Um, what exactly is coastal grandmother decor?

Meet your new fave relative

Two pictures of a coastal grandmother interior, on a shell patterned background
(Image credit: @reneecusano)

I’m totally in love with anything nautical. So, I’m super excited by all the coastal trends that have been popping up on my FYP. There’s coconut girl, coastal cowgirl, and the most popular of all coastal grandmother.

You may be thinking that you don’t want your home to look like a nanna lives there. I see you envisioning net curtains and those horrible floral cushions (you know the kind I mean). Sure, it might sound totally dowdy and boring, but I promise you that it’s anything but.

Want to know more about it? I’ve explained everything you need to know about it, including the history behind the name, its style, as well as picking out some beaut buys.

Scroll on down for all the knowledge…

Your coastal grandmother questions, answered

TikTok has been obsessing over this trend, both in terms of fashion and home decor, and frankly so have I. It’s so classic, while still having a touch of comfort which makes it feel like home. That being said, it’s a li’l confusing, as the name doesn’t quite reflect how stylish it is. But don't worry bestie I'm here with all the answers. 

What is coastal grandmother style?

In short, the coastal grandmother trend is a modern yet warm style, characterized by neutrals matched with nautical shades, shapes, and textures.

Where did coastal grandmother come from?

The phrase was coined by TikToker Lex Nicoleta, who describes it as coastal, cozy vibes. Basically, anything that makes you feel like you’re having a summer by the sea, surrounded by family in an aesthetic holiday home (for example, just like The Summer I Turned Pretty’s beach house). 

@lexnicoleta

♬ This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole

What is coastal grandmother design?

Think blues, beiges, and whites, along with soft rattan and wooden pieces. Add in some sweet finishing touches, like floral accents, books, knitted throws, and soft furnishings, and you’ve got the look down.

Get the coastal grandmother look with these decor buys

Totally sold? It really is gorgeous, and despite looking so chic, it’s super accessible too. If you want to bring it into your space, here are six buys to help you do just that…

The prices below were correct at the time of publishing this article.

 Up next: 9 summer buys ESSENTIAL for beach days

Eve Smallman
Content Editor

Hi there! I’m a content editor at Real Homes. I've been a lifestyle journalist for over five years, previously working as an editor across regional magazines. Before this, I graduated from Nottingham Trent University a degree in journalism, along with an NCTJ gold diploma. I love running, decorating my rented Victorian home, and discovering new cheeses. For Real Homes, I specialize in interior design, trends and finding the best viral buys.