Seashells and beach glass add color and authenticity to beach-themed decor.
Decorating with a beach theme typically means you want your living space to feel casual, relaxed and inviting. Beach-themed decor can include a simple beach cottage feel, palm tree motifs, nautical details, seashells or a lush, tropical feel. Choose a specific type of beach decor based on the colors, images and look you enjoy, or decorate each room in your home with a different take on the beach theme. Does this Spark an idea?
Colors
Use a soft, natural color palette to create a soft ambiance typical of the beach. Soft creams or light beige that mimic the color of sand works on the walls, furniture and linens to keep the entire room feeling light and airy. Coral, light seashell pink, sea foam green, sky blue, turquoise and aqua add character and color while keeping with the beach theme. Bright red, blue and white work in a nautical-themed room. Bright orange, yellow and fuchsia are ideal if you want a brighter, tropical feel.
Furniture
Comfortable furniture is imperative in a beach-themed home. Wicker furniture works in a bedroom, den, dining room or living room. Simply add a glass top to a dining table and add beach-themed cushions and pillows to chairs and sofas. White or light-colored wood with an aged look is another option. Use light, neutral colors for sofas, chairs and other large pieces. Slipcovers are ideal as they fit in with a casual, comfortable beach feel.
Linens
Sheer white curtains over simple shades are ideal for window treatments to continue a light, airy feel and still allow for privacy and light control. Use paint on the walls, or put up horizontal siding with an aged look. Linens should be soft, comfortable and neutral unless you want a bolder look. Pillows, rugs and bedding can include bright tropical displays, dolphins, palm trees, seashells, lighthouses, sailboats or images of the beach.
Accessories
Accessories will pull your entire room or house together. Seashells work with many other materials and items in nearly any room in the house. Fill glass jars, vases, bowls or other containers with seashells, sand dollars and starfish. Lanterns, glass lamps and shadow boxes are other ways to display seashells. Glue them to picture frames, trays or other accessories if you want to craft your own accessories. Use sea glass if you want something different from seashells.
Turn old pieces of wood into decorations if you want to make it look like driftwood. Hang a large fishing net on one wall with a ship wheel, anchor, driftwood or other beach or nautical accessories. Hang pictures with images of the beach, lighthouses or sailboats, or frame your favorite family vacation photos from the beach.
White or cream-colored candles add subtle elegance to your beach-themed decor when paired with sand and seashells. Add sand and small shells to a glass bottle with a rolled-up paper tied with twine to resemble a message in a bottle. Model ships inside of glass bottles, lighthouse figurines or other common beach artifacts are other alternatives.
Tags: aged look, beach theme, beach-themed decor, entire room, images beach