Should we be Rethinking the Seaside Style in Holiday Cottages?
- Cath McCubbin
- Aug 15
- 2 min read
Seaside style has had a long and much-loved run-in holiday cottages. We’ve all done it and stayed in them - the bleached driftwood mirror, the rope-wrapped lamp, the ubiquitous “Gone to the Beach” sign in distressed type.
For a time, these elements instantly conjured escapism and salt-tinged air. But somewhere between the fiftieth anchor cushion and the hundredth jar of shells, the once-charming look has started to feel overdone and dare we say boring?
The problem isn’t the style itself - it’s the formulaic execution. Over the last decade, seaside décor has been applied so often, and so predictably, that its visual language has lost its freshness. It’s become a design shortcut, a way to telegraph “holiday” without responding to the property’s character, its location’s true colours, or the client’s personality.
The Pitfalls of Overuse
Thematic Fatigue – Guests Walk in and instantly know the exact shade of blue they’re about to see in the bedroom. Surprise: it’s that pale aqua.
Faux Authenticity – Mass-produced “coastal” accessories lack the patina and provenance that give real seaside finds their magic.
Context Mismatch – A cottage miles inland or in a rugged fishing hamlet gets the same décor treatment as a slick Cornish beach house - ignoring place-specific heritage.
Shifting the Narrative
Experienced designers know that authenticity and narrative make spaces memorable. So, rather than leaning on the generic “coastal” toolkit, we can:
Draw from Local Vernacular – Incorporate colours, textures, and materials tied to the specific stretch of coastline (or countryside) the property inhabits.
Tell the Story of the Building – A Victorian fisherman’s cottage has different design cues than a modern sea-view lodge.
Use Coastal as an Accent, not a Script – A single weathered oar in the hallway can evoke the shore more effectively than a themed room from floor to ceiling.
Fresh Alternatives
Swap shell prints for local artisan ceramics inspired by tidal forms.
Replace rope décor with woven rush or jute for a subtler textural nod.
Trade “Beach Hut Blue” for the moody greys of storm clouds over the water.
A New Coastal Lexicon
Seaside design isn’t dead - but it’s ready for reinvention. The aim is to honour the sense of place without relying on shop-bought tropes. Think layered, timeless interiors that nod to the coast rather than shouting “We’re on holiday!” from every cushion.
Because the most memorable holiday cottages aren’t just decorated like the seaside. They’re infused with the spirit of it - wind-worn, salt-laced, and utterly their own.
Here at Design Central we have everything you could need to make your holiday cottage project stand out for its individuality, personality and perfect interior!
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