There seem to be a variety of themes available to anyone planning for coastal décor: some trite, some tried and true and all in various hues of blue.

For anyone of us owning and decorating South Padre Island property, we eventually begin to decorate like an islander. This might be the effects of dragging home beach finds or just the availability of tropical furnishings. Whether it’s the chicken or the egg, our lifestyle affects our home style or our home reflects our lifestyle. It all amounts to a coastal style unique to beach communities.

In recent years, there was a resurgence of beach style décor, and for a time, we were all capable of finding suitable coastal bedding for our guest rooms at the peak of fashion. Fashionable or not, a home at the beach apparently must have certain qualities, characteristics and color palettes.

There is no secret code to coastal decorating, but there are many variations. Mostly, we all seem to agree on a coastal style, but there is a magnificent array of options.

In the blue homes, many decorate with lighthouses and nautical-themed images. In a more tan environment, people use shells, seahorses and starfishes rules. Occasionally, a multi-colored festive home adopts brilliantly toned fish and wall art. Some opt for a sea-glass palette full of relaxing comfortable furnishings.

There is popular West Indies-inspired form of decorating that includes greens, reds and espresso browns. This mostly includes palm frond accessories. Lately, coastal decorating magazines include Asian fusion coastal décor with accents of red.

Rustic and distressed still seem to be the popular finishes of anything from wall art to coffee tables. And in general, comfort is king for all furnishings.

It seems so simple at first, but a dizzying array of delicious decorating options await any homeowner with a subscription to Coastal Living and an active credit card.

I worked hard on my rental property. I wanted the sense of the beach to welcome guests. I wanted them to enjoy a relaxed cottage atmosphere, and I wanted them to know they were at a beach house. Mostly I wanted to spend little and still be coastal perfect.

Well, coastal perfect was never achieved. But I did learn that distressed is fashionable, rustic paint jobs are acceptable, and that shells, colored jars and beach finds add inexpensive character.

Also, I learned not to think too hard about decorating for a beach life. Island soul infuses many objects, and comfort is the desirable trait for any home by the sea.