Creating seamless coastal living
DESIGN FEATURE
Andersens Interior Designer and Window Covering Specialist Delena Pitman explores how to create seamless coastal living by selecting the right flooring and window treatments for your home.
Northern NSW and Queensland’s coastal lifestyle lends itself perfectly to open-plan living, where the line between indoors and outdoors blurs to create bright, breezy and functional spaces. Whether building or renovating, getting the flow right between internal and external areas comes down to thoughtful design choices - particularly when it comes to flooring and window treatments.
Creating a seamless indoor-to-outdoor transition isn’t just about choosing stylish materials; it’s about ensuring they work together harmoniously. Flooring plays a major role in achieving this balance. Large-format tiles in neutral tones or timber-look finishes help bring spaces together, while carrying timber flooring from inside to outdoor decking or patios enhances continuity. Keeping transitions flush or low-profile further strengthens that seamless connection.
While a flowing layout is key, defining zones with practical flooring choices ensures comfort and durability, especially in homes where sandy feet, wet swimwear, and pets are part of everyday life. In high-traffic areas, hybrid or timber flooring offers resilience against moisture, sand, and daily wear. Meanwhile, plush wool or stain-resistant synthetic carpets in living spaces and bedrooms add warmth, acoustic benefits, and a soft underfoot feel, creating a cosy retreat.
The right carpet fibre choice can make all the difference, with plush wool offering luxury and natural insulation, while synthetic blends provide durability for busy households. Pairing timber or hybrid flooring with complementary carpet tones results in a cohesive and modern aesthetic that suits the laid-back yet stylish nature of Northern NSW homes.
Natural light is another essential element in open-plan spaces. Blinds and window treatments help strike the perfect balance between brightness, privacy, and insulation.Layering sheer or light-filtering blinds with blockout options softens harsh sunlight while preserving the home’s indoor-outdoor connection.For homes where temperature control is a priority, cellular blinds provide insulation benefits, keeping interiors cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
One of the most common design pitfalls is overlooking the balance between practicality and aesthetics. Mismatched flooring can disrupt the home’s natural flow, while poor light control can make spaces uncomfortably bright or too cold.
By thoughtfully choosing flooring, window treatments, and outdoor shading solutions that work in harmony, Northern NSW and Queensland homeowners can embrace a seamless, stylish, and functional indoor-outdoor lifestyle, perfectly suited to coastal living.
Andersens offer high-quality carpets, timber, vinyl, tiles and blinds in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
Visit andersens.com.au to find your local store.
