Nautical Décor for Your Patio
Nautical Décor for Your Patio
Nautical décor doesn't necessarily mean red, white and blue anymore. It can be any array of colors that remind you of the water -- whether or not you live on an ocean, lake or pond. Designers also incorporate nautical style into Coastal Décor -- a very popular style these days.
You might want traditional American nautical with red, white, blue or a more serene cottage coastal with ocean hues or a modern beach nautical with bolder shades and hues. Whichever you are partial to, you'll find so no-nonsense ideas here.
Image Credit: Completely Coastal
Ships Wheel is a Must for Coastal or Nautical Décor
Welcoming your guests to your patio, porch or deck area with a ship's wheel sets the tone right from the beginning! They start looking for what's to come next in their coastal, nautical trip to your outdoor entertaining area. The ship's wheel is available from 9" diameter all the way to a 30" diameter. Find the size that's perfect for your patio!
Treat the Patio Like Any Room in the House - That's the Key to a Great Nautical Décor Patio!
Before you begin the process of decorating or redecorating your patio or outdoor living space, remember to treat it like any other room in your house. Below are some tips for creating your dream patio or outdoor space.
- Choose a color scheme and then fabrics that reflect those color choices. Don't forget to mix patterns and solids. That will give you more texture and depth which is visually pleasing.
- Arrange the furniture in a manner that works for you and your family. Take note of natural traffic patterns and arrange your furniture accordingly. If you have space, consider making vignettes or different areas for different activities like a dining area, conversation area and bar area.
- If you space is small, try to have your furniture do double duty -- footstools can double as extra seating when needed, a table against the wall for everyday but can be pulled out and existing chairs added for a small party or get together, a trunk for storage also acts as a coffee or side table... you get the idea.
Nautical Feel for Your Patio (Coastal)
Use Shapes
You can achieve a nautical feel for your patio by using shapes that suggest a nautical feel in the decorating of your patio or outdoor space.
For instance, circles can represent a porthole or foam life preserver, triangles can simulate the sails of a sailboat, squares, triangles or rectangles bring to mind the nautical signal flags and stripes almost always remind us of beach cabanas and umbrellas.
All these shapes can be infused in your design to give the suggestion of a nautical feel without it being "in your face".
Rope Framed Mirror for Nautical Décor - Excellent Nautical Accessory
Mirrors are always a great way to decorate. They reflect light and make spaces appear bigger than they are. For a nautical patio, consider adding a rope framed mirror. You'll get the nautical feel as well as the other benefits associated with mirrors.
Color Schemes for Your Coastal or Nautical Décor
Complete Patio Replacement Cushions
Another way to get a taste of nautical style into your outdoor room is to replace the cushions or slings of your existing patio furniture for new ones in the color scheme you want to embrace for a nautical patio. Fabrics go a long way toward grounding a decorating design.
For whatever color scheme you decide to use, combine fabrics. Try using one basic color or pattern and then accenting on one chair or with outdoor throw pillows in another color or pattern. The examples below are from the Sunbrella® Outdoor Fabrics line for 2012:
Traditional Nautical: Red, White, Blue and Yellow
Modern Coastal Style: Ocean Hues with Blues and Yellows
Nautical Beach: Colors of the Sand, Sky and Surf
Modern Bold Nautical: Bright, almost tropical colors for this nautical style
Nautical Décor -- Accessories Bring It To Life
Nautical accessories can take an "okay" outdoor patio and turn it into something amazing -- a feast for the eyes! Depending on the direction you go with your nautical décor, you have tons of choices.
For a "Beach House" type look, stick with natural materials like sisal rugs, wood patio furniture and reflective surfaces such as mirrors or glass to replicate the ocean or water surface. To accessorize this type of nautical, add natural elements along with your nautical elements. Things like seashells, sand in bottles and candle holders, starfish, fishing net, jute or rope accessories, ships wheel, buoy, signal flags and anchors.
One thing to keep in mind when trying to achieve the "Beach House" style is to look for weather beaten objects to add to your décor. Things like interesting driftwood, old trunks, signs in less than perfect condition and other distressed wood décor.
Image Credit: MorgueFile.com
Beach House Oar - A Perfect Piece of Nautical Decor
The name is deceiving, in that modern nautical or coastal design does embrace vintage items as well. Boxes, trunks and simple wooden benches fit well in this type of design. The accessories are important since you will use less of them in a modern design -- be choosy.
The colors can be subtle ocean hues (blues, greens, whites) or bold statements
Modern Patio Furniture - Chaise Lounge Set
Traditional Nautical Décor
The traditional nautical theme usually revolves around a red, white and blue color scheme, though in recent years, different shades of those colors are being used too. Think deep navy, brick red and off white as another option for the traditional nautical theme. Lots of times yellow is also added to this color scheme to replicate the standard colors used in signal flags.
Nautical uses items like oars, sailboats, signal flags, seashells, anchors, rope, and even lighthouses to accent the space. How much or how little is up to you.
White framed patio furniture is prominent in the nautical theme. Wicker, Adirondack, resin/plastic or white finished wrought iron or cast aluminum are often the frame choice. Cushions can be any of the three colors with accent pillows in designs or solids in the complementary colors of this scheme.
Standing Wooden Cooler for a Nautical Patio
Sometimes your décor can do double duty! Take this cooler for instance. It is perfect for a nautical look with the outside having a distressed, almost driftwood look to it. The inside is lined with metal and perfect for keeping your beverages of choice ice cold on the patio. There is even a built in bottle opener for convenience.The old looking metal handles and hinges just add to the nautical feel. This is a great find!
Nautical Style Outdoor Lighting - Light Fixtures as Nautical Decor
Which Nautical Decor - Design?
Which nautical design style do you prefer?
Easy Sand Candles Tutorial
Here's a quick and easy way to add some ambiance to your nautical patio.The candles could adorn your patio dining table, side table, coffee table, bar or even a railing, retaining wall or hearth to an outdoor fireplace.
You could use the red, white and blue sand as shown, or colors to match your patio color scheme.
Either way, it's quick, easy and beautiful!
Nautical Décor
or Coastal Décor
Whether you want more traditional nautical décor or something like the coastal style of design for your patio, make a good plan. Look at your patio and outdoor space and know what type of elements you can include. Are there any walls (including the side of your home)? Will an outdoor rug fit? Is your space large enough to divide, with furniture, into different areas like a dining, bar and conversation area?
Do some research and set a budget. If you already have all the furniture you need, consider replacement cushions or just the accent décor and pieces to add to and breath new life into your outdoor space.
Image Credit: Sunbrella® image by Glen Raven, Inc., owner of the Sunbrella registered trademark.
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