had your view! What an enjoyable tour filled with coastal loveliness! From the textures to the colors, your home is oozing summer charm! Love it all! So great to tour with you again Kim!
    Shelley

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