Find modern coastal living room ideas in this tour of our lake cottage living room. This space was designed to feel light and airy, modern yet traditional and most importantly, a warm and cozy gathering place for friends and family.
With subtle nods to the nature and lake water outside our windows, this coastal living room is sure to inspire!
This post was originally published October 24, 2018 and updated with fresh photos and content April 14, 2021.
My philosophy has always been to embrace in the imperfections in life. This applies to many areas of our lives, but especially our homes.
When we bought our little lake cottage, I knew I wanted to take it in a more modern, clean lined direction to truly embrace the Simple Living we were looking for. No distractions – we don’t even have a television in this house.
Because I hosted some friends here at the lake this week, I thought it would be fun to update you with our current view. It’s a warm and cozy home, distraction free, and the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate.
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We’ve been so lucky to enjoy this little home away from home at Table Rock Lake, Missouri. In fact, I’ve written about all the things to do at Table Rock Lake, Table Rock Lake Restaurants, enjoying Branson with kids, as well as the best parts of Christmas at Silver Dollar City.
You’ve seen bits and pieces of our living room at the lake cottage over the past few years, but it really started coming together recently. You can learn more about how we transformed this space in the video in this post.
Today, I’m walking you through the details of this modern coastal living room. Who’s excited? This girl, for starters! I love Coastal Modern Home Decor and Lake House Decor and can’t wait to share!
I’ve received a lot of questions about sources – especially those not available in my shop. These modern coastal living room ideas are a blend of high and low and as always, they blend function and design.
Of course, you might think of coastal living as a style that references beach themed cottage style. In our case, of course, we are in land-locked Missouri!
However, we are lucky enough to enjoy the calm, cool water views that influence coastal homes, as well. You don’t need to live on the beach to bring a little coastal style home with you!
Table of Contents
Modern Coastal Living Room
While we love the lake and wanted to incorporate some lake elements, we didn’t want it to feel too kitschy either. We also didn’t want it to feel like a dark, musty home often synonymous with the words “lake house”.
Right when we were moving in, we made a couple impactful choices that helped change the whole space right away. I incorporated three things that really changed the way we live in this home and especially our living room!
- a light paint color with reflective quality for the beginnings of a classic beach house color scheme
- fresh, light patterned carpet
- rock (yes, rock!) You’ve got to read it to believe it, friends.
Modern Coastal Living Room Seating
Since the lake cottage is a gathering place we share with family and friends, I wanted to incorporate plenty of seating.
A standard size slipcovered sofa and 4* slipcovered chairs (both from IKEA) offer comfortable seating for up to 8 with the ability to easily clean when needed. I accessorized them with pillow covers available in the shop.
We purchased the last three Jennylund chairs at our IKEA this spring. After several phone calls assuring they would return in six months, they have discontinued the chairs. So frustrating, but that’s life!
I’m still hoping to find another at some point (I have the slipcover already). I set up a Craigslist alert and wanted ad and continue to scour ebay occasionally, but it never seems to appear.
Two folding stools offer flexible seating when needed and can easily be folded and stowed away. I’m considering having them recovered in leather to add another layer.
Coastal Living Room Accent Furniture
An oversized square raffia coffee table offers plenty of space for guests to kick up their feet or set a drink, storage for magazines and more, without the need of consuming additional space for side tables in walkways.
The combination creates an intimate seating area. It also adds a layer of texture.
Similarly, the bar cart in the nook between the stairs and windows was such a perfect fit! I love the texture it adds as well as the function. It’s such a cute way to serve drinks and snacks!
Modern Lighting
I also added a chandelier overhead to create more ambience and add much needed light at night. These light fixtures feature clean lines but add a traditional feel.
You can find the sconces that coordinate here – we have them in the hallway and it’s open to the space so it’s a pretty connection.
The living room had two previously awkward nooks – one with a cabinet we store games in. To define it and add a little height, I incorporated a lamp.
There’s also a sweet pineapple lamp on the bar cart in this room. You can never have enough lighting, in my opinion!
Coastal Living Room Accessories
A painting from Martha’s vineyard and photographs of a bridge buried beneath the water nearby grace the walls. Get my favorite Free Art Sources and learn How to Choose Art here!
Framing your photographs is one of the most inexpensive ways to add art to your home. The true art in this living room is the view that was enhanced with our new Vinyl Deck and Glass Deck Railings.
To hide our speaker I added a framed Etsy print. In the other nook, a bar cart adds function. We frequently mix cocktails here for guests.
Early this fall we removed the tile from our entryway in favor of an indoor outdoor rug to make it feel up to date, allow the eye to continue and protect the carpet.
Sources
- Ikea Sofa
- Raffia Coffee Table | https://rstyle.me/n/dapb4hxgp6
- Folding stools | https://amzn.to/2CChyx6
- Pillows | https://rstyle.me/+c0RaaoxEC7MxOqPsPlo-PA
- Tall Glass Vase | https://rstyle.me/+BoCYHUGV-p-zk6jY_JLU7Q
- Bar Cart | https://rstyle.me/+04Vc0UcCJpXBc93tiAuTLg
- Marble Table (similar) | https://rstyle.me/+eV2lwujaja7ymB3PBsqdxQ
- Glass Lamp (similar) | https://rstyle.me/+N6OQbWBltYWgGAwUcCNR4g
- Pineapple Lamp | https://rstyle.me/+atNjWYsK3rflHB6Z0QXLfw
- Chandelier | https://rstyle.me/+jY2a7j4lam56M2KaoDftYw
- Wall Sconces | https://rstyle.me/+ogo6PKu9Hff4xvwTOSW2Lw
- Vintage Coffee Table Books | https://rstyle.me/+arvcpO-Q1_GJhl_lRffPOQ
- Decorative Brass Figurine | https://rstyle.me/+zglN7K41Ta_Db8hb6aV_qA
- Brass Boxes | https://amzn.to/3dj5IK7
Here’s a few photos of the living room at different stages since we moved in! I love to see our progress over the years.
Take a look at where we started! Lots of changes along the way.
We’ve since added a Dutch Door – hop on over and read all about it! I hope you enjoyed these living room interior ideas and found some to incorporate into your home!
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More Home Decor Ideas
Want to see more of our lake cottage? Don’t miss these posts:
Your pop up ads are very distracting from your blog and your pictures
Hi Laura! Thank you for your feedback. I don’t have pop up ads, but in content ads (between photos/text) or one of my most popular videos. Having ads affords me the opportunity to create quality content on a regular basis, thank you for supporting my site and I by visiting and sharing!
Julie,
We are painting the outside of our house the Realtist Beige from SW, as far as the front door and the garage door, what color should I paint those??
I paired ours with everyday white – you can learn more about that color here as well!
I love the neutral palette and slipcovered furniture is the way to go. I have the same at our lakehouse, and when I know children are going to be romping around in wet bathing suits or someone’s pup is going to decide to take a nap on the couch, I throw sheets on!
I am loving the canvas covered seats…can you tell me where you found them?
Jane
YES! So true!
How pretty! I love the neutral palette as it does enhance the light, breezy atmosphere. And slipcovers are a must! I redid our great room at the lake in whites and subtle blues for contrast. In the fall and winter I simply add some darker pumpkin colored pillows or navy.
I’m wondering where you fount the little canvas seats. They would be perfect for me to add for space when we are having those evening conversations around the fireplace!
Jane x
Thank you, Jane! They’re available in my shop. We love them because they also work in a guest bedroom as luggage racks or a stool for guests to put their shoes on.
Beautiful and Classic as always. I just love how you seem to do minimal changes to a room yet it’s completely transformed!
I was surprised to read that Ikea discontinued the Jennylund chair – so I had to go see for myself. I noticed a new chair that looks very similar – the Gronlid. Have you checked the dimensions? Looks like the only difference is the slipcover – could you use the one you have on it?
Thank you, Kelly, I’ll check it out! It was so disheartening! I appreciate your kindess!