The Hamptons style house has long been admired for its coastal elegance, laid-back sophistication, and timeless appeal. Originating from the luxurious holiday homes in the Hamptons, New York, this style has found its way into homes across the globe, particularly in Australia, where coastal living is part of the culture. If you’re looking to transform your home into a Hamptons-inspired retreat, here are seven essential tips to guide you.
1. Hamptons Style House Colours: Embrace a Neutral Palette
The Hamptons style house is synonymous with a calm and soothing colour palette. Think whites, soft greys, and gentle blues that mimic the coastal environment. Using these shades as your base allows for a light and airy atmosphere, making your space feel larger and more inviting. Accentuate with deeper blues or greens for a touch of contrast that maintains a coastal vibe.
Neutral colours also act as a perfect canvas for layering various design elements. They create a versatile backdrop, enabling you to mix and match different textures, patterns, and materials. Whether you’re painting your walls in Dulux’s Natural White or using Haymes’ Pale Grey, the right colour palette can transform your space into a peaceful retreat reminiscent of seaside living.
Design Tip: Incorporate soft pastel tones through your cushions, throws, and rugs for subtle pops of colour. These elements can break up the monotony while keeping the space cohesive.
Pro Tip: For the ultimate Hamptons look, choose matte or eggshell finishes for walls to reflect light softly and avoid harsh glares. These finishes not only enhance the look but are also easy to clean and maintain, making them perfect for family homes.
In addition to walls, extend the neutral palette to your furniture and decor choices. A white or light-grey sofa with a relaxed silhouette, paired with throw pillows in soft hues of blue and green, creates a classic and timeless look. Light wood tones, such as whitewashed oak, can be incorporated into side tables, coffee tables, and consoles to complement the overall aesthetic.
2. Natural Materials for Hamptons Style Houses
Wood is a staple in Hamptons style interiors. Opt for light oak or whitewashed timber for flooring and furniture. Incorporating rattan, linen, and jute adds texture and an organic feel to the space, further enhancing the coastal atmosphere. The contrast between soft linen fabrics and rough natural fibers like jute creates a tactile and visually appealing environment.
Flooring: A popular choice for Hamptons style houses is wide plank timber flooring in light finishes. Light oak floors are particularly effective as they brighten up the space and give a natural, airy feel that is essential in coastal design. If hardwood is not an option, engineered wood or high-quality laminate that mimics oak is a practical alternative.
Furniture: For furniture pieces, choose whitewashed finishes or distressed wood that give a slightly worn, lived-in feel. Think of dining tables with elegant turned legs, coffee tables with glass tops, or console tables in rattan for a bit of texture.
Textiles: Adding layers through textiles, such as jute rugs, linen curtains, and cotton throws, enhances the room’s tactile experience while maintaining the coastal aesthetic. Woven baskets can also be functional and stylish additions for storage or display.
To add a layer of luxury, consider using velvet or silk accent cushions in soft, muted shades of blue or teal. These fabrics add depth and contrast to the otherwise relaxed aesthetic, making the room feel both cozy and sophisticated.
3. Connecting Indoors and Outdoors in a Hamptons Style House
The Hamptons style house blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living, reflecting its coastal origins. Large French doors, bi-fold windows, or even sliding glass panels can help open up your living spaces and connect them with the outdoors, promoting natural light and ventilation. This design approach allows you to make the most of Australia’s warm climate, creating a harmonious flow between your garden or patio and your living area.
To achieve this, consider the following elements:
- French Doors: These add a classic and elegant touch while creating a practical way to open up spaces. Choose doors with multiple panes of glass to enhance the look.
- Bi-Fold Doors: Ideal for larger openings, bi-fold doors can completely open up an entire wall, merging your indoor living area with an outdoor deck or patio.
- Outdoor Living Spaces: Extend your Hamptons style house with an outdoor area that mirrors your indoor style. Furnish it with wicker furniture, outdoor rugs, and light-coloured cushions to maintain the flow between both spaces.
Incorporating outdoor elements like fire pits, pergolas, or outdoor kitchens can also enhance your outdoor area, turning it into a functional extension of your living space. Use outdoor-friendly materials that complement the Hamptons style, such as wicker, teak, and white-washed finishes.
4. Focus on Coastal-Inspired Furniture
Furniture in a Hamptons style house is all about comfort and elegance. Think plush sofas in neutral tones, oversized armchairs, and coastal-style coffee tables. Upholstered pieces in classic fabrics like linen, paired with timber accents, will bring that refined yet relaxed feel. Coastal-inspired furniture is designed to be both stylish and practical, making it perfect for everyday use.
Living Room: A plush sofa in shades of white or beige, adorned with blue and grey throw pillows, is a classic element. Pair it with a timber coffee table, perhaps in a whitewashed finish, to tie the room together. Accent chairs with slipcovers can add a relaxed, beach-inspired vibe.
Dining Room: Choose dining tables made from light oak or whitewashed wood with upholstered chairs in neutral tones. The goal is to create an inviting and comfortable space where people can gather and enjoy meals together, reflecting the relaxed atmosphere of coastal living.
Outdoor Furniture: Extend the Hamptons style to your outdoor spaces with wicker or rattan furniture. Ensure these pieces are durable and weather-resistant to withstand Australian climates while retaining their elegance.
Bedroom Furniture: For the bedroom, opt for a simple yet elegant bed frame in a soft white or light grey finish. Pair it with crisp white linens and layered throws in shades of blue for that quintessential Hamptons look. Bedside tables in distressed timber or wicker can enhance the overall aesthetic while providing functional storage.
Styling Tip: Consider using slip-covered sofas for a casual, beach-inspired look. Pair these with timber coffee tables from Canalside’s collection, and you have the perfect blend of comfort and style.
5. Add Touches of Blue and Nautical Accents
The blue-and-white colour scheme is iconic in Hamptons style decor. You can achieve this by adding blue cushions, throws, or rugs. Nautical elements such as stripes, ropes, or even artwork depicting coastal landscapes also play a crucial role in achieving this aesthetic.
Decor: Incorporate nautical-themed elements subtly. Blue and white striped rugs, throw pillows with coastal prints, or wall art featuring ocean scenes can evoke the essence of coastal living without overwhelming the space.
Accessories: Incorporate details like lanterns, driftwood accents, and shells to add layers of interest and charm. A simple glass jar filled with seashells collected from beach walks can create an authentic touch of coastal charm.
Window Treatments: To further enhance the nautical theme, choose white plantation shutters that echo the style of coastal cottages. These are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical for controlling natural light and airflow.
6. Invest in Quality Lighting Fixtures
Lighting is another key element in a Hamptons style house. Pendant lights, wall sconces, and chandeliers in materials such as glass, brass, or woven rattan add an elegant touch. They also work well to create different moods in various spaces, from ambient living room lighting to a statement chandelier over the dining table.
- Pendant Lights: Ideal for kitchens and dining areas, pendant lights in glass or metal with a coastal design add an elegant focal point.
- Wall Sconces: These work well in hallways, bathrooms, or next to beds. Choose styles that incorporate brass or matte finishes for a sophisticated touch.
- Chandeliers: A statement chandelier over the dining table or in the entryway can set the tone for the rest of the house. Opt for pieces that mix modern elements with classic lines to stay true to the Hamptons aesthetic.
In outdoor areas, lantern-style lighting, combined with solar-powered garden lights, can extend the Hamptons theme while providing functional illumination for nighttime entertaining.
Pro Tip: For your outdoor space, lantern-style lights or rustic sconces can extend the coastal aesthetic beyond the interiors.
7. Enhance with Elegant Window Treatments
Shutters and sheer curtains are classic choices for Hamptons style homes. White plantation shutters offer a crisp, clean look that provides privacy while allowing light to filter through. Sheer curtains in soft fabrics like linen can also create a relaxed and breezy ambiance.
- Plantation Shutters: These are ideal for living rooms and bedrooms where you want to control light while maintaining the coastal feel.
- Sheer Curtains: Perfect for dining areas or bedrooms, these create a soft and flowing look that enhances the sense of space and light.
For added luxury, layer your window treatments by combining sheer curtains with roman blinds. This allows you to adjust the light while maintaining privacy and enhancing the room’s overall design.
