Coastal Paint Colors To Try: 7 Fresh Combos Beyond Blue & White
Coastal paint colors are the perfect way to bring that breezy, beach-inspired vibe into your home—but if you’re completely over the same old blue-and-white look, you’re not alone!
These 7 unique coastal paint color palettes will help you create a fresh, stylish coastal home that’s unexpected and totally you.
Whether you’re updating a living room, picking exterior paint for a beach house, or planning a lake house build, these color combos will spark ideas you’ve probably never tried before.
→ Pin this post so you’ll have these color ideas handy when inspiration strikes!
✅ Why Try New Coastal Paint Colors?
- Add personality beyond classic blue + white
- Make your home stand out with a fresh, modern twist
- Find colors that pair beautifully with coastal woods, wicker, and airy fabrics
- Get inspired for exterior paint, cabinets, walls, and accents
Need help tying shades together throughout your home? Check out my Guide to Home Color Schemes for Coastal Interiors for room-by-room palettes and tips.
Coastal Color Combo #1: Coral Reef Calm
🌺 Coral Reef Calm — Soft Coral + Smoky Teal
Warmth and ocean vibes come together in this fun and unexpected pairing. Soft coral feels breezy and cheerful, while smoky teal adds depth and a touch of sophisticated coolness.
Great For:
- Living room pillows, throws, or artwork.
- Bathroom vanities painted teal, paired with coral towels.
- A coral front door adds serious curb appeal against neutral siding. Pair it with smoky teal planters, rugs, or painted furniture for a pulled-together coastal look.
Sherwin-Williams Paint Ideas:
- SW 6332 Coral Island (a soft, happy coral that’s lively but not overpowering—perfect for a breezy coastal pop)
- SW 6221 Moody Blue (a smoky teal that’s rich, moody, and full of ocean-inspired depth)
Tip: Keep large surfaces light and neutral so these colors can pop without overwhelming your space.
Want to see this combo in action? Here’s how I used teal and coral in a real bathroom—plus exact Sherwin-Williams shades, styling tips, and what makes this pair work without feeling beachy or bright.
👉 Coastal Bathroom Decor with Teal and Coral
💡 *P.S. If you love smoky, ocean-inspired depth, you’ll also want to check out one of my go-to moody blues: Sherwin-Williams Homburg Gray. It’s a coastal-friendly shade that’s sophisticated, versatile, and a little unexpected — one of my favorites to recommend alongside classics like Silver Strand or Sea Salt.
Coastal Color Combo #2: Lavender Sands
🏝 Lavender Sands — Sandy Beige + Pale Lavender (Benjamin Moore)
This serene combo brings a soft, romantic coastal feel. Sandy beige grounds the space with warmth, while pale lavender adds a delicate touch reminiscent of seashell interiors and sunset skies.
Great For:
- Bedroom walls in sandy beige, paired with lavender bedding.
- Lavender accents in a bathroom. Try lavender towels, glass soap dispensers, or a lavender-painted vanity topped with a creamy white counter and brushed gold fixtures.
- Lavender accessories in a neutral dining room. Picture creamy dinnerware, a linen table runner, and lavender stems in a vase for a dreamy tablescape. Or swap in lavender-colored glassware or napkins for a gentle pop of color.
Benjamin Moore Paint Ideas:
- BM Muslin (a warm, sandy beige that’s gentle and earthy—like soft dunes under the sun)
- BM Lavender Mist (a pale lavender that’s airy, calming, and just the tiniest bit unexpected for coastal style)
Tip: Use lavender sparingly so it stays sophisticated, not overly sweet.
Coastal Color Combo #3: Deep Sea Drift
🌊 Deep Sea Drift — Ocean Navy + Misty Aqua-Gray (Sherwin-Williams)
Bold yet breezy, this combo pairs dramatic ocean navy with a soft aqua-gray that’s pure coastal magic. The misty aqua-gray evokes sea spray and distant horizons while keeping the look fresh and modern.
Great For:
- Navy kitchen islands paired with subtle misty aqua-gray uppers. Add woven bar stools or navy-and-white striped seat cushions, or display aqua glass bottles on open shelves for a playful coastal detail.
- Try a navy exterior door for bold coastal curb appeal. Pair it with soft aqua accessories like planters or cushions, and choose a brushed nickel or matte black door handle to complete the look.
- In living rooms, go for navy built-ins or a feature wall. Balance the look with misty aqua-gray shelves, pillows, or accent chairs for coastal color that feels crisp and sophisticated.
Sherwin-Williams Paint Ideas:
- SW 6244 Naval (a deep, classic navy that feels timeless and nautical without going overly traditional)
- SW 6211 Rainwashed (a soft aqua-gray that whispers coastal breezes and gentle waves—perfectly serene yet interesting)
Tip: Don’t be afraid to use Rainwashed generously—it’s breezy and coastal without ever feeling overpowering. Let navy bring the drama!
P.S. Love coastal blues? Check out my guide to The Best Coastal Blue Cabinet Paint Colors or see them in action in my Small Bath DIY Makeover.
Coastal Color Combo #4: Citrus Tide
🍋 Citrus Tide — Lime Chartreuse + Soft Sky Blue (Sherwin-Williams)
Energetic, modern, and full of coastal sunshine, this combo pairs crisp lime chartreuse with breezy sky blue. It’s perfect if you want a beachy feel without going completely nautical or tropical.
Great For:
- Front doors in bold chartreuse create serious wow-factor. Add soft sky-blue planters, crisp white trim, and brushed brass hardware for a coastal entry that’s lively and welcoming.
- Outdoor cushions or pillow covers mixing chartreuse and sky blue for a playful coastal patio.
- Lime-painted kitchen islands with pale blue backsplashes bring bold coastal energy. Not quite ready to go big? Flip it and try pale blue cabinets with lime accents in bar stools, dishes, flatware, or decor for just a hint of that playful vibe.
- Want a fun twist for the bathroom? Go soft blue on the walls, then pop in bright lime towels or accessories for a playful coastal vibe without a big paint commitment.
- So, you’ve gotta see this bath rug! While not exactly in the color scheme, I came across it while doing research and its so fun!)
Sherwin-Williams Paint Ideas:
- SW 0073 Chartreuse (a zesty lime green that’s bright, fun, and a little daring—a perfect coastal punch of color)
- SW 6217 Topsail (a soft sky blue that’s light, fresh, and brings gentle ocean vibes to any space)
Love this idea? Keep it handy.
Email this to yourself so it’s ready when you are!
Tip: Keep chartreuse as an accent color and surround it with crisp whites and pale neutrals to balance the boldness.
Coastal Color Combo #5: Shell Blush
🐚 Shell Blush — Warm Cream + Soft Blush Pink (Sherwin-Williams)
Soft, romantic, and luminous, this color pairing captures the delicate glow of a seashell kissed by coastal sunlight. Warm cream brings a serene, inviting backdrop, while soft blush pink adds a subtle touch of warmth reminiscent of shell interiors and sandy shores at sunrise.
Great For:
- Powder rooms with creamy walls and blush accents. Pair with brushed gold or champagne bronze hardware for a warm coastal glow that feels soft yet sophisticated.
- Bedrooms featuring blush bedding or drapes against creamy walls.
- Coastal living rooms with ivory trim and blush décor touches. Try blush velvet ottomans for a luxe pop, or layer blush art prints over natural grasscloth wallpaper for an unexpected coastal twist.
Sherwin-Williams Paint Ideas:
- SW 7102 White Flour (warm cream—a beautifully soft, warm ivory perfect for coastal light)
- SW 6323 Romance (soft blush pink—a gentle, peachy pink that glows without feeling too bold)
Tip: Use Romance sparingly—on accent walls, linens, or decorative pieces—for a sophisticated coastal vibe. Pair with brushed gold fixtures or natural textures like woven baskets and linen for a layered, elegant look.
Coastal Color Combo #6: Mint Coast
🌾 Mint Coast — Coastal Aqua + Sunwashed Sand (Sherwin-Williams)
Breezy and luminous, this combo channels the soft aqua of sunlit waves and the gentle warmth of sandy shores. It’s a light and serene pairing perfect for creating a truly coastal atmosphere without feeling overly pastel or juvenile.
Great For:
- Bathrooms with soft aqua walls and sandy beige hex tile floors. Choose a warm white grout to keep the look seamless and breezy. Then add brushed nickel fixtures and a chunky woven bath mat for relaxed coastal style.
- Kitchen cabinetry in aqua paired with sandy walls or counters.
- Bedrooms with aqua feature walls and sandy linen bedding. Layer in driftwood nightstands or aqua glass lamps for a soft, beachy vibe that feels polished yet relaxed.
Sherwin-Williams Paint Ideas:
- SW 6477 Tidewater (coastal aqua—a fresh, slightly warm aqua that’s bright yet soft)
- SW 7527 Nantucket Dune (sunwashed sand—a light, warm beige reminiscent of beach sand)
Tip: Let Tidewater shine on cabinetry or an accent wall while Nantucket Dune keeps everything grounded and beachy.
Love soft greens in your coastal palette? Check out my tips for How to Use Sea Glass Green for even more gorgeous coastal paint ideas.
Coastal Color Combo #7: Sunset Mist
🌅 Sunset Mist — Coral Glow + Dusky Periwinkle (Sherwin-Williams)
Dreamy and unexpected, this pairing captures the glow of a coastal sunset fading into twilight skies. Coral glow adds soft warmth reminiscent of seashells and the final rays of sunset, while dusky periwinkle brings a cool balance, like the sky just after the sun dips below the horizon.
Great For:
- Powder rooms with periwinkle walls and coral accents. Add a coral-framed mirror or coral-painted vanity for a playful splash, and finish with brass or brushed gold hardware for a chic coastal twist.
- Bedrooms with coral pillows layered on periwinkle bedding. Try adding linen curtains to soften the look. Plus a coral throw at the foot of the bed for extra color without overwhelming the room.
- Coastal artwork blending both hues for a subtle statement. Look for abstract seascapes that merge periwinkle skies with soft coral tones, or frame coral-toned sea fan prints with periwinkle mats (or reverse it to use these denim blue sea fan prints: seagrass and leaves.
Sherwin-Williams Paint Ideas:
- SW 6606 Coral Reef (coral glow—a soft yet lively coral-peach)
- SW 9151 Daphne (dusky periwinkle—a quiet, grayed lavender-blue that feels coastal rather than pastel)
Tip: Keep coral glow as an accent so it doesn’t lean tropical. Let periwinkle work as a calm, breezy backdrop for a sophisticated coastal feel.
| Combo Name | Paint Colors | Great For |
| Coral Reef Calm | SW Coral Island + SW Moody Blue | Front doors, living rooms, bathrooms. |
| Lavender Sands | BM Muslin + BM Lavender Mist | Bedrooms, powder rooms, dining rooms |
| Deep Sea Drift | SW Naval + SW Rainwashed | Kitchen, islands, exterior doors, baths, laundry rooms |
| Citrus Tide | SW Chartreuse + SW Topsail | Front doors, kitchens, bathrooms |
| Shell Blush | SW White Flour + SW Romance | Powder rooms, living rooms, bedrooms |
| Mint Coast | SW Tidewater + SW Nantucket Dune | Bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms |
| Sunset Mist | SW Coral Reef + SW Daphne | Powder rooms, bedrooms, artwork |
✨ Quick Tips for Choosing Coastal Paint Colors
✅ Keep bolder colors as accents so your space stays fresh and breezy.
✅ Repeat accent colors in small ways. Think pillows, art, or decorative accessories to tie everything together.
✅ Always test paint colors in your home’s natural light. Coastal hues can shift dramatically between daylight and lamplight! Get a sample and live with it in your space for a few days before committing!
✅ Add coastal textures like driftwood, wicker, linen, and seagrass to complete the look.
✅ Want to glam it up? Pair coastal paint colors with brushed bronze or gold hardware and lighting for a touch of coastal elegance.
✅ Love one of these combos but not quite ready to paint the walls? Try painting smaller home accents first. Think vases, picture frames, frame matting, or wall decor. It’s a great way to test the vibe before going all-in.
Curious how these colors fit into your overall coastal vibe? Head over to Coastal Vibe for Your Home for inspiration on textures, décor, and how to make any home feel breezy and beach-inspired.
🍂 Want more color combos? Check out my 4 Fall Color Palettes — coastal-friendly and full of unexpected fall tones (no heavy orange + black here). Easy swaps, cozy vibe, zero overwhelm.
➡️ Pin It for Later!
Love these color combos? Save this post to your Coastal Home Inspiration Board so you’ve got fresh color ideas whenever you need them.
Which combo would you try first? Drop me a comment—I’d love to hear your favorites (or your own unexpected pairings)!
And if you’re loving one of these palettes and want to play with it in your own projects, reach out to me. I’m happy to share hex codes or help you nail down your perfect coastal paint colors with a custom style guide.
