How To Create A Nautical Theme In Your Home
When it comes to giving your home a beachy, ocean-inspired feel, nothing gets you closer than nautical interior design. As such, nautical design is closely related to coastal styles and often ends up being incorporated with them. Nautical colors and ocean-related things like sea creatures, anchors, ships, and more are all classical components of nautical design. If you love the ocean, nautical design could be the right interior design theme for you.
However, a nautical motif isn’t exactly the easiest one to accomplish. It walks a fine line that can border on kitsch if not executed with care. In order to help you actualize your vision of sunsets, sailboats, saltwater, and a soothing sea breeze we have provided some appealing and practical ways to integrate a nautical style in your home.
Paint Your Walls in Navy Blue and White Tones
One of the first things that comes to mind when envisioning a nautically-inspired room is the pairing of a contrasting navy blue and white. If you’re starting with all four walls in a room painted in a pure white, you can paint the two-end walls in a navy tone so as to contrast perfectly. Another impactful option is to paint all walls navy blue but accent the trim with white lines.
If bright contrasts aren’t your thing, you can still adopt a nautical theme with a maritime museum feel in mind, opting to finish your walls in wood veneers to mimic the vintage, wooden boat scene that is seeing a resurgence in popularity.
Use Nautical-Themed Fabric
Another nautical interior design idea is to use nautical-themed fabric. Even if your nautical decor components are more subtle and suggestive, you can define a nautical theme in a room and tie them altogether by using nautical prints. Your nautical theme should involve the integration of throw pillows, floor runners or area rugs, linens (where applicable), and window fashions with patterns common to your theme. These can include obvious items such as anchor designs embroidered on pillows to more subtle integration of navy blue and white tones on curtains and blinds. These additions add a soft touch that complements the concept while maintaining the sophistication of your home.
Hang Nautical Decor on the Walls
Another nautical interior design idea is to bring nautical-themed decor to the walls. Hanging a ship steering wheel, anchor display, paddles, or nautical stars on the wall is a great way to add a nautical touch.
Prints, paintings and photos can also be hung on your walls to add some nautical decor. Plus there is a lot of versatility as you can add anything related to the sea. Images of the ocean, ships, sailing maps, vintage charts, anchors, sea creatures, lighthouses, and more can add a touch of nautical design to a room. You can even go with a more abstract design that features blues and whites for a more subtle touch.
Have a look at these hanging decorating ideas:
Big Ship Steering Wheel Wooden 36 Inch Antique Teak Brass Nautical Pirate Ship’s
$199.00Antique Reproduction Wood Teak Ship’s Steering Wheel Very large, 36 inches in Diameter, and made from real brass and teak wood. Lovely wall art or decor for your nautical shore, beach home or restaurant.Pin doweled construction. Sizes vary a bit due to the Hand Crafted…
Port Hole Mirror Bronze Painted Finish Vintage Style Nautical Navy WWII
US navy style port hole mirror design from a World War II antique Very well made and a wonderful hand painted finish ( does not open and close ) Construction: Bronze Finish Resin Age: Antique Replica Size: 20.5" from end to end of hasps Mirror…
Small Pieces of Driftwood Round Mirror Nautical Beach Theme Home Goods Accent
$69.00Adorable Round Driftwood Mirror. This item is handcrafted from real driftwood. Sizes may vary because of the handcrafted nature. Perfect for a nautical or beach cottage ascetic. This is our smaller option. If you wish for something larger, please check our other listing. Size: 18…
Nautical Port Hole Mirror Solid Cast Brass Ships Sea Sailing Porthole 11 Inch D
$129.00Solid Brass Nautical Port Hole Mirror 11″ diameter (don’t be fools by brass plated or lower qualityvery thin brass , this one weighs 3.5 POUNDSand is the real deal)Porthole Mirror with hinge that opens and closesif you need to hide something behind itGreat for nautical…
Place Bold Nautical Accent Pieces on Your Shelves & End Tables
One of the most enjoyable parts of creating this fun theme in your home is curating the smaller pieces to display on your shelves end tables.
A ship in a bottle, model sailboats or other types of ships, lighthouses, sea creatures, anchors, coral, and more are all options for nautical displays. Depending on size and quantity, you can even install a plate rail in the room. Because this type of wall trim runs along the upper portion of the wall, it’s a great way to display decor while keeping it out of the way.
Here are some decor ideas:
Three Divers Helmet on Pedestals Aged Copper and Rust Collectible Art
Adorn your desk with these curios pulled from the watery depths. These Pendulux Diver Helmet Replicas are exacting miniatures of various styles of vintage dive helmets popularized in the 1800s. These replicas are crafted with solid all-brass construction, just like the originals that once braved…
Full Size Mermaid Weather Vane In Copper w Tiffany Green Finish 30 Inches Long
$479.00Large Full Size Mermaid Weather Vane in aged Tiffany Green finish.( solid copper vane with cast brass directionals ) NSEW directionals and mounting rod includedbrass parts are 12″ acrosspole is 15″ longand pole diameter is 7/16″Directionals , two balls and weather vane This is our…
Wooden Hand Carved Mermaid Statue Folk Art Sculpture Vintage Style 5.5 Feet Tall
$1,895.00Mermaid Statue with ancient painted finishHand Carved and Painted hand carved wood constructionhand painted with chippy roughvintage looking paint finish Brand New Reproduction No two are exactly alike as these are hand crafted by artisans in east Asia Pacific Rim 67″ tall by 15″ wide…
Install a Porthole Window in Your Room
Use a porthole window to create an atmosphere akin to the cozy quarters of a ship while allowing natural light to enter your room. A porthole window in your space commits to the nautical theme with dramatic flare.
Put Trim and Materials to Work During Your Design
If you’re still in the design phase of your home and you know you want a nautical theme, you can put trim and materials to work for you on the walls, floor, and ceilings to build a room with nautical design. You can also include it in your furniture. Natural or natural-looking timber as flooring, wall panels, or on the ceiling can help create a nautical look and feel in a room. Shiplap or beadboard can be used on the walls to add a nautical touch.
These are just a few nautical interior design ideas. There are a lot of options available with nautical design. This makes it a versatile style with a lot of choices and several ways to incorporate it into your home.
Jacques Cousteau once said “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”
Yes, there is much beauty and symbolism in the sea. Consider how you can take the colors and symbols of nautical decor and make them your own.