Your complete guide to styling coastal wall art in 2025
Choosing coastal wall art sounds simple, but once you begin browsing the huge variety of ocean prints, beach photography, abstract wave art and modern coastal designs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. With so many styles, colours, textures and formats available, knowing what will actually look good on your walls can feel like a challenge.
Coastal décor is one of the strongest interior design trends of 2025, driven by natural materials, earthy tones and the rise of calm, nature-inspired styling in Australian homes. Soft blues, seafoam greens, sandy neutrals and driftwood textures are everywhere—from furniture and textiles to the artwork people choose. Coastal art has become more refined, more modern and more versatile than ever, blending easily with Scandinavian interiors, modern farmhouse spaces, minimalist décor, and the classic Aussie coastal look.
If you love the idea of coastal canvas prints but you’re not sure where to start, this guide will help you choose the perfect piece for your home. Whether you’re after abstract ocean art, minimalist shoreline photography, coastal triptych prints or a framed beach canvas, you’ll find clear advice on how to pick the right artwork for your space.
Match Your Art Style to the Room’s Function
The first step in choosing the right coastal canvas print is understanding the purpose and personality of the room. Not every style of coastal artwork suits every room, and matching the mood of your art to the function of the space is one of the easiest ways to get it right.
Living Room
This is the room where you can make a statement. Large panoramic beach scenes, abstract wave canvas prints or coastal triptychs work beautifully above a sofa. Choose something with presence—an artwork that feels like the anchor for the entire space.
Bedroom
Bedrooms call for softness. Coastal art for this room should be gentle, soothing and light. Pastel ocean tones, calm horizons, sunrise or dusk photography, and minimalist seascapes work beautifully above the bed. Aim for calming colours that help create a restful atmosphere.
Bathroom
Bathrooms love coastal décor. Small beach prints, soft wave artwork or subtle ocean abstracts add a spa-like feel. Cool-toned canvas prints pair perfectly with white tiles, stone textures and natural timber vanities.
Hallway or Entryway
These transitional spaces benefit from tall, narrow artworks or panoramic coastal prints that draw the eye and create a welcoming flow. A coastal diptych can also work beautifully, guiding the visitor through the space.
Home Office
Coastal wall art in an office should support focus, clarity and calm. Horizon lines, abstract wave pieces or simple ocean photography help reduce visual clutter and create mental space.
Colours, Tones and Textures That Fit Your Interior
Coastal art relies heavily on colour harmony. The most popular palettes for 2025 include soft blues, seafoam greens, sandy beige, warm whites, natural greys and driftwood-toned frames. These tones connect directly to nature, which is a major influence in modern Australian interior design.
Before choosing your artwork, pay attention to the dominant tones in your room.
If your room has cool colours (grey, white, pale blue), look for:
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deep ocean blues
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crisp coastal photography
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minimalist shoreline prints
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abstract wave canvases
If your interior leans warm (oak, rattan, beige, warm white), choose:
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sandy neutrals
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calm seafoam tones
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warm sunrise or sunset beach scenes
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prints with soft taupe and cream tones
If your style is more contemporary or minimalist, look for:
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clean compositions
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less detail
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soft blended colours
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simple horizons
For Hamptons or coastal-farmhouse interiors, choose:
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blue-and-white coastal art
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beach path photography
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elegant abstract waves
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framed canvas prints in white, oak or natural timber
The framing or canvas finish also matters. Driftwood-toned frames create natural warmth, white frames feel fresh and coastal, and floating frames give an elevated, modern touch.
Choosing the Right Format: Canvas, Framed, Triptych or Diptych?
Different formats completely change how a coastal artwork feels in your home.
Stretched Canvas Prints
These are clean, modern and perfect for coastal décor. They’re lightweight, easy to hang and give the artwork a soft texture. Canvas is especially good for abstract ocean prints or painterly scenes.
Framed Coastal Prints
Framed prints give a refined, classic finish. White or oak frames work perfectly with the coastal palette. Choose framed prints when you want a more polished, sophisticated look.
Floating Frames
Floating frames create a gallery-style finish and look premium. They’re ideal for statement pieces and triptych sets.
Triptych Coastal Prints
Triptych wall art has become one of the biggest coastal trends for large rooms. Splitting one artwork into three panels gives movement, balance and visual drama. They’re perfect for:
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behind the sofa
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above a dining table
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large living room walls
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open-plan spaces
Diptychs
Two-panel sets work well in narrower spaces or when you want symmetry without overwhelming the room.
Photographic vs Abstract
Photographic artwork gives you clarity and realism. Abstract coastal art gives you emotion, movement and softness.
The best choice depends on your interior style:
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modern → abstract
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Hamptons → photographic or blue-and-white abstracts
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minimalist → simple, clean line seascapes
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natural interiors → botanical coastal or soft horizon prints
Size and Scale: Choosing the Right Size for Your Wall
The biggest mistake people make with coastal canvas prints is choosing something too small. Art needs to match the scale of the wall and surrounding furniture.
Here’s a quick guide:
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Above a sofa: choose 90–150 cm wide, or use a triptych
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Above a bed: 80–120 cm wide, depending on bed size
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Large empty wall: at least 100 cm wide
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Narrow wall: tall vertical prints or diptychs
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Hallways: long panoramic pieces
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Entryway: a striking medium-sized print to welcome guests
If in doubt:
Go bigger.
Coastal art is airy and soft—large artworks don’t feel heavy or crowded.
Styling Tips: Pairing Art with Furniture, Textures and Lighting
Coastal décor is all about layering natural textures and colours that feel calm and inviting. To style your artwork beautifully:
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Pair ocean prints with linen lounges, white bedding or light timber furniture.
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Use rattan, jute rugs, ceramics and soft textiles to create a coastal palette.
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Choose lamps with woven textures or neutral fabric shades to warm the room.
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Add greenery—plants with soft, flowing shapes complement wave-inspired artwork.
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Use warm or natural-light bulbs to soften the artwork at night.
Good styling isn’t about matching everything perfectly—it’s about creating balance, texture and a sense of flow.
Maintenance and Care: Keeping Your Coastal Art Looking Beautiful
Coastal and humidity-prone climates can affect certain art materials, so caring for your prints matters.
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Avoid direct UV light when possible.
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Choose canvas or framed prints with high-quality UV-resistant inks.
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Avoid hanging art directly above humidifiers or near unventilated moisture sources.
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If you’re in a coastal town, consider framed prints or floating frames for extra protection against salt air.
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Dust your artwork lightly every few weeks.
Salt & Sol prints are designed using archival inks and quality materials, ensuring your artwork remains vibrant over time.
Why Salt & Sol Prints Are Ideal for Coastal Homes
Salt & Sol specialises in coastal wall art made specifically for modern Australian interiors. Every piece is curated for colour harmony, visual calm and timeless coastal style. We offer a wide range of formats—from stretched canvas to framed prints, floating frames and triptych sets—so you can find the perfect artwork for your space.
Our prints are made in Australia using archival pigments that resist fading, even in bright rooms. Whether you want abstract wave art, minimalist seascapes, beach photography or large coastal triptych canvases, Salt & Sol provides pieces that feel natural, serene and beautifully balanced.
We understand Australian décor, climate and design preferences. That’s why our collections fit effortlessly into homes across the country—from coastal Queensland to suburban Melbourne to modern Perth interiors.
Conclusion: Your Perfect Coastal Canvas Is Waiting
Choosing coastal wall art doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With the right approach—matching the style to your room, choosing harmonious colours, selecting the right format and considering scale—you can transform any space into a calm, coastal-inspired sanctuary.
Coastal canvas prints bring clarity, softness and emotional warmth into the home, making them one of the most meaningful décor choices for 2025. Whether you want a bold triptych wave set for the living room, a minimalist beach print for your office or a calming shoreline artwork for the bedroom, the perfect piece is out there.
If you’re ready to explore coastal art that’s been curated specifically for Australian homes, browse the Salt & Sol collection. And if you need help choosing a piece, feel free to reach out—we’re always happy to help you create your perfect coastal space.