Sharing coastal bedroom design ideas with blue and white decor, cozy textiles, vintage finds, and easy tips to create a welcoming space.

Bright bedroom with a white bed, light bedding, two wooden nightstands, dresser, chair, and a patterned rug. Large windows with sheer curtains let in natural light. Ceiling fan and framed art decorate the space.

Can you clear your calendar for today?

BECAUSE MY MOTHER’S BEDROOM IS FINISHED.

We wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for all the input and the emails and ideas and suggestions on this room.

Just a reminder, in case you missed it a couple of weeks ago, this is what the room looked like when we started.

And here are a few details about the room and requests that my mother had:

  • there’s an existing ceiling fan that’s staying
  • the room measures approximately 13.5′ x 13.5′
  • the floor is painted plywood (and we are going to cover most of it up with a rug instead of this small rug that she has)
  • the walls are painted SW Pure White (and we are keeping the paint color)
  • she didn’t want to paint any of the antiques in the room
  • she wanted to add in some handpainted pieces into the space
  • she wanted a new bed, new bedding, a new rug and new curtains

We talked through her vision and I put together three design plans.

Here are the designs (with input from my mother), mocked up in the space that you can see here.

And now?

Do you want to see how the room turned out (I even filmed another video)?

Oh, good.

Because now?

It looks like this.

Before and After Coastal Bedroom Design

Bright bedroom with white walls, blue and white bedding, patterned rug, wooden furniture, a ceiling fan, and framed artwork above the bed. Sunlight streams through large curtained windows.

I tried to take it from the exact angle so you could see the difference.

CAN YOU BELEIVE IT?

(I want to apologize for all the capital letters, but I’m just so excited).

And in amazing news?

I transformed the entire room (including the bed and the rug and the new bedding and the new curtains and the lamps)….

….drum roll, please.

FOR ONLY $400.

A bedroom mood board with a blue and white floral theme, featuring a patterned rug, white lamp with gold accent, floral bedding, striped and floral pillows, and white curtains with blue trim.

She ended up choosing design plan #2.

Except we changed out the curtains for the CUTEST blue and white that looks hand-painted.

Wait until you see the close-up of them in the room.

Here are the sources we used for the original design:

Detailed blue and white floral-patterned rug with a white-legged, blue-striped upholstered stool partially visible in the upper right corner.

//blue medallion  rug//

Let’s start with the rug.

It is so much prettier than it looks like online. We went with a blue background to hide all the dirt and sand that comes with living next to the ocean.

The rug is thicker than I imagined and looks SO MUCH more expensive than it is.

The colors are perfect to build a room around.

You can see the rug here.

A framed house painting hangs above a wooden table with a seahorse decorative plate, a white lamp with a sailboat design, and a small white jar, all arranged against a plain wall.

A painted ceramic plate features a white seahorse at the center, surrounded by swirling blue, green, and gray waves, with decorative floral patterns along the rim.

If you watched the original video of the tour of the room (you can see it here), you know how important all the memories and things my mother has collected over the years are to her.

It was important that we keep art and accessories that have meaning to her.

Like this painting of the beach house in it’s original frame.

And this seahorse platter that my sister painted for her.

White fabric with vertical blue lines; some lines are dashed, while others have a leafy vine pattern. The fabric has folds, creating slight shadows and variation in the pattern’s appearance.

// blue and white curtains //

Close-up of a pillow with a painted design of blue and green abstract flowers and leaves, resting on a textured blue-green fabric.

Light-colored curtains with vertical blue and gray patterns partially cover a window, allowing some natural light to filter through. The wall near the window is decorated with a matching leafy-patterned border.

A wooden rocking chair with a blue knitted blanket and a white pillow featuring blue flowers sits near a window with white curtains decorated with blue leaf patterns.

// blue and white curtains //

This is a vintage rocking chair that came from the Cape.

I took off the main cushion and added a hand-painted hydrangea pillow instead.

The blue throw on the chair was handmade for my mother by the ladies at a local church after my father passed away.

And you can also see the blue and white curtains that we chose (instead of the scalloped curtains).

You can see them here.

A white table lamp with a gold base sits on a wooden surface next to a glass vase holding blue hydrangeas. The background is a white wall with wainscoting.

// set of lamps //

These lamps were the best find.

They come in a set of two with gold finials and a gold base and they are under $40 for both lamps.

You can see them here.

A close-up of a white wall decorated with various framed paintings and pictures, mainly depicting coastal scenes with boats, houses, and landscapes.

A bright bedroom with a white bed featuring blue floral bedding, patterned pillows, a wooden nightstand with a vase of purple flowers, white curtains, and framed artwork on the wall above the bed.

I grouped all the pictures from around the room and created a gallery wall over the bed.

Each picture has a memory.

There are hand-painted pieces by my grandmother and needlepointed houses and even a piece of art featuring the church where my parents got married.

A clear glass vase with blue hydrangeas sits on a wooden surface in front of a mirror, reflecting a bed with patterned pillows and a white lamp in a cozy bedroom.

These are hydrangeas are from the bush that my father planted all those years ago.

I added vases of them all over the room.

You can read the story of the hydrangea bush here.

Four white cloth napkins, each decorated with delicate blue floral branch patterns and light blue dotted line borders, are neatly folded and arranged side by side.

// blue and white napkins //

A clear glass vase with water and green stems sits on a mirror-topped wooden table covered by a white cloth with a blue floral border pattern.

// blue and white napkins //

My mother didn’t want to paint the dresser, so I came up with the best idea.

I found these blue and white linen napkins from Walmart.

They are on clearance right now for a set of four for under $4.

You can see them here.

I put them under glass on top of the dresser to create a vintage look (and then I have two napkins leftover to make a pillow).

A close-up of blue hydrangea flowers in a glass vase, sitting on a wooden surface with a white background.

Bright bedroom with a blue and white floral theme, cozy bed, patterned rug, small striped footstool, light curtains, and framed art on the wall. Sunlight fills the room through two large windows.

//blue medallion  rug//

A neatly made bed with three pillows featuring blue and white patterns: one with florals, one with a grid, and one with a repetitive floral motif, all on a white textured bedspread.

// blue and white block print pillow //floral comforter set //white duvet cover (queen)//

I’m so happy we got the bed.

It looks like a vintage iron bed and it’s so sturdy. You can see the bed here.

The floral comforter set is a queen and it came with a set of blue sheets and shams.

You can see the comforter set here.

Then I found two pillows in the living room and added this blue and white block print pillow.

Close-up of a blue and white striped pillow resting on a floral-patterned blue and white rug with dark blue leaf and flower designs.

//blue medallion  rug//

A neatly made bed with blue and white patterned pillows and bedding. A nightstand holds a lamp and a vase of blue flowers. Framed artwork hangs on the wall above the bed.

// blue and white block print pillow //floral comforter set //white duvet cover (queen)//

A small, bright bathroom with a white toilet, striped curtain, nautical decor, and a "Cape Cod" sign on a shelf above the toilet. A lamp with a sailboat design sits on a wooden table in the foreground.

I even did a mini refresh in the bathroom with new curtains and a few new bathroom accessories.

I also filmed a quick video of the 360-degree view of the room.

Sometimes it’s easier to get an idea of the room with a video.

A window with a sheer curtain partially open, showing a view of green bushes, trees, a road, and a distant house under a blue sky with clouds.

The room project was so much fun.

Thank you so much for following along and helping with all the suggestions.

There are so many fun finds in the space and it feels so beachy and airy and full of memories.

The most incredible thing about this room?

Is the view right outside the window. 🙂

PS If you are wondering if my mother loved the room? I came in later to find her all snuggled in bed with a smile on her face. 🙂

A bright coastal bedroom with white walls, blue floral bedding, matching rug, small bench, and framed pictures above the bed. Sunlight streams through sheer curtains on two windows.

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Posted On: July 13, 2026

Written By: KariAnne Wood

Comments

  4. Image for Lisa Lisa

    Karianne, you did such a beautiful with the room. I know your mum must love it. You have a wonderful way of mixing patterns and textures that all work together. I really love that rug and the bedding. What a pretty combo. Good for you. Hope your sweet mum enjoys it all. xoxo

    Reply
  5. Image for LisaH LisaH

    KariAnne - If I was your Mom I’d never want to leave. What a gift you have given her! The “dresser scarf/napkin” under glass is genius. She is wise to leave the furniture unpainted. The room feels calm and grounded and so very personal. Well done!

    Reply
  8. Image for Donna Donna

    I love your mom’s room! The fresh white paint looked gorgeous and proves that every redo doesn’t need new paint. I love everything, I can’t pick one certain thing. That rug and bedding are phenomenal, but that gallery wall is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply
  10. Image for BOOTSIE DOMINICK BOOTSIE DOMINICK

    I love everything about your mom's room...you did a great job...a beautiful room in an incredible place...Cape Cod is on my bucket list....

    Reply
  13. Image for Juliet Juliet

    Of course she loves it in all its blue and white gorgeousness. The gallery wall is a brilliant idea. Beautiful work, KA! xo

    Reply
  16. Image for Marti Marti

    Lovely! I especially love your gallery wall; the paintings are so much more impactful grouped together. Really pretty♥️ One question though: why did you choose to cover the footboard? (Personally I love a footboard🤷‍♀️)

    Reply
  17. Image for Deb Deb

    After reading the original post I was inspired to do a little up date in my guest room. My sister is coming for a visit at the end of the month. So I ordered a new shower curtain for the little bath off of that room and new bedding and will be adding a couple of pictures to the walls. I also will be painting a side table but it has already been painted once so no one needs to gasp:) I love the curtains you ended up with and wonder if I can get those in time. Fantastic job ….but the kicker for me is the BUDGET!!! Proves that so much can be accomplished for under $500.

    Reply
  19. Image for Jodena Beale Jodena Beale

    I love it Kari Anne. It took an ordinary looking room from "Its ok" to "OMG, look at it walking the runway". You must pat yourself on the back. Everything is just gorgeous. Thank you for sharing this fabulous transformation. So glad your mom loved it too.

    Reply
  20. Image for Revonda Stordahl Revonda Stordahl

    The room is beautiful! I love the rug and the curtains. It is a perfect balance between beachy and feminine.

    Reply
  22. Image for Debbie Debbie

    Oh your mom’s room is so sweet, uplifting, cheerful!! The colors are so pretty and adding your dad’s hydrangeas are so meaningful. The color of those flowers is gorgeous!! You did a wonderful job and I know your mom loves her beautiful room! Thank you for sharing, KariAnne. So pretty!

    Reply
  24. Image for Kris Kris

    Easy breezy, and oh, so pleasing. I love how you took your original ideas and improved on them. Those curtains fit the space better, and I'm a huge fan of the rug with the darker background. Not only does it hide the dirt, but it also helps frame the room. Add me to the list of people who love your napkin-under-glass idea. Brilliant!

    Reply
  25. Image for Janette Deans Janette Deans

    Beautiful and that rug....OMG, its stunning, I think its makes the whole room pop, well done on such a gorgeous make-over. xx

    Reply
  26. Image for Lee Stearns Lee Stearns

    Aw always, it’s perfect! Cozy, comfy, meaningful, practical and mom loves it!! My only suggestion is wallpaper in the bathroom above the paneling to add a little oomph to the room!!

    Reply
  27. Image for Mary Hite Mary Hite

    I love it! It looks so current and fresh! The gallery wall is genius as it showcases the pieces in a new way. We become visually bored and stop seeing things if we don't switch them up. The best, most affordable way to refresh a room is to shop the house and swap out accessories.

    Reply
  28. Image for Ange Ange

    My favorite part is that you listened to her desires for the room. My second favorite is that you gathered her memories together and made the gallery wall for her. I'm sure she smiles every time she walks in her bedroom.

    Reply
  32. Image for Katherine Katherine

    Hi KariAnne & Mom, Everything turned out so lovely, you both have outstanding taste. It’s so uplifting to come into such a beautiful and peaceful bedroom. The view is fabulous. Give yourself big hugs for creating a beautiful serene peaceful welcoming space.

    Reply
  36. Image for Marlene Stephenson Marlene Stephenson

    You did a wonderful job in your mother's room. These are the things and moments that will be in yours and her heart forever. Thanks for sharing the pictures and other collection she has.

    Reply
  37. Image for Victoria Victoria

    I absolutely love everything about it! Everything is perfect! I can imagine sea breezes gently moving those beautiful curtains. The rug is a wonderful color and so relaxing. The bathroom also is terrific. All for $400? Truly amazing! I'm glad you saw your mom smiling as she snuggled on that old fashioned bed. Hope you got a photo of that for your keepsake photo books. You did a lovely job, all of you, including your readers' contributions! She'll so enjoy it!

    Reply
  38. Image for Linda Linda

    I especially appreciate the budget and the gallery wall. I have two questions: 1.) Does your mom live there full time? 2.) The Amazon picture of the duvet cover shows it to be smooth. Your photos show it to have more of a quilted appearance. Is it the same duvet as the Amazon link? Thank you for sharing all of this. I wonder whose heart is more full: yours or your mom's?

    Reply
  39. Image for Rebecca Kalsbeek Rebecca Kalsbeek

    I love the change on the curtains from the scalloped edges to the suggestion of blue but very light and airy. Also the gallery of pictures is stunning. All great changes and ideas. What a blessing you are to your mom.

    Reply
  41. Image for Debbie Debbie

    It is beautiful I love it! That rug is everything!!!! Only suggestion i have is paint the picture frames blue or white. Make them fresher but thats me. You did a beautiful job its so pretty

    Reply
  43. Image for Patti Patti

    What a beautiful room! So perfect for Anne! I can just see her smiling as she enjoys everything about her room of memories and family!

    Reply
  48. Image for Judy Judy

    The room is lovely and I adore the curtains! Thanks for the tip on the napkins. I’ve been looking at them for a while now but hoped they would go on clearance before they were sold out. I went to my Walmart this morning and they were on clearance for $1.24! I got 16 napkins for just under $5,00. I owe you one 😉

    Reply
  49. Image for Lisa Elford Lisa Elford

    Absolutely gorgeous 😍. I love the coastal feel and all the beautiful choices that went into that feeling. But my absolute favourite is the creation of the gallery wall !All that beautiful history combined with light and bright is so beautiful and definitely inspiring. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  50. Image for Michele M. Michele M.

    It is absolutely gorgeous. With all your "must keep sames" you did a remarkable job with this. The bluy and white look fabulous. Well done, ladies. Well done, indeed. TOTALLY worth the wait for the big reveal. Love it.

    Reply
  53. Image for Martha Martha

    What a beautiful, calming, coastal, Cape Cod-ish room, full of nostalgia! Nicely done!! Your mom is so blessed to have a daughter like you! Continue to enjoy your time there :)

    Reply
  55. Image for Sue Kment Sue Kment

    This is stunning! I bet she was tickled. The only thing I would add would be a bench at the end of the bed..as a Granny I need a place to easily sit to change my clothes etc.

    Reply
  56. Image for Natalie Moldovan Natalie Moldovan

    What a joyful thing to do for and with your Mom! My sweet mamma moved in with me and my little girls 4 1/2 years ago and we had so much fun making her room beautiful. She just passed away July 11th after a courageous 5 year battle with cancer and this article, and the one before it, just reminded me of her and how wonderful it is to have an amazing mom! So happy you girls have this 💓. And the paintings from your grandmother and your sister. We also have layers of beautiful, loving and talented women surrounding us. My 9 yo is a cancer survivor as well and my mom always said we just needed one diagnosis to be right, the little one's. Thank you so much for sharing this joyful moment with your adorable mom! Oh, and I was so set on the 3rd choice but I LOVE what you girls chose!

    Reply

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