For a long time, an overtly beachy aesthetic prevailed in aspirational waterfront home design. Today, a subtler and more refined approach has taken hold; it still reads as coastal, but without veering into that “cheesy souvenir shop” energy.

“Many of the ‘beachy’ looks that feel dated tend to lean on coastal clichés,” notes interior designer Cece Bowman. “Think starfish and seashell decor, rope-everything, nautical stripes and anchors, overdone ‘coastal living’ signage, weathered driftwood wall art, and overly themed blue-and-white rooms that scream vacation rental.”

In other words, anything that’s obviously beachy is decidedly passé. But there are still plenty of ways to evoke vacation vibes stylishly. Here’s how interior designers are redefining coastal design in 2026.

Credit to House Beautiful – this is a test for our blog