Inspired by the Shore: Coastal home décor trends
As seen in Waterfront Living 2025.
Coastal décor trends have expanded beyond the beach house as more consumers seek to elevate their indoor and outdoor spaces with relaxed, seaside-inspired style.
For example, Jennifer Boake, Abbott’s senior buyer, explained that consumers want their indoor and outdoor spaces to be both welcoming and personal.
“Thoughtful design which balances function with feel-good aesthetics are taking the market in a new direction,” she said. “Coastal and outdoor products help consumers bring those feelings into their daily lives, whether they live by the water or just want to create that atmosphere.”
Three wholesalers share what consumers are looking for in home décor — both inside and outside — from sustainable product options to fragrances that evoke nostalgia.
COASTAL CHARM, YEAR-ROUND
Coastal and lake décor is not merely a trend — it’s a decorating classic.
“With huge populations living in coastal or lakeside locations across North America, everyone wants the serenity of the water or the joy of relaxing outside in their own homes,” Boake said.
Additionally, Mediterranean-inspired looks — think Amalfi Coast, sardine iconography, shells, nautical and water elements — provide an inspirational, meditative twist on coastal retail. Many of these icons are part of Abbott’s new items for its Spring 2026 collection.
“We find that customers are still looking to create the look and feel of an oasis at home,” Boake said. “Lake, beach and coastal- themed items help to create the peaceful feeling that the consumer feels when actually being in those locations. They are creating an emotional connection with the consumer — evoking memories of vacations, serenity of water or the joy of relaxing outside.”
Abbott curates its collections using a combination of trend forecasting and bestselling categories. Its in-house design team and global vendors work together to offer products that align with what consumers are looking for: items that feel authentic, made with care and reflect a connection to nature and place.
Home décor trends overall are shifting from overly minimal or industrial designs to softer, more layered looks, Boake said.
“Neutrals are still popular, however, there is now a shift toward richer colors and more tactile elements,” she said. “Handpainted, soft or real-touch finishes and artisanal imperfections are proving more popular with the consumers of today.”
Rose Fitzhugh-Back, vice president of Earth Rugs, said the company has also noticed the shift from minimalism with neutral, sparse spaces to natural maximalism — layered textures, rich earth tones and sustainable, artisan-made pieces. The modern farmhouse trend is also evolving into a moody, western style creating a blend of homesteading elements with deeper colors and rugged charm.
“Consumers are moving away from synthetic décor, favoring warm, earth-friendly designs that offer both beauty and integrity,” she said.
Fitzhugh-Back said one of the biggest trends in home and outdoor décor is biophilic design.
“This is the idea to bring the outdoors in and the indoors outside,” she said. “Think growing several herbs on your kitchen island or having an outdoor kitchen. People want to create spaces that feel like extensions of their homes.”
Anthony Qaiyum, president of KOBO Candles, said fragrances grow in popularity each year as one of the most enjoyable ways to elevate a space — inside or outside.
KOBO’s Coastal candles come in an array of scents that bring the aesthetics of the lake, beach and coastal communities with scents like Breakwater Sea Spray, a combination of rose water, marine accord and driftwood, or Dune Grass, a grass scent balanced with fresh melon and powdery musk.
Additionally, some of KOBO’s customer favorite scents year-round are Vetiver, Shaved Vanilla and Dark Cassis. “Fragrance is a lot like a wardrobe.
You can use it to express yourself, comfort yourself, invite celebration and more,” he said. “We watch customers smell our candles and tap into different memories and emotions. It’s fun to be able to do that, and it’s magical to have that ability to do that for yourself in your own home.”
ELEVATING OUTDOOR SPACES
Abbott has observed an increase in consumers looking to expand their living spaces outdoors.
“Creating an outdoor escape is more important than ever, and our newest additions are about ambiance and personality,” Boake said. These additions include large natural material lanterns, LED weatherproof candles and decorative planters with unique textures and finishes add visual interest to outdoor spaces.
Boake said cement planters continue to be popular since they are durable and secure enough to use outside. Plants, flowers and foliage and the vessels that hold them are always strong sellers for Abbott.
“Outdoor entertaining and décor is as popular as ever — particularly in natural materials such as marble and wood,” she said. “We find consumers who are budget conscious continue to popularize the ‘staycation’ and prefer to create an inviting space in their own homes and outdoor spaces.”
Earth Rugs’ latest outdoor collection features durable, water-resistant jute rugs and tabletop pieces that are designed to withstand the elements while bringing warmth and authenticity to both outdoor and indoor settings. The company also recently expanded its coastal collection with tabletop pieces in ocean-inspired color palettes and handprinted motifs.
“We’ve introduced a vibrant range of printed jute designs inspired by life at the beach from playful mermaids and starfish to iconic symbols like anchors, lighthouses, dolphins and nautical compasses,” she said. “These fresh motifs add a pop of personality and a laidback, seaside vibe that’s perfect for turning any deck, patio or garden into a relaxing retreat.”
For 2025, Earth Rugs is also building on its continued popularity of rustic wildlife and seasonal botanical designs — timeless themes that have proven to resonate with their customers for both home and outdoor décor.
Some customer-favorite Earth Rugs’ designs include “Cardinal,” “Moose,” “Bear” and “Barnyard Animals,” adding both character and charm to spaces. Floral and botanical designs are also gaining traction. Patterns such as “Lavender,” “Tall Timbers,” “Blue Bonnets,” “Blueberry” and “Cranberry” bring a touch of softness and seasonal color to the company’s rugs.
“With designs that reflect nature and materials that protect it, our 2025 line continues to offer both beauty and function,” Boake said.
Meanwhile, KOBO’s Plant the Box collection contains elements that can be used both inside and outside. The collection of candles, diffusers and soaps are inspired by gardens with scents like Heath Lavender, Crushed Mint and Sweet Sunflower. The packaging is plantable and seed infused that grow the plant, herb or flower inspired by the candle scent.
“One of the coolest parts of Plant the Box is the fact that you can take the box, soak it, tear it up and plant it, and the actual plant will grow on your porch, deck or patio,” Qaiyum said. “This is our bestselling collection because even non-gardeners love it.”
CONSCIOUS COASTAL STYLE
Another major trend is intentional purchasing, with consumers looking beyond trends and focusing on lasting value and impact. Fitzhugh-Back said consumers are drawn to items made from natural materials that reduce long-term waste and environmental impact.
“Our brand is rooted in the use of natural jute, a sustainable and biodegradable fiber that supports today’s demand for eco-conscious living,” she said. “Our products are naturally fire resistant, naturally water resistant and easily cleaned — combining durability with style.”
Fitzhugh-Back expects to see the market continuing to grow in this direction with consumers prioritizing sustainability, versatility and meaningful design.
“People want décor that’s not only eco-friendly and budget conscious, but also tells a story — whether it’s about the jute sourced from Bangladesh or the artist behind the design,” she said.
As awareness grows, so does the demand for artisan- made, natural products that hold up both indoors and outdoors while reflecting personal values and global connection. Through collaborations with local artists, Earth Rugs offer authentic, handprinted designs that add meaning and originality to each piece.
“These products create a relaxed, nature-inspired atmosphere while offering practical benefits businesses can pass on to their customers,” Fitzhugh-Back said. “As consumers seek décor that blends beauty, sustainability and purpose, our products help wholesale partners meet that demand with confidence and align with current lifestyle trends.”
Earth Rugs’ jute products are not only stylish and functional — they’re “green from the ground up,” she said. Grown in the fertile delta soil of Bangladesh, jute is a renewable, biodegradable fiber harvested up to three times a year, with a smaller environmental footprint than many other natural materials.
“These pieces are perfect for coastal, lake and beach homes, offering the durability and natural texture that relaxed, outdoor-inspired spaces demand,” she said. “Whether used indoors or out, they help create environments that feel connected to nature — at prices that are truly down to earth.”
With sustainability repeatedly on the consumer’s mind, Abbott has created a full line of products. Boake said the wholesaler’s range of rechargeable LED lamps remain in high demand, featuring different light temperatures, USB recharging and long battery runtimes.
Another Abbott bestseller is its compostable dishcloths made from cellulose and cotton that are not only environmentally friendly but can be printed in a variety of designs and colors. Boake said digital printing technology continues to push the creative process with more detailed designs available every season. Matching kitchen towels and dishcloths can make a fun, sustainable gift or be an update to any kitchen.
But sustainability isn’t just for decorating homes, it includes the scents that fill the spaces.
Qaiyum said customers are also looking for products that are manufactured in the U.S. and made of clean, high- quality ingredients.
“There is a reason why some candles are so inexpensive, and it’s because they do not use the best, safest ingredients, like pure soy wax and cotton wicks,” he said. “People are becoming more aware that if you are going to burn something inside your home, you should trust where it comes from and how it is made.”
Along with scent, beautiful packaging and design continues to be a priority for customers.
“Scent is tied to memory and also helps enhance your mood, so it is an excellent way to turn ordinary into extraordinary,” Qaiyum said. “When you combine beautiful, nuanced fragrance with thoughtful design, as we have done with KOBO, you get candles that work as both fragrant enhancement and visual objects.”
