Nautical and coastal decor ideas for your cottage

Nautical and coastal decor ideas for your cottage

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Ever wondered how to achieve a nautical style decor in your property?

Whether it’s stripes and anchors or some perfectly placed driftwood, achieving the seaside style can really work wonders for your cottage. Striking the balance between nautically nutty and casually coastal can be difficult, so we’ve put together some top tips to help you go from seasick to sen-sea-tional.


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Nautical decor at Con Mar in Shaldon, DevonCon Mar in Shaldon, Devon

Top tips for nautical decor

Nautical colour schemes

Blues and creams go beautifully together

Inevitably there’s going to be a fair bit of blue in any coastal home decor. Think duck egg, sky blue and pastels, combining lots of whites and creams for a subtle yet effective palette that will not only reflect your desired theme but also help to open up your rooms to feel more spacious thanks to the lighter tones. The above bedroom from Bonchurch Waterfront Bliss is a prime example.


Driftwood works

Shells and driftwood together

From delicate and dainty to majestic centrepieces, driftwood works in all manner of shapes and sizes and always creates a dramatic effect when placed against a nautical backdrop. Popular choices for subtle driftwood currently include picture frames, mirrors and wind chimes, but bear in mind how versatile and economical this method of decorating is to ensure optimum effect for both purse and property.


Less is more

Small simple touches have a big effect, like these crustacean artworks in a bathroom

Flooding your home with an array of coastal decor ideas and trinkets may seem like a good idea, but more often than not, subtlety is the real winner when it comes to interior design. It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to deck out your whole home in beachy blues or just the one room, a refined take on the design will always have you on the right track. Steer clear of flooding your property with a ton of bright colours or overloading it with accessories.


Think outside the bathroom

From lighthouses and anchors to shells and life rings, the inclination to focus on the bathroom is common if you just want the coast to come through in a single room. But consider branching out to other less likely spaces, adding intricate details to make all the difference to your nautical theme decor; these little additions in rooms such as the kitchen and lounge can really bring together the style of the house and create a design that flows seamlessly throughout. Kitchens aren't often styled in the theme of the rest of the house, so when it is like here above at Driftwood at Saundersfoot, it really makes a difference.


Further inspiration

For more ideas on how to turn your decorating ideas into reality, take a look at our article 'Top tips for furnishing and decorating your holiday cottage'.

A simple yet effective touch could include a lighthouse light pull


Ideas for nautical decor in different rooms

Lounge

The lounge of Seascape Cottage has a blue sofa and armchair, yellow accent cushions, and ocean-themed artwork on the walls

Blue accents, striped cushions and ocean-themed art are always a safe bet if you’re starting out with nautical home decor in the living room, or perhaps some crisp white blinds or curtains may be more appropriate for your cottage. If you’ve got longer curtains that need tying back, a subtle solution is using a dock cleat to secure the rope around during the day. The blue furniture, warm floorboards and seaside artwork give Seascape Cottage, above, a gentle nautical ambience.


Kitchen

The kitchen of Anchors Away - Hythe has artwork depicting waves on the walls, and accessories including a blue vase and blue-handled mugs

Combine two styles in one with coastal and shabby chic, utilising white-washed wood to achieve the perfect blend, or if you’re searching for that effect across a larger scale, seek out some white wood effect wallpaper to really set the look off. A fisherman’s pendant light is ideal for that understated touch whilst still fulfilling the scheme, or instead, opt for crockery and dinnerware in blue and white hues to echo the seaside home decor theme across the dining table too. A piece of art and blue accents at Anchors Away - Hythe, above, are all it takes to achieve a subtle ocean theme.


Bedroom

Seahorse art, a wooden ship and life ring cushions in this bedroom

Take your pick from a wide selection of nautical-themed bedding, with an abundance of bed sets featuring seaside-style designs readily available from hundreds of different stockists. If you don’t want to go all out with a new bedspread for each room, try scattering a handful of cushions with a nautical theme; whether they’re designed with coastal quotes or feature striking stitched imagery, they’ll suffice in providing those nautical notes you’re after. Stones Throw Beach Retreat above is a fine example of this. Alternatively, driftwood frames and candle holders are becoming increasingly popular and can easily be acquired from a range of shops.


Bathroom

The bathroom of Apartment 5 Quayside has anchor artwork on the wall, a natural colour scheme, and coastal accents, including a lighthouse light pull

Shells, storage and subtlety are really what you’re looking for in a bathroom setting; pastels and whites work beautifully, whilst details such as intricate shells and carefully positioned starfish will really set off the look of the room. Twisted rope around various items such as mirrors and wash baskets are common with coastal decor, or opt for a seascape across the wall to really bring the outside in. Apartment 5 Quayside above has mastered the art of subtlety - anchor artwork, a lighthouse light pull and neutral coastal-style accessories compliment the bathroom of a seaside escape.


Outdoors

The seaside beside the sea at Bonchurch Waterfront Bliss

Whether you’re decking out a summer house or you just want to make sure the coastal theme is echoed from every corner of the property, there’s plenty you can do to the outside space that will add real finesse to the seaside decor. Rope ottomans create a truly nautical theme, whilst rope fencing works well around decking. If you’re looking for something on a smaller scale that will still make an impact, a little mood lighting coupled with driftwood is always effective, or even just a sprinkling of shells on top of the soil in plant pots goes a long way for such a little effort. Bonchurch Waterfront Bliss has gone all out to create the seaside beside the sea in this enclosed garden.


Endless opportunities

The opportunities with a nautical theme really are endless, with plenty of ideas available to channel the charm of the coast into your property:

  • Colour coordination is a simple way to give your home a summery feel, whatever the season. Whether it’s curtain and sofa fabrics, bed linen or accessories, matched in the correct way, coloured stripes, patterns or just plain pastels will evoke the seaside
  • Blue, glass tiles in a bathroom will ripple like water and give the effect of sea glass
  • Nautical artwork up the stairways will add to your theme, be it old-timey maps of the world or quirky crustaceans
  • Ceiling decorations or a nautical chandelier or lampshade will draw a guest’s eye to your decor
  • Swirling wave wallpaper in the bathroom can add a playful touch
  • Anchor doorstops are a clever way to stop the sea breeze from closing your doors
  • Turning a bunk room into something that resembles ship bunks may be time-consuming, but it will look fantastic when complete
  • If you have circular feature windows, try turning them into a ship’s porthole
Nautical-themed bedroom of Lagoon View in AppledoreLagoon View in Appledore, Devon

Interested in some more themes? Take a look at our guides on the following styles:


If you'd like us to take a look at your property and give you some free advice on how to decorate with guests in mind, please get in touch with our friendly Property Advisors to book an appointment.

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