When you're yearning for the calming presence of the sea and dreaming of those perfect beach holidays, the concrete jungle of everyday life can feel particularly stifling. But don't let that get you down – you can bring the refreshing essence of coastal living right into your personal space by transforming your bedroom with oceanic and beachy themes.
Two of the most sought-after interior design approaches for bedrooms are the nautical and coastal styles. While people often mistake these for being interchangeable, they're actually quite distinct in their execution and feel.
The coastal style stands completely apart from the nautical style – they're as different as the beach is from a sailing ship, with unique elements, colour palettes, and decorative touches that set them apart.
Nautical interior design draws its inspiration from maritime life and seafaring vessels, capturing the romantic essence of life on the open waters. In contrast, the coastal style embodies the laid-back atmosphere of beachside living, bringing to mind those perfect days spent basking in the sun, enjoying refreshing drinks, and watching the world drift by at its own peaceful pace.
While nautical styling embraces bold maritime elements like anchors, striking blue and white colour schemes, and dramatic seascape artwork, coastal design favours a softer approach with sandy neutrals, naturally weathered furniture pieces, and a sophisticated palette of layered blues that mirror the ocean's varying depths.
The coastal style finds its definition in the natural elements you'd discover at the seaside: the warm, golden hues of sand, the weathered grey of driftwood, the crystal-clear turquoise of tropical waters, and the vibrant greens of swaying palm trees. These elements come together to create a space that feels like a permanent holiday retreat.
The nautical style, on the other hand, draws its inspiration from more structured maritime elements: the deep blue of ship hulls, the crisp white of billowing sails, the rich wood of ship's paddles, and the mysterious depths of the ocean. This creates a more structured, adventurous atmosphere.
When it comes to the coastal colour scheme, simplicity is key: think clean whites, soft blues reminiscent of clear skies, and gentle beige tones that mirror natural sand. This combination creates a bright, uplifting space.
To achieve that authentic beach house feel, you'll want to create a light, airy environment that captures the essence of seaside living. A tried-and-tested approach is to paint most of your walls in pure white, reserving one wall – specifically the one behind your bed – for a gentle pastel blue or sandy beige shade, creating a subtle yet striking feature wall.
The nautical theme takes a bolder approach with its colour palette, featuring deep navy blues, bright whites, and weathered greys complemented by dark brown furniture. This combination aims to recreate the sophisticated ambiance of a ship's captain's quarters or the polished deck of a luxury sailing vessel.
Coastal Style Bedroom Interior
For the coastal style, a wooden bed frame serves as the perfect centrepiece. You can opt for either a white-painted finish or natural wood tones – both work beautifully – but the key is to keep the design clean and unfussy.
For those leaning towards the nautical style, seek out a bed frame in darker wood tones – think walnut or mahogany – that echoes the robust construction of a ship's wheel or helm.
To really nail the coastal theme, incorporate weathered and distressed furniture pieces. Shabby chic items work particularly well in this setting, adding that perfect touch of lived-in charm.
Focus on furniture with chalky white finishes and vintage pieces that show their age gracefully. Keep the overall look light and breezy by steering clear of heavier, darker woods like mahogany.
For the nautical theme, dark wooden furniture pieces are your best friends, though you could also incorporate solid white elements if you're aiming for a lighter, more contemporary feel.
Wicker and rattan furnishings offer an effortless way to infuse coastal style into your bedroom space. Consider incorporating wicker or rattan chairs, storage baskets, and decorative boxes to maintain that light, natural feel. Natural straw rugs can also serve as an excellent way to bring in those authentic beach-inspired textures and materials.
When it comes to the nautical style, wicker and rattan elements might feel a bit out of place with the more sophisticated maritime theme. Instead, opt for decorative pieces in brass, nickel, or other tarnished metals that capture that authentic seafaring spirit. To blend contemporary elements with traditional nautical aesthetics, consider incorporating white and blue striped rugs or geometric patterns that add a modern touch whilst maintaining the maritime feel.
Pictured: Nautical style bedroom decor, dark wood bed, wicker basket.
Whilst the coastal theme embraces an abundance of houseplants and trees to recreate that delightful sensation of lounging on a palm-fringed beach surrounded by lush vegetation, the nautical theme takes a more restrained approach to natural elements. Instead, it favours carefully chosen pieces like sculptured driftwood that echo the rugged beauty of life at sea.
The distinction between nautical and coastal décor is particularly evident in their choice of decorative elements. Nautical spaces come alive with maritime charts, antique globes, classic anchors, wooden paddles, weathered driftwood, brass antiquities, detailed ship models, charming lighthouse replicas, and suspended glass buoys.
In contrast, coastal décor embraces the gentler side of seaside life with collections of seashells, delicate coral pieces, graceful starfish, and natural straw decorations.
Your choice of artwork plays a crucial role in completing either style. For nautical bedrooms, include at least one dramatic seascape to capture the majesty of the ocean, while coastal bedrooms should feature artwork depicting sun-drenched beaches and peaceful seaside scenes. The ideal placement for such artwork is typically above your bed, where it can serve as a striking focal point.
