Effortless Coastal Design for Island Living
11/04/2025
In a world chasing trends, Nantucket homes remind us of that special timeless look - the one that blends coastal sophistication, historic preservation, and understated luxury into one iconic style. Homes with this one-of-a-kind Nantucket look have been recognized and celebrated in pieces written by HGTV, Ocean Home Magazine, and N Magazine. And not only is Nantucket style celebrated for its beauty, but also for its functionality, both inside and outside the house.
Iconic Nantucket Colors
Many homes’ interiors on Nantucket have coastal paint colors inspired by the island’s natural beauty - take these colors made by Benjamin Moore and Behr, for example, which are named after the island: Nantucket Breeze, Nantucket Sands, and Nantucket Gray. Shades often utilized in homes on the island include a variety of matte or softly weathered grays, blues, whites, and beiges, resulting in a modern take on New England tradition that never goes out of style.
Practical and Functional Spaces
On Nantucket, great design is as much about practicality as it is about beauty. Homes here are made to suit island life - from sandy feet to seasonal guests. For seasonal functionality, many homes have large open spaces for gathering in the house, bunk rooms for guests, and a mudroom for beach gear. Outdoor living spaces are just as important - outdoor showers for rinsing off after the beach, and teak or wicker furniture with slipcovered fabric on porches ( 3 Wauwinet Rd., pictured below), which all stand up beautifully to the island’s salt air and summer humidity. Large windows are another Nantucket staple, great for framing ocean views and welcoming in the island breeze, making each space feel effortlessly relaxed.
Landscaping
Many homes on-island are designed to appear naturally in Nantucket’s landscape, often surrounded by beautiful plants, wooden gates and fences, and shell driveways. Landscaping favors native coastal species that thrive in salty air and sandy soil, such as hydrangeas, climbing roses, boxwood and privet hedges, grasses, and lavender. These plants all add color and charm to a yard, without appearing unnatural. As for driveways and pathways, crushed shells, stones, and brick are common. These materials not only help maintain the coastal look of the island, but also help with drainage and erosion control. The photo below shows landscaping at 22 Blackfish Ln.
A Mix of Old and New
Although there are stark differences between the older, classical cottages and the newer, more modern compounds on Nantucket, many houses combine elements from both styles to have a seamless flow throughout. Some houses, from the outside, maintain their centuries-old appearance, but upon stepping foot inside, one will find the house completely renovated and filled with modern touches (like at 28 Pleasant St., pictured below). Other examples of balancing “the new with the old” include keeping antique fireplaces while adding minimalistic furniture, or having exposed beams paired with sleek and contemporary kitchens.
Craftsmanship
Nantucket homes are renowned for their timeless craftsmanship, starting with the iconic cedar shingle work seen on the exterior walls of cottages and compounds alike. Over time, these shingles naturally weather to their signature silvery-gray color. On the interior, shiplap is popular (shown in 17 Pocomo Rd.'s living spaces pictured below), along with built-in cabinetry and seating, which are typically custom-made, including window seats, bunk room beds, and storage compartments. As touched upon before, Nantucket also has many homes that showcase stone hearths or chimneys that serve as the focal point to a living space, and are built with local or imported stone, highlighting masonry skill.
Furniture and Artwork
The furniture and artwork that goes into a Nantucket home plays a special role, often highlighting coastal comfort and timeless craftsmanship. Furniture often features natural materials such as rattan, wood, and wicker. Lamps and lighting are also often decorative, providing a warm and inviting glow to living spaces. Many homeowners choose artwork that is made locally, whether it be photographs or painted pieces. This artwork is typically nautically-inspired, displaying beaches, boats, fish, whales, surfboards, and other scenes that blend into the soft interior paint colors. One playful design that’s popular in some Nantucket homes is the use of large signs featuring the island’s name, or specific locations on the island, such as “Siasconset”, “Brant Point”, or “Polpis”. These signs are often hand-painted in bold, vintage-inspired lettering. Along with artwork, fun nautical wallpapers can be implemented to liven up bathrooms, powder rooms, and bedrooms (check out the unique wallpapers used at 10 Lyon St. pictured below).
Quarterboards
Quarterboards are a distinctive and charming feature of many Nantucket homes, rooted in local tradition and maritime culture. Although the idea of a quarterboard has mostly remained the same throughout time (a decorative carved wooden panel displaying a name), their purpose has shifted. In the 1800s, ships were required to have a quarterboard in order to identify the vessel’s name, but over time, as whaling declined, these carved wooden signs were removed from ships and began to be displayed on Nantucket homes, starting a new tradition of naming homes and cottages. Today, quarterboards are used all over the island for fun and decorative purposes, but still link back to the island’s seafaring history.
Timeless Beauty
Nantucket’s home design is distinctive and instantly recognizable, combining both historical and modern elements in order to preserve the island’s charm. From weathered shingle shakes to hydrangea-lined pathways, every detail reflects the island’s character. Whether you’re restoring a historic cottage or drawing inspiration for a modern retreat, Nantucket is full of ideas, from the stand-out features down to the smallest details.