Decorating With A Coastal Theme

by Jennifer Barnum

Due to its central focus around something that we all love, the ocean, coastal themes inside the home have become very popular. Whether you live right on the coast, or a thousand miles inland, bringing a seaside theme into your home is a fun and inexpensive way for you to have the sense that the ocean is always just a few feet away.

You can find common threads in coastal home decor and also some fundamental aspects that combine the elements of these diverse designs. Depending upon your particular tastes, there are actually a variety of beach home decorating ideas which could get you the invigorating "life by the sea" feeling you are wanting for.

When thinking about color in your seaside decor design, you will be able to without a doubt keep with an all white color scheme, however, this may not match everybody. For extra pazazz, look into mixing in a combination of the other colors such as hues of green, blue, gray, and brown. It is important, however, to focus on lighter instead of dark or deep tones, so that your room remains open and tranquil, as you could possibly feel while lying down on the beach. The lighter backdrop also will function as a great backdrop for accessories and furnishings. When purchasing colorings for your coastal themed home think about sun, sand, coral, surf and shells.

Furnishings in coastal decorating features a wide range of possibilities. One common characteristic that you're going to find in coastal designing is that couches and arm chairs are fluffy, overstuffed and very comfy. Upholstery of these larger sized pieces commonly falls into one of several groups, which includes, being solid in color, bold stripes in two shades, leaner stripes with multiple shades, or flower designs. Rattan and wicker furniture are normal staples in beach home decor. These pieces are notable for being lightweight, durable, flexible and very easily stained, which makes it an excellent candidate for stylish sofas, chairs, coffee tables and ottomans.

Striped patterns can be a distinct trait found in coastal decorating. Narrow stripes or thick, monochrome or multi-colored, pieces of furniture, upholstery, bedding and cushions in the coastal theme are all likely candidates for materials by using pattern. While stripes are typically appealing, however, in order to keep them from overwhelming an area, solid fabrics should be included in the home decor as well.

Windows are typically sparsely covered, especially if you happen to have a view of the ocean. So instead, consider drop down linen or bamboo blinds, Venetian blinds, or plantation shutters, all of which can be opened to completely let the scenery indoors.

Finally, area floor covering mats made from sea grass and palm thatch naturally go with this design, and are especially useful as they are painless to maintain and do a good job keeping sand isolated to the doorway. Large, leafy plants in the seaside designs are a critical component, and with several varieties to choose from, will add just the right touch to your beach house decor.