There’s something inherently captivating about the sea – its vastness, its mystery, and the sense of adventure it evokes. It’s no wonder that nautical designs have been a perennial favourite in interior decor, offering a refreshing and timeless aesthetic that can transform any space into a serene coastal retreat. Whether you dream of a quaint coastal cottage or a sophisticated yacht interior, embracing nautical elements can infuse your home with a relaxed, elegant, and utterly charming vibe. Join us as we dive into the waters of nautical design and share tips for creating the perfect coastal-inspired home.
The Core Elements of Nautical Style
At its heart, nautical design is about channeling the spirit of the ocean and classic maritime elements. Far from being limited to seashells and anchors, nautical patterns encompass a rich tapestry of motifs that evoke the tranquility, adventure, and classic elegance of life by the sea. From sailboats, lighthouses, ropes and knots that showcase the practical artistry of sailing, and patterns or silhouettes that capture coral, starfish and other marine life, to water motifs (abstract and realistic) that mimic the gentle undulation of waves or the shimmering surface of water for a sense of fluidity and calm, nautical patterns draw inspiration from a wide range of coastal influences to help bring the theme to life.
A fundamental colour in any nautical palette is blue. From deep navy reminiscent of the open ocean to soft sky blue, seafoam and serene turquoise, these tones instantly evoke the coastal feel. Crisp brilliant white, creamy off-white, and sandy beige also provide a perfect backdrop, reflecting light and creating a sense of openness whilst pops of red and sunny yellow or even weathered green accents can add visual interest.
Fabrics
Nautically-inspired fabrics offer a captivating way to infuse calm, tranquility, and escapism into any room. Beyond their decorative appeal, they often convey a sense of nostalgia and a connection to nature, making them a popular choice for creating light, airy, and distinctively coastal soft furnishings. Gently introduce through simple scatter cushions, or make a statement with a beautiful curtain, roman blind or upholstered accent chair.
The fabulous Jersey collection by Prestigious Textiles is a great go to, featuring St Helier (shown opposite) and Perranporth. On 100% BCI cotton, these nautical prints adorn various sea forms in a natural and sustainable way. Alternatively, if you’d prefer a more subtle look, consider the Periwinkle fabric, a delicate shell embroidery available in calming muted tones. Equally, the Studio G Marina collection offers some superb nautical patterns that lend themselves beautifully to a coastal scheme (see main image above). Go bold with the Waterfront, Lowestoft and Sailing Yacht designs or tone it down a little with Aquarium, Fin and Seabed.
Other superb options include the Prestigious Textiles Coastal Retreat (image 1 below) and Sanderson Port Isaac collections, packed full of sailing boats, sea forms and marine life for a classic coastal aesthetic. We particularly love the Sailor and Cromer Embroidery fabrics, both shown in image 2 below. Equally, for an impactful take on the nautical theme, the Sanderson National Trust Swallows at Sea fabric works well (image 3 below). This fresh design features swooping swallows amongst rolling waves, instantly transporting you to a serene seascape. Shop more nautical fabrics here.
Roller Blinds
If you prefer the look and functionality of a roller blind, we are pleased to offer an array of nautical patterns to help bring your window treatment to life. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, they offer the practical benefits of light control and privacy, making them a versatile and stylish choice for any room, particularly bathrooms, kitchens, or children’s bedrooms with a seafaring spirit.
The Surf Navy roller blind by Clarke & Clarke is a fantastic example (shown opposite), adorning an abstract motif that brings the refreshing charm of the open sea directly into your home. The Clarke & Clarke Waterside and Prestigious Textiles Sandbank roller blinds also lend themselves well to coastal schemes.
Wallpaper
Nautical wallpapers are making waves in home interiors. Whether you’re dreaming of lazy days by the shore or adventures on the high seas, these wallpapers create a peaceful backdrop that’s perfect for unwinding. Voyage through the open ocean with the magnificent Zingara wallpaper by Little Greene (see image 1 below), perfect for a statement feature wall. Sanderson also offers a superb range of wallpapers following the sailing theme. Consider Sail Away for a typically British, hand-painted sail boat scene or opt for something more playful and lighthearted with the Donald Nautical wallpaper, a design developed as part of the iconic Disney Home for Sanderson collection.
For a touch of traditional coastal charm, the Sanderson Port Isaac Beach Huts wallpaper works particularly well (image 2 below). Alternatively, you may wish to embrace a wallcovering with various marine life forms. From swimming fish to lounging lobsters, the Harlequin Colour 1 Halfmoon, Joules Name the Plaice and Sanderson Cromer designs present an array of typical sea creatures in their own distinctive styles and contemporary palettes. Shop more coastal / nautical wallpapers here.
Homeware
Bedding
Bring a touch of seaside serenity to your bedroom with the refreshing Coastal Boats bedding set by Sophie Allport (shown below). Inspired by the charm of the North Norfolk coastline, this 200 thread count cotton percale bedlinen refreshes any space with Sophie’s hand-drawn illustrations of sailboats, lighthouses, clouds, and seagulls. The reversible design, with classic white and blue stripes, adds a timeless coastal feel. Equally, if you opt for patterned curtains or walls, you may wish to keep your bed plain with our luxury range of crisp white bedlinen from Luxe & Wilde.
Cushions
Enliven any bed, sofa or armchair with a nautically-inspired cushion. Voyage Maison offer a superb range of watercolour designs adorned with coral reefs and marine life in vivid oceanic tones. More than just decorative accents, these cushions can transform a room, adding texture, colour, and a thematic element that speaks of ocean breezes and distant shores. The Crustaceans Arthouse cushion (shown below) is a superb example, injecting coastal charm into any scheme. Shop the full range here.
Rugs
Rugs are great for adding an extra layer of texture and interest to help give your space dimension. We particularly love the Ride the Wave rug by Scion for nautical schemes, evoking the timeless allure of the sea (see image below). Inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement, this abstract rug is hand tufted, 100% wool, featuring a classic stylised repeating wave that would be at home in seaside settings. Available in 2 colour ways, the rug comes in 4 different sizes and is a great choice for maximum impact.
Complete the Look
- Complementing Designs: Stripes on lightweight, breathable fabrics lend themselves effortlessly to the nautical theme. Think thin pinstripes, bold cabana stripes and the classic navy, white and red stripes, perfect for accent walls, cushions, throws and even upholstered furniture. Birds such as gulls and swallows are also popular. Many nautical fabric collections feature co-ordinating stripes and seabird prints for effortless and cohesive styling. Ready made options are also available. Consider the Laura Ashley Awning Stripe and Tiverton curtains or layer up with the Ardley, Awning Stripe and Ortonby throws, all beautiful stripes to offset your scheme.
- Embrace Natural Materials and Textures: Light, distressed woods like driftwood, bleached oak, or painted white wood work particularly well for furniture and flooring. Teak and mahogany can be used for a more classic, luxurious yacht feel. Rope and jute add an authentic maritime touch, whether in rugs or decorative accents. Polished chrome, brass, or aged bronze are also great for hardware and lighting to evoke the feel of a ship or seaside dwelling.
- Lighting: Abundant natural light is key. Supplement with wall sconces or pendant light fixtures that mimic ship lanterns. Porthole mirrors can also be stunning decorative statements that also bounce light around the room.
- Accessories: Artwork such as nautical charts, framed maritime flags, sailboat paintings, or photographs of seascapes can help to offset the scheme. Decorative ship wheels, model sailboats, glass floats, conch shells, and strategically placed ropes also complete the look.
Tips for Mastering Nautical Patterns
While embracing the theme, it’s important to avoid going “overboard”. The key to sophistication is to curate and balance. Consider the room you plan to decorate. Smaller, more intricate patterns might work better in a bathroom or bedroom, while larger, bolder patterns can make a statement in a living room or dining area. Stick to a cohesive colour scheme, starting with a neutral base as your canvas and adding complementary sea-inspired hues that work together tonally. Don’t be afraid to combine different nautical patterns but ensure there’s a unifying element – perhaps a shared colour or scale. Breaking up patterned areas with solid colours can provide balance to avoid the space from feeling too busy. You can also mix and match, carefully blending nautical elements with other styles like coastal, farmhouse, or even modern for a more sophisticated and layered look.
Focus on texture, allowing natural materials and textures to speak for themselves. Also, less is more – choose a few well-placed, impactful pieces rather than cluttering every surface with nautical trinkets. By incorporating actual items from your own seaside adventures or family heirlooms, you can also give your interior scheme a personal and authentic feel.
Overview
Nautical patterns offer a timeless and calming aesthetic that can truly transform your living space. By understanding the breadth of these designs and applying them thoughtfully, you can create an interior that is not only stylish and fresh but also evokes the tranquil beauty and adventurous spirit of the open sea and coastal living.
For further design inspiration and ideas, please view our Traditional Coastal and Contemporary Coastal Trend Guides. If you’re embarking on a home project and would like any help, advice or samples sending out, please do get in touch. We offer a complimentary bespoke design service where we can provide fabric, design and paint colour advice to help you pull a full room solution together. We can also make up your perfect window dressings with our bespoke, made to measure curtain and roman blind making service.
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