A summertime getaway and a soothing antidote to the hustle and bustle of New York, the waterfront is first and foremost a prime vacation getaway, and the interiors of the Hamptons reflect this. The homes are glamorous and sophisticated, but this modern interior design style is easy at the same time. The rooms are bright and light with large open windows that let in the light.
For New York-based designer Amy Lau, the Hamptons are surrounded by beachfront romance and folklore. This style has its origins in the quiet coastal cottages of Long Island, New York. Her casual and cool look is reminiscent of serenity waves and calm skies.
Hampton’s style, with its ship-strap embellishments, is reminiscent of the days when ships sailed into port and exotic spoils landed on our doorsteps. Somehow, she steps into a world of paradise where rustic charm pairs well with clean, ironed linen.
Hamptons-style décor offers a more elevated, coastal look, and can be explored in homes outside of the Long Island area as well. Here are the basic elements of how to achieve this.
What is the Hamptons style decor?
The Hamptons-style décor is traditional American design – white wood railings, clean lines, and cozy finishes. The design of coastal interiors in the Hamptons is free of beachy clichés, but embraces nautical touches here and there.
The palette is clean – dazzling white and royal blue make the ultimate coastal scheme. Textures and layers are key to creating warmth against cool blues and whites. Think rope details, faux sisal, and fresh cotton and linen.
Here, interior designers based in the Hamptons and beyond explore what defines Hamptons decor and how the look can be recreated.
1. Paint your rooms white on white
(Image credit: Turett Collaborative)
Adding to the general serenity of a Hamptons home, the main style is the use of a dazzling white scheme. The pure white living room, bedroom and bathroom walls reflect the serene nature of the site, bringing in the fresh air, brightening the space and maximizing the natural light that the Hamptons so much enjoy.
In this example from Tribeca-based architecture and interior design firm The Turett Collaborative, white walls were key to breathing fresh air in the property. “This was a Hamptons vacation home that has slowly emerged into a long-term residence away from the city,” explains Jessica Shaw, director of interior design. It had to evolve to meet the family’s needs of working from home with a home office. We wanted this home to embrace airiness, light colors, white ceiling beams, and oceanic accents to create a serene ambiance.
“White not only blends well with everything, but enhances these elements—furniture, artwork, plants—allowing them to stand out and have a quality that might otherwise be lost or subdued against other backgrounds,” says Steffen Ringelmann of Montauk-based studio MTK.
2. Use touches of blue around the house
(Image credit: Rayman Boozer)
Creating perfect harmony with the crisp white of the walls, Hamptons homes are often dotted with soft blue furnishings and details. After all, white is a classic color that goes well with blue.
In this Southampton family home, designed by Apartment 48 founder Rayman Boozer, the blue cushions and benches in the window seat extend to Thibaut’s bright blue geometric pattern wallpaper, which guides the eye around the room’s cheerful curves. The chairs designed by Ralph Lauren Home make up for the blue perfectly.
3. Don’t forget the Chinese
(Image credit: Susanna Scott. Designed by ABD Studio1stDibs)
Another signature of the Hamptons style is traditional china. Blue and white porcelain and earthenware vases with Chinese detailing can be seen in nearly every home in the Hamptons and are typically displayed on every available surface, from console tables to coffee table decor.
Popular due to the intricate crafts associated with its creation, chinoiserie adds a touch of opulence to Hamptons-style decor.
4. The Hamptons supplement an abundance of natural light
(Image credit: McKendree Reading. Styling: Bella Mancini)
Rayman Boozer of Apartment 48 says, “In the Hamptons, you have natural light in spades, but that doesn’t mean you neglect your living room lighting ideas, for example. Living rooms, dining rooms, and common spaces are often outfitted with a statement piece that ties the room together. in a festive way.
In this charming Wainscott cottage on Long Island, designed by New York-based interior designer Bella Mancini, bright yellow Maguire dining chairs light up the room and swirl around a statement pendant by Oly Studio, emphasizing the beauty of the piece that almost repeats a ball of coral.
5. Go outdoors for outdoor recreation
(Image credit: Amy Lau)
Embrace outdoor hosting and entertainment in true Hamptons style by bringing out the aesthetics of your garden. In this Bridgehampton home, designed by Amy Lau, vibrant colors and textures inspired by the sea and sky draw you into the outdoor living room.
“With the warmer months in the Hamptons come endless opportunities for outdoor recreation,” she says. “I always choose stylish and functional outdoor furniture that complements the style of the interior I’ve designed, so it’s similar in color palette, look and feel.”
6. Consider nautical touches
(Image credit: Andrew Frasz. Design: Jessica Gertsen Interiors)
The destination’s proximity to the ocean reflects all aspects of Hamptons interiors, from living room color ideas to décor. “For me, Hamptons style is all about the beach,” says interior designer Raymond Bowser. It’s dressing and living with a certain ease, while embracing coastal hues, from rich blues to sandy sisal to earthy greens. I think comfortable furniture that requires little maintenance and that reflects this is essential. You can find beautiful pieces at Serena & Lily, Côte À Coast, and Hudson Grace.
Amy Spargo of Maine House Interiors is based in Victoria, Australia, but she takes great inspiration from designing the Hamptons as a coastal style that she loves. “The classic navy color palette of blue, red, and white is a fun place to start,” she says. Think rope details, textured sisal, soft printed linen and cotton on the upholstery. Antiques and antiques really make a place near the water,” she says.
7. Choose rustic wood materials
(Image credit: Studio MTK)
In this cozy Montauk cottage, wood is a critical element that helps mirror the home’s location. “Wood is a warm, natural material that can provide an organic, relaxing feel to any interior, something that most homeowners here in Montauk and the Hamptons prioritize,” explains Studio MTK founder Steffen Ringelmann. “It can be used on different surfaces and in different combinations, and no matter what, it always looks good.” On this particular project, one of the oldest homes in Montauk, the team at Studio MTK wanted to choose wood as the primary material for this modern, rustic living room.
“The client made the decision to furnish the house with simple, handcrafted pine furniture inspired by the work of Enzo Marie and Donald Judd, two modern artists and designers that the owners admire, and that was just as important,” explains Ringelman. Handcrafted pine wood furniture is an integral part of the way the clients wanted it to feel in their home, at the same time comfortable and modern, simple but well designed, elegant yet unpretentious. The furniture is unremarkable in its simplicity of form and construction, but is also great for these same qualities, giving the historic home where they live a new life of its own.
8. Don’t forget the flowers bloom
(Image credit: Amy Spargo)
Synonymous with Hamptons style are the bright, bold flowers that often fringe a Hamptons garden. Think Buxus and Gardenia, but most importantly, hydrangeas, which are often plucked from a packed fence and taken indoors for a comfortable, disorderly flower arrangement.
“The Cuban is a true Hamptons classic,” says Amy Lau. When one thinks of the summer landscapes out there, these flowing, gorgeous plants come to mind. Hydrangeas bloom twice during the summer months and range in color from white, pink, blue, and even purple. Hydrangeas are praised for their lush and unpretentious flowers.
What colors go with the Hamptons décor?
Rich in blue and white, Hamptons style also features a kaleidoscope of upbeat shades. Says Babe Rich, Website Editor LivingTech.
But what makes this style even more intriguing is how flashes of yellow and green sneak in, rushes of sunshine to elevate this look and make it a little fun.
Taking the lead from all the gorgeous hydrangea puffs outside of every home, there are peach, pink, lilac, and lilac among the more traditional colors. This is a relaxed summer style with flair.