San Diego is known for its gorgeous beaches, from the rip-roaring, surf-worthy waves of Black’s Beach to the retro ’60s beach culture of Encinitas Beach.
But for those who have the ocean running through their veins, it isn’t enough to take a stroll down the Ocean Beach Pier and leave. For these certified beach bums, the beach has to come home with them. If this is you, our design tips for incorporating coastal home decor into your home will help you make every day a beach day.
Find Your Color Scheme
Colors have a way of bringing settings to mind, even without the seashells and driftwood. A coastal color scheme usually involves at least some of the following:
- White
- Tan
- Grey
- Blue
- Yellow
- Tangerine (as an accent color)
If you’re not sure how to put together a color scheme, just follow the 30-60-10 rule. Ideally, 60 percent of the room should be a dominant color, 30 percent a secondary color, and 10 percent an accent color.
Pro Tip: Using Patterns
A great way to really bring home the coastal color scheme is to arrange them into coastal-inspired patterns. Paint the walls with stripes that alternate blue and red, or add a throw pillow with a blue and white anchor pattern.
Focus on Texture
A trip to the shore is a feast for the senses, especially touch. So it makes sense to play with texture in your room. One of the best ways to incorporate texture is through your use of fibers. Focus on light, natural fibers. For example:
- Sisal
- Cotton
- Line
- Wood
- Woven fabrics
These can be subtle, like a basket in the corner or a throw blanket. Or you can make them a larger part of the decor by choosing furniture upholstered with it.
Let In the Light
If there’s one thing we associate with the beach more than the ocean and sand, it’s the sunlight. Finding ways to let in as much natural light as possible will help you feel like you’re soaking up the sun on the shore.
Choose light, breezy window trimmings like white sheers, and use light-colored furnishings and paints in the room to reflect the most natural light. You can also add reflective pieces like mirrors or sea glass to turn up the brightness and call to mind the sun reflecting off the water.
Don’t Go Overboard on Knickknacks
A lot of people think that one of the only ways to incorporate coastal home decor into a space is to load the room up with mementos that scream, “I just got back from the beach,” such as:
- Shells
- Driftwood
- Starfish
- Sea rocks
- Jars of sand
- Stuffed fish
- Ocean-themed art
It’s fine to add a few beach keepsakes. In fact, it’s the perfect way to punctuate your design. However, you don’t need to go overboard, adding seashells to every end table. If you follow the rest of the tips, people will already think of the sea when they step into your house. One or two knickknacks will be more than enough to bring your design home.
