Sunshine, sea breezes, and casual, laid-back living – California style is a whole mood. When it comes to home design, the West Coast signature look blends modern simplicity with relaxed comfort and natural elements.
Whether you are in SoCal or want to bring West Coast style to your East Coast home, California design trends will inspire you to live your best life. Here are the top ten design trends, plus a little inspiration from our own styles and finishes to help you build the home of your dreams.
1. Relaxed, Cozy, and Effortless
This number one California style trend is all about neutral tones, natural textures, and a soft coastal palette with pops of light blue or Sage Green.
Design idea: Start with Galaxy Frost as a base in the kitchen for a clean vibe, and add a light blue accent wall or island with some woven pendant lights and natural wood open shelves for a calm and relaxed feel.
2. Clean, Modern Lines
Modern California living is all about clean lines and wide open spaces. The fewer visual distractions, the better.
Design idea: Try our Luna Timber door style for a clean, modern, and simple look. Pair it with matte black hardware for a sharp and stylish look, and keep the countertops minimal to let the cabinetry do the talking.
3. Indoor-Outdoor Living
Let the outside in! California living is all about bringing the beauty and nature of the outdoors in with big windows, large sliding doors, and transitional spaces (like patios and decks that act as a second living space).
Design idea: Use Fusion Dove as a soft, neutral base and tie in Timber for a touch of warmth. Add potted plants and open shelving for an outdoor bar area or coffee nook with matching cabinetry to tie the spaces together.
4. Sustainable Living and Design
West Coast designers are big on eco-conscious living. Sustainable materials, energy-efficient layouts, and toxin-free finishes are all great ways to make your designs better for the planet. Discover how we incorporate sustainability into our manufacturing process!
Design idea: Choose from our latest finishes like Forest Green and Macadamia Beige for a nature-inspired and timeless look. Utilize LED lighting and recycled materials in your kitchen to create an environmentally responsible home.
5. Smart Homes are Cool Homes
Life is so much easier with smart tech. After all, who doesn’t love convenience and saving on your monthly energy bill? With smart design, your day-to-day living will be so much easier.
Design tips: Use a touch-free faucet, voice-controlled lighting, and hidden charging stations in your drawers. You can also use under-cabinet lighting that can change colors according to your mood!
6. California Rustic Charm
If you want a more rustic appeal in your California home, incorporate sleek modern lines with textures like reclaimed wood or exposed brick for a casual yet intentional look.
Design tip: Include Luna Mint Green with wood beams. Add a soft Linen bench around your breakfast nook, and you’ve got a cozy space that feels sharp and modern.
7. Your Home Should Reflect You
California design loves personality-packed pieces, like flea market finds, vintage pieces, or art you picked up on a road trip. Any design elements that mean a lot to you are an important part of the design overall, no matter the coast you’re on.
Design tip: Layer vintage rugs in your living room or add vintage kitchen pieces like a retro blender or toaster for added charm.
8. Multitasking Spaces
Dividing your kitchen into work zones is a fundamental design concept that enhances your workflow and daily life. Homework zones, meal prep, hidden work-from-home desks, and more, California design loves flexibility to match the busy day-to-day.
Design tip: Add a peninsula to your kitchen layout for a prep station, homework station, breakfast bar, and hangout hub. Add pull-out storage to keep things neat and clutter-free.
9. More Nature, More Calm
Natural light, wooden elements, greenery, and even water features can make your home feel more like a retreat. Don’t overdo it; just a few simple elements can immediately help lower your blood pressure when you come home after a busy day.
Design tip: Choose Muratti 4 for a light, natural feel, and add big leafy plants near the windows. Install a living backsplash to grow your own greens!
10. Multi-Functional Living Spaces
Gone are the days of every room having one job. In California homes, open, free-flowing living means your spaces should be as versatile as your lifestyle. Think home offices that moonlight as guest rooms or kitchens that double as homework zones and smoothie stations.
Design tip: Use Fusion Stone cabinets to anchor a home office. Add in a cozy reading chair and a pull-out bed so the space easily flexes between a work space and a guest room.
From clean, modern lines to indoor/outdoor spaces, California style is all about easy, breezy, relaxed living. When deciding which design tips to incorporate into your home, integrating nature with a few simple plants will give a quick and easy nod to West Coast style. Order your sample doors to get a feel for our California-inspired fresh colors, like Macadamia Beige and Mint Green, in your own space.
FAQS
What is California style?
West Coast style is all about relaxed luxury. It blends natural materials and woods, earthy tones, and open spaces for a clean, modern look that emphasizes indoor/outdoor living.
Can I create a California style home if I don’t live in California?
Of course! California style is more about a feeling than a location. Wherever you are, you can bring the style into your space by focusing on natural light, organic textures, and minimalist layouts.
What Fabuwood cabinets work best with California design trends?
Galaxy Frost for a light and coastal feel, Luna Kona and Timber for a warm and woodsy tone, and Onyx Horizon for a chic modern tone.
What are some small ways to incorporate California style?
Try swapping heavy drapes for sheer curtains to maximize your natural light, use woven baskets as part of your décor, or try a vintage rug in your living room.
Is California style expensive to achieve?
No, it isn’t! California design is all about intentional design choices more than big budgets. You can mix in reclaimed materials and flea market finds to maximize your budget, too.
