Nautical themed room ideas to bring the seaside home
Bring the beach home this spring with these nautical themed rooms
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Image: Matalan
With travel restrictions meaning that many of us will be opting for a staycation rather than an international vacation this year, create a holiday vibe in the heart of your home.
But if you’re opting for a nautical scheme, don’t just stick to blue and white stripes! Instead, take inspiration from bright beach huts and colourful deckchairs for your summer seaside interiors.
There’s more than one way to achieve this popular theme. It can be as subtle or as extravagant as you like – either way it’s a great way of bringing a sense of calm and holiday fun into your busy home. We’ve got wind of some of the best nautical themed rooms to inspire your own seaside sanctuary…
Living room
Image: Andrew Boyd
Nautical doesn’t have to be in your face. By using a softer coastal colour palette with the light ocean green sofa, bright walls and floors, and pebble rug, you can create a more sophisticated seaside inspired living room.
A common motif with nautical themed rooms is using white planks on walls (whether it’s cladding or wallpaper) for a beach-hut effect – laying them horizontally to create a feeling of space.
If you want to capture a more sunnier seaside vibe, adding yellows and sky blues alongside white walls and furnishings will help reflect light and brighten up your space.
Image: B&M
Classic contemporary furniture is also a good idea if you want to cut through the vibrancy of the nautical theme and pare it back. This is where you can really play with soft furnishings such as cushions and throws with different textures to create a tactile feel.
Bathroom
Image: Stewart Grant
You may be surprised to know that this seaside spa-like bathroom actually sits on the top floor of a London apartment. It’s a perfect example of how a nautical theme can transport you from your hectic, everyday life.
This bathroom is particularly successful as it is awash with quaint finishings and sea shell touches that create an overall feeling of luxury – as if you’re in a 5-star bed and breakfast by the sea.
Bedroom
Image: Joules
While sticking with navy wood panels, this room takes its inspiration from traditional vertical and horizontal nautical stripes.
Rather than sticking with the traditional white, blue and red scheme, this duvet adds a pop of contrasting colour using sandy yellows and coral pinks. Add coastal artwork and wooden furniture to bring everything together.
Buy the Cambridge Stripe 180 TC Duvet Cover Set, from £63, Joules
Children’s bedrooms
Image: Cuckooland
Nautical is still one of the more popular themes for children’s bedrooms. However, don’t dive head first into pirate decor and a boat-shaped bed.
Opt for a more subtle look and make it a style they can grow into. Instead of sticking to the core primary colours of red, white, and blue, pastels make the room fun but flexible, especially as the children grow older.
Buy the Casami Beach House Cupboard, £179 from Cuckooland
Spare room inspiration
Image: Elizabeth Ockford
Colourful crazy lobsters and crabs make us smile! Why stick to a bathroom or kids room? We think this crustacean wallpaper would brighten up any room in the home. Try using as a feature wall in a spare room to add some fun for when guests are finally allowed for an overnight stay. Or add a pop of colour to an otherwise drab home office – a instant conversation-starter for those virtual calls.
Dining room
Image: Holly Jolliffe
If you’re looking to go a bit stronger with the nautical theming and really add some fun to the dining room then bold blues and reds will do the trick, along with rope offcuts and galvanised metal chairs which look like they’re straight from the fish and chip shop on the docks.
A classic dresser is also a great idea for displaying coastal-themed items that you’ve collected on your trips to the seaside.
Home office
Image: Oliver Bonas
As more of us use our home as a multifunctional living space and work remotely, turn a guest room into a stylish home working space. This scallop shaped plush velvet chair is giving us the ultimate mermaid vibes and is perfect for daydreaming about trips to the sea!
Buy the Flora Chair from Oliver Bonas, £395
Exterior spaces
Image: Cox and Cox
Create a welcoming entrance for your guests with small touches at the front door. From nautical themed doormats, to to shell and lobster shaped door knockers, you can say ahoy in style!
Shop the shell door knocker – solid brass, £60, Cox and Cox
Garden rooms and conservatories
Image: Grand Designs for DFS
As the days get longer, and the evenings brighter, most of us will want to spend our days either outside or in a sun-trapped space, reading a book or simply relaxing. Pay homage to English heritage with an accent chair strategically positioned in your garden room or summer house. This Padstowe accent chair oozes coastal charm and matching accessories are available.
Shop the Grand Designs collection at DFS here