If you’ve ever dreamt of living in a quaint cottage by the seaside or a Tuscan villa in Spain, you’re not alone.
Coastal and Mediterranean decor are two of the most coveted styles for kitchens – especially in the UK. We all want to bring the sunshine and that sense of easy living into our everyday: what better way than to build it directly into our homes' DNA?
Which you choose is a question of mood. Do you want the sun-soaked warmth of earthy greens and oranges, or would you prefer the crisp, breezy neutrals coveted by coastal designs?
It’s all up to you. Both Coastal and Mediterranean styles are adaptable, so it’s easy to take what you like from each for a more personalised approach.
What is a coastal kitchen?
Coastal kitchens take inspiration from their breezy, seaside origins. You can expect a lot of sun-washed whites, soft sands and sea-glass blues, layered with natural materials (bleached or weathered timbers, rattan, jute) and plenty of daylight.
These designs often bring in tactile, weathered materials (e.g., washed or reclaimed woods, rattan, bamboo, seagrass and woven pendants) alongside things like pale stone and even beadboard or shiplap.
Subtle coastal character can be curated thoughtfully, and is much calmer than the themed, nautical set-up that some people associate with coastal kitchens.
When you’re shopping, prioritise easy-to-maintain cabinetry, simple finishes and, if possible, a sense of openness that connects indoors with outside. It translates well to all kinds of properties, period homes and new builds.
But it can look particularly harmonious with kitchens connected to a garden.
What is a Mediterranean kitchen?
By contrast, a Mediterranean kitchen channels the sun-soaked warmth of homes around Spain, Italy and Greece. What coastal and Mediterranean designs have in common is their connection to the outdoors.
They feel airy, with some shared colour palettes (particularly fresh whites), but these are usually used to balance more Earthy, sun-baked shades like ochres, terracotta, olive and sand (with the odd sea-blue accent).
You’ll typically see textured plastered or stucco-style walls, stone or tiled floors, timber beams and lots of wrought-iron or carved-wood detailing. For patterns, handcrafted tilework and glossy Moroccan-style zellige are preferred.
Within the broader style of Mediterranean kitchens, there are even regional fluctuations: Tuscan warmth with stone, timber and iron or more Grecian designs like whitewashed surfaces with deep blues.
Even amidst these variations, all Mediterranean kitchens share an emphasis on easy indoor-outdoor flow and honest materials.
Side-by-side: the look and feel
Coastal and Mediterranean kitchens both chase the sun and that airy, open feel, but they express it very differently. Where coastal kitchens are crisp and fresh, Mediterranean schemes lean towards warmer, more textural elements.
Let’s have a closer look at how the two compare.
1. Cabinetry and joinery
In Coastal styles, you’ll see lots of painted Shaker or slim-profile slab doors in pale shades, often mixed with light timber (like oak). Beadboard and panelled details appear as a subtle nod to seaside boarding rather than anything overtly nautical.
You might want to lighten the upper half of the room with glass-fronted cupboards or a run of open shelving (this is great for a relaxed, holiday home feel).
We’d also caution against adding too many dark colours: instead, dot natural wood and textured finishes around the room sparingly. Mediterranean kitchens, however, favour more ‘built-in’ cabinets.
In-frame or furniture-like units in warm woods look great in these schemes. Upper walls are often left lighter with open shelves for pottery and glass, or with a mix of closed bases and display pieces (similar to coastal kitchens).
2. Hardware, fixtures & fittings
Carrying on that open, airy feel, the hardware in coastal kitchens tends to be simple and light touch.
You’ll often encounter slim bar pulls or small knobs, often in chrome or polished nickel to tie in with stainless-steel appliances, clear or ribbed-glass pendants, and natural textures.
Use mixed metals sparingly. Instead, choose a dominant cool finish with one warmer accent. If you prefer warmer tones, antique brass can look great: just use it with restraint to keep the palette thoroughly coastal.
Mediterranean kitchens favour fittings that feel more time-worn: aged brass or bronze taps with a patina, marble sinks and industrial lighting. Tuscan-style sinks and aged-brass tapware are inextricably connected to this.
To sum up: Coastal styles favour cool metals, glass and woven textures, and Mediterranean is earthy and uses more aged metalwork.
3. Materials & colours
We’ve covered a lot about colour palettes and materials already, but it’s worth looking at the differences in how they’re used in Coastal and Mediterranean aesthetics.
For coastal schemes, they’re usually always reflective: crisp whites and creamy neutrals lifted with soft sea-blues and greens.
Across furniture and storage, you’ll find limewashed or painted timber, pale oaks, rattan and woven fibres that are gently textured. But it’s the neutral base that ties it all together.
Mediterranean kitchens lean warmer and earthier. Expect lots of terracotta and natural stone underfoot, plastered or limewash-style walls, and rich timber (compared to the beached wood preferred by coastal kitchens).
These olives, oranges and deep blues (if you’re thinking Grecian) can be balanced with chalky whites.
4. Layout, storage & display
In keeping with the open theme, you’ll often see open-plan or broken-plan Coastal kitchens with a clear flow between cooking, dining and outdoor areas.
Islands and peninsulas serve as prep and seating areas, and many designers prefer to keep the upper half visually light with glass-front cabinets or short runs of open shelving.
Visually, Mediterranean kitchens err more on the architectural side. Plans often revolve around a generous cooking core (a range cooker set housed inside an archway) and storage is generally on display, similar to coastal kitchens.
You might have open shelves, plate racks and dresser-style pieces to show off pottery or glassware.
