There’s a reason Hamptons style seems immune to changing interior trends and remains one of Australia’s favourite interior design styles. It’s elevated coastal aesthetic effortlessly lends itself to Australia’s beachside lifestyle and laid-back culture, with its clean colour pallete and sumptuous furnishings achieving the perfect blend of simplicity and character.
While we all might dream of purchasing that quintessential white Hampton’s beach house, you can just as easily achieve the desired aesthetic with the right Hamptons style furniture.
In fact, with the right combination of dreamy blue hues, natural wood and soft white furnishings, even those living miles from the beach can enjoy the serene ambiance of Hamptons living.
What Is Hamptons style?
The Hamptons refer to a cluster of coastal settlements located on New York’s Long Island, including the towns of Southampton, Sag Harbor and Montauk.
Wealthy New Yorkers have used the area as their summer playground since the late 1800s and the popular interior style is directly influenced by the region’s famously sophisticated coastal residences.
Interior designer and director of Gallerie B Interiors, Belinda Vandenboom describes a typical Hamptons style interior as a “relaxed, light filled space with a strong connection between indoors and outdoors.”
“The style is fresh yet classic and timeless,” Belinda continues, “indoor and outdoor living spaces connect seamlessly. Ceilings are often high and natural light maximised. Materials are classic such as Carrara Marble, shaker style cabinetry, subway tiles and there’s an emphasis on joinery detail and beautiful handles—ultimately, a feeling of lived in elegance is created.”
While the traditional Hamptons style is always going to be timeless, there are also many ways to play with an evolved version of the interiors trend in your home.
Modern Hamptons interiors are increasingly incorporating darker colours into the traditionally white and blue palette, as well as more variations of patterns and prints in the upholstery and decorative items.
How to select the right Hamptons furniture
The popularity of the Hamptons aesthetic means that Hamptons style furniture is widely available. While this is certainly good news for lovers of the aesthetic, there’s also a risk of filling a space with too many Hamptons style replicas and losing the lived-in, layered look that the aesthetic is actually defined by.
To avoid this problem, Belinda recommends avoiding the temptation to be “too matchy with your furniture choices.”
“Incorporate natural textures where you can, such as a sisal rug or rattan coffee table, to add a point of interest. Play around with fabrics—there are so many beautiful patterns and prints available that can be used to create a beautiful bespoke sofa or chair.”
According to Belinda, Hamptons interiors also benefit from a “mix of old and new styles” of furniture.
“I love timeless furniture pieces with classic shapes and turned timber legs but I also love injecting new life into older pieces by reupholstering them, such as a classic style occasional chair in a fresh fabric,” Belinda explains.
“Look for details on furniture such as tufting, studs or skirts on upholstered pieces and classic silhouettes such as pedestal or turned legs to tables and moulded edges.”
When it comes to selecting your Hamptons furniture, Belinda believes that comfort is key.
“Furniture pieces can have a sophisticated or classic design but they need to be easy to live with and inviting to look at,” Belinda says, explaining that Hamptons furniture should soften a room.
“Try layering with pieces such as floor rugs, cushions in linen and patterned cotton fabrics as well as soft furnishings like Roman blinds in rooms with hard finishes like the kitchens and laundry.”
While these tips should help you select the right Hamptons furniture for your home, its important to trust your taste over strictly adhering to an aesthetic.
“Choose pieces you love, opting for quality and things that will last,” says Belinda.
2024’s TOP HAMPTONS FURNITURE
- Montauk 3 Seater Sofa & Armchair Set, $1,250.00, Temple & Webster (here’s why)
- White Hamptons Bookcase, $549, Temple & Webster (here’s why)
- Verdun Dining Chair, $499, Early Settler (here’s why)
Where to shop Hamptons style furniture in Australia
01
Montauk 3 seater sofa & armchair set
from $1,250.00, Temple & Webster
Best for: Hamptons seating, living room furniture
Embrace modern Hamptons living with this white slip-cover style sofa and armchair set from Temple & Webster.
Sizes: Armchair 66cm x 86cm x 84cm, Sofa 80cm x 197cm x 84cm
Colours: White
Materials: Rubberwood, Polyester
Key features:
- Removable slip covers
- French seams
- Sofa and armchair set
02
White Hamptons large closed bookshelf
from $549 , Temple & Webster
Best for: Book storage, character
A good-sized bookshelf is an important piece of furniture in any Hamptons home.
With its weatherboard look, this bookshelf is perfect for displaying for your décor items, and of course, all of your favourite beach reads.
Sizes: 180cm x 100cm x 45cm
Colours: White
Materials: Manufactured Timber
Key features:
- White finish
- Panel detailing
- 5 shelves
03
Verdun dining chair
from $499 , Early Settler
Best for: Hamptons seating, dining, statement chair
Whether you style a set around your dining table or stick with a single statement chair, make Hampton’s styling a breeze.
Sizes: 87cm x 61cm x 74cm
Colours: Brown/White
Materials: Texteline, Wicker
Key features:
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor
- Steel legs
- Classic shape
04
Chelsea kitchen island bench with timber top
from $1,949 (usually $2799), Early Settler
Best for: Kitchen island
The kitchen island is a defining element of a classic Hamptons style kitchen.
With in-built storage and seating space, this stylish work bench will become just as popular for chopping vegetables as it is for conversations and cups of tea.
Sizes: 99cm x 204cm x 74cm
Colours: White/Black
Materials: Natural Oak, Oak Veneer, MDF, New Pine
Key features:
- Freestanding
- Painted white natural oak veneer
- Built-in storage
05
Long beach ottoman
$499 (usually $699), Lounge Lovers
Best for: Living spaces, ottoman
In a classic sandy beige hue, this plush oversized ottoman will bring a touch of understated elegance into almost any interior space.
Sizes: 80cm x 80cm x 80cm
Colours: Beige/Grey/Custom
Materials: High Density Foam, Polyester, Solid Pinewood Frame
Key features:
- Washable covers
- Hard-wearing upholstery
- Comfortable feather blend cushions
06
McKenzie storage chest in antique grey
$349.99 , Adairs
Best for: Storage
With an antique rattan look, this grey rattan chest is a stylish and practical way to bring Hamptons furniture into your home.
Sizes: 75cm x 45cm x 42cm
Colours: Grey
Materials: Rattan
Key features:
- Timeless antique look
- Rattan material
- Storage
07
Hampton bedside table
$519, Early Settler
Best for: Bedroom, living room
This sweet wooden bedside table will bring a touch of Hamptons elegance into the bedroom or living area.
Sizes: 59cm x 5cm x 45.5cm
Colours: Natural brown
Materials: Stained Timber, Water Based Sealer & Lacquer
Key features:
- Natural wood look
- One drawer
- Suitable for bedroom or living
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