Looking for coastal preppy apartment decor with a little more personality? Think blue checks, pink bedding and cute nautical prints.
These ideas range from a colorful hallway runner to a whole wall of tropical leaves, with plenty of smaller details you can try in your own rooms.
You can keep it simple or go all out. Start with a favorite color combination, then decide whether you want patterned pillows, a pretty lamp or something bigger.
I especially love the blue and pink bedrooms!
Coastal preppy decorating ideas worth saving
pale blue and coral pillows
We’re starting off strong with this pretty pale blue sofa. I love the coral patterned pillow between the blue ones.
The white coffee table keeps the middle of the room simple, with books gathered in a tray.
If you want to go a step further, try pale blue trim on cream curtains like the ones here.
a bar cart with palm leaves
How cute is this little bar setup? The tall fan-shaped leaves are my favorite part, especially beside the peach patterned curtains.
Keep your glasses on the upper shelf and bottles below to follow this arrangement. A colorful botanical picture above the cart ties the greens and pinks together.
a bright striped hallway
Don’t want to leave your hallway plain? This orange-and-pink striped runner gives you something fun to work with.
The coral door at the end makes the whole combination even cuter.
For a smaller change, try a bright runner with your existing furniture. You don’t need to repaint the door to borrow this idea.
blue checks and little sailboats
I am obsessed with these blue-and-white checks. They show up on the little lidded containers, the tall vessel and even the cake stand!
The sailboat model and ship plate bring in the nautical details. Try a few patterned pieces on open shelves, then leave room for everyday mugs underneath.
shell prints and scalloped bedding
This bedroom may just be one of my favorites here. I love the blue scalloped lines on the white bedding.
The curved headboard and little shell pictures are just as pretty.
Hang your shell prints in two neat rows if you want this same arrangement. A pale pink throw adds a little color at the foot of the bed.
three ornate arched mirrors
If you love a decorative mirror, this trio is for you. The gold-colored frames have so many pretty little details, with a taller mirror in the middle.
Behind them, a large framed piece holds scattered pale, shimmery circles. Try grouping your small bottles on a tray to leave more of the tabletop open.
blue frames and patterned jars
This is such a cute way to bring your own photos into the room. The blue frames sit beside patterned vessels, stacked books and a white coral-shaped decoration.
I especially love the large blue-and-white jar on the bottom shelf. Pick one bigger piece like this rather than filling every gap with something tiny.
striped seating and umbrella tassels
How pretty are these pale blue stripes? The matching chair and ottoman sit beneath a white umbrella with scalloped edges and dangling tassels.
If your apartment has a balcony, borrow the stripe idea with a chair cushion. You can keep the look smaller without trying to fit this whole patio setup.
blue gingham and green walls
The blue gingham chair is my favorite part of this dining room. It looks so cute with the green walls and the ruffled edges on the pale side chairs.
There’s plenty to borrow beyond the seating too. Try a blue-and-white vase in the center of your table or a small grouping of framed landscapes nearby.
lobster pillows and little bows
If you are looking for lots of little decorating ideas, then this collage is for you. There are fish and whale pillows, striped frames and even a gold-colored bow hook.
I love the red lobster against the dark blue pillow. Choose one playful cushion and a scalloped tray if you want to start small.
pink towels and open shelves
Your bathroom can have a little color too! Here, pink and blue-gray towels sit on open shelves beneath baskets of bottles. The small flower accents are such a sweet detail.
Try keeping your everyday products together in baskets. A fern on the top shelf brings in green without adding another pattern.
ocean pictures and pale pink
Don’t want to go overboard with bright colors? No problem!
This room pairs white seating with pale blue pillows and a little pink. Two ocean pictures hang above the sofa.
I love the group of white vases on the coffee table. Gather yours in one round tray if you want a similar arrangement.
simple framed sails
If you’re looking for nautical art without lots of color, go with something like these framed sails. The white shapes sit against beige backgrounds with thin dark lines marking the details.
Try one above a console or hang a pair together. These are shown leaning side by side, with one larger than the other.
pink lobsters and blue stripes
I am obsessed with this pink-and-blue bedroom. The lobster, shell and sailboat prints are so cute together, especially in those two tidy rows.
Bring the same colors onto your bed with pink pillows and a blue throw. Don’t forget a couple of striped cushions if you want to follow this look.
a table full of hydrangeas
How gorgeous is this flower arrangement? The pink, blue and white hydrangeas fill a round pale vase in the middle of the table. I love the blue napkin beside them.
For your own table, try a smaller bunch in the same colors if you need more room for plates. The flowers can still be the main decoration.
a bright blue scalloped table
This table is anything but plain! The bright blue top has a wavy edge, with a ridged round base underneath.
The amber-colored glasses look so pretty against it. If you choose a table this bold, try keeping the accessories simple with a favorite book and a cute coaster.
blue florals and a beach print
This is another blue-and-white bedroom, but it’s a little different from the shell-print one above. I love the floral pillows against the tall tufted headboard.
A beach picture hangs over the bed while a bright blue lamp sits beside it. Try a pale blue fringed throw across the foot to bring that color onto the bedding too.
Read also: 20 Coastal Preppy Room Decor Ideas With Stripes, Gingham and Seashells
floor-to-ceiling tropical leaves
Want to go all out in a small room? This leaf-covered bathroom gives you plenty of inspo.
Large green leaves cover the walls around a single black-and-white portrait.
I’d keep the artwork simple like this if you’re choosing such a busy wallpaper. Check your rental rules before making a similar change.
open-weave pendant lights
If you like a mostly white kitchen, these tan pendant shades are a pretty detail to borrow. Their open pattern stands out above the large island.
The tray below repeats that tan color with a pale vase and greenery. For an apartment where changing lights isn’t an option, try just the countertop arrangement.
a floral desk nook
Last but definitely not least, we have this adorable desk nook. I love the colorful floral background behind the shelves!
The blue chair and pink hanging light make it even cuter.
The nearby bench has big blue-and-white checks with pink edging. Try a checked seat cushion beside floral artwork if you want to borrow the pattern mix without adding built-in cabinets.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Isabella