15 Top Coastal Paint Colors for Your Home’s Interior and Exterior
:strip_icc()/CF040000_Watery-6db83d3c01e04c0f949d37aed646a3f0.jpg "15 Top Coastal Paint Colors for Your Home’s Interior and Exterior")
A coastal style home is best known for calming, inviting interiors marked by soft colors, soothing patterns, and comfortable furnishings. This decor style can make guests feel at home and lingering over family meals. Even if you don’t live near the beach, choosing the right paint colors, as advised by experts, can bring an ocean-inspired ambiance to your space.
- Mimi Meacham is the owner and principal designer of Marian Louise Designs.
- Erika Woelfel is vice president of color and creative services at Behr.
- Ashley Banbury is the color marketing manager at Dutch Boy.
- Sue Kim is the director of color marketing at Minwax.
When it comes to selecting coastal paint colors, it can be tricky to find the right balance between creating a scene that reads like an elegant seaside retreat and one that evokes a kitschier beach aesthetic. Mimi Meacham, owner and principal designer of Marian Louise Designs, says the trick is to have fun—and not be afraid of playing with color.
“The ultimate deciding factor of a color should be the one that creates a space where you feel happy and comfortable,” she says. To help you determine the best shade for your space, we’ve broken down our experts’ picks for coastal-inspired shades. From blues and greens to beiges and whites, we’ve uncovered the best colors—and even a few wood stains—for creating a coastal palette all your own.
Choose Soft Blues
Courtesy of Behr
Soft blues are a quintessential choice for coastal palettes, evocative of serene seascapes. Behr’s Ocean Boulevard—a gray-green turquoise—captures the essence of clear skies and sparkling waves.
For a deeper contrast, consider the brand’s Compass Blue. “An inky navy that evokes the spirited adventure of navigation and wanderers, it is infinitely bold and harmonious,” says Erika Woelfel, VP of color and creative services at Behr.
Wall Paint Color: Ocean Boulevard (PPU-13-10) by Behr
Table Paint Color: Compass Blue (MQ5-54) by Behr
Add Soothing Gray-Blue
Courtesy of Dutch Boy
Thinking about bringing coastal colors to your home’s exterior? Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager at Dutch Boy, advises against a full-surface color overhaul. “You don’t need to paint the entire home exterior in a color to emphasize a coastal theme,” she explains. “Instead, you should paint doors and furniture pops of color for a more personalized and balanced look.” Dutch Boy’s Silenced Blue, a calming gray-blue, is an ideal choice for accents and pairs beautifully with warm neutral tones.
Paint Color: Silenced Blue 339-2DB by Dutch Boy
Creamy Coastal White
Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams
Though white might not be the first coastal color you think of, it offers a clean backdrop that enhances more vibrant shades. “Greek Villa is the perfect creamy off-white for any project,” Meacham says. “This paint lands more on the warmer side but can really be used with anything.” For example, using a bright color on exterior shutters while applying Greek Villa elsewhere can make the shutters truly stand out.
Paint Color: Greek Villa (7551) by Sherwin-Williams
Light and Bright
Courtesy of Behr
To brighten your space, Erika Woelfel recommends Behr’s Watery (HDC-CT-26). “Watery is a chilled, pale hue that effortlessly harmonizes blue and gray,” she explains. Its subtlety makes it suitable for both exterior and interior use, ideal for making small spaces feel more expansive.
Paint Color: Watery (HDC-CT-26) by Behr
Whitewash Stain
Courtesy of Minwax
For projects involving wood cabinets, floors, or moldings, consider using a stain for your coastal look. “Minwax White Wash adds a weathered and sun-bleached appearance to wood that is reminiscent of coastal cottages and beachfront homes,” says Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Minwax. “This stain allows the natural grain of wood to shine through, allowing the imperfections and knots in the wood to become part of the design and add authenticity.”
Paint Color: White Wash by Minwax
Cool Gray
Courtesy of Farrow & Ball
For a cool blue-gray, consider Parma Gray from Farrow & Ball. “Nothing makes us think of the sea and sky more than this fun shade,” Meacham says. The Marian Louise Designs team loves using diverse blues for a cohesive color story, with Parma Gray serving as the base and complementing tones added through fabrics and decor.
Paint Color: Parma Gray (No. 27) by Farrow & Ball
Peach Hues
Courtesy of Behr
Behr’s Seaside Villa, with its peachy tones, brings sandy tropical shores to mind but also introduces a fresh coastal vibe to inland homes. If bold blue walls make you color-shy, choose this subtle peach and complement it with gray and blue accents.
Paint Color: Seaside Villa (S190-1) by Behr
Deep Navy Blue
Deeply saturated Naval (SW-6244) is a navy blue with subtle gray undertones. “We most recently used this in a project to add a pop of color to the front door,” Meacham says. “It really helps add a ‘wow’ factor before you even get in the home and creates the most classic nautical vibe.”
Paint Color: Naval (SW-6244) by Sherwin-Williams
Sandy Beige
Courtesy of Behr
If you’re looking for a genuine sandy beige, Woelfel recommends Even Better Beige (DC-010). “[It’s] a versatile neutral that brings a warm and distinctive feeling into any space,” she says. While beige might seem dull at first glance, pairing it with complementary colors and textures can elevate its appeal significantly.
Paint Color: Even Better Beige (DC-010) by Behr
Pale Green
Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams
For a breezy ambience, try Sherwin-Williams’ Sea Salt, a soothing pale green that resembles seafoam and gentle waves. Meacham suggests pairing pale green with coastal beiges and crisp whites for the neutral version of coastal.
Paint Color: Sea Salt SW 6204 by Sherwin-Williams
Warm Gray
Courtesy of Benjamin Moore
With warm gray and beige undertones, Revere Pewter offers versatile compatibility with various color schemes, including coastal palettes. “This color is the perfect background for any aesthetic you’re trying to achieve,” Meacham says. “It pairs wonderfully with blues, greens, and natural materials often found in coastal spaces.”
Paint Color: Revere Pewter (HC-172) by Benjamin Moore
Vintage Blue Stain
Courtesy of Minwax
If you’re considering a different approach than paint, Minwax’s Vintage Blue stain takes its cue from beach glass in a subtle, sophisticated way. “When thinking of coastal colors, the classic baby blue shade is often the first to come to mind, but Vintage Blue is a spin on that with a green-teal undertone that feels more understated and sophisticated,” Kim says. “This shade pairs well with dark, richer brown tones.”
Paint Color: Vintage Blue (MW288) by Minwax
Watery Blue-Green
Courtesy of Dutch Boy
Ocean-inspired blues set the stage for your coastal aesthetic while introducing tranquility. Quiet Breeze—a watery blue-green—captures the sea’s natural mix, making it perfect for coastal decor. Pair it with crisp whites and light wood tones for a fresh, airy ambience.
Paint Color: Quiet Breeze by Dutch Boy
Coastal Green
Courtesy of Minwax
“Coastal style is evolving with modern and organic styles to capture more simplicity and an appreciation of natural material,” Kim says. For an organic touch, consider Minwax’s Gentle Olive stain, which features a serene green with a hint of gray, promoting tranquility and warmth.
Paint Color: Gentle Olive (MW1017) by Minwax
link
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/03-Unexpected-Color-Palette-Perry-Vaile-Photography-0658a42a02564156907cc2ccb414500c.jpg "13 Bold, Unexpected Wedding Color Palettes to Consider")
