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There are a lot of great ways to feel comfortable in your home, and one of those ways is to encourage a vacation feel. You can do that through nautical decor, which can provide a beach-like experience right in your own home. From model ships to decorative anchors, nautical home decor is beautiful and can be unique. Ship models range from small ships in bottles to much larger display pieces that are freestanding or even wall-mounted. Here’s what to consider when using nautical options in your home decor.

How Much of a Nautical Home Decor Theme Do You Want?

Only you can decide how much of a nautical theme you want for your home. You might consider some decorative boats to be enough, or you may want to go all out with a theme that brings in anchors, lighting, and even weather instruments. It’s completely up to you, because it’s your home, and you want to feel comfortable in it.

If you’re a big fan of nautical lighting and decorative portholes, there are plenty of ways to work them into your space. But model ships on the shelves can also be an elegant and understated option.

Are Model Ships a Good Display Option for Your Home?

Decorative models and various types of model ships can create a space that feels ocean or beach themed, but also gives you the opportunity to bring in other decorative elements. You don’t want to overpower the space, especially if you have a smaller house, or you’re confining your nautical home decor to just one or two rooms.

You don’t need to cover your walls with nautical decor to make a statement or create a relaxing atmosphere. It’s easy to feel like you’re at the beach with just a few great touches that fit the space and follow the theme.

Have You Considered Decorative Anchors and Decorative Portholes?

Decorative portholes can surround windows or mirrors, for a great way to bring a nautical theme into your home. You can also use decorative anchors for display, or find some that also add functionality. Coat racks, key hooks, and other options can be created from anchors, so it’s easier to incorporate them throughout your space.

Will Nautical Lighting and Nautical Weather Instruments Complete the Look?

Nautical lighting brings a beach feel to your house, and can be one of the best ways to showcase your theme in a bold way. This kind of lighting can be the main lighting option in your home, or a backup option when more traditional lights aren’t in use. Either way, you can decide how much nautical lighting you want, and when you want to use it.

In summer, all roads lead to the front porch. And there’s nothing more refreshing after a busy day at work or school, than coming home to a beautiful outdoor space that’s a reflection of you and your hobbies and interests. If you’re a pirate at heart, or you’d always rather be sailing, nautical decor can create the ideal theme. Start big, with dramatic inspiration pieces that bring to mind the sand and the sea, then fill in with smaller maritime accents, such as decorative anchors or nautical lighting. Mix and match, put in and take away, until you’ve created the perfect summer oasis for relaxation to set sail. Here’s what we recommend. 

Begin with a Good Quality Exterior Paint in a Nautical Color

A new coat of paint goes a long way toward refreshing a space, especially areas such as porches and railings that require regular maintenance. By repainting your front porch floor, trim, and railings, you’ll help protect it from extremes of weather. And if you use a good quality paint plus primer, one or two coats may be all that’s needed. We recommend using a darker color for outdoor flooring. Otherwise, you may spend the rest of the summer constantly sweeping up debris. An alternative would be to paint your porch floor in a lighter color, then purchase a large nautical-themed rug to cover all but the edges of your seating area.

Choose Your Nautical Rugs Wisely

Whether you opt for a single, room-size outdoor rug, or you prefer smaller rugs scattered about, choose them wisely. Something with a nautical motif will help drive your theme home. Consider dramatic stripes, sand dollars, or boat anchors. Or, feature a nautical shape throughout your space, such as the circular shape of a ship’s wheel, and repeat it throughout your design. But remember not to go overboard. For example, if you choose a busy rug, pair it with solid-colored outdoor cushions and vice-versa. 

Don’t Shy Away from Nautical Wall Art

The exterior walls that border a shaded front porch make beautiful backdrops for nautical wall art. You could mount boat oars over the front door or a compass rose near the window. And this is a perfect opportunity to flank a front door in nautical lighting. Reproduction ship lanterns are ideal for this purpose. 

Remember to Accessorize

A small grouping of furniture surrounding a coffee table makes a nice display area for nautical weather instruments, a decorative boat, or a ship’s bell. These give guests something to fiddle with and admire as they enjoy a cool glass of sweet tea and some warm conversation on your front porch. 

Use Porch Windows as Nautical Displays

And if you’d like to display an antique ship model or a collection of cherished boat models that you would never consider placing outdoors, display them in the window that opens to your front porch instead. They’ll add to your theme and give others a chance to admire them as much as you do. 

Remember that last vacation at the beach? It’s easy to bring those memories home with nautical style decorating. A nautical interior is one that’s reminiscent of ships, sails, and ocean sunsets. And if you’re someone who loves the beach, a nautical home — or even a single room filled with nautical decor — offers a relaxing break from the outside world. Use these four tips to get started.

1. Begin With Nautical Theme Lighting

Lighting is an important consideration when you’re trying to recreate an outdoor feeling in an indoor space. Natural light is a great place to begin, so if your space features windows with heavy, room-darkening treatments, nix them and let the sun shine through. Consider using a big window as a display space for a gorgeous model ship or some wayfaring tools such as spy glasses, sextants, or a ship’s bell.

For dark corners or spaces that lack natural light, a ship-themed chandelier or wall-mounted lanterns will highlight your nautical interior.

2. Consider Adding One or More Model Ships

You’ll find a model ship for sale in all sizes, from miniature to extra-large. Consider collecting several in different scales and displaying them on open shelving, in bookcases, or inside a glass-paneled curio cabinet. Display your collections in small groupings for added drama. 

3. Bring In Nautical-Themed Accessories

Nautical-colored rugs, weather vanes, tide clocks, and wooden oars all make beautiful decor. And when displayed sparingly in your space, they can lend your room that seaside mood you crave without appearing cluttered. Choose one or two larger pieces as conversation starters, and add a few smaller pieces to fill in. Good options include:

Sea-themed placemats or coasters

Throw pillows with nautical motifs

Wall art that features boats, marinas, or lighthouses

Accessories made of netting or rope

Your nautical home may mimic a cozy ship’s interior or the bright light of a beach house. It’s only limited by your imagination and by the decor you choose to complement your theme. 

4. Remember That Less Is More

A last rule of thumb is to show restraint. It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of finding nautical decor, but it’s important to remember that less is usually more. Opt for a high-end, classic look, as opposed to one that’s packed full of smaller knick-knacks and items that could come across as clutter. Leave room for white space, and place one or two items on a shelf, as opposed to many. Do the same with your wall art. Tasteful decorating requires self control and an eye for detail. Once you master these two must-haves, creating a nautical home that’s both beautiful and relaxing will come much easier.

So it’s time to decorate the beach house, or the boat house, or even that cabin by the lake. You’re thinking ‘nautical,’ but not quite sure where to begin. But just like any decor scheme, one inspiration piece is all you really need to get those creative juices flowing.

For nautical themed decorating, think model ships or decorative boat models and build from there. Larger accent pieces such as fish netting, boat oars, and life preservers are ideal. Afterward, bring in smaller details, such as ocean-themed linens or throws, candles nestled in sand and seashells, and rugs made from jute. There are many techniques you can use to tie these items together so they compliment each other and look cohesive. We’ll cover two important ones in detail.

Nautical Decorating Calls for Specific Color Palettes

Obviously, your color scheme should bring to mind some elements of the sand and the sea, but the color palette used could be different for every decorator and for every space. Small rooms, such as boat cabins or hallways, will appear larger if you use lighter colors on the walls, floors, and ceilings. This could make sandy-beige wall paint your new best friend. Add accents of teal, sky blue, and coral to lend a beachy air. Bring in natural elements such as driftwood, jute, and sand dollars to give the eyes a place to rest.

Then again, if you’re using nautical themed decorating in a large, cavernous space, you can afford to be more dramatic. Navy blue, contrasted with stark white and hints of gold, is very nautical. Open shelving filled with decorative boat models, lighthouse statuary, and the occasional conch shell will more than evoke a seafaring mood.

Nautical Theme Lighting Is Also a Plus

Lighting fixtures that combine heavy rope with wood or brass bring to mind a nautical theme. And so do wall-mounted lanterns. Lamps, pendant lights, and chandeliers that feature appropriate motifs are ideal as well. Consider patterns such as:

Boat anchors

Seagulls

Ship’s wheels

Compasses

Dolphins, Fish, or Whales

And echo these motifs in other elements around the room such as fabrics, throw rugs, carpets, and window treatments. Remember, you should always have several types of lighting in a room, including ambient, accent, and task lighting, to make the space more appealing and convenient.

Shop GoNautical.com

When you’re ready to begin your new decorating project focused on nautical decor, visit GoNautical.com for inspiration. You’ll find a captivation collection of nautical home decor, including ship models, spyglasses, and globes, both vintage-inspired and contemporary. There truly is something to satisfy every boat enthusiast at GoNautical. We invite you to shop for inspiration today.

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