The ocean can create a feeling of connection within a person. If a person stands on the shore and looks out upon the ocean for long periods, that person may begin to desire to feel the ocean within there home. Such feelings may include the smell of the ocean, the feeling of the ocean within the home, and even the sight of the ocean within the home.
Coastal decor helps to provide these specific feelings for an individuals within the home. Coastal decor can transform a person’s home into a vacation spot. However, coastal decor dont change a home into a souvenir shop.
The best coastal decor for a person’s home does not attempt to mimic the beach. Instead, the best coastal decor for a home translate the beach. Such decor may borrow colors from the beach, it may borrow texture from the beach, and it may incorporate memories of the beach into the décor for the home.
However, these designs will also filter these elements of the beach through the needs of the home. If the décor for the individual’s home achieves the correct balance between beach décor and home needs, then the home may feel as if it is interacting with the ocean, even if the individual lives many mile from the sea. However, if the individual creates the décor for the home in a way that misses this crucial balance, the décor may end up looking more like a nautical theme for the home, one that may appear somewhat outdated and like a 1997 catalog for home décor.
There are a few ideas that work well for individuals looking to transform their homes into coastal décor. These ideas have been tested within real home. These homes may be of any size, may contain children or pets, and may have any budget for transformation into a coastal home.
Some ideas may take place over the weekend, while others may last for many years. Each individual should begin with the décor that need the most help.
Effective Ways to Decorate Your Coastal Home
1. Selecting the Proper Shade of White
One of the first ideas to employ within the décor of a person’s home is to select the proper shade of white.
Individuals should avoid brightly colored whites for their homes. Instead, the décor should include shades of white that may appear as if they have been bleached from driftwood or the morning fog outside the window. Such whites can be Swiss coffee, cloud white, or even warm oyster.
These colors change with the light within the room, and thus do not work against the way that the light falls within the space. By utilizing one of these whites for the walls within the home, an individual will make certain that all of the décor for that space will appear to belong to the same décor scheme. This is the idea that most designers use for these types of décor projects.
2. Incorporating Natural Textures
Another décor idea is to incorporate several texture into the décor for the home. For instance, an individual can use a jute rug for the décor for the home, as such a rug provides a feeling of the beach for the individuals in the home, and is also more likely to take the wear and tear of sand and water. Additionally, linen slipcovers for the furniture in the décor will wrinkle in a way that mimics the way that linen clothing wrinkle, and will also better tolerate the humidity within the home.
Other textures that can be incorporated into the décor for a coastal home may include weathered wood table, blankets made of natural wool, and items made of rattan or wicker. The key to using textures in a décor project is to provide contrast within the décor. Smooth items can contrast with rough items, soft items contrast with hard items, and matte items contrast with items with a hint of shine.
By using three different texture within a décor project, an individual will create the feeling of a decoratively alive space.
3. Using Seashell Decor Carefully
Another décor idea is to incorporate seashells into the décor. However, seashells may provide a sense of childishness to a décor project that aims to express a more serious connection to the sea.
Thus, individuals need to use caution when incorporating seashells into their décor project. For instance, an individual can create a sculpture of seashells by placing a few identical seashells into a large cylinder filled with water. Alternatively, an individual can create a line of seashells by lining a tray with sand and adding a few seashells to it.
Another option is to press a sand dollar into a shadow box for the décor of the home, and to hang the box from the homes structure as art. By using caution with seashell décor items, an individual can ensure that the seashells add to décor project rather than taking away from its value. Using too many seashell décor items may transform the décor project into a gift shop.
4. Choosing Durable Furniture
Another décor idea is to use furniture in the home that can stand up to the storms of the sea. For instance, wide plank oak table can be whitewashed to provide a nautical look, sofas that can take a nap on their loungestools can be slipcovered in linen or another soft fabric, and low loungestools can be added to allow for bare feet to be within the décor of the home. Individual should avoid furniture with highly glossy finishes or decorative carvings in the furniture.
The furniture for a décor project should stand up to time and wear. If completed well, this type of décor will make an individual want to remove their shoe the moment they enter the home.
5. Layering Coastal Lighting
Lighting ideas may be employed for the décor of the home after the sun sets over the horizon.
An individual may use a flush-mount fixture for décor choices such as rattan shades for the lighting, or inverted shallow baskets for the flush-mount lighting. Table lamps with pottery or coral bases may be added to the décor of the home. Additionally, sconces may line the walls of the décor project to allow light into the home and onto the décor items.
These light choices should use warm light bulbs rather than cool daylight bulbs for the décor of the home.
6. Adding Pops of Color
Color is another décor idea for individuals to consider when transforming their homes into coastal décor. For example, an individual could use a single large artwork of deep navy, coral-colored pillows, or a single chair made of faded turquoise color for the décor of the space.
These colors can be used to add color to the décor, while the remainder of the décor remains in the quiet color choices for the décor. For individuals who are hesitant with color choices, using removable décor items such as art or throw pillows allows for the individual to determine after a season of use if the room should be painted a new color.
7. Integrating Coastal Plants
Plants are another décor idea that may be employed in the creation of a coastal décor project. Plants that use sea grass in a ceramic planter, hanging pothos plants, and olive plants with silvery leaves will provide an appropriate décor element for coastal décor. Plants soften the décor and add benefits to the health of the indoor décor project. However, individuals must take care of their plants to ensure that they can stand up to either dry or humid air in the coastal areas.
Plants that can take the spirit of the sea and its salt spray into their leaves will endure well in these homes with coastal décor ideas. A dying plant will spoil the décor project faster then anything else in the home.
8. Dressing Windows
Windows may be another décor idea to consider for coastal décor projects. For instance, roman shades made of linen, floor-length curtains, or bare windows with shutters provide options for individuals to dress their windows for coastal décor. The curtains for these projects should filter the light for the décor of the individual’s home. Sheer linen curtains will create shadows on the floor when breezes pass through the home.
Heavy curtains may be avoided for coastal décor projects, as heavy curtains may belong in a castle rather than a coastal home.
9. Smart Storage Solutions
Storage is another décor idea that may be helpful for individuals looking to create a coastal décor project for their homes. For example, built-in seats with lids for windows allow for storage. Benches at the doorway allow for storage for items that get wet. Cabinets that are tall and narrow and painted the color of driftwood can also be used to store items in the home. Storage within the décor project allows individuals to declutter their homes and allow for their eyes and their minds to rest by looking at décor rather than being overwhelmed by items to be held or managed in the décor project.
By using these ideas in combination within the décor projects in the homes of individuals, those individuals will have homes that are not only suitable for bare feet, swimsuits, and open windows. These ideas allow an individual to transform their homes into both a functional and a feeling space. The sea does not attempt to be anything other than itself, a source of life, light, and salt for the beings that live upon its shores.
Thus, an individual’s homes should, at the very least, mimic this function of the sea. An individual can begin these décor ideas by choosing the décor idea that they like the most. Then, the individual may begin to use that décor idea this weekend.
The other décor ideas can be utilized at a later date.
