What a pleasant experience being a sailor on the sea must be. Unfortunately, the unrivaled beauty of the vast seas is a trove of treasures not all men (and women) get the privilege of opening. The thought of these barnacle-encrusted caverns of boundless beauty being encompassed by the swaying, sapphire tides have turned this aqueous wonderland into a dreamt oasis that many long to have in their homes.

 

While you probably are not anticipating to sail away or move to these granulated shorelines, it does not mean you cannot embody to this beautiful, nautical oasis in your current home! Nautical-themed rooms borrow elements from lighthouses, ships, taverns, and even sea-bound myths to help encapsulate all the riches the deep blue has to offer. Set sail to unfurl your dry, lifeless room into a coastal-inspired harbor retreat awaiting adventure with these five nautical room tips:

When picking your colors, try choosing blues and whites as the primary hues or find balance between both. You can take your room many different directions by which color you want as the primary while applying the other color as a secondary or accent color. Whites will open your space up and feel more shore-inspired while blue can darken the room and will have a more aquatic feel. Golds and reds are great accent colors to consider which compliment the nautical theme. Consider adding “natural beach colors” like sand, seafoam, navy blues, and even distressed woods. Blue and white stripped walls and rugs can help mimic the classic sailor uniform as well. Remember to compliment the hues of the colors you choose when picking out your furniture!

 

Washed woods imply they have been “sea abused.” These woods are great tools to consider for adding character to the room and can also be incorporated in flooring, walls, furniture, and the ceiling. White-washed furniture will not only compliment the whites in your room but help with creating a lived-in environment. A decorative chest or shipyard trunk can make a beautiful coffee table. You can stick to all lights or add some darker distressed woods to give a pop. Do not feel limited to only washed woods though. Let your creativity flow when designing your room.

 

Lighthouses and ships have a plethora of elements you can borrow in the design of your room. Try décor pieces like anchors, ores, ropes, ship bells, and compass. Hang ores on walls or make a rope rug to put under your coffee table. Sailboats can be placed around the room or used as accessories to the add to the design. Try to be fun and creative when integrating these elements. Mirrors inside of lifesavers is another fun and original design idea. Boat steering wheels can be mounted above a mantle or put a vinyl compass on the ceiling behind the fan. Incorporating nautical theme through boats and lighthouses is a definite way to complete your space.

 

“Life’s always better, down where it’s wetter, take it from me” – said our infamous red, crustacean friend. Do not feel confided to keep your design limited to “above the sea” only. Bring this underwater world afloat by incorporating sea life into your project. Swordfish mounted above a fireplace is a timeless nautical application to add marine life to your room. Add life to your room, literally, by investing in a salt water fish tank! Un-anchor your mind and consider a variety of fun ways to add marine life to your room like murals of dolphins and paintings of whales. Seashell coasters or starfish décor are smaller, subtle nods you can consider adding.

 

This is not necessarily for every nautical room but perhaps you would like to go a more mythological route when designing your space. Krakens and mermaids can be used in murals or pictures. Triton’s trident or Poseidon’s underwater palace can be used in art pieces to turn your room into a mythical realm. Some of the illustrious ideas will put a phantasmagorical ambiance through your room.

 

Being able to bring the nautical life home is a perfect remedy for ocean-loving fanatics! By incorporating colors of the seas and washed woods you can achieve the perfect nautical look. Bring the sea to your house this year by tailor a room to the classic nautical theme. For more tips and ideas, check out our Blog Hub.