Coastal Colour Palette and Paint Ideas

No matter where you live, dreamy coastal paint colours breathe carefree seaside vibes into any space.

A white painted hallway wall and door open into a coastal vibe home office with a pale-yellow painted shiplap wall and ceiling, a framed whale painting hanging over windows, a white desk and yellow chair, and a blue painted floor.

No matter where you live, dreamy coastal paint colours breathe carefree seaside vibes into any space.

Sandy neutrals, nautical blues, soft yellows, and easy-going white paint colours come together for a casual coastal colour palette that radiates charm.

Paired with natural fibres, clean lines, and lots of sunlight, coastal hues assure effortless style. Accent these hues with sea glass, reclaimed wood, and sweet grass baskets to say “summer getaway” all-year round.

Casual Coastal Paint Colour Palette

Evoke ocean breezes and beach vibes with a curated selection of our best coastal paint colours.

“Beachy, coastal hues are synonymous with relaxation. Why not bring these colours to your home year-round?”

Arianna Cesa - Colour & Design Expert

A beach house entryway with off-white-painted walls, wired railing, striped runner, and light wood floor.

Easy Breezy: Warm White Paint Colours for Coastal Living

Shiplap is a staple of beachside cottages, Here, vertical shiplap meets a vaulted ceiling, helping to expand and open up a narrow hallway. Easy-breezy warm white paint colours and natural light paired with light wood-tone floors complete the airy, welcoming look.

Other favourite warm white paint colours we love include:

“Warm, bright white paint colours are extremely popular in our area,” says Art Prado, owner of Santa Barbara Paint Depot, a Benjamin Moore retailer in California's classic coastal town. He cites Simply White OC-117 and Cloud White OC-130 as extremely popular in Santa Barbara area homes.

Entryway with blue-painted walls, white trim double screen doors with striped rug, and red chair.

Nautical-Inspired Paint Colours

Ocean-blue paint colours infuse any space with nautical-inspired reverie.

Consider using deeper blues as a neutral; they pair beautifully with almost any hue—think buttery yellows, pale greens or cozy taupes like Taos Taupe 2111-40.

Here, a candy-apple-coloured chair and red-striped rug provide a burst of energy, a reminder that pops of primary colours are always a welcoming touch. Seaside blues we can’t get enough of include:

Pink-painted walls, white ceiling and trim, a wicker chair with yellow pillow, and gauzy white curtains.

Soft Paint Colours for a Seaside Escape

Pinks, peaches, and apricot hues—the calming, coastal colours of a summer sunset—bring a flattering glow to any space, and those inhabiting it. Marry Me 1289 (shown here), Sunlit Coral 2170-60, Juno Peach 087, and Mellow Pink 2094-70 all pair beautifully with earthy fibers like jute, sisal, and rattan.

The choice of paint sheen remains an important part of any room’s final look. In this bedroom, a variety of sheens—eggshell, semi-gloss and ultra flat—combine to add contrast and interest.

“I always recommend a matte finish,” offers Prado, citing matte as a “luxurious paint finish that offers amazing depth.” Here, a classic white ceiling in ultra-flat Waterborne Ceiling Paint gets his approval.

A small, white-painted kitchen with yellow shelving accent wall and orange chairs around a white tulip table

Coastal Chic Meets Coastal Kitsch

Play to the bright, saturated and playful side of our casual coastal palette with sunshine yellows, citrusy oranges and cheery reds. In this kitchen, marine-inspired plates and red gingham picnic table art add the perfect dash of colourful kitsch without overwhelming the space.

Here, Sunflower 2019-30 inset shelving brightens up a refreshing all-white-painted kitchen in White Heron OC-57. Opt for Honeywheat 179 for a softer, warmer yellow, or Weston Flax HC-5, from our popular Historical Collection, for something lighter and more versatile.

“For those looking for a bold pop of colour in Santa Barbara,” adds Santa Barbara Benjamin Moore retailer Prado, “Heritage Red HC-181 is trending as a fun accent colour.” Caliente AF-290, a former Benjamin Moore Colour of the Year and Million Dollar Red 2003-10 are also playful options.

A white-painted kitchen with light blue-painted floors, red refrigerator and floating shelves.

Colourfully Painted Floors

Add seaside fun to any space with a blue or green painted floor. San Francisco Bay 802, a breezy blue favourite and a colour from our casual coastal palette, seen here in quick drying Floor & Patio Latex Enamel, is a winning choice.

We love layering a range of white paint colours in the kitchen using the Off White Collection as a guide. If you're feeling overwhelmed with how to mix and match off-whites, create instant cohesion by using the same colour on multiple surfaces with contrast coming by way of different finishes: In this kitchen, eggshell, ultra-flat and pearl do the trick.

A mixing bowl against a Muslin OC-12-painted wall with white trim and a countertop with lemons and dish towel.

Sandy Neutrals for Sun-Baked Spaces

Summon sandy, warm beaches with neutral paint colours.

An easy backdrop for swapping out accessories and breathing vibrant colours into any space, neutrals are a staple hue in the coastal home. Beiges, taupes and greiges pair effortlessly with crisp white trim. A few combinations we love include:

Muslin OC-12 with Atrium White OC-145 (seen here)
Ashwood OC-47 with Swiss Coffee OC-45
Maritime White OC-5 with Cotton Balls OC-122

Consider deeper off whites and neutrals on trim, with brighter white paint colours reserved for walls.

A sunny, light blue painted living room with a cozy white armchair, and an ocean view through a glass door and window.

Make Waves with Blues and Greens

Shades of blue and green are synonymous with coastal design.

“Soft blues are more popular than blue-greens right now in Santa Barbara,” says Prado, citing Ocean Air 2123-50, one of the casual coastal palette colours, as a quintessential beachy hue. Fresh Sea Foam 2123-60, mid-tone Sea Star 2123-30, and deep Caribbean Teal 2123-20 also bring ocean vibes home.

If you’re “all in” on one colour family—be it blue, green, or something else—consider a monochromatic look. Our Colour Preview^® collection makes it easier to choose monochromatic colour schemes since you’ll find the same hue, in different shades, all on one colour strip.

A white-painted porch with turquoise-painted shutters, wicker chair, small white table, and espadrilles.

Coastal Exterior Paint Colour Combinations

Ready to enhance your curb appeal? We love these exterior coastal colours:

Cozy and Classic
Pair warm white paint colours and sandy neutrals with deep blue accents:

Eclectic and Playful
Pair vibrant, feel-good colours with refreshing pales and crisp off-whites: