From the Hamptons to Malibu, it’s clear that the distinctions between East Coast and West Coast styles don’t stop at fashion and food. They clash (in a good way) when it comes to interior design, too. If you’ve ever noticed the difference between a New York apartment and a California bungalow, you’re not imagining it!
Rich, classic, and sophisticated looks define East Coast style. The West Coast is more about the easy, breezy, laid-back, organic feel. Both are beautiful, and you can even mix and match them for a curated, personalized look.
Here are the ten key differences between the two styles:
1. The Color Palette: Bold and Rich vs. Neutrals
Popular East Coast colors are bold and rich. Think deep Indigo, gold, and Pitch Black. West Coast colors are based on simple neutrals like whites, creams, soft beige, and earthy tones. For the West, it is all about pulling inspiration from nature.
2. The Materials: Luxe vs. Textured
East Coast materials evoke rich, velvety, traditional textures, such as brass, glass, and florals. The West Coast is all about natural, woven textures, bleached wood, earthenware, and lush greenery. Think natural wood pieces like open shelving with raw edges and jute light fixtures and pillows.
3. The Lighting: Traditional vs. Modern
East Coast lighting can go modern or traditional, like brass sconces or picture lights (used to illuminate artwork), while West Coast style is about statement fixtures like rattan wood and clean-lined modern pieces in black or gold.
4. The Patterns: Classic vs. Earthy
Floral wallpaper isn’t just for your grandma’s house anymore; updated classic motifs like these, stripes, or nautical themes are very popular among East Coast homes. West Coast homes are more about tropical prints and other global and earthy patterns inspired by diverse cultures and experiences.
5. The Furniture: Elegant vs. Minimal
Traditional pieces mixed with newer, modern ones define East Coast style - elegant and timeless. Think of a classic rolled-arm sofa in navy velvet paired with a mahogany coffee table. Compare that to a West Coast space featuring a low-profile sectional in cream linen paired with a raw-edge wood coffee table. It’s all about a contemporary, minimalist vibe with an emphasis on comfort.
6. The Architecture: Closed vs. Open Layouts
Older homes in the East have separate rooms, each serving a different purpose and with their own style and color scheme. West Coast style is characterized by an open-concept layout, unified by a neutral and flowing aesthetic with a consistent color scheme throughout.
7. The Climate: Rich Colors vs. Airy Tones
Rich colors and textures like Hunter Green, velvet, brass, and florals help warm up East Coast homes during long and dreary winters. The sunshine-filled days on the West Coast, however, call for light and airy tones and colors that won’t overwhelm and dampen the space, reflecting the coastal lifestyle.
8. The Real Estate: Neutrality for Broad Appeal
One thing that is prevalent on both coasts: repainting homes in classic, neutral tones like whites and creams for mass appeal when reselling the home. Any colorful rooms are often repainted with fresh neutrals, making the home move-in ready.
9. The Artistic Influence: Bold vs. Neutral
On the East Coast, it's very popular to have a bold pop of color on an accent wall that defines the space. In contrast, on the West Coast, a neutral wall provides a quiet backdrop for statement art, particularly in design-forward regions.
10. The Culture: Colonial vs. Global
Influenced by history and colonial roots, East Coast design has strong historical roots. Imagine a Nantucket cottage with paneled walls in colonial blue, featuring antique brass sconces. East Coast design often incorporates a nod to history. West Coast design is characterized by a global yet grounded feel, with influences from Spanish, Mexican, Moroccan, and other cultures, for a boho flair.
Coastal Style Tips: Combine the Two Like a Pro
As Fabuwood's Creative Director, Kerrie Kelly, put it, “Mix and match what you’re drawn to, and create your own space!” If you want the best of both coasts, take your favorite elements of each and combine for a highly curated and personalized look.
Mix warm and cool tones, like pairing a dark green velvet armchair with soft neutrals
Add cane or woven textures to formal furniture
Add elegant brass lighting or classic patterned wallpaper to a West Coast home
Bring coastal ease to an East Coast home with linen, jute, or seagrass baskets
Use timeless East Coast paint colors in an open concept West Coast home or add a dramatic chandelier
Layer lighting with sconces, table lamps, and pendants, but in West Coast materials like rattan, driftwood, or soft metals.
Use West Coast neutrals for your walls, but layer with bold East Coast artwork
Cabinet styles like Luna Desert Oak bring West Coast warmth in a clean, modern shape.
Whether you’re sipping sweet tea in Charleston or green juice in LA, your home can tell your story. East Coast style incorporates historical nods, deep colors, and textures, blending updated traditional and modern elements.
West Coast style is defined by light, breezy, and airy colors and natural vibes. Mix both styles for a combo of East Coast charm and West Coast chill! Check out our Visualizer for some design inspo too.
