Why Is Hamptons Style Is Right For You?
When you have a busy life, you want to return to a beautiful home with a relaxed atmosphere. You want your home to be simple yet luxurious and timeless.
Hamptons style is a luxurious interior decorating style popularised by the Hamptons, Long Island, New York real estate market. The design features clean lines and modern furniture in light colours. The casual and relaxed lifestyle of Hamptons style interior entices your senses. The style combines beachside living with the amenities of urban living. It is a perfect choice to give your home a classy and contemporary feel.
The style combines beachside living with the amenities of urban living.
The Hamptons style is very popular with a young, urban crowd. So, Hamptons style is perfect for you if you want to live close to the action.
At the same time, you can still enjoy a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle.
This guide shows you:
- what goes into a Hamptons home
- how to decorate your Hamptons style home without great effort.
So, you know how to select the colour scheme, fixtures and fittings and furniture for your home.
What is Hamptons style?
The Hamptons are a region in New York State that extends along the South Shore of Long Island. The Hamptons are home to some of the wealthiest people in America. They’re famous for their lavish lifestyle.
Hamptons style refers to the combination of elegance and luxury.
The Hamptons style interiors started in the mid-1980s. The Hamptons region became a popular weekend retreat for New York City residents.
Hamptons style interiors use a cool and calm neutral palette.
Hamptons style interiors are light, bright and whitewashed.
It has a sophisticated yet beachy vibe that comes across as effortless and calming.
The surroundings give your home a holiday home-like and nautical-inspired.
So, Hamptons style is about creating a beautiful home that makes you feel like you are on holiday all the time. You never want to leave.
A Hamptons style home allows more natural light to enter the space through windows and doors.
You may find sliding glass doors or double-glazed windows in a Hamptons style home.
The floors in a Hamptons style home are usually timber or stone tiles.
What Colours are Typical of Hamptons Style?
Hamptons style uses a typical light-colour palette, including:
- shades of white
- soft blues and greens
- neutral grey
- stone and sand
It can be clean and minimalist, but it can also have a lot of interesting patterns and textures. Blue with white or off-white paintwork is a common theme.
Your colour selections mirror what you would see at the beach, along the cliffs and on the headlands.
Use a white with a warmish undertone to soften the look of your home and avoid it being too stark.
Warm neutral colour could combine with coastal blues for a more relaxed feel. Also, you can layer various shades of blue, from navy to baby blue.
Though, too much blue can ruin the look of your home.
An interior enthusiast, Sil M., commented on a Facebook interest group page, “I love it [Hamptons Style] if it’s done right. Some people go overboard with the blue accents“.
Another interior enthusiast, Julie M., commented that “I’m not a fan [of Hamptons Style] – blue and white is a bit boring.”
Stick to a low sheen white paint to help produce the light and airy aspect vital to the Hamptons design.
What Fabrics & Material Characterise Hamptons Style?
Hamptons style homes use natural materials and fabrics for furniture, fixture and fittings.
You will find soft linen, leather, cotton, wool, rattan and textured rugs in different rooms.
The two primary building materials you find in Hamptons style homes are stone and timber.
Stone is for countertops, flooring and wall cladding. Timbers are the dominant choice for cabinets and furniture.
Flooring for Hamptons style
As for anything, you need to set the proper foundation for the desired result.
So, your floor choice is an important decision.
The use of polished timber flooring and textured rugs in the home is part of the tradition of the Hampton style. Timber flooring looks luxurious.
Timber flooring is a practical choice for a coastal home to limit the build-up of sand.
Light flooring is more common in Hamptons style. But, dark flooring can work if you choose the correct ones. They must contrast their surroundings for dark flooring to work.
You could use a mixture of darker and lighter timber to ground the space in a large and open-plan.
Ensure that you go for extra-wide floorboards, regardless of the look you want. That way, you can make your house feel larger and give it the right vibe!
For the non-typical Hampton flooring look, you can consider laminating flooring.
Laminate flooring is an excellent choice for those looking for something more modern. Yet, it still has that traditional charm. Plus, it comes in a wide variety of colours.
You may like to put a textured tufted rug in a natural sandy-coloured tone for a soft, cosy feeling.
Natural stone in soft sandy or grey tones is the best choice for tiled areas in your home.
Use large format square tile laid in a stacked or grid pattern to achieve a modern look.
For a traditional feel, stick to a smaller square or rectangular tile. Lay the tiles in an offset or herringbone pattern.
Of course, you could do a mixture of small and large tiles in a windmill pattern.
You can find out where you can get the best Aussie rugs in our article: Top Aussie Rugs Stores Online In Australia.
What is Hamptons style art?
Stunning artwork can be the focal point of your room. The artwork can fill in the dull, empty spaces on the tabletops or the wall.
Art is a critical part of your initial design from the beginning, so you get a coherent vibe through your house.
Adding art to your home can make it feel more like a home, and in some instances, it could even be your house’s focal point.
It’s crucial to ensure that the art you buy is pleasing and a good fit for your space.
Art can be an effective way of balancing a room.
If your space has tall ceilings, you can hang art from the top or use wall panels to create an interesting pattern.
Remember to select artworks with naturally-inspired and appealing colour palettes. So, they complement the aesthetic of Hamptons style homes.
The colours combine with nautical themes to produce sophisticated and elegant wall art. This design transforms the look and feel of any space in your home.
Nautical wall art ideas will bring a warm and relaxing feeling into your home.
What furniture suits Hamptons style interiors?
When decorating with a Hamptons style, a neutral palette is essential.
While colours are crucial, they don’t have to be loud or vibrant.
Some of the defining features of the Hamptons style are:
- wood moulding
- cabinetry
- hardwood flooring
You can buy just about any furniture that you like for your Hamptons style interior, but for those looking to keep their spending low, an armchair is probably the most versatile piece of furniture to choose.
So, you can put in large plush sofas covered in soft natural fabrics, such as linens, as anchors for your living room. Then add some coordinating accent chairs in soft blues and beiges. Pair this with a natural wood coffee table and a plush textured rug.
You have a fun and laid back vibe that is sure to wow any guest.
You can feature large indoor plants with lots of green to set the scene for tranquillity.
Avoid going for ‘on-trend’ items with bold colours when shopping for items.
Keeping with the understated elegance, you can go for a roll-armed sofa or a pedestal leg dining table. These will always be timeless.
How to Get Hamptons Style Windows
The window treatments you choose for your home can change the look and feel of the space.
Timber Venetian blinds could be a great option if you want a budget solution. Timber Venetian blinds are inexpensive and straightforward. The blinds could pass as the more expensive plantation shutters if the blades are wide.
Another option, especially around doors, is sheer curtains. Through the fabric, you receive a diffused light. The sight of them blowing in an afternoon wind brings the style to life. For evening privacy, pair them with thicker curtains.
Plantation Shutters Are Must Have For Hamptons Style Homes
Plantation shutters are solid window coverings containing different sized louvres. Louvres are horizontal slats set at an angle to allow light and air to pass through. Yet, keeping out rain and direct sunlight out.
Plantation shutters offer a traditional and classic Hamptons coastal look to your home. The louvres do an excellent job of distributing light.
Plantation shutters are higher prices than other options. But, Plantation shutters’ distinctive design makes them an attractive and popular choice.
The most popular plantation shutter finishes are:
- neutral colours
- natural colours like wood
- white
Hamptons Style Curtains Makes Your Room Cosy and Inviting
The best thing about curtains is that they protect your house from harmful UV rays. At the same time, they allow natural light to enter.
It adds beauty and makes the room look more welcoming and cosy.
Follow the rules below to get the best result when hanging curtains in your Hamptons style home:
- Hang curtain rods and draperies at the ceiling to make the room feel taller. The illusion works well in small spaces as well.
- Ensure the drapes go all the way to the floor. So, if you buy ready-made drapes, then get the next size up and hem to the correct length. You could go even further than touching the floor for a more luxurious feel.
- Ensure the drapes are between 2 to 2.5 times the window’s width, so the drapes feel full. You don’t want a sad flat sheet when you close the curtains. Instead, you want them to look as full and luxurious when closed as they are when open.
- Ensure you iron the drapes before you hang them. Winkled drapes make the whole room ugly.
Lighting for Hamptons style interiors
The purpose of each room in your house defines the light fixtures you put in. So, you combine different light fixtures to create the mood you want.
The type of lighting used in a room has a significant impact on the look of the space.
The Hamptons style lighting is famous for its clean lines and modern appeal.
Chandeliers and pendant lights look great in your social rooms, such as
- the kitchen
- barroom
- lounge room
Chandeliers are lavish for creating drama and a feeling of space. They are perfect for the living room or family room, and they can make a grand statement in the dining room.
Make sure you go for minimalist and modern designs for the chandeliers.
Of course, the classic French chandeliers may work. The French chandeliers are harder to combine with your home decors and furniture.
Pendant lights are great statement pieces to complement the atmosphere of the room. Clean, elegant lighting looks good at any time of day, but it’s also great for the bedroom at night.
Light up your sanctuary space with minimalist glass pendants and stone table lamps. You can make the lighting dimmable for an intimate and relaxing setting for the evening.
We have a complete guide on how to choose the perfect pendant light for your home.
Start Design Your Hamptons Style Home
If you want a simple yet luxurious and timeless home, you can follow the Hamptons design style.
So, you can entertain in your coastal, casual and relaxed lifestyle home.
The key principles of designing, building and decorating your Hamptons Style home are simple:
- Allow nature to shine – Consider a seaside garden, indoor/outdoor areas, and plenty of natural light if you don’t have a beachfront view.
- Stick to nautical and neutral colours – Shades of blues and whites with neutral colours will please the eyes.
- Weatherboards are timeless – Weatherboard facades are both traditionally Australian and very Hamptons.
Now, you have the essential building elements for the Hamptons style home.
Start the design of your home with the idea of the natural colour inspired by the coast. Also, combine minimalist home decors and furniture.
You have a relaxing piece of paradise that you will never want to leave.
Please browse our store to start building your Hamptons style home today.