The origins of Hampton style refer to homes built by the rich and famous from a group of townships on Long Island, New York.
Hampton’s style is defined by cool, classic and sophisticated designs that meet rustic, casual beach vibes. This beautiful design is derived from the romance and glamour of the summer home.
Hamptons style interiors are usually bright, light, fresh and airy with a coastal vibe that makes you feel relaxed from the moment you walk in. Hamptons style homes have come to the forefront of Australian design in recent years thanks to its laid back, summer-like style that effortlessly caters to the Australian lifestyle.
Hamptons interiors are usually spacious with generous proportions, holiday home-like and nautical-inspired – generally speaking, these homes make entertaining easy.
What colours are typical of Hamptons style?
Whites, neutrals, yellow and green are all common colours to Hamptons style interiors. Pairing warm neutral colours with coastal blues, or layering various shades of blue, from navy through to baby blue works exceptionally well.
Grey tones of colour such as duck egg blue and mint green are typical to Hamptons style. The classic look is cream with black accents, or all black with accents of bronze and white, paired with natural materials for warmth, such as real in-laid stone floors and black timber.
What fabrics are typical of the style?
Hamptons style interiors favour natural materials and fabrics for both furniture and homewares and focus on texture in the home itself, such as timber and stone. Look for pieces made from timber, leather, linen, cotton and wool.
What furniture suits Hamptons style interiors?
Due to their neutral colour palette, Hamptons homes cater to a broad variety of furnishings, however some suit the style better than others. Arrange your furniture in such a way that fosters conversation and entertaining.
Hamptons style interiors feature large indoor plants (more greenery than flowers), and upholstered occasional chairs. A large sofa will anchor a room, and statement pieces of furniture are often sculptural and nautical-inspired.
Look for comfortable, luxe furniture with softly cushioned seating. Make sure you have plenty of seating options such as ottomans, couches and single-seat chairs. Banquette seating with upholstered seat cushions and back with additional scatter cushions work well in Hamptons interiors.
Mirrors are also a feature for Hamptons interiors, but they must be ornate or crafted in a unique way, avoid beveled edges or a decorative frame.
Lighting for Hamptons style interiors
Using pendant lights in traditional shapes, and ensuring the space has multiple sources of light, with a mix of table and floor lamps. Make the lighting dimmable for an intimate setting for the evening.
Flooring for Hamptons style interiors
White timber finishes suit Hamptons styles well, but a mix of darker and lighter timber can ground the space, especially if it’s large and open-plan. Layer the timber floor with a textured or a subtly-patterned floor rug. A herringbone-patterned floor or wall tiles are another trend to try in Hamptons homes.
It’s easy to see why this style has become so popular. But Hampton’s style is not just restricted to the inside décor, the outside of your home can be Hampton’s style too; perhaps we’ll talk about that another time.
Creating Hampton style in the kitchen
There certainly has been a recent surge of interest for a Hamptons style kitchen, you should be aware that in a contemporary home featuring polished surfaces, hard edges, glass and bright “colour-blocks” there may need to be some other renovations more than just a new kitchen installation.
A Hamptons style kitchen requires generous space, so if the area of your kitchen is modest, a Hamptons design may not be the most prudent choice. The Hamptons style is generally characterised as elegant, bright, breezy, stylish and sophisticated. It is definitely not “minimalist”. Modern designs have given rise to homes that lack the character and warmth favoured by lovers of the Hamptons design.
These doors and drawers have a frame and panel profile and are classic Hamptons. The edges of the panels may be beveled; however, this is a matter of personal preference. Large island benches with plenty of storage, acres of bench space and ample room for occasional seating are common to most Hampton kitchens. Subway tiles laid in a simple spread or herringbone pattern are the most popular choice. Avoid stainless steel or coloured glass splashbacks, and avoid stainless steel sink – try a country-style ceramic sink or choose dark coloured one. White is the dominant colour for cupboards whereas lighting and tapware can be dark colours. A timber floor is a perfect partner for Hampton’s kitchen.
What’s your thoughts on Hampton’s style? Has it influenced you to think about renovating? Not sure how to create the ideal Hampton’s style – then let’s have a chat.
