Designing a coastal space in your house isn’t necessarily about sand and shells and neutrals—it’s about embracing effortless, light coastal living. Perhaps the simplest way to get that is through light. Whether you’re remodeling an indoor space, patio, or bath, choosing coastal lighting designs can bring that calm, by-the-sea feel instantly.
Here are my 15 coastal lighting ideas that bring the beach to you—and no tide is required.
1. Driftwood Chandelier
There is such beauty about driftwood’s natural, raw quality. A driftwood chandelier adds natural texture and personality to an area or your surroundings.
I adore how it has that “washed ashore” look—ideal for suspending above a dining table or entrance to make a statement of coastal chic.
2. Rope Pendant Lights
A jute or sisal rope is very subtle and adds a lot of nautical flair. I’ve seen them look beautifully done in kitchen areas and above bar tops.
The twist of rope gives you a textured feel, and you feel you are walking into a seaside pub when you turn them on.
3. Glass Buoy Lighting
Inspired by fishing floats from bygone eras, buoy-style lighting has such a quintessential marine aesthetic.
Find them in sea glass or frosted finish. I adore these in porches or bathrooms, where their coastal light feels perfectly at home.
4. Lantern-Shaped Wall Sconce
Outdoor lantern-style sconces are ideal for patios or by a front entrance. I love how much they capture that welcoming feel of a friendly lighthouse.
Choose a finish like brushed nickel or antiqued brass for a weathered, sea-salted look.
5. Seashell table lamps
Seashells are not replaceable when it comes to the beach. A shell- or coral resin-coated lamp base adds a natural vibe to any side table.
Not only is it light, but it’s also gleaming beach artwork.
6. Nautical Cage Pendant Light
Inspired by the appearance of deck lights aboard ships, these candelabra lamp fixtures capture coastal industrial chic and bring it ashore.
I appreciate them best for hallways, mudrooms, or small bathrooms, especially paired with wood-paneled walls.
7. Rattan and Wicker Shades
Wicker shades provide a dappled light reminiscent of sunlight filtering through palm leaves. They instantly warm a space and are perfect for a sunroom, patio, or anywhere you desire a casual, resort-like feel.
8. Soft blue LED strip lighting
Dramatic and uncomplicated, blue-tinged LED strip lighting below shelves or cabinetry creates an underwater ambiance.
I have used it in beach-influenced kitchens and bedrooms to introduce a soothing, airy ambiance.
9. Weathered Wooden Floor Lamp
A tall floor lamp with a wooden base finished in a distressed style can be an interesting statement.
Look for pieces that have whitewash-type bases that are similar to bleached wood you’d see washed up along beaches.
10. Port Hole-Insp
Circular porthole-type fixtures are a whimsical and playful design feature, especially if you utilize them in bathrooms or a kid’s bedroom. They are simple to complement with nautical artwork or stripes on bed linens for a matching look.
11. Hurricane Glass Holders with Candles
A hurricane glass candleholder is both simple and elegant. They are perfect to be put on a patio table or windowsill and are capable of holding battery-operated candles or even solar candles to provide safe, windy lighting that captures the ambiance of an oceanside dining setting.
12. String Lights on Driftwood Poles
Make use of weathered branch poles or tall driftwood to hang outside lighting over patios or decks. This creates a romantic, beach bonfire-like atmosphere perfect for evening parties.
13. Shell-Shaped Lighting Ceiling Fans
Light-fixture fans and shell-patterned blades are both versatile and elegant, which helps circulate air, emitting a soothing glow.
I often recommend them for bedrooms or sunrooms with very tall ceilings.
14. Retro Fisherman’s Pendant Lights
Those rounded metal pendants you’d hang above traditional fish markets? They’re trending again, especially if done up in brushed copper or galvanized metal.
Hang them in multiple series over dining tables or kitchen islands to add a weathered coastal look.
15. Capiz Shell Chandeliers.
And for added elegance, my favorite is capiz shell chandeliers.
The iridescent shells refract light when passed through them and create a faint sheen that is not unlike sunlight glimmering through water.
They are beautiful above beds, dressing rooms, or foyers.
Conclusion
Lighting a room completely transforms it, and if it’s coastal, it not only brings light, it also brings ambiance, memory, and a bit of shoreline peace.
A dramatic driftwood chandelier or even very soft-glow lanterns are just a start when it comes to coastal lighting design. These coastal lighting ideas will turn your room into a breezy coastal retreat.
