'Hamptons style' refers to a popular interior design aesthetic inspired by the luxury beachside homes found in the Hamptons, a group of affluent villages and towns on Long Island, New York.
The Hamptons are known for their upscale, coastal, and relaxed lifestyle, and the interior design style reflects these characteristics.
It captures the essence of coastal living, offering a timeless and elegant yet laid-back atmosphere that can be adapted to various settings, whether you're close to the beach or simply want to bring a touch of seaside luxury into your home.
Hamptons Style Popularity in 1980s
The popularity of "Hamptons style" interior design began to rise in the mid-20th century, with its roots tracing back to the affluent coastal communities in the Hamptons on Long Island, New York. However, it gained broader recognition and became a more widely recognized design trend in the 1980s and 1990s.
During this time, the Hamptons began to attract attention as a getaway destination for wealthy New Yorkers seeking a luxurious and relaxed lifestyle by the beach. This lifestyle, along with the charming and elegant interiors of the Hamptons' upscale homes, began to influence interior design trends beyond the local area.
The style's popularity was further propelled by media coverage, including magazines, movies, and television shows featuring homes with Hamptons-style interiors. These portrayals showcased the light and airy feel, coastal influences, and casual yet sophisticated aesthetic of the design, leading to its adoption by a wider audience.
Today, Hamptons style remains a popular and enduring interior design trend that continues to evolve and adapt to contemporary tastes while retaining its core elements of relaxed elegance and coastal charm.
11 Hamptons Style Decor Tips
Have you heard of the Hamptons style? If you love an elegant beach resort-look, the Hamptons style might be for you. Here are the elements to consider, when planning your renovation and shopping!
- Color Palette: The color palette is often light, neutral, and airy. Whites, creams, beiges, and soft pastels dominate the color scheme, creating a serene and calming atmosphere.
- Natural Materials: Natural materials like wood, rattan, jute, and linen are commonly used to add texture and a sense of organic warmth to the space.
- Coastal Elements: Hamptons style often incorporates elements reminiscent of the beach and ocean, such as seashells, driftwood, and marine-inspired artwork or decor.
- Crisp and Clean Lines: Furniture and decor items typically have clean lines and a timeless, classic design. This contributes to an uncluttered and elegant look.
- Casual Elegance: While the style exudes an air of sophistication, it is also comfortable and approachable. It strikes a balance between luxury and relaxed living.
- Light-Filled Spaces: Large windows and an emphasis on natural light are common in Hamptons-style interiors. Sheer curtains or no window treatments at all may be used to maximize sunlight.
- Nautical and Beach Themes: Nautical elements such as striped patterns, anchors, and ship wheels might be incorporated, along with beach-themed decor like coastal artwork, seashells, and wicker baskets.
- Wainscoting and Paneling: Wainscoting, shiplap, and beadboard paneling are often used on walls to add a sense of classic charm and architectural interest.
- Statement Lighting: Chandeliers, pendant lights, and other statement lighting fixtures are used to enhance the overall design and create focal points.
- Comfortable Furnishings: Furniture is often comfortable and inviting, with plush sofas, upholstered chairs, and soft cushions that encourage relaxation.
- Subtle Patterns: While the overall aesthetic is relatively calm and understated, subtle patterns such as stripes, checks, and soft floral prints may be introduced through textiles like pillows, rugs, and upholstery.
Hamptons Style House, Poland
For this home in Poland, interior architect Lucyna Kolodziejska chose a classic, stylish and elegant style.
She drew inspiration from the now fashionable, then not very popular, Hamptons style.
Contrasting the Hamptons style – typically characterised by a white or neutral palette, complemented by natural materials such as timber, and accents of ocean-inspired blue or turquoise – are dark or even black elements to align it with its Baltic identity.
View the full house tour here.
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Hamptons Style House, Singapore
Captivated by the charming English countryside she saw on her road trips throughout the UK, homeowner Alice Siah decided to recreate the airy and restful atmosphere in her Bishan apartment when it came to planning the look of her new home.
View the full house tour here.
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Grey Gardens, Hamptons
This house is decorated in soft blues and floral wallpaper and dotted with fat-leaf potted plants.
During a recent visit to East Hampton, the homeowner walked from room to room, pointing out wicker furniture, chaise lounges and a set of china with a floral pattern to add to her collection.
After Grey Gardens was restored, the homeowner and her husband Benjamin C. Bradlee, former editor of The Washington Post, treated it as a retreat where famous friends, including actors Lorne Michaels, Jack Nicholson and Lauren Bacall, would visit.
View the full house tour here.
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Part of this article was written with ChatGPT, edited by human writers.