15 Nautical Decor Ideas for a Summer-Inspired Home

Nautical décor has the remarkable ability to transform a home for the summer, adding a touch of coastal sophistication and tying together various design elements.

Whether you prefer a subtle and seamless integration or a bold theme that makes a statement, incorporating nautical elements offers endless creative possibilities. If you’re ready to give your space a fresh new perspective for the season, read on.

Go for Stripes

bring on the stripes — I think stripes are a fantastic alternative to other patterns because of their linear look and how they can make a space feel longer. If you have a room that’s on the smaller side, bringing in a striped item can not only create a sense of spaciousness but also add that colorful nautical energy.

Stripes are such a classic way to get that nautical look. I just love how effortlessly they bring a strong coastal feeling to any room.

To really make it all cohesive, I would suggest using bold stripes in simple colors like white and blue.

Dark Wood Meets Blue

dark wood with blue — The deep tones in the dark wood really make the brightness of different blue shades pop in any room. The key here is to use a good amount of richer, darker wood tones and then layer in several different shades of blue.

I am obsessed with the look of using dark wood and matching it with different shades of blue for a timeless nautical feel.

The way the colors blend together is just seamless and gives the room a modern touch. This is a décor idea I really love for a guest room or even in the kitchen.

A Touch of Whimsy

Lighting is just so critical in any space; it really sets the mood for all your other décor. I’d suggest choosing a nautical light fixture and making it the main focal point in the room.

When you do that, you add a whimsical element that is still super easy to decorate with.

Color Harmony

nautical living room — Creating a coordinated space is just perfect when you want to add a modern spin. I’d bring in some unique lighting and metallic accents to give your decor new life, even if you’ve decided on a more minimalist style.

When you’re thinking about a color scheme, blue and white is definitely the direction to go.

The real trick is coordinating the entire room with just these two colors. They feel subtle and charming, and you get a whole range of different possibilities to pick from, including bold patterns and simple prints.

Glimmer of the Ocean

ocean themed bathroom Awesome 15 best Fish scale tiles images on Pinterest — The secret to making an ocean shimmer tile design work is picking a shiny color that adds brightness to the room but still has that magical, enchanting quality. This look is exceptionally great in a bathroom because of its multi-dimensional style.

You can take ocean colors and pair them with shimmering metallics for a really well-rounded look. This particular combination makes so much sense in any room that could use a little bit of feminine charm.

You could even think about using a shimmery tile accent wall to bring in the look in a simple way.

Pure White

white nautical decor — A crisp white decor scheme is an amazing nautical element with a minimalist feel. I’d pair it with pastel shades of gray, blue, and silver for a beautifully put-together result. The key is to use light fixtures that fit the space and add a charming quality.

White is one of those colors that just never seems to fall out of fashion because it’s so versatile. I would use a crisp white color and match it with some pastel shades of blue.

You could even add a classic nautical piece of art to really go all-in on the concept.

Patterns on Patterns

Try using multiple patterns to build a nautical style that brings in not just color but also texture. The whole idea is to layer in several patterns that have similar undertones or even contrasting colors to achieve a really unique look.

Nothing says nautical to me quite like using a bunch of different patterns all in one room.

When you do this, it really highlights the beauty of the space without making it feel too busy. The trick is to use similar colors with bold patterns that play well off of each other.

Blue Glass Tile

Blue glass tiles, or sea glass, are just perfect for that under-the-sea feeling that you can use in the kitchen for a pop of color or in the bathroom.

The colorful glass emphasizes the subtle charm of the room while bringing in some colorful personality.

Stairway Feature

blue stairway — You can take this a step further and create a whole wallpapered area with a checked print in a bold blue shade paired with white for a perfect contrast. I’d add some pictures or other nautical touches to finish the whole look.

For a really cool, multicultural vibe on your stairs, I’d suggest adding a nautical, worldly element.

I’m a big fan of the idea of putting up a bold, blue wallpaper and then hanging picture frames with metallic finishes. The metal frames provide a little something extra that still feels simple.

Mismatched Textiles

mismatch nautical fabrics — Using mismatched fabrics is always a fantastic idea when you want to go bold and bright but don’t want to stick with just one simple decor item. Combining a few different fabrics will help the space feel larger while staying on the nautical theme. Think about adding bits of red with a thick red fabric.

Yes, that’s right, having mismatched fabric is totally in! The idea is to take two or three different textiles that have similar patterns or colors and work them into the room.

To maintain the nautical feel throughout, I would use designs inspired by sailors.