Channel the Hamptons with These Coastal Home Decor Tips From the Pros

Nothing screams coastal luxury quite like houses in the Hamptons—here’s an expert's take on how to bring the aesthetic to your own home.

If you’re low-key struggling with the transition to fall and would like to continue to embrace all things light and airy in your home decor, you may want to take some cues from the Hamptons. Long Island’s southern coast is known for housing its affluent residents in beautiful beach houses when away from their New York City dwellings during the summer.

Pulling from classic coastal motifs like shells and an oceanic color palette while also upping the fancy factor within historic 18th-century architecture, the Hamptons have an aesthetic all their own. We spoke with Jennifer Mabley and Austin Handler from Mabley Handler Interior Design—a design firm serving the Hamptons, New York City, and Palm Beach—to provide advice for bringing the coastal coolness home, whether you’re in the middle of a bustling city or small town.

Related: ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Is Back, and It’s Packed with Coastal Decor Inspo

What Defines the Hamptons Style?

Hamptons houses certainly bring elements of the beach inside, from surfboards and conch shells to high ceilings and hydrangeas. But according to Handler, Hamptons-style homes take the classic coastal look we know and love to the next level.

“Clients with even the most casual beach cottage still expect their Hamptons home to have a certain level of design and sophistication,” he says. “Gone are the days of simple white slipcovers and bowls of seashells, and that’s a good thing."

Though there isn’t just one signature Hamptons aesthetic, the proximity of these homes to New York City plays a role in upping the design ante—simple seaside views aren’t enough. The style spotlights clean lines, minimalist furniture, and classic color schemes of blues, whites, and woods. Simplistically stunning and cozy yet classy, these interiors provide the perfect summer getaway.

Related: 20 Coastal Kitchen Ideas to Bring the Beach to Your Home

Finding Functionality

Designing any part of your home should start with one simple question: What will you use it for? Mabley says this question is especially important when designing houses in the Hamptons because of their seasonal and occasion-centric nature.

Before beginning any interior design project, Mabley and Handler address the occupants’ plans—a conversation you should also keep in mind when taking inspiration from the Hamptons to your own home.

"Are they out in the Hamptons to entertain, throw cocktail parties and dinner parties?” Mabley says. “Do they like to host all of their family and go to the beach? Or are they looking for a quiet retreat from the craziness of work and life?”

Ponder these questions on your own, then plan out what matters most to you. After deciding the function you’d like each room to serve, you can get to work on designing—aka bring on the blues and neutrals.

Keeping a Cool Color Scheme

Hamptons homes are known for their use of white and blue tones, as the shades blend seamlessly with the beachy atmosphere around them. And while trends and tastes have certainly shifted over the years, Mabley says blue is always in on the coast.

“It may be cliché, but we love a blue room in the Hamptons,” she says. “Blue has been our favorite go-to Hamptons color since we opened our business, for our clients and for ourselves.”

But be careful not to go all-in with just one shade, though—experiment with which blue tones you enjoy most and use them sparingly. Sometimes, the most muted blues work best. Mix your choice of color with white, wood, and other neutrals for an understated nautical feel. Whether you’re actually on the beach, in a forest-heavy area, or in the middle of a big city, you’ll feel like you’re lounging at the harbor.

“You can be bold and striking with navy and cobalt; you can be calm and soothing with sky blue or delft,” Handler says. “You can even pare it down to blue tones that are practically neutral.”

And if blue’s not for you, work in other muted shades like pinks, yellows, and greens for a neutral-inspired yet uplifting spin.

Natural and Neutral Materials

Whether your Hamptons-style makeover is a decorative spruce-up or a full-fledged renovation, material matters. And when it comes to the coast, it's all about natural and light tones.

Mabley says cerused woods (think oak and walnut) “strike a balance between sophisticated silhouettes in driftwood tones.” Get the look with furniture, flooring, or even built-in furnishings.

“Instead of dark-stained wooden cabinetry and paneling, use a cerused oak or walnut option instead,” Handler says. “Use classic cedar shake shingle in a soft beige or light gray color.”

Related: This Beach Bungalow Is the Perfect Mix of Vintage and Glam

How to Make Your Home Feel Like the Hamptons

If you’re looking for more ways to incorporate Hamptons-inspired design into your space, Handler suggests keeping it calm. While you’ll want to lean into clean color schemes and light wood cabinetry, it’s also important to embrace the beachy mindset.

“The best way to evoke the Hamptons aesthetic is by playing with the balance of artistry and sophistication that the Hamptons is known for while still maintaining a relaxed vibe,” Handler says. “Instead of a bowl of shells, look for interesting shell sculptures. Rather than hanging photographs of beaches and waves, opt for a semi-abstract sea-scape.”

You don’t need to take the beach aesthetic literally to achieve a laid-back look. Mix and match neutral-toned decor with personal touches to find an inspired blend that works for you. As long as it’s bright, airy, and welcoming, you’ll have the best the Hamptons have to offer.

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