The Hamptons style has been one of the most enduring interior trends in Australia for good reason — it's relaxed, elegant and perfectly suited to our coastal lifestyle. And painted furniture is central to achieving the look. The right paint colour and hardware combination can transform almost any piece of furniture into something that feels genuinely Hamptons.
Here's exactly how to do it.
What Is the Hamptons Style?
The Hamptons aesthetic originated in the beach communities of Long Island, New York, and translates beautifully to Australian coastal homes. It's characterised by:
- A palette of whites, creams, soft blues and natural timber tones
- Quality materials — solid timber, natural fibres, brass and rattan
- A relaxed but considered approach to styling
- Furniture that feels substantial and well-made
- A mix of painted and natural timber finishes
The key word is relaxed. Hamptons style is not fussy or formal — it's comfortable, liveable and unpretentious.
The Hamptons Paint Palette
Getting the paint colour right is the foundation of the Hamptons look. From the Artisan Paint Company range, these are the colours we reach for most often for Hamptons-style furniture:
Whites and Creams
- Arctic White (chalk finish) — crisp, clean white. The most classic Hamptons choice for painted furniture.
- Parchment (chalk finish) — warm, creamy white with a soft antique quality. Suits Hamptons pieces that lean slightly French provincial.
- Cotton (mineral) — clean white with excellent durability. The best choice for Hamptons kitchen cabinets and high-use pieces.
- Magnolia (mineral) — warm white that suits coastal and Hamptons interiors beautifully.
Blues
- Navy (chalk finish) — the quintessential Hamptons blue. Rich, deep and timeless. Beautiful on a dresser or sideboard with brass handles.
- Hampton Blue (mineral) — a classic, crisp Hamptons blue. Durable enough for kitchen cabinets.
- Riviera Haze (chalk finish) — soft, hazy blue-grey with a dreamy coastal quality. Suits a more relaxed, beachy Hamptons aesthetic.
- Palais Blue (chalk finish) — sophisticated mid-tone blue. Beautiful on sideboards and buffets.
- Regatta (mineral) — deep navy in a durable mineral formula. Perfect for Hamptons kitchen cabinets.
Soft Neutrals
- Travertine (chalk finish) — warm stone neutral. Suits Hamptons pieces where you want something softer than white.
- Natural Linen (mineral) — warm linen neutral. Beautiful on larger Hamptons pieces.
- Riviera Haze (chalk finish) — also works beautifully as a soft neutral in a Hamptons palette.
The Hamptons Hardware Formula
Hardware is where the Hamptons look really comes together. The right hardware on a painted piece signals quality and intention in a way that paint alone can't.
Brass
Brass is the signature hardware finish of the Hamptons style. Brushed brass, antique brass and satin brass all work — avoid highly polished brass, which can look too formal. Brass bar handles on a Navy dresser is the most classic Hamptons furniture combination in Australia right now.
Rattan and Jute
Natural rattan and jute handles add a relaxed, coastal quality that's very Hamptons. They work particularly well on white and cream painted pieces, and on pieces in a more casual, beachy Hamptons setting.
Cup Pulls
Brass cup pulls (also called bin pulls) are a classic Hamptons kitchen hardware choice. They have a relaxed, casual quality that suits the Hamptons aesthetic perfectly.
The Classic Hamptons Combinations
- Navy + brass bar handles — the most iconic Hamptons furniture combination. Works on dressers, sideboards, bedside tables and kitchen cabinets.
- Arctic White + rattan handles — relaxed coastal Hamptons. Beautiful on bedroom furniture.
- Hampton Blue (mineral) + brass cup pulls — the classic Hamptons kitchen cabinet combination.
- Parchment + antique brass knobs — Hamptons with a French provincial edge. Beautiful on ornate timber pieces.
- Riviera Haze + brushed brass handles — soft, dreamy coastal Hamptons. Suits bedrooms and living rooms.
Hamptons Furniture Pieces to Look For
The Hamptons style suits furniture with substance and quality. Look for:
- Solid timber dressers and chests of drawers
- Timber sideboards and buffets
- Timber bed heads (painted or natural)
- Cane and rattan chairs and side tables
- Solid timber dining tables and chairs
Op shops, Facebook Marketplace and estate sales are great sources for solid timber pieces that suit the Hamptons style. Our furniture upcycling guide covers where to find the best pieces.
Learn the Techniques
Our furniture painting workshops in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie regularly feature Hamptons-style projects. It's a great way to learn the techniques and come home with a finished piece that suits your interior.
Shop the full Artisan colour range: Chalk Finish Paint and Mineral Paint at Sweet Pea Interiors.
