A beach house can be pure pleasure to own and live in, and it is a life-long dream for most Floridians or transplants (people who move to Florida from other states or countries). They make great second homes and investment properties for the family to enjoy or rent out weekly during high season.
Does your beach house need a little sprucing up? Or do you plan on buying one that you’d like to remodel? Here are 10 beach house decorating ideas that are fresh as a summer breeze.
Your beach house should be a calming display of modern or classic relaxation, not an ornate Pottery Barn showroom. Instead of cluttering the walls and countertops with shells, think of subtle hints that nod to the beachy vibe, like including sandy or coral hues in upholstery or curtains.
If small knick-knacks are really your thing, go right ahead! In a beachside town, it’s so easy to get lost at the art fair and come back with little beachy trinkets. But if you’re looking to give your beach home a fresh de-cluttered feel, go with the “Cantaloupe Rule”. Only decorate with items larger than a cantaloupe. The only things smaller should be your salt and pepper shakers.
There’s a reason why Chip and Joanna Gaines love shiplap. It can totally transform a living space and add more warmth than any paint or wallpaper can ever do. The best part is, you can go with reclaimed wood to create a more rustic look, or finished it with white paint to keep it modern.
Florida winters are the best time to open the windows and enjoy the ocean breeze. Soft natural linen curtains blowing in the breeze create a lightness and atmosphere that every ocean home needs – easy breezy!
Copper lighting, ornaments, or visible decorative copper plumbing gives a beach home a certain charm that nothing else can. It will add a rich pop of shine and color, while still keeping with the nautical feel of a vintage ship. Not to mention, the “orangey” color of copper is a complimentary color to cool blue hues, so it looks fantastic next to that framed picture of waves crashing on the beach.
The dining room and kitchen is the perfect place to incorporate the beachy shabby-chic element of white-washed wood. This driftwood mimicking addition gives an instant stylish beach-hut feel.
The main reason people love the beachy vibe is because it helps your worries melt away, so colors in a beach home should be muted and relaxed. Off-whites, sandy colors, soft greys, and muted blues create an environment that’s both inviting and soothing.
Old fashioned homes focused on very busy floorplans. To create a space where your mind and eyes can relax, focus on the room’s function being the highlight. For a dining room, that means making the dining table the feature. For a living room make the sofa the highlight.
For an outside area, your firepit should be your focal point. Make sure to focus on leaving negative space around it so your guests can move comfortably around the room.
Bear in mind that when incorporating these design changes, the furniture you use will be especially important. With fewer accessories cluttering up your room, if your furniture doesn't stand out, it may leave you with a drab and lifeless feel to the room.
One of the biggest things you'll notice about the beach is the feel of it. It's tactile. The sand between your toes and the shells or rocks in your hands should be recreated by using things like woven rugs, smooth clay pottery, soft throw blankets, or large coral rocks.
A final takeway should be that it’s easy to get too mixed up in the classical clichés of beach house décor, and if that’s your thing then great! But if you’re looking for coastal elegance that stands out, keep it clean and simple, and don’t be afraid to bring in a few elements that wouldn’t normally be seen at a beach house. You’re guests will remember how put together your home was, and you’ll feel much more proud if you don’t overdo it.
