Take the beach home
Whether you enjoyed your last beach vacation so much you wish you could bring its essence home or you long for the coast from a landlocked home, you can incorporate a beach theme into your home decor. While the bathroom is the most popular room for this theme, beach elements can work in any room, or throughout your whole house. Does this Spark an idea?
Color Palette
The sky, ocean and sand are nature's backdrop, and your wall color can draw inspiration from this color palette. Soothing shades of blue or neutral beige with crisp white accents for the trim are common choices. If you desire something more dramatic, try an intense teal or chocolate brown, as these shades will provide contrast while still tying into the beach theme.
Accessories
Nothing says "the beach" like seashells and sand. Collect an assortment of shells and a container of sand on your next beach vacation if you haven't already, or ask a friend to do so for you. Otherwise, shell specimens and sand can be purchased online or at large craft stores.
Next, buy a few glass containers, such as bottles, dishes or vases. Try flea markets or antique stores for apothecary bottles or one-of-kind pieces. Keep in mind that groupings of odd numbers in contrasting shapes work well together. Fill these vessels with your seashells and sand and arrange them on a bookshelf or table top. Larger shells such as conchs can be displayed alone on stands or serve as bookends. But don't get too carried away with beach artifacts---think subtle, not kitsch.
Another way to bring a beach theme to your decor is to hang photos of the beach. Abstract, black and white photos of seashells work for those with modern tastes, while sunset scenes might appeal to those who favor the more traditional. Select white-washed wood frames to recall the texture of driftwood.
Foliage is another strategy to evoke a beach vibe. Choose sago or ponytail palms, which grow well indoors. Tropical flowers such as orchids and bromeliads are also good choices.
Tropical Textures
Beach houses tend to feature natural woods and grasses, like bamboo and wicker, so look for furniture made from these materials. Avoid heavy pieces. For textiles, natural canvas is durable, can easily be found in white or unbleached, and is an easy way to introduce texture into a room. Large, woven baskets contribute to the beach theme as storage or trash cans.
Tags: beach theme, beach vacation, seashells sand