Coastal Living Room Ideas: Transform $29K Look to $5K Dream!
Welcome to another Luxe For Less living room design! In this post, you’ll learn coastal living room ideas and how to turn a high-end $29K look into a stunning space for just over $5K.
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If you’ve ever dreamed of a chic coastal vibe without the expensive price tag, you’re in the right place. This post is packed with easy tips, smart shopping ideas, and design hacks to help you get that magazine-worthy look.
Whether you’re new to decorating or have been at it for a while, these coastal living room ideas will show you how to mix a few splurges with budget finds.
The savings and style you discover here will amaze you! Get ready to dive in and transform your space into a beautiful coastal retreat.
This post is all about coastal living room ideas.
READ MORE>>> Home Design Inspiration On Inspired Design Talk 2025
Transform Your Space with Coastal Living Room Ideas
Creating a stylish living room does not have to cost a fortune. With the right mix of high-end inspiration and affordable finds, you can design a room that feels cozy, modern, and full of coastal charm.
This post will walk you through each step—from picking the perfect art to the final touches that make a room complete. Every tip is meant to help make your home look expensive on a budget.
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You’ll learn where to splurge and save to get a luxurious look for less. These coastal living room ideas are designed to give you confidence in your decorating choices.
1. Artwork To Create Your Color Palette
Artwork is one of the most important parts of any room. It sets the tone and pulls your design together.
In the high-end look, there’s a stunning ocean-inspired piece that costs about $1,900 for a 40×30” print. While this transitional art decor is beautiful, it is hard to justify such a price on a budget.
Budget-Friendly Artwork Alternative
You can still get amazing art without spending a lot—just explore options from stores like Pottery Barn, Amazon, Wayfair, or Etsy.
While sourcing affordable art for this design, one piece caught the eye at $250, but its colors were off. Another option matched the palette perfectly, yet it came with a $799 price tag.
Then, a beautiful customizable piece on Etsy stood out. I chose the white frame with no mat for a clean, modern look. At around $300 for a 40×30” print, this artwork sets the perfect tone for the coastal living room ideas.
2. Area Rug: Grounding Your Design with Texture
An area rug does more than add color—it anchors your furniture and ties the room together. The designer living room has a jute rug, a popular choice in the coastal design style.
Designer rugs can cost nearly $1,500, but you do not need to spend that much.
2a. Jute Rug // 2b. Jute Area Rug
Budget-Savvy Rug Solutions
Search on sites like Amazon or Walmart for similar rugs. You can find an 8×10 jute rug at Walmart for just over $180.
Always measure your room and plan your layout before buying. Make sure that at least the front legs, or even better, the entire piece of your sofa or chairs, sit on the rug.
Pro Tip: If your rug is a bit small, layer it over a larger one for an intentional, stylish look. These simple tweaks help pull your coastal living room ideas together without a high price.
3. The Sofa: The Heart of Your Coastal Living Room
The sofa is a big part of your living room design. You may want to start here but don’t do it! Start with your color palette to create a cohesive design.
In the high-end design, it has a luxurious slip-covered sofa that costs around $5,600. It has an elevated silhouette, a bench seat cushion, and sleek angled arms.
3a. White Performance Slipcovered Sofa // 3b. Slipcovered Couch // 3c. Slipcovered Sofa
Affordable Sofa Options
Look for similar traditional sofa styles at stores like Interior Define or Wayfair. You can find one for about $2,000 or $1,800 in performance fabric.
The high-end sofa in this design is 100 inches long, while the budget option is 90 inches. This small difference is a good trade-off for huge savings.
Investing in a quality sofa with performance fabric means your coastal living room will last for years to come.
4. Coffee Table: The Focal Point of Your Living Room
Once the sofa is in place, the coffee table becomes the heart of your living room. The high-end design has a rectangular table with a gold hammered frame and a marble top that costs nearly $3,000. That price can be hard to manage on a budget.
Chic & Affordable Coffee Tables
There are budget-friendly options that still look great. For example, check out Birch Lane for two choices:
- Coffee Table Option 1: $799, measuring 40” wide by 18” high.
- Coffee Table Option 2: $949, measuring 48” wide by 15” high.
The designer version is 56” wide by 18” high, so these options are a little smaller.
Pro Tip: Your coffee table should be about the same height as your sofa seat or 2-3 inches lower. The width should be about half to two-thirds of your sofa’s width.
With these tips, you can find a table that fits your coastal living room design perfectly without spending too much.
5. Coastal Side Tables
Side tables help complete the look of your living room. In the high-end space, you’ll see two white concrete side tables that cost a lot. But you can find similar styles on a budget.
Luxe For Less Side Tables
West Elm has a fluted table for $215 and Pottery Barn has a rattan side table for $400. However, the closest match I could find was the Wayfair side table for $144.
Even though it’s a little smaller, it matches the style of a high-end piece. You can always paint them solid white if you don’t like the distressed look.
6. Accent Chairs For Function And Style
Accent chairs are a fun way to add extra personality. The high-end design has stunning Serena & Lily swivel chairs with wood trim at the base. They look modern and have a clean, beachy style.
6a. High-End Swivel Chair // 6b. Curved Back Swivel Chair // 6c. Set Of Two Swivel Chairs
Affordable Swivel Chairs
In the high-end design, the swivel chairs cost around $3,200. However, you can find a similar style on Joss & Main for about $629. For the affordable living room design I found an even better set of two on sale for $840!
Pro Tip: Before you buy, order fabric swatches to make sure everything in your design works together.
These accent chairs offer a fabulous, budget-friendly alternative to the high-end options.
7. Drink Table: Small But Mighty
A drink table is both practical and beautiful. In the high-end design, there’s a sculptural rattan drink table from Kathy Kuo Home, priced around $760. While it’s absolutely stunning, that cost can be a challenge for a tight budget.
7a. Rattan Drink Table // 7b. Affordable Drink Table
Budget-Friendly Drink Table
For a cool coastal vibe on a budget, check out the rattan drink table on Amazon that goes for about $100. It has the same charm and fits perfectly into the affordable design. This is another great example of how you can get the look for less.
8. Chandelier: Lighting Up Your Coastal Living Room
Good lighting makes all the difference. In the high-end design, you’ll see a stunning Arteriors coral chandelier priced at over $3,700.
This style has been discontinued and its replacement costs nearly $4,700. While these look amazing, they’re not easy on the wallet.
Shine Bright on a Budget
Instead of splurging, check out budget options that still shine. An LED chandelier for under $300 gives a similar luxe feel without the high cost.
You can also go for a beaded and hemp-wrapped chandelier for a more classic coastal look, like the one from Serena & Lily. On Amazon, you can find a beaded chandelier for under $330—or even for $190 if you add a DIY touch with some jute twine.
9. Table Lamps For A Pop of Color
Table lamps are key for both task lighting and adding color. The high-end design has hand-formed table lamps with blue brush strokes that cost $734 each. These lamps are like small pieces of art that brighten the room.
9a. Blue Table Lamp // 9b. Affordable Table Lamp
Budget Table Lamps That Look Amazing
For a budget-friendly option, you can grab a set of two table lamps for under $200 that perfectly match the artwork’s color palette. They offer excellent task lighting while adding a vibrant pop of color to brighten up your space.
Pro Tip: Remember to mix general lighting with task and accent lights to create a welcoming vibe. Use a dimmer switch on your overhead lights to set the mood.
10. Pillows and Decor: The Final Touch
Pillows can bring your room together and make a big impact. High-end pillows can cost anywhere from $70 to nearly $200 each, not including the insert.
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Spoonflower is a fantastic option for affordable pillows. They have printed coastal pillows for about $65 each, with the insert included. Shopping there can save you over $600 while adding a rich mix of color, pattern, and texture to your space.
Coastal Home Decor
Beyond pillows, add finishing touches like vases, wall art, and small decorative items to complete your design. These details make your room feel planned and cozy.
Even on a tight budget, you can find decor that fits your coastal living room ideas perfectly. The affordable living room has a savings of over $500 on decor alone.
Every little piece helps to create a room that looks like it belongs in a high-end magazine—all while staying on budget.
Coastal decor is a timeless trend, but if you want to keep up with the latest in interior design, check out my Home Decor Trends post!
The Big Price Reveal: Coastal Living Room Ideas on a Budget
Now, it’s time for the big reveal. Check out the side-by-side versions of the high-end and affordable living room designs.
The high-end design costs around $29,086, while the affordable version comes in at just $5,512.50. That means you could save nearly $24,000!
If you add the typical 20% design fee, the total savings could be as high as $30,000. This shows that with a little work and planning, your coastal living room design can look luxurious for less.
Each piece was chosen to capture the high-end look, creating a stunning room that feels warm and inviting. By mixing a few splurges with smart savings, you can achieve a space that looks like you hired a designer.
Final Thoughts
This modern coastal living room design shows that with a little creativity and smart shopping, you can create an amazing space without breaking the bank. Every piece—from the artwork to the final decor touches—has been chosen to deliver a look that feels both high-end and affordable.
You now have the tips you need to mix a few splurges with budget finds to design a living room that reflects your unique style. The key is to balance quality pieces with affordable finds.
Whether you’re new to decorating or a seasoned pro, these coastal living room ideas give you the tools to create a space you love. Use these tips to experiment, have fun, and make your room truly yours.
Check the links for all the products and resources mentioned in this post. Happy designing, and here’s to turning your home into the coastal retreat of your dreams!
This post is all about coastal living room ideas.
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Last Updated on February 17, 2025 by Nicole DelaCruz
