10 Coastal Cottage Décor Ideas Inspired by Our Newfoundland RV Trip

If you love the look of cozy coastal style with a vintage twist, you’ll love these coastal cottage décor ideas inspired by our RV road trip through Newfoundland.

From painted cottages and windswept linens to thrifted treasures and cozy camp setups, this post is packed with decorating moments that blend the charm of the coast with lived-in vintage flair.

Join me as I share 10 ideas you can borrow from our travels to bring that East Coast aesthetic home with you.

Why I Wrote This Post:

After spending three weeks RV-ing across Newfoundland’s rugged coastline, I couldn’t help but be inspired by the region’s coastal charm, vintage character, and handmade beauty. These are the coastal cottage decor ideas I brought home with me—and I hope they’ll inspire your space, too.

Antiquing Our Way to Newfoundland: A Vintage RV Adventure

This is the fourth blog post in our coastal RV travel series as we antique our way through Newfoundland’s charming seaside towns. From colorful cottages to handcrafted treasures, this journey has been filled with vintage inspiration at every stop. Catch up on the full adventure with links to our previous blog posts below.

Ten Coastal Cottage Decor Ideas from Newfoundland

Inspired by the windblown linens, hand-knit goods, and cheerful homes dotting Newfoundland’s rugged coastline, these coastal cottage decorating ideas bring that laid-back maritime charm right into your own home. Whether you’re decorating with driftwood, layering in nautical textures, or adding vintage finds from your travels, each idea reflects the cozy, collected feel of East Coast living.

1. Beachcombing for Coastal Decor at Norstead Viking Village (and a Stop at The Arches)

One of my favorite memories from our time at the very top of Newfoundland was wandering the wild coastline around Norstead Viking Village. This historic re-creation near L’Anse aux Meadows offers a peek into Viking life with turf-roofed houses, a blacksmith’s forge, and the most rugged coastal backdrop you can imagine. While exploring the village and its surrounding beach, I collected pieces of driftwood, sea urchins, shells, and weathered stones—all perfect for styling future coastal table centerpieces and vignettes back at our coastal Maine home.

Not far down the road, as we began making our way back south, we pulled off at The Arches Provincial Park—a must-stop if you’re traveling this route. This natural rock formation carved by the sea is both dramatic and peaceful, and it’s a spot where time slows down just enough to take in the salty air, crashing waves, and panoramic views. The photos I captured here are some of my favorites from the trip—windblown, wild, and beautifully raw. If you’re looking for coastal decor inspiration from nature itself, this stretch of Newfoundland delivers in spades.

As our road trip proceeded I found myself up early in the mornings combing the nearby beaches for more coastal decor ideas like this rock shaped as a heart for holding a picnic tablecloth on windy days and this driftwood turned into a face with a little rope and ingenuity.

Love collecting seaside treasures as much as I do? Don’t miss these beachcombing adventures and coastal decorating ideas I’ve shared from Maine’s rocky shores to other favorite waterfront finds—perfect for bringing the ocean’s charm into your home.

2. Vintage Lantern Charm: Colorful Coastal Cottage Decor Ideas

If you love a touch of nautical nostalgia, vintage oil lanterns in classic seaside colors—think deep blue, sun-washed red, and sunny yellow—make for charming coastal cottage decor. Whether perched on a lighthouse windowsill with views of the ocean (like this blue one I spotted in Newfoundland!) or styled on a porch or shelf, these lanterns add a pop of color and old-world maritime flair. They’re a simple yet striking way to bring coastal character and warmth into your home.

Shop Vintage-Style oil lanterns for Coastal Cottage Charm

This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

3. Coastal Style with Vintage Nautical Flags

Nautical flags are one of those timeless coastal cottage decor ideas that bring both history and graphic charm into a space. I spotted a bucket full of them in reds and blues at an antique shop in Nova Scotia, and instantly pictured them waving in the sea breeze or hung on a porch wall. Whether you frame one, drape it across a window, or tuck it into a vintage bucket or basket, nautical flags add a colorful, textural layer to your seaside-inspired home.

Shop Nautical Flags for Coastal Decor

Discover Vintage-Style Nautical Flags for Coastal Decorating

“Coastal cottage decor isn’t about perfection—it’s about storytelling, simplicity, and the soul of the sea.”

4. Lighthouse Love: Coastal Cottage Decor Ideas That Shine

Lighthouses are one of the most iconic symbols of coastal living—and they make for wonderfully nostalgic coastal cottage decor. I snapped a photo of a charming antique lighthouse painting at a shop in Nova Scotia, and it reminded me just how many ways there are to decorate with these nautical beacons.

In our Maine living room, I styled a vintage lighthouse painting on a wooden easel tucked into a cozy corner—a fun reminder that artwork doesn’t always need to hang on a wall. I also love collecting little lighthouse touches like my new red and white salt and pepper shakers (found on this trip up Iceberg Alley!) and a set of blue and white lighthouse napkin rings—simple details that bring a breezy, collected look to any coastal table.

5. Decorating with Lobster Buoys: Coastal Cottage Curb Appeal Ideas

Vintage lobster buoys are a coastal cottage classic—and collecting them adds instant charm to both indoor and outdoor spaces. While some can be pricey in souvenir shops, you’ll often find the best character-rich pieces at antique stores and vintage markets. Whether hung on a porch, propped on a chair, or styled on a coffee table, these colorful and weathered floats bring a pop of seaside nostalgia.

One of my favorites is an antique buoy I found years ago and gave to my mother—it now hangs on our front door in Maine with a simple green bow, blending beautifully with our cedar shakes and standing up to the elements year-round.

Shop Vintage Lobster Buoys for Coastal Cottage Decor

6. Maritime Style Touches: Coastal Cottage Decor with Jackets, Hats, and Wellies

One of my favorite parts of this trip was spotting all the classic maritime clothing tucked into antique shops and coastal corners—weathered fisherman’s jackets, plaid-lined captain’s hats, and even black wellies with years of sea spray behind them. These timeless pieces don’t just belong on the docks—they also make fabulous decor elements in a coastal cottage. Try hanging a jacket or hat on a vintage hook, propping a pair of wellies by the door, or styling them in a mudroom or entryway to bring that lived-in maritime charm right into your home. It’s the kind of detail that tells a story and instantly sets the tone for a sea-loving space.

SHOP NAUTICAL OUTERWEAR – JACKETS, WELLIES & SEASIDE STYLE

Vintage RV Road Trip Map: Maine to Newfoundland’s Iceberg Alley and Back to the Ferry

This custom travel map showcases our full RV route from coastal Maine through Newfoundland, all the way to the tip of Iceberg Alley—and back to the ferry crossing at Port aux Basques. With every stop and stay pinned, you’ll find favorite antique shops, scenic RV campgrounds, colorful fishing villages, and hidden gems along the way. It’s the perfect guide for planning your own vintage-style road trip to Newfoundland’s wild and beautiful coast.

7. Adirondack Chair Styling: Classic Coastal Cottage Outdoor Decor

Nothing says coastal cottage relaxation quite like a pair of Adirondack chairs overlooking the water. From the bright yellow chairs in Gros Morne National Park with binoculars and cozy blankets, to the cheerful red and green Adirondacks at Basin Harbor in upstate New York, these classic outdoor seats are a must for lakeside and seaside living alike. I even captured two vibrant red ones in Rocky Harbor, Newfoundland, perfectly placed for watching the waves roll in.

At our Maine home, we have a circle of weathered Adirondack chairs around the fire pit, and they’ve become our favorite spot for evenings by the flames. My go-to recommendation? POLYWOOD Adirondack chairs. These all-weather wonders are durable, low-maintenance, and built to last—they don’t chip, don’t need painting, and can be left outside year-round. And weighing around 70 pounds, they stay put even in the strongest coastal winds.

Whether you go for a bold pop of color or keep things neutral and rustic, Adirondack chairs are the ultimate invitation to slow down and savor the view.

Find Pollywood Adirondack Chairs – Durable & Coastal-Style

8. Cozy Knitwear Finds: Newfoundland Woolens for Coastal Cottage Comfort

One of the most delightful surprises on our Newfoundland RV trip was the abundance of hand-knit woolen mittens, hats, and socks—they were truly everywhere. From quaint shops and souvenir stands to local gas stations and restaurants, these cozy coastal knits were stitched with puffins, sailboats, and the bold colors of Newfoundland—blues, reds, and deep sea greens. Each piece felt like a little love letter to the sea and the seasons.

While not a traditional decor item, these knitted treasures bring a sense of place and personality to any coastal cottage lifestyle. Picture yourself wrapped in a blanket on the porch, a pair of wool socks, or puffin mittens keeping you warm around the fire pit. They’re not just cute—they’re functional for keeping cozy and keeping the bugs at bay on cool seaside evenings.

Whether you wear them or simply drape them over a chair or hook for that layered, lived-in look, these Newfoundland knits are a heartwarming addition to your coastal escape. Learn more in last week’s Vintage Treasures and Iceberg Views: Antiquing in Newfoundland post.

9. Decorating with Coastal Books: Local Authors, Local Charm

Books are one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to decorate a coastal cottage—especially when they’re written by local authors. On our travels through Newfoundland, we stopped at the Newfoundland Emporium in Corner Brook, which houses what may be the largest selection of Newfoundland literature on the island, from new releases to rare, out-of-print coastal classics.

I couldn’t resist picking up titles like The Day Grenfell Cried, Away from My Island, and local favorites by Jack Fitzgerald—each one offering stories deeply rooted in the sea, the land, and the spirit of this wild coast.

Find Nautical and Coastal-Themed Vintage Books

Style a few of these coastal books on a windowsill, tuck them into a vintage vignette, or stack them in the kitchen alongside regional cookbooks for a layered, lived-in feel. They’re more than just beautiful decor—they’re keepsakes from the places we’ve explored.

“A home filled with locally written books is a home that tells the story of where it’s been—and where it’s going.”

Discover my favorite tips for decorating with vintage and coastal books—styled on windowsills, tables, shelves, and beyond.

10. Embrace Handmade and Humble Coastal Touches

One of the most inspiring things I noticed throughout our Newfoundland RV road trip—from lighthouse interiors to roadside artisan shops—was how handmade, humble decor brings soul to coastal cottage style. Think driftwood coat racks, rope-wrapped knobs, hand-carved whale figures, knitted blankets, and even homespun wall art made from fishing buoys and nets. These pieces feel deeply tied to place—functional, unfussy, and filled with character.

“In Newfoundland, beauty isn’t curated—it’s collected, created, and always connected to the coast.”

Whether it’s a weathered lobster trap used as a side table or a handmade textile draped over a chair, incorporating simple, regional, handmade items is a beautiful way to bring coastal charm home. They tell a story—and they invite storytelling, too.

Want more ideas? Click here to see how I decorate with handmade vintage coastal finds at home.

I hope these coastal cottage decor ideas from our Newfoundland RV trip inspired you as much as the journey inspired me. From colorful Adirondack chairs to vintage maritime flags and locally authored books, every piece we brought home—or simply admired along the way—tells a story of sea air, salty breezes, and life on the edge of the Atlantic.

Whether you’re decorating a full-time beach cottage or just want to bring a few nautical vintage touches to your home, I’d love to hear which ideas caught your eye. Do you have a favorite coastal treasure you’ve found while traveling?

💬 Tell me in the comments below—and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a post filled with vintage style, thrifted finds, and New England charm.

“From driftwood to vintage finds, every piece of coastal cottage decor should feel like a memory washed ashore.”

Pin forLater!

Pin forLater!