Coastal and Nautical Decor: How to Bring the Seaside Home
Coastal style brings the calm of the seaside indoors: light, airy rooms, sea and sky blues, sandy neutrals and natural textures. Nautical style adds the fun details: boats, lighthouses, shells and sea creatures.
The trick is balance. A few nautical prints feel charming; too many can make a room feel like a theme park. Here is how to get it right.
Coastal or Nautical?
- Coastal is about the feeling of the seaside: soft blues, whites, sand colours, driftwood and linen. Subtle and relaxed.
- Nautical uses sea themed motifs: sailboats, anchors, lighthouses, stripes and marine life. Bolder and more playful.
Most successful rooms combine the two: a coastal base with a few nautical accents.
The Coastal Colour Palette
- Blues: navy, sea blue, teal and soft sky blue.
- Neutrals: white, cream, sand and pale driftwood grey.
- Accents: coral, sunny yellow or a touch of red, used sparingly.
Keep walls light and let blue come in through curtains, cushions and accessories. For bolder colour, see our guide to orange and blue colour schemes.
Choosing Coastal Curtains
- Soft wave and water prints give a coastal feel without being literal. They suit living rooms and bedrooms.
- Nautical motifs such as lobsters, fish and surfing dogs work well in kitchens, bathrooms, holiday homes and children's rooms.
- Light and airy: unlined curtains let light glow through blue prints. Choose blackout lining for bedrooms that get early morning sun.
Browse nautical and coastal curtains and blue curtains.
Nautical Cushions: How Many?
Cushions are the easiest place for nautical motifs because they are simple to change.
- Choose one or two nautical cushions as the stars: a lighthouse, a sailboat or sea life.
- Add a supporting cushion with a simple stripe or wave in the same blue.
- Finish with a plain cushion in cream or sand.
This keeps the room stylish rather than themed. Browse our nautical cushion covers.
Coastal Ideas by Room
Living room
White or sand walls, a cream or blue sofa, wave print curtains and a mix of nautical and plain cushions. Add driftwood, a jute rug and plants.
Bedroom
Soft blue curtains with blackout lining, white bedding and one or two sea blue cushions.
Kitchen and dining
Playful nautical curtains, such as a lobster or fish print, and a coastal table runner on the table.
Children's room
Colourful fish and sea life prints are fun and easy to grow out of: change the cushions as they get older.
Finishing Touches
- Natural textures: rattan, jute, driftwood and light wood.
- Rope details, glass jars and simple ceramics.
- Seaside photographs or art in light frames.
- Plenty of light: keep windows clear during the day with curtains that stack neatly to the sides.
Coastal Curtains
Light Blue Wave Curtains
Blue and White Ikat Leaf Curtains
Rust Red Lobster Curtains
Blue Ocean Swirl Curtains
Nautical Cushion Covers
Lighthouse and Sailboat Cushion Cover
Starfish and Sea Turtle Cushion Cover
Navy Coastal Cushion Cover
Seahorse and Seashell Cushion Cover
Browse nautical cushion covers and coastal curtains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between coastal and nautical decor?
Coastal decor is about the relaxed feeling of the seaside, with soft blues, whites and natural textures. Nautical decor uses sea themed motifs such as boats, anchors and lighthouses.
What colours are coastal?
Navy, sea blue, teal and sky blue with white, cream and sand, plus small accents of coral or yellow.
How do I stop nautical decor looking tacky?
Use nautical motifs in one or two places, such as cushions, and keep the rest of the room calm with plain colours and natural materials.
What curtains suit a coastal living room?
Light, airy curtains in soft blue wave or water prints, or blue and white designs. Floor length curtains that stack neatly let in plenty of light.
Can I use coastal decor away from the sea?
Yes. The palette and natural textures create a fresh, relaxed feel in any home.
How many nautical cushions should I use?
One or two nautical designs, with a striped or wave cushion and a plain one, is usually enough for a sofa.
Are nautical prints good for children's rooms?
Yes. Fish and sea life prints are fun and colourful, and cushions are easy to swap as children grow.