Coastal and Nautical Decor 101: How to Get Started

When contemplating a new design style, it can be hard to know where to start. So, let's dive into coastal and nautical decor styles, and a few of the key initial considerations to get you out of the docks.

Colour Story 

The first thing to think about is the colours you're going for. Sea-themed media has quite an array of distinctive colours in popular entertainment. Just look at online casino games – slots like Big Bass Splash employ a wide range of different blue tones to mimic the texture of the waves, as well as bringing in the wide varieties of natural colours you'd find in the fish, sea flora, and in the setting sun in the sky above. This makes the game feel more authentic, contributing to an immersive casino experience. This same logic, then, can be applied to your interior decor.

Now, you might not want to go as bold as the example above – these bold, bright colours can be picked out as shades for a statement wall or accent pieces in the room. As they all come from the nature around us, these colours almost always go together. For those looking for a more muted, coastal vibe, you might even want to go for pale walls. If this is the case, opt for a warmer off-white to make it feel more natural, and think carefully about the blues, greens, and even oranges you will accent with to bring colour back into the room.

Materials 

Nautical decor is all about textures. Think of the types of materials that you'd see around the coast – knotted and braided ropes, netting, and hessian are just a few examples. You want the room to have an effortless, natural vibe, so it also does well to incorporate lots of natural materials like wood. Think of the aesthetic of driftwood – pale, soft wood, typically. This means staying away from the shiny, mahogany flooring!

With the materials in mind, it's time for the fun part. Start experimenting with different layers of textures in the room, striking a balance between simple elegance and architectural interest. For example, a pale wooden cladding to half the walls can be offset by floaty, linen curtains, and accented with macrame plant hangers (DIYers can find patterns at The Spruce Crafts). A soft, high pile rug on the floor can bring the element of the rolling waves, whilst netted storage can make for a practical-yet-stylish solution.

Statement Pieces 

As you can see, tailoring and editing is key when designing a nautical or coastal-themed home. As the aesthetic has an almost shabby-chic feel, you can find many suitable pieces in second-hand and antique stores. And you're in luck – Homes And Gardens predicts that rattan, bamboo, and woven furniture will be one of the biggest vintage furniture trends of the year.

That said, don't go overboard! Stick to one or two statement pieces in each room, to make sure that they don't get drowned out by their surroundings. One of our favourite ideas is a driftwood-style coffee table, balanced out with a neutral couch to make sure the coffee table stands out as the star of the show.

And there you have it – a deep dive into the starting points for nautical and coastal decor. All that's left to do is start exploring your options and get creative.