You don’t have to live by the sea to benefit from a nautical home. Make some decorating waves and bring some of that coastal cool indoors.
Unlike other decorating and art trends, such as Art Deco or modernist, nautical and coastal decor has no roots in a particular place or time. Its influence can be felt globally wherever you visit the coast, from the Mediterranean to the Nordic fjords, and across all eras.
Natural fibres and soothing woods
More importantly, the home aesthetic it creates is less concerned with matching colours and styles together, but in creating an “emotion” or feeling of well-being. Fuss-free and stripped down, a nautical themed room or home will be filled with natural fibres, unpolished surfaces and quirky items with cool, soothing woods in white, blues, soft greens, lemon and, of course, stripes.
Coastline images evoke memories of seaside holidays and day trips, and for those who feel their decorating skills may not be up to scratch, fear not – make-do-and mend by repurposing old furniture and materials around the house.
An old chest will double up as a coffee table, and with a lick of white paint, a piece of driftwood can become a door plate or – with hooks attached – a wall-mounted coat rack.
bring the breezy sealife indoors
On floors go for seagrass, jute or straw mats and rugs, and keep the windows free of anything but the lightest of fabrics to allow as much light as possible.
Rather than restrict yourself, feel free to explore your imagination. Take your inspiration from beach huts and boats, shell shapes, pebbles and sealife, with rope textures and rattan furniture pieces with linen upholstery to complete the look.
Your new look will bring the breezy sealife indoors and a breath of fresh air to your home.
