Top Interior Design Trends For Waterfront Homes 2022

Waterfront homes tend to have a design sensibility all of their own. There’s a reason why we describe some styles - both in overall structure and interior design - as being “coastal” or “beach house”.

There’s just a certain atmosphere that carries through to the buildings we inhabit on our vacation time near the water, whether it be a sunny beach or a quiet forested lake.

Unfortunately, visiting these homes on a seasonal basis, perhaps renting them or even occupying them part-time if they’re owned, means that sometimes design can be overlooked. 

So, if you’re looking for ideas to keep your waterfront home design fresh and contemporary, you’re in the right place.

1. Keep It Simple

The days of busy waterfront home decor are gone. So take all the antiques, logging or trapping equipment, hunting and fishing trophies, and boat paraphernalia and get rid of it.

Clean, open, and simple are the new watchwords for your interior spaces. However, the idea isn’t to go completely minimal. The current design trend for waterfront homes is to keep the space simple while putting the accent and character in the textures and surfaces.

For these, look for rustic materials like wood, linen, rope, wool and so on. Some style guides are even suggesting a return to wallpaper!

2. Light

Large windows and cliches like “let the outside in” seem to be perennial favorites as far as design principles for waterfront homes go…and that hasn’t changed.

What has changed is some of the techniques for bringing in the light and the views. Novel window types like artfully placed skylights, cupulas, and clerestory windows are some of the novel additions that many homeowners are looking for.

As for the views, the floor-to-ceiling window in the great room is a feature that’s unlikely to go away. What has changed is how this feature is being used.

As mentioned, keeping the space clean and simple is one trend, and this also functions to frame the view, reducing distractions and really reinforcing the sense of continuity between interior and exterior spaces.

3. Environmentally Friendly Design

More and more waterfront home owners are becoming environmentally conscious. As such, many are looking to have their homes reflect their concerns and values over minimizing their impact.

Trends in this sphere of design include a move to energy efficiency. This could include the installation of solar panels and installing energy efficient windows and heating systems.

These may not have that immediate “wow factor” when it comes to the aesthetic appearance of the home, but buyers and visitors are beginning to notice these as subtle details reflecting the overall taste and contemporary design.

One way in which these concerns may appear in a more aesthetic way is through the increased use of reclaimed materials. We mentioned before the move towards rustic textures like rope, wood, stone and so on. 

Another trend for overall home design in line with these concerns is a move towards downsizing. People are increasingly opting for smaller homes as a measure towards saving energy and materials. 

Waterfront Home Design Trends

So there you have it. If you want to keep your waterfront home looking stylish into the next decade, make sure to clear out the tacky souvenir decor, open up your sources of natural light, and make use of a variety of natural textures and materials.