'Not everything has to be blue and white, and you definitely don’t need shells and coral' – 4 mistakes designers warn to avoid when perfecting a coastal look in the kitchen

A neutral coastal kitchen with woven counter stools and wood accents.

There are certain styles that a truly beloved by designers in the kitchen, and coastal is one of them. And as it enjoys another resurgence, designers warn there are a few faux pas that could be ruining your kitchen schemes.

When they are designed well, coastal kitchen ideas can feel chic, elevated, and totally inviting. But there are a few mistakes designers keep seeing in cooking spaces that take the look from timeless to dated and distasteful. It's a style that's all about balance, take the look too literally and you could end up with a kitchen thatis cliché rather than chic.