When you think of a Hamptons style house, you probably picture bright white walls, natural materials, beachy shades of blue and luxurious furnishings. The elegant and airy vibe recalls a luxury resort where every day feels like a holiday.
The Hamptons are a string of seaside communities that attract holidaymakers from New York City every year, but their signature design style extends far beyond the 11962 zip code. Australians have fallen hard for the Hamptons style design trend because it fits effortlessly into our relaxed beachside culture.
If you’re ready to infuse your home with the iconic Hamptons aesthetic, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 15 ways to create the Hamptons style house of your dreams.
Image credit: Invilla
1. Bright Light
Bright natural light pouring in through large windows is a hallmark of Hamptons style. Ideally, your windows will overlook the ocean or a lush garden to create an indoor-outdoor flow that will make your home feel like a luxury retreat.
If you don’t have enough natural light flowing through your home, daylight light bulbs imitate the sun’s natural light and can give you the extra illumination you need.
Image credit: Porter Davis Homes
2. Fresh White Walls
White walls are a must in any Hamptons style home. They reflect all the natural light and create a crisp backdrop for your neutral palette and blue accents.
Choosing the perfect shade of white can be overwhelming, but you can’t go wrong with the classic Dulux Vivid White or Dulux Natural White.
Hamptons mood board by Designingly created on Style Sourcebook. View here
3. Timber Floorboards
When it comes to Hamptons style, timber floorboards are life! Choose a light timber such as oak or opt for painted white or distressed timber floorboards.
If you really want to nail the Hamptons aesthetic, a herringbone pattern is recommended by interior designers as the top choice. View a vast range of timber floorboards here.
Image credit: Smout Property
4. Neutral Tones and Blue Hues
The Hamptons style colour palette includes crisp white, muted grey, warm beige, navy, cobalt blue and duck egg blue. Start with a neutral base and add blue accessories in complementary tones.
You don’t have to stick to the same shades of blue throughout your home. You might choose to focus on navy and cobalt for your living room and duck egg blue and blue-grey for your bedroom and laundry.
Image credit: Coastal Hampton Style
Imagre credit: Coastal Hampton Style
5. Oversized Furniture
To make your Hamptons style house feel like a luxury holiday home, choose overstuffed sofas, plush armchairs, thickly padded ottomans and oversized timber bed frames.
Comfort is one of the driving principles behind Hamptons style, so make sure to give your furniture a test run before you buy. There’s no room for a stiff sofa in a Hamptons home!
6. Luxe Soft Furnishings
For an extra level of comfort and style, accessorise your oversized furniture with luxuriant soft furnishings - think down-filled cushions and super-soft throws that feel like warm hugs.
A basket of spare blankets in a corner of your living area and plenty of spares in the linen closet will add an extra-homely touch. Your houseguests may never want to leave!
Mood board created by Oleander and Finch on Style Sourcebook. View here
7. Natural Materials
The Hamptons seaside aesthetic calls for natural materials in neutral tones. Layer large jute or sisal rugs over your timber floorboards. Marble and natural stone are also stunning additions to any Hamptons home.
Choose furnishings and accessories made from linen, merino wool, bamboo and natural cotton. Oversized woven baskets complete the look and provide extra storage space.
Mood board created by Airey Interiors on Style Sourcebook. View here
8. Beachy Vibes
Elegant coral sculptures, large conch shells and high-quality beach-themed prints add a sophisticated seaside touch. It might be tempting to go all out, but less is more when it comes to these coastal accents.
Mood board designed by The Property Stylist Co on Style Sourcebook. View here
9. Neuatical Theme
Ceramics in shades of navy and white, vintage nautical items and delicate blue and white stripes offer a tasteful nod to the nautical theme without being kitsch.
Elegance is key, so just say no to lifebuoys, ship steering wheels and fish mounted on the walls. You might need to hide well-meaning gifts from relatives until they visit!
Mood board created by Flawless Interiors Melbourne. View here
Giant Clam Bowl from Freedom
10. Patterns and Prints
Throw some patterned soft furnishings into the mix for a signature Hamptons style. Florals, chintz, ikat, stripes, geometric and nautical patterns all work well.
Be bold and combine different patterns in similar blue and neutral hues. If mixing patterns makes you nervous, blend one pattern with other furnishings in solid neutral tones.
11. Pendant Lights and Chandelairs
Industrial pendants featuring glass and chrome or brass are a trademark of the Hamptons style kitchen. In living and dining areas, don’t be afraid to hang sumptuous modern chandeliers in white or neutral shades.
Mood board created on Style Sourcebook by The Coastal Retreat. View here
12. Whimsical Window Treatments
Sheer curtains add a light and breezy beachside feel to Hamptons style living areas. Bedroom windows can be adorned with thicker curtains in neutral and stone colours.
Plantation shutters are preferred for bathrooms and other areas where temperature and light need to be easily controlled.
13. Patterned Tiles
Patterned tiles, subway tiles and mosaic tiles are all great choices for your Hamptons style bathroom or laundry. We can’t get enough of these blue and white patterned tiles that make the whole room pop.
Mood board created by Zalu Styling on Style Sourcebook. View here
14. Weatherboard Cladding
If you have the luxury of renovating the outside of your home as well the inside, you can’t go past horizontal weatherboard cladding for a classic Hamptons style look. Linea Weatherboard in Vivid White is our top choice.
Image credit: James Hardie
15. Outdoor Entertaining
Nothing says “relax” like a Hamptons style outdoor entertaining area complete with fire pit and Adirondack chairs.
If you have more space, bench seating covered in plush outdoor cushions is the epitome of Hamptons chic. A sparkling blue and white pool surrounded by whitewashed tiles is also a winner!
Make your Hamptons style dream comes true.
The Hamptons may be thousands of kilometres away, but you can bring their sophisticated seaside style into your home. Remember the guiding principles of Hamptons style - white walls, a neutral palette with pops of blue, natural materials, and elegant and comfortable furnishings - and you can’t go wrong.
For more Hamptons style inspo, head to our mood boards inspiration page. In our products section, we have over 800 Hamptons style products for every taste. Living the dream!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Hampton Style Home?
A Hampton style home takes inspiration from the architecture and decorating styles found in the luxurious and affluent coastal area of the Hamptons on Long Island, New York. This style is known for its casual, relaxed, yet sophisticated aesthetic. It features a light and airy colour palette with neutral and beautiful ocean-inspired tones, extensive use of natural light and natural materials, such as linen, and an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. Architectural elements include large, open-plan spaces, high ceilings, wooden floors, and detailed mouldings. The decor often incorporates nautical themes, with a focus on comfort and elegance.
Difference Between Modern and Hampton Style
There are a few differences between these two styles, with the main difference being their aesthetic and design principles. Modern style homes emphasise simplicity, minimalism, and functionality. They often feature clean lines, geometric forms, and a monochromatic colour palette, with materials like glass, iron, and concrete. In contrast, Hampton style homes are more traditional and ornate, focusing on comfort and casual elegance. They use a softer colour palette, natural materials like wood, stone, and linen, and decorative elements that reflect coastal living.
Difference Between Hamptons and Coastal Style
While both Hamptons and coastal styles are inspired by the sea and aim to create a relaxed and breezy atmosphere, there are distinct differences between the two interior design styles. Hamptons style is more refined and sophisticated, often featuring a specific set of colours like soft blues, light greens, and neutrals, along with elegant furniture and high-end finishes. Coastal style is broader and can be more eclectic, focusing on creating a beachy vibe with light, bright spaces, and often incorporating more vibrant colours and casual, comfortable furnishings. Coastal style is all about bringing the outdoors in, using sun-bleached woods, sea glass, and ocean-inspired colours, such as yellows.
Colours Used in Hampton Style
The Hampton style colour palette is light, airy, and reminiscent of the coastline. It typically includes:
Soft neutrals like white, cream, and beige for walls and large furniture pieces to create a bright and open feel as the base.
Shades of blue, from navy to soft sky blue, reflecting the ocean and sky.
Accents of soft greens, greys, and sandy tones to bring in the colours of the natural landscape.
Pops of black or dark wood tones to add contrast and depth to the light palette.
A good trick to your Hamptons colour palette is remember that this is an elegant trend with an emphasis on traditional tones.
Why is Hamptons Style So Popular?
The Hamptons style has gained popularity for several reasons:
Timeless Elegance: It combines classic design elements with a coastal feel, creating a timeless and sophisticated aesthetic that appeals to a wide range of tastes.
Comfort and Luxury: It emphasises comfort without sacrificing elegance, making homes feel both inviting and luxurious, need we say more?
Versatility: While distinctly coastal, the Hamptons style can be adapted to various settings, from beachfront properties to urban homes, thanks to its neutral colour scheme and elegant design elements.
Natural Light and Space: The style's focus on open spaces and natural light suits the modern desire for airy and spacious living areas.
Connection to Nature: With its use of natural materials and colours inspired by the sea and landscape, the Hamptons style fosters a serene and calming environment that connects inhabitants to the outdoors.