Design 101

California Casual Style

February 20, 2025

When you think of relaxing, you probably imagine an airy, natural beach house on the coast somewhere. You picture soft sand, the sound of the ocean in the distance, and a comfortable place to curl up with your best beach read. If you want that kind of relaxation in your own home, try California casual interior design. This style makes you feel like you’re on a permanent beach vacation, even if your home is as landlocked as it gets.

What Is California Casual Style?

If you’re looking for an aesthetic that’s a little artistic, a little beachy, and a little minimalist, California casual might be for you. This interior design style blends minimalist elements with coastal and boho influences for a home that makes you feel relaxed, creative, and uncluttered.

The style leans heavily into natural elements such as neutral colors, natural materials and textures, and a smooth transition between indoors and outdoors.

Key Elements of California Casual Interior Design

There are a few key elements that bring together a California casual interior design. Think natural style with a minimalist edge, and you’re on the right track.

Neutral Color Palette

California casual style leans into coastal vibes with soft neutral colors. Think beiges, tans, soft whites, warm grays, and other nature-inspired tones. These palettes create a great neutral canvas you can easily pair with a lot of different design choices.

Natural Materials 

Using natural materials will give your home that casual, beachy feeling that will have you feeling cool and relaxed whether you’re chilling with a paperback or deep in a work project. Choose furniture made of natural woods, rattan, and jute, with textiles such as cotton or linen for your accents.

Layered Textures

Layering textures is a great way to capture that laissez-faire coastal attitude. Draped linens or plush throws can add comfort and visual interest to your furniture. Woven baskets provide storage that pops. Organic fabrics create soft layers that make your interior design more visually interesting without sacrificing the minimalist aspects of California casual that many people love.

Using various textures can create contrast and make designs more engaging. Different textures evoke different emotions: plush throws feel warm and safe, smooth cottons boost productivity, natural woods energize, and soft cushions relax or induce sleepiness.

Comfortable and Functional Furniture

Like many minimalist aesthetics, the furniture in a California casual home should be a blend of both form and function. You’ll want comfortable seating, accessible storage and tables, and decor elements that don’t just look pretty, but also serve a purpose.

Consider investing in an oversized plush sofa that will provide plenty of comfortable seating for you and your guests. Or choose low-profile seating that will allow you to sit back and relax.

Opt for furniture that serves multiple purposes. A coffee table with storage or a short bookcase as an armchair side table can reduce the need for extra pieces.

Indoor-Outdoor Flow

One of the best ways to give your home more California style is to create a sense of flow between your indoor and outdoor spaces. Inside, bring in greenery such as potted plants or faux ferns. Use large windows to minimize the separation between indoors and outdoors.

Outdoors, coordinate your spaces with your indoor designs. Choose patio furniture in the same color palettes and materials as your interior furnishings. Coordinate your houseplants with your garden or some planter boxes. The more you can bring your interior and exterior spaces together, the more relaxed and calm your space will feel.

Room-by-Room Styling Tips

A California casual interior design might look a little different depending on the space it’s being brought into. You might apply different elements to a living room than to your bedroom, for example. Check out these tips for styling each room for a perfectly coordinated California casual home.

Living Room

Your living room is the space where you and your family will spend most of your time together relaxing, talking about your day, and entertaining yourselves. It needs to balance comfort with functionality in a way that’s still uncluttered and visually appealing.

Start with a neutral sectional or oversized couch. Add some woven rugs for a natural element. Incorporate some statement lighting to provide plenty of illumination. Finally, add some comfort elements — think soft throw blankets or plush pillows — that create visual interest while also functioning to provide comfort as you sit around together.

Bedroom

Your bedroom should be your calm oasis, and what better way to achieve that than a style that blends coastal comforts with clean minimalism? Natural fibers and materials make for a restful space that gets you ready to settle in and slumber.

Start with your bedding. Choose natural fibers such as soft cotton or linen. These will be soft enough to be comfortable but breathable enough that you won’t wake up sweating. For your furnishings, choose natural wooden nightstands, dressers, or bed frames. Add some variety with textured throws that can keep you warm on extra cold nights or give you something comfortable to cuddle when you’re struggling to sleep after a bad day.

Dining Area

Your dining area is the perfect place to lean into the more boho elements of California casual. Choose a rustic wood table for your centerpiece and pair it with a variety of mixed-and-matched dining chairs. The eclectic mix will create plenty of visual interest and may even become a conversation piece for your guests.

Outdoor Spaces

Your outdoor spaces are just as important as your indoor ones. To keep the relaxing vibes going, line your patio or porch with plenty of lounge seating, natural fiber rugs, and some well-placed potted plants.

Try to coordinate your outdoor spaces with your indoor ones. Choose similar color palettes or materials or pick furnishings in similar styles. This creates that indoor-outdoor flow that’s characteristic of California casual interior style.

Dos and Don’ts of California Casual Decor

When it comes to California casual style, combine natural textures and neutral tones for a calming and versatile design. On the other hand, don’t overcrowd your space with too much furniture or decor. Keep things open and airy, and lean into nature by creating flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Create a space you love, even if it doesn’t perfectly fit the rules of California casual. This interior style is great for pairing with other aesthetics so don’t be afraid to experiment to create a style that makes you feel as comfortable and content as possible.

How To Shop for California Casual Furniture and Decor

Finding the Best Furniture Pieces

The best furniture pieces are ones that are soft, comfortable, and functional. Choose a plush, oversized sofa or sturdy cane chairs for seating. Wooden tables are also great choices for a California casual interior design, because they’re very versatile, and they add a touch of nature to your space.

California Casual Accents

Decor is the best place to lean into the more nature-inspired, boho elements of the style. Earthy ceramics such as decorative clay pots filled with houseplants bring the outdoors in. Vintage rugs can add a pop of color and pattern to a space. Textured pillows are also ideal for adding visual interest while also providing even more plush comfort.

Where To Buy California Casual Styles

Because California casual is so versatile, many brands carry furniture that suits the style. Major retailers such as Bloomingdale’s, Hudson’s Furniture, and Slumberland Furniture are just as likely to carry your dream pieces as a local furniture store, so shop around.

Trending California Casual Design Ideas for 2025

Like all design styles, California casual is constantly growing and evolving based on current design trends. Today’s homes are leaning into soft curves, especially in furniture, and chic bohemian accents such as vintage rugs or eclectic seating.

Make this style your own by creating a mood board for inspiration or make a checklist of items you want to add to your own living space.

Bring California Casual Into Your Home

If you want to create a home with the light, airy feeling of a relaxing beach house, the eclectic vibrancy of bohemian style, and the simplicity of minimalism, California casual interior design is a great place to start. This design style leans into natural colors and materials, adds a splash of vintage style and layered textures, and ties it all together in a neat bow of functionality.

Visit  Furniture.com to find more inspiration for your California casual home, shop our collections, or see more tips on interior design to make your house a home.

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