Nautical interiors are popular any season of the year, but they really explode when the weather’s warm and more people spend time by the ocean. Instilling that carefree, coastal lifestyle into an interior can often boil down to the color palette and materials used in the room, and there are some essentials to stick by when it comes to this look. From blue and white to rope accents, each element has its inspiration in the sailing tradition of large ships, and can easily translate when it comes to home decor. My favorite elements might be the subtle lines of shiplap walls and the combination of striped patterns, but it all looks good when it comes to beachside living, really! In short, the Nautical style explicitly references sailors and emulates the interior of a working, sailing ship while the Coastal style emulates the relaxing feeling and environment of a beach.

A Fashion First
The Nautical style originates from 19th century England during the reign of Queen Victoria, who dressed her young sons in sailor suits. As it rose in popularity, the style generally referred to white and navy striped apparels that mimicked sailors’ clothing. The nautical striped shirt that they adopted eventually became a “classic” wardrobe staple. As the fashion style grew, it also crept into the realm of interior design.

The Aesthetic
While the fashion can arguably be boiled down to a good white and navy shirt, the interior design style went beyond to encompass all things sailors and sail ships. Nautical style decor is not shy with metals, and often incorporates a complementary industrial element. It also commonly wears a worn, lived-in look.


Color Palette: Primary tones; navy and white as a call-back to nautical fashion
Decor/ Materials: Rope, shiplap walls, anchors, shells, driftwood or weathered wood, burlap, metals - Biophilic elements
Complimentary Styles: Industrial

Distinctive Features of Nautical Interior Design
The nautical style is more than a hundred years old, but nevertheless, it always remains modern and fresh. This style is easily recognizable as it has a number of features that are directly associated with the water surface and marine fauna.

• Basic colors of the nautical style: white and shades of blue;
• Using textiles made from natural materials;
• An abundance of thematic decorative elements;
• Furniture in the interior of simple shapes with straight lines from natural materials: wood, rattan.
  

The vintage style of an apartment decorated in a nautical style does not disappear even if you add a modern design to it. You can use fashionable floor lamps and household appliances. Such decor items add extra sophistication and modernity to the style.

Check out this article about the aesthetics of the coastal style - Style Your Space With The Coastal Aesthetic

Furniture for Nautical Interior Design
In order to create a perfect nautical theme, you should use wicker or wooden furniture equipped with special removable covers and mattresses. This reduces the touch of luxury and makes the design feel colonial. Exotic flowers and plants in pots, such as palms are also suitable for such an interior.
Decorating your chosen bedroom style will require quality nautical bedding. The aristocracy of the bedroom is enhanced by classical furniture combined with navy elements.Nautical motifs will appear brighter if you hang pictures with a corresponding theme, a steering wheel, or an imitation of a compass on the walls. You can also use wickerwork – skillfully made mats, baskets, cornices, roller blinds, chests.

Nautical Bathroom Decor
The nautical style looks especially good in the bathroom. Due to constant contact with water, the feeling of being close to the sea increases. The design of the bathroom can be in a modern and classic style. Straight lines, distinct colors, and glossy surfaces correspond to the modern trend.Elegant flowing forms of furniture and sanitary ware, a combination of similar colors and unobtrusive décor items correspond to a more classic design.

Nautical Kitchen Decor
In a kitchen with a nautical style, the light should prevail; this option is pretty suitable for small spaces. It is preferable to choose a kitchen set and countertop from natural materials.The wood texture will support the kitchen in a uniform style. A stone countertop is difficult to install and has a high cost; so it is quite acceptable to replace it with an artificial stone.The interior should not be overloaded with unnecessary details; useful thematic accessories will be enough.

Nautical Bedroom Decor
The nautical interior is made in light colors. To dim them, you can use curtains made of thick material, which will save you from bright light. Calm shades, natural fabrics, and wood furniture are preferable. The overall style can be supported by decorative items and bedding and a bedside rug. In the interior of the hallway without natural light, the light color of the walls looks good.Wicker boxes, unusual hooks, hangers, and a mirror hanging on a scourge rope will indicate the nautical theme. For practical reasons, the floor can be made of beige tiles.

Nautical Kid's Bedroom Interior
Using a nautical style in a nursery will be a good interior solution. Interior details will positively influence the development of the child, awakening imagination.For boys, a room design in a combination of white and dark blue is suitable. Various décor in the form of fishing accessories or elements of ships will make it a favorite place for the child. For girls, the room can have softer decoration. Make the combination of primary colors less contrasting, for example, in pastel shades. The walls of the room can be decorated in a playful way, using photo wallpaper, posters, or paintings.

Nautical Living Room
To decorate the living room, you can use curtains with white and blue stripes and decorative pillows that echo the style of the room. A wooden ceiling made of whitewashed boards or ceiling beams will look good in the interior of the living room. A spacious room can be dominated by dark shades, deep blue, or turquoise. For a small space, a light palette with bright thematic elements is suitable.

Nautical Study Room Decor
Depending on preference, the study can be dark or light.In the dark version, furniture made of natural wood of a natural color looks good: a dark table, a sofa, and an upholstered armchair. In addition, ships in a bottle can be an ideal decor in a dark interior. For a light study, it is better to use painted wood furniture with fabric upholstery. An excellent option for decorating the walls of the study can be large paintings with marine patterns in different styles.

Nautical Interior Design: Finishing Features

Nautical Wall Decor
There are a lot of options for decorating walls in a nautical style.

• Most often, the walls are painted in one color, focusing on one of them, this option is suitable for the living room and bedroom.
• Also, the material for decoration can be wallpaper with a small pattern or photo wallpaper with a large thematic image on the entire wall. This option is ideal for a children’s room.
• For the kitchen, tiles are not necessarily white; turquoise, blue, and sand shades will refresh the space.
• An unusual solution would be to decorate one of the walls with wood with an aged effect.

Nautical Floor Decor
To maintain the overall style, when decorating the floor, materials are used that are associated in color with the sea coast.

• Sand-colored carpet draws an analogy with a sandy beach.
• A classic nautical floor finish is a floorboard or parquet with wood imitation.
• The finishing can also be 3D floor, carpet, or tiles.
  

Nautical Ceiling Decor

• In rooms with low ceilings, it is better to use the single color method.
• high ceiling rooms, the ceiling can be multi-tiered, decorated with ceiling beams, or a light transparent veil.
  

Nautical Style Evokes a Seaside Getaway
Decorating with a nautical theme can make your home feel like a seaside getaway. Navy and white stripes are the hallmark of nautical style – no bright pinks or lime greens. Navy and white stripes look great on walls, area rugs, throw pillows, and curtains, but choose only one. Too much of even a simple pattern can overwhelm a room. Neatly displayed seashells and nautical prints emphasize the nautical theme and a few nautical accent pieces will bring it home.

Like sand between your toes, nautical style is relaxed and charming. Classic traditional furniture with a lightly distressed white, such as the Sandcastle Queen Wood Panel Bed from Hooker Furniture adds vintage appeal. The mix of natural materials and intricate detailing creates an atmosphere of effortless elegance. Bright prints and a vase full of sunflowers add just the right amount of color. At Blucap Interiors, we incorporate Biophilic design elements to transform a space into a harmonious collection of natural elements that boost mood, productivity and wellbeing. Integrating a sense of place through local artworks and materials.