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COASTAL GRANDMA CHIC WALL ART-FOR EVERYONE

  • Grotto Studios
  • Aug 19, 2023
  • 8 min read

Updated: Oct 28

Coastal Grandma Decor: From Tik Tok Roots to Global Trend

Whether you’re digging the Coastal Grandmother, Coastal Granddaughter, Coastal Grand Millennial, Cowgirl or Surfer Girl vibe, these decorating and fashion trends have been all the buzz these last few years. The thing is, the original Coastal Grandma decor has really been around since before your grandma planted her first hydrangea garden. So coastal grandmas, coastal grand millennials, and coastal dreamers...let’s explore some elements of these classic takes on the “everything old is new again” Granny Coastal Chic interior design trends, and how can you create its easy, breezy but sophisticated energy on the walls of your home.


Something’s Gotta Give, Grandma!

Can you still picture the house in Nancy Meyer’s movie, Something’s Gotta Give, that came out in 2003? Maybe you even wish you could live in a place like that? I wasn't a particular fans of Diane Keaton’s summertime turtlenecks, cause they made me sweat just looking at them, but the house depicted in that movie is the ULTIMATE in Coastal Grandma design, and has always held a (very) warm and welcoming place in my heart and my dreams!

Woman in glasses wearing a cream turtleneck, reminiscent of Diane Keaton stands smiling in front of a coastal house, with blue hydrangeas and ocean in the background.
How about a tank top, Diane?

So let’s chat about some elements of Coastal Grandma decor and it’s related trends, and how you can incorporate some wall art designs into your rooms to reflect it’s timeless, serene elegance…whether you catch the salty vibe from the porch of your seaside McMansion, or from the city fish market down the block.



Coastal Grandma wall art:

Colors are All about Nature


Let’s get real…Grandma knew what she was talkin’ about! She knew the importance of bringing the natural world inside her home. Fresh blueberries turned into muffins and jam, served with freshly-squeezed lemonade. Flowers lovingly gathered from the garden. Found objects like driftwood, rocks or seashells on display after a morning walk along the shore. Coastal Grandma decor and wall art bring all those tastes, smells and sights that come from coastal nature...right into your home.

The Coastal Grandma color palette is light & breezy seaside. Soft, airy white or sailcloth toned walls and furniture are the mainsails, while crisp navy serves just as an accent color, along with lighter tones from nature that I'll mention below. Watery blues, greens and grays also appear in this trend. Think natural vs. nautical. Here are some samples of wall decor that work well with that freshly updated navy, bluesy and sailcloth white Coastal Grandma palette:


Bring some dashes of aqua to your bright and welcoming Coastal Grandma home with this perennial wall art fave...the row boat!

Cozy entryway with beach-themed art showing a row boat and lobster traps, a straw hat, blue-striped bag, denim jacket, striped pillow on a bench, and basket underneath.
Cozy coastal charm is captured in this Grandma Coastal style setting, featuring a serene rowboat painting, woven textures, and seaside-inspired accessories.

This gauzy, misty morning feel wall art is right at home in a simply natural-toned room:

Cozy living room with gray sofa, floral pillows, and beach wall art of sandy pathway lined with fencing and dune grasses. Glass coffee table holds flowers and books. Soft, neutral tones.
Muted coastal colors and soft pastel tones evoke the serene elegance of Coastal Grandma style in this inviting living space.

For slightly more colorful wall decor that still works well in a Coastal Grandma home, beach fences can provide that classic, perfect touch in a kitchen...or any other room:

Dining table set with floral plates, blue napkins, and glassware. Vase of white flowers on table. Beach fence, sand and sea grass wall art
 on wood-paneled wall. Cozy feel.
Set the tone with this ever popular beach fence art.

Light and airy art and decor make a serene retreat for the Coastal Grandma vibe:

Beige living room with lighthouse chalk treatment wall decor on the wall, cream sofa, floral cushions, vase with roses, and a lantern on a wooden table.
A peaceful living room setting is enhanced by a soothing art piece of a lighthouse, bringing a sense of tranquility and seaside elegance to the space.

A Natural with Light Woods & Fibers

Coastal Grandma style of decor blends all of these natural elements and textures, but with a light and airy touch. Instead of the mahogany woods and darker-wickers of prior generations, this updated design trend creates more of a relaxed, comfortably refined coastal vibe, with light bleached or white-washed woods, some watery blues, and even touches of gold. Here are some samples of artwork that works well with the natural fibers and light woods of Coastal Grandma decor.


Watery blues reflected in sea and sky compliment the light, natural wood tones of Coastal Chic design:

Minimalist room with wooden shelves holding pottery and candles. A painting of a stilt house hangs on the wall. Calm, earthy tones.
The serene vibe of this wall decor will elevate your home to be 'above it all,' no matter where you call home.

Add a bit of the Midas touch for an extra elegant Grandma Coastal living space:

Elegant living room with a cream sofa, blue and white pillows, and a floral vase. Two gold flower prints on the beige wall enhance the calm mood.
Elegant living space featuring gold accents and Grandma Coastal style, with a cream sofa adorned with blue and white pillows, floral artwork, and a blue-patterned vase centerpiece.

A blonde wood table and taupe accents create a space for the windswept greens and blues of this wall art piece to shine as the subtle focal point of the room:

Cozy living room with a beige sofa, neutral pillows, and a wooden coffee table. Sailboat painting on the wall adds a nautical touch.
A tranquil living room features a serene nautical painting as the focal point, perfectly complementing the neutral decor and enhancing the calming ambiance.

It's easy to drift away with these creamy and dreamy blues, still within the Coastal Grandma vibe, but the wall art here adds a balance to the pops of blue in the pillows and rug:


Rattan sofa with blue pillows and pink flowers on table, set on a striped rug. Coastal painting of a beach path in the sand with fences leading to an aqua blue ocean  Beige cedar shake wall in background.
Coastal grandma charm: A serene beach-themed painting adds a vibrant splash to this tranquil, neutral-toned sitting area on this three-season porch.

Flowers and Citrus: The Comforts of a Coastal Home

Okay, we’re not just talking hydrangeas here, but of course, Coastal Grandmothers are known for growing their own! Think beyond hydrangeas to farmers market or seaside garden florals, updated chinoiserie ginger jars, maybe a bowl of lemons on the kitchen counter ready to be squeezed into an Arnold Palmer. That’s the Coastal Grandma life! Intersperse some timeless elements like some family heirlooms that add a pop of gold to the room, and you’ve got the perfect formula for a feeling of warm coastal luxe. Here’s how you can dress up your walls to tie everything together:


A serene Coastal Grandma wall art floral with the gentle shades of Mother Nature's palette:

Striped cushions on a bed with a cream headboard. A seascape painting with rocks and white daisies

 hangs above, creating a serene mood.
Flowers grace the coastline...direct to your home.

This blue and white wall art is the chic Coastal Grandma's re-mix on those classic Chinoiserie ginger jars:

Cozy living room with a cream sofa, blue pillow, wall art with hydrangea and roses in chinoiserie vases.. Neutral tones and a calm, inviting atmosphere.
Chinoiserie wall art featuring classic blue and white vases with a modern twist, highlighted by vibrant pink and yellow floral accents, enhancing a cozy living room with Coastal Grandma charm.

Okay...I know you really wanted to see a pop of these beauties in an otherwise monochromatic space:

Cozy living room with a white sofa, blue hydrangeas on table, and a large wall art canvas that mimics a window showing a 
garden. Soft, calming atmosphere.
This room was windowless until I added this canvas art. And like magic, a window to the world of Mother Nature's splendor.

The gentle gold tones in this piece add a touch of coastal elegance to this quiet space:

Bedroom with a white bed, blue floral bedsheet, wooden nightstand holding a blue flower in a vase. Sunlit gold patterned sandy artwork above. Calm mood.
Golden highlights always bring the sunshine!

Coastal Grand millennial & Granddaughter: The Colorful Side of Granny Chic

Just like a popular tv show or book that you never want to end, sometimes design trends end up having a spin-off or two, and the Granny Chic aesthetic is no exception! Welcome to the Coastal Grand Millennial (and also Granddaughter etc.) vibe, where the colors tend to be more intense than Coastal Grandma, and the designs utilize a wider color palette. Think more ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ vibe with florals and geometric design often incorporated, but now they feel a bit more fresh in their flair.


The spaces and colors tend more toward energizing than relaxed. Coastal Grand Millennial style still keeps the feel timeless and welcoming, leaning more eclectic than traditional, but packing a bit more punch. With bolder wallpapers, maybe throwing in a unique chandelier or some modern antiquities, all work to elevate the space. Together, it’s aged to coastal perfection, just like Grandma and her famous sangria shared on the beach at sunset..Cheers to our Coastal Grand Millennials & Granddaughters! What’s up on these walls?


The meandering marsh wall art adds some zip to an otherwise quiet room:

Beige sofa with blue blanket and pillows, framed marshland seascape painting with a Cape Cod Colonial house, wooden table with white vase of flowers, patterned wallpaper background.
Grandma would be proud to see her eclectic hand-me-downs being put to such good use!

Sophistication abounds in this Coastal Millennial kitchen, complete with an array of white and gold tones and natural rattan...and a colorful vIntage coastal print Grandma said she'd be happy to let her have!

Vintage French poster of a cyclist in France with a dog by the sea, framed on a kitchen wall. White cabinets, gold brass accents, and wicker baskets nearby.
How great to have a reminder of Grandma every time you wash the dishes. Make sure you use one sponge for the dishes and one for the counters!

Nothing blends the Coastal Grandma and Millennial styles like these Chinoiserie dog cut out wall art pieces, and their contemporary humor:


Bathroom with white tiles features blue and white floral vases with flowers, blue towel, wicker basket with toilet paper, humorous dog art in chinoiserie blue and white.
Give your guests a chuckle on their potty break before you head out for a night of fun.

Coastal Millennial design comes in all shapes and sizes. How about some majestic tall ship masts that add impactful focus with their geometry and color, tying the space together?:


Beige sofa with striped cushion, white pillows. Nautical tall ship painting above. Wooden coffee table with flowers, rope decor. Calm, cozy room.
Tall ship artwork becomes the focal point in this coastal millennial home, enhancing the calm, neutral tones and nautical decor.


Coastal Cowgirl & Surfer Girl: Coastal Style with a Side of Wild


And lastly, the Coastal Cowgirl & Surfer Girl deserve their own mentions for the cool factor they bring to the table. Whether it’s a blend of vintage surf boho or cool Coastal Cowgirl fashion, the eye for style spills over into the home space with brasses, woods and earthy browns, and just the right pop of grey/blues, greens and even blacks! Throw in some faded or bleached denim and a hint of leather and you’ve hit on perfection. These styles have great legs and they know it!


Coastal Cowgirl

This wall art canvas is the perfect pairing! With a wood-like treatment on the design that blends Coastal and Cowgirl, the rustic bench and the mandatory faux cow hide rug, this room represents!:

A painting of a person on horseback at the beach hangs on a wall above a rustic bench. On the bench are a hat, sweater, and mug.
Beach babe by day, Cowgirl by night? You go, girl!

Rope 'em and ride 'em! We're talking about the waves...(and maybe a surfer or two!):

Bedroom with a rustic vibe; a bed with beige linens, plant on a stand, and art of a red truck and surfboard on the wall, under skylight.
A rustic red surf truck in a neutral room blends the essences of Coastal Cowgirl & Surfer Girl with just the right kick.

For a more eclectic blend of Coastal meets Cowgirl, this grouping of wall art prints can elevate any space:

Black and white coastal wall art and horse wall art in a Coastal Cowgirl style living room.
Use the walls of your home to create an oasis with a few of your favorite things.

Surfer Girl

Picture yourself in this soothing, perfectly Surfer Girl space. The wall art, macrame piece and other design elements bring that Coastal Chic vibe to this space in a quiet, sunset moment sort of way:

Living room with a pink sofa, wicker table, guitar, and plants. Surf art in pink hues, turntable, and macramé wall hanging create a cozy, vintage vibe.
Chic coastal living room with a surf-inspired art piece, blending ocean vibes with bohemian style.

For a last bit of fun and ramped up blues and creamy yellows to add motion to an otherwise staid space:

Cozy room with a blue sofa, vintage surfboard art, and surfboard. A wooden table holds a vase of wildflowers, creating a beachy, relaxed vibe.
Enhancing Movement and Focal Points with Artwork: The artwork in this Coastal Surfer Girl living room plays a crucial role in creating a dynamic atmosphere. By incorporating shades of blue and white, it not only complements the blue couch but also adds a sense of movement and fluidity to the space.

Why are these styles so wildly popular?

Hmmm…who wouldn’t love a cozy living space filled with flowers, soothing colors and elements directly from nature's earth, sea and sky? Life is hectic, and if you read or listen to the news on a daily basis, things can sometimes feel pretty out of control. Stepping into a Coastal Grandma style room, no matter where you or your Grandma have lived, may just bring a little peaceful, safe and timeless energy to your home. Riffing off the main OG and yet creating a brand-new personal home space with your very own individualized touches, you just might start the next buzzy coastal trend!! If you do...please reach out and let me know! Now sit back and relax, brew up a pot of sun tea, add some lemon, and…be in touch with your authentic style.


From my grotto to yours,

Nancy

Grotto Studios


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