Decorating
Trends: 10 Ways to Give Nautical Style a Contemporary Twist
Give your home a cool coastal twist with breezy touches and seaside charm
This summer, nautical-themed interiors are having a makeover. Picking out only the key elements of coastal interior design – the whitewashed wood, bold stripes and seaside motifs – and combining them with more contemporary furniture and accessories gives a fresh, breezy feel for a slicker interpretation of the classic theme.
Best of all, you don’t need to live near the coast to work the look into your own home. The contemporary foundation keeps it from being too twee, meaning you could just as easily incorporate it in Birmingham as in Bude.
Best of all, you don’t need to live near the coast to work the look into your own home. The contemporary foundation keeps it from being too twee, meaning you could just as easily incorporate it in Birmingham as in Bude.
Blend your blues
With white wood as your base, layer different shades of blue for a subtle coastal look. The sky-blue area under this breakfast bar is complemented by the blue-edged blinds and kitchen accessories for a fresh mood.
Discover more about coastal style
With white wood as your base, layer different shades of blue for a subtle coastal look. The sky-blue area under this breakfast bar is complemented by the blue-edged blinds and kitchen accessories for a fresh mood.
Discover more about coastal style
Map it out
Maps as a wallcovering are a sophisticated way to inject a little maritime charm into your room. Choose fresh, light-coloured maps, such as this nautical wall chart, to keep the room bright and airy.
Maps as a wallcovering are a sophisticated way to inject a little maritime charm into your room. Choose fresh, light-coloured maps, such as this nautical wall chart, to keep the room bright and airy.
Sketch it in
Technical drawings of ocean-going craft make an unusual and interesting wallpaper. If you don’t have access to any original blueprints (who does?), just use printed wallpaper, as in this bathroom.
Technical drawings of ocean-going craft make an unusual and interesting wallpaper. If you don’t have access to any original blueprints (who does?), just use printed wallpaper, as in this bathroom.
Drop a hint
Abstract nods to the seaside are a subtle way to add a coastal note to your home. This porthole mirror works perfectly with the white and blue colour scheme.
Abstract nods to the seaside are a subtle way to add a coastal note to your home. This porthole mirror works perfectly with the white and blue colour scheme.
Think again
There’s no need to fall back on the predictable anchor motifs or seaside prints. This cabin-style door and the fun octopus pillows are a fresh take on classic coastal décor.
There’s no need to fall back on the predictable anchor motifs or seaside prints. This cabin-style door and the fun octopus pillows are a fresh take on classic coastal décor.
Make it moody
Stormy greys are a modern alternative to ocean blues. Here, the deckchair-stripe blind, coastal painting and starfish and seagull decorations add a hint of seaside chic to the elegant backdrop.
Learn how to warm up greys
Stormy greys are a modern alternative to ocean blues. Here, the deckchair-stripe blind, coastal painting and starfish and seagull decorations add a hint of seaside chic to the elegant backdrop.
Learn how to warm up greys
Create a coastal-feel gallery
This tongue and groove ceiling in the shape of a boat hull and the crisp white walls make a great backdrop for a collage of contemporary artwork, including rope mirrors and a mini surf board. The rope curtain loops are a cute finishing touch.
This tongue and groove ceiling in the shape of a boat hull and the crisp white walls make a great backdrop for a collage of contemporary artwork, including rope mirrors and a mini surf board. The rope curtain loops are a cute finishing touch.
Lie back and think of the sea
Lazing in a hammock needn’t be reserved for holidays. With a decent screw fitting and a solid beam in your ceiling, you can get that lazy beach feeling all year round. Accessorise with ocean blue pillows to complete the look.
Lazing in a hammock needn’t be reserved for holidays. With a decent screw fitting and a solid beam in your ceiling, you can get that lazy beach feeling all year round. Accessorise with ocean blue pillows to complete the look.
Jonah Blue Roman Blind
Nod to the nautical
Subtle hints of the seaside are better than an onslaught of anchors. This fish print blind has a distinctly modern flavour, while the ship decoration adds a bit of fun.
TELL US...
Are you a fan of nautical style? How do you incorporate nautical elements in your own home? Share your tips in the Comments.
Subtle hints of the seaside are better than an onslaught of anchors. This fish print blind has a distinctly modern flavour, while the ship decoration adds a bit of fun.
TELL US...
Are you a fan of nautical style? How do you incorporate nautical elements in your own home? Share your tips in the Comments.
Start with strong, classic designs, such as this midcentury Eiffel chair and leaning desk, then accessorise them with just one or two nautical accents. The ship steering wheel and white and blue colour scheme are enough to give this room a bright, breezy feel.