Coastal Tablescape Styling Tip, Mixing Vintage Charm with Modern Dinnerware

Originally created in partnership with Wayfair, this coastal tablescape is all about mixing vintage charm with modern dinnerware. If you love a blue and white color palette and enjoy blending new finds with old favorites, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here to create a collected, coastal look at your own table.

This post is part of my Styling Tip series, where I share quick, approachable ways to decorate with vintage, thrifted, and antique pieces. Whether you live by the sea or just dream of that breezy, relaxed style, this coastal tablescape works beautifully year-round.

This post was originally created in partnership with Wayfair. It has been updated and now includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

6 Easy Ways to Style a Coastal Tablescape with Vintage and Modern Charm

Want to style a coastal tablescape that feels relaxed, charming, and uniquely you? In this look, I combined vintage touches with modern blue and white dinnerware for a fresh take on seaside-inspired entertaining. Here are six easy ways to mix old and new for a coastal table that works beautifully any time of year.

1. Use Blue Placemats to Anchor a Coastal Tablescape

The color blue is always at home in coastal decorating, whether it’s inspired by the ocean, the sky, or your favorite vintage pottery. For this coastal tablescape, I started with a set of blue and white Handmade Audriana Cotton Placemats that feel both fresh and timeless. They bring a crisp, modern layer to the table while letting the antique pine wood peek through.

Blue accents like these are a simple way to build a coastal foundation for any table, and they pair beautifully with both vintage and contemporary pieces.

2. Mix in Colorful Cloth Napkins for Contrast and Coastal Charm

Cloth napkins are an easy way to add softness, personality, and a pop of color to your coastal tablescape. I paired gold checkered napkins with blue and white floral placemats for a playful mix of pattern and contrast. The warm tone of the napkins adds just the right balance to all the coastal blues while keeping the look relaxed and welcoming.

Mixing patterns like checks and florals is a great way to blend modern style with vintage charm at your table.

3. Create a Coastal Tablescape Centerpiece with Natural Texture

Looking for a statement piece that blends seaside charm with natural texture? This driftwood cornucopia brings just the right amount of drama to the table without feeling overly formal. Its sculptural shape makes it a beautiful focal point, and it pairs effortlessly with both vintage and modern pieces.

Fill it with hydrangeas, beachcombed finds, or seasonal greenery to make it your own. It’s the kind of centerpiece that works year-round, and might just wander into other rooms when you’re not setting the table.

4. Add Blue Hydrangeas for a Classic Coastal Floral Accent

Blue hydrangeas and coastal decor are a match made in seaside heaven. Whether you go fresh or faux, they instantly add color, softness, and timeless charm to any coastal tablescape. I used faux hydrangeas for this look so I can reuse them throughout the year, tucked into a driftwood centerpiece, styled in a vase, or paired with beachy elements like sand dollars and mussels.

You can also mix in greenery, pinecones, or beach stones to bring in natural texture and seasonal flair—no matter the season.

5. Use Blue and White Dinnerware to Tie Your Coastal Tablescape Together

Blue and white dinnerware is a classic choice for coastal decor, and for good reason. It brings a sense of tradition, polish, and seaside style to any table, whether you’re hosting guests or just enjoying a casual dinner at home. The set I used features a stoneware texture with subtle swirls and a reactive glaze, giving it a handcrafted look that blends beautifully with vintage accents.

If you love the timeless charm of blue and white, this is a simple way to ground your table with color and character.

6. Add Decorative Wood Elements for a Balanced Coastal Tablescape

Every coastal tablescape needs a touch of whimsy, and these three wood tree figurines add just that. Their minimalist, modern shape contrasts beautifully with the character of an antique table or vintage pieces, creating balance and visual interest.

Whether you use them on the table, a mantel, or tucked into a centerpiece, decorative accents like these are an easy way to bring personality into your space without overwhelming it.

More Decorating Ideas from My Wayfair Collaborations

Looking for more ways to mix vintage charm with modern finds? In these Wayfair collaborations, I’ve shared cozy colonial fireplace styling, bedroom swaps for winter, kitchen counter ideas, and even a fun Q&A about my decorating style.

Vintage Details That Complete a Coastal Tablescape

While the dinnerware and linens brought the modern foundation, it’s the vintage pieces layered in that really make this coastal tablescape feel personal and collected. These are the small details, many of them thrifted, that tell a story and soften the overall look. Here’s how I styled a few of my favorite coastal finds to complete the table.

Pewter Bowls Filled with Beach Stones

Small vintage pewter bowls add subtle shine and a timeworn feel to the table. I filled them with smooth beach stones collected on our coastal walks, adding texture and a personal story to each place setting.

Sand Dollar Basket on a Stack of Blue Books

A wire basket filled with thrifted and beachcombed sand dollars sits atop a stack of vintage blue books. It’s an easy way to add coastal charm and height without a formal centerpiece.

Vintage Pewter Candlesticks with Blue Tapers

These classic pewter candlesticks bring a cozy glow and old-world feel to the table. The soft blue tapers echo the dinnerware and add a gentle coastal color pop.

Thrifted Glassware with Blue Sailboats

These playful vintage glasses were a lucky flea market find and instantly became a favorite. Their sailboat motif ties in perfectly with the coastal theme while adding a bit of fun to each place setting.

More Vintage Tablescape Ideas You’ll Love

From seasonal centerpieces to creative vintage place settings, these posts share even more ways to bring personality and charm to your coastal tablescape.

Final Thoughts on Creating a Coastal Tablescape with Vintage Charm

Bringing together vintage finds and modern pieces is what makes a coastal tablescape feel layered, lived-in, and personal. From timeless blue and white dinnerware to thrifted glassware and seaside textures, the mix adds character that can’t be bought all at once. Whether you live by the water or just love the coastal look, creating a table like this is all about adding heart to your home.

Love a good decorating mix of old and new?
You might also enjoy my Thrifting with the Gals series, where I share how I style vintage finds from flea markets, thrift shops, and road trip stops.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coastal Tablescapes

1. How do you set a coastal tablescape?
Start with a soft, relaxed color palette inspired by the sea, blues, whites, and natural textures like rattan or driftwood. Layer in dinnerware that feels casual but styled, and add coastal accents like sand dollars, sea glass, or vintage nautical touches to give your table personality.

2. What dishes work best for a coastal table setting?
Blue and white pottery-style dishes are a classic choice for a coastal tablescape. They offer a crisp, timeless look and pair beautifully with both vintage pieces and modern table linens. Look for dinnerware with organic shapes, reactive glazes, or subtle coastal motifs.

3. How can I make a coastal table feel vintage and collected?
Mix modern dinnerware with antique or thrifted accents, like pewter candlesticks, vintage glassware, or a wire basket of beachcombed sand dollars. The key is to blend new and old in a way that feels effortless, personal, and inspired by life near the water.

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