Adding Coastal & Seaside Decor Influences to Your Home
We’ve all been to the ocean, enjoyed the warm sands of the beach, and inevitably wished that we could take a little piece of it home with us. The calm and relaxation felt when visiting the coast is often quickly lost once you rejoin the hustle and bustle of modern life.
But does it have to be that way? The answer is “No!” Bring the beach to your home. There are a vast number of design ideas that can make you feel like you’re on permanent holiday at the beach. Check out some of these tips for incorporating coastal décor into your everyday life:
Colors
If you want to add a touch of cottage decor to your house then stick to some of these basic colors:
· Soft, light shades of blue, sea greens, and white washes. Try to avoid choosing colors that are too deep or saturated – you’re going for a light & airy feel, not heavy.
· Golden colors reminiscent of a warm sunset (copper, yellow, gold, or even rusted metal can add a seaside feel to your home).
· Faded and used wood colors (authentic driftwood is the way to go – especially when used for picture frames or pieces of art)
· Pastel shell-tone accents (beige, white or coral)
· Airy window treatments –avoid distracting designs and heavy fabrics. Think light, linen, and breezy.
Shapes & Textures – a few coastal decor tricks…
· You can easily buy bags of real shells to add to a glass bowl or vase. Mix and match sizes along with authentic white beach sands (many sources are available online) and pieces of coral.
· Star shapes (an actual starfish or weathered star shapes) look great as coasters, or small accent pieces on a bookshelf.
· Maritime objects (e.g. anchor shapes, ship’s wheels and ropes can all create the right effect if used appropriately and sparingly).
What Rooms to Choose?
You can add a touch of seaside glam to any room in the house, but here are a few tips to get started:
Bathroom: Choose a soothing wall color shade. We like using a nice soft blue or green, paired with white, wispy curtains. Then, add a few shells and starfish in a clear glass vase on a windowsill or a shelf that isn’t already storing bathroom necessities. For a sure-fire way to add pieces without the clutter consider a Driftwood and Seashell Mirror – made from actual seaside treasures, it brings just the right nautical touch to the room.
Den or Living Room: We love utilizing a stunning focal piece for one wall – consider the Copper Compass Rose Wall Piece – set against any wall color this piece looks terrific. Then, add in a few pieces of related coastal decor like starfish copper tile or seashell copper tiles. And for a finishing touch, a hand blown glass sailboat sculpture or handblown glass fish sculpture is perfect.
Kitchen – Want to spruce up those cabinets? Swap out your current knobs with these authentic sea stone cabinet knobs. And, freshen your guests’ drinks with the hand blown Glass Wave Pitcher – crafted in stunning cobalt blue.
Avoid overdoing it – you want your room to be relaxed, spacious, and open. Adding too many themed pieces will look too “staged” – instead start with a few key pieces you like and build up slowly. Before long you will strike the right balance.
