Channel the Hamptons with Coastal Home Decor Tips by the Pros

If you’re looking to transition your home decor to a more light and airy feel, take some cues from the Hamptons, a string of oceanfront towns on Long Island’s southern coast renowned for their beautiful historic beach homes. Within many of these 18th-century homes, classic coastal motifs and nautical color palettes emanate an elegant aesthetic all their own.

We spoke with Jennifer Mabley and Austin Handler from Mabley Handler Interior Design—a design firm serving the Hamptons, New York City, and Palm Beach—for advice on bringing the coastal coolness home, whether you’re in an urban city or the suburbs.

What defines the Hamptons style?

Hamptons houses certainly bring elements of the beach inside, from surfboards and conch shells to high ceilings and hydrangeas. According to Handler, Hamptons-style homes take the classic coastal look we know and love to the next level.

“Clients with even the most casual beach cottage still expect their Hamptons home to have a certain level of design and sophistication,” he says. “Gone are the days of simple white slipcovers and bowls of seashells, and that’s a good thing.”

Though there isn’t just one signature Hamptons aesthetic, the proximity of these homes to New York City plays a role in upping the design ante—simple seaside views aren’t enough. The style spotlights clean lines, minimalist design and furniture, as well as classic color schemes of blues, whites, and woods. Simplistically stunning and cozy yet classy, these interiors provide the perfect getaway.

How will you live in your space?

Designing any part of your home should start with one simple question: What will you use it for? Mabley says this question is especially important when designing houses in the Hamptons because of their seasonal and occasion-centric nature. 

Before beginning any interior design project, Mabley and Handler address the homeowners’ plans—a conversation you should also keep in mind when taking inspiration from the Hamptons for your own home.

“Are they out in the Hamptons to entertain, throw cocktail parties, and dinner parties?” Mabley asks. “Do they like to host all of their family and go to the beach? Or are they looking for a quiet retreat from the craziness of work and life?”

Ponder these questions on your own, then plan out what matters most to you. After deciding the function you’d like each room to serve, you can get to work on choosing colors and finishes.

The Hamptons’ Top Shade—Blues

Hamptons homes are known for using white and blue tones, which blend seamlessly with the beachy atmosphere around them. Mabley says blue is always popular on the coast. “It may be cliché, but we love a blue room in the Hamptons,” she says. “Blue has been our favorite go-to Hamptons color since we opened our business, for our clients and ourselves.” 

But be careful not to go all-in with just one shade. Experiment with which blue tones you enjoy most and use them sparingly. The hue spans a wide range to achieve the mood you want to create on multiple surfaces from blue paint and fabric to wallpaper and accessories. “You can be bold and striking with navy and cobalt; you can be calm and soothing with sky blue or delft,” Handler says. “You can even pare it down to blue tones that are practically neutral.”

However, if blue is not on your mood board, other nature-inspired shades, such as pinks, yellows, and greens, can bring about the welcoming and relaxed vibe of the environment.  

Mix your color of choice with white, wood, and other neutrals for an understated nautical feel. Whether you’re on the beach, in a forest-heavy area, or the middle of a big city, you’ll feel like you’re lounging at the harbor.

Bring in Textured Materials

If your Hamptons-style makeover is a decorative spruce-up or a full-fledged renovation, the type of materials used in the design makes a difference. Cerused woods offer a natural yet rich tone resulting from a pickled or liming effect, which gives emphasis to the wood’s natural grain lines. Oak and walnut are popular choices to bring out that hint of coastal.

According to Mabley, cerused woods “strike a balance between sophisticated silhouettes in driftwood tones.” Get the look with decorative accessories, furniture, or millwork, such as flooring. 

“Instead of dark-stained wooden cabinetry and paneling, use a cerused oak or walnut option,” Handler says. To capture the well-worn feel of a house exterior exposed to the ocean’s salt air, “use classic cedar shake shingle in a soft beige or light gray color” for that sun-beat look.

Unique Decor for a Coastal Vibe

The finishing touch to incorporate Hamptons-inspired design into your space is to embrace the beachy mindset. The key to evoking the aesthetic is by balancing the “artistry and sophistication that the Hamptons is known for while still maintaining a relaxed vibe,” Handler says. “Instead of a bowl of shells, look for interesting shell sculptures. Rather than hanging photographs of beaches and waves, opt for a semi-abstract sea-scape.”

You don’t need to take the beach aesthetic literally to achieve a laid-back look. Mix and match neutral-toned decor with personal touches to find an inspired blend that works for you. As long as it’s bright, airy, and welcoming, you’ll have the best the Hamptons have to offer.