‘Coastal’ has long been a design style that Aussies turn to when decorating their home. With Hampton’s ‘blue and white ‘ seashell motifs and lots of white-washed wood, it’s easy to see why Aussie homes by the beach love emulating this iconic style. But according to lifestyle brand Adairs, we’re slowly shifting what it means to have a coastal-style home.
As 2026 trends move towards warmer, earthier tones, the cool quality of coastal-style is beginning to change. With summer on the horizon, coastal decor is softening, with natural textures and sun-washed tones slotting in next to the traditional blue and white.
Surprisingly, brown has become the new favourite for coastal-themed homes. Speaking to Charlotte Forster, Adair’s General Manager of Product, we’ve worked out how to get the look with the new Adair’s summer homewares.
Stark whites are out, warmth is in
So, why is brown now so in fashion? Brown has been a trending colour for a few years- it even won Mocha Mousse winning the Pantone Colour of the Year in 2025. According to Charlotte, there is a new emphasis on creating emotional connection through homewares and of bringing raw, natural beauty back into the home. While traditional coastal looks can appear contrived or impersonal, this new ‘warm’ coastal style is emotive and cosy.
“Perfect polar whites appear stark and cold,” says Charlotte. Coastal style was once grounded in crisp white, but now, as Charlotte explains, warmth is a top priority. Instead of cold white, warm coconut tones are the foundation. And, you can counter balance cooler blues (both navy and icy) with pops of mocha, caramel and dark browns.
3 ways to incorporate warmer tones into coastal style
Charlotte explains that brown, especially in warmer ochre and chocolate tones, creates a harmonious natural palette. She says the best way to incorporate this into your coastal style is through soft furnishings: “cushions, throws and rugs, layer warmth against harder surfaces like concrete, tiles and timber floors.”
Taking reference from ‘nature’s treasures’, as Charlotte calls them, is a great way to keep nautical references part of your style, without overloading the senses with stripes or heavy rope. Unique shell shapes, like the Clam Shell Textured Sculpture and more organic-looking materials, including raffia and boucle, let the natural ‘nautical’ shine through.
Finally, the piece de resistance of the Summer range is Island Drift, a bedlinen inspired by hand-painted tiles from Lisbon, Portugal. Charlotte explains that the playful shell and flower motifs were drawn by an Adair’s textile designer and take reference from the many tiles that adorn the facades of buildings in Lisbon’s old town.
For over 100 years, Adairs has helped Australians create homes that reflect who they are. Proudly Australian, Adairs believes home is more than a place – it’s where comfort meets creativity and everyday moments become lasting memories. Built on a reputation for quality, style and a deep understanding of how Australians live, Adairs is passionate about helping customers create spaces that feel distinctly their own – beautiful, functional and effortlessly inviting. Adairs is here to inspire homes as individual as the people who live in them, because feeling at home is at the heart of everything the brand does.
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