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We probably all dream of having a large, comfortable house right on the beach. With sand and sea on the doorstep, lots of sunlight, and opportunities for boating and fishing it represents the ideal life.
How do you ensure that it reflects the home you long for? What design and décor features do you require to make the home fit into its environment? Do you start looking for people who can do the skylight installation Melbourne residents expect? Do you add a bit of driftwood and shells here and there? Read further to discover how to create the best seaside home you can dream of.
Create a Lot of Light
When you have a home near the seaside, you really want it to reflect its environment without becoming kitsch or cliched. A lot of white and much light will enable you to bring the outdoors in.
How do you create that light? For one thing, floor-to-ceiling windows all around the house will bring the sun in. Where you can’t do that, you simply install skylights. It will not only lift the mood in the house, but will also enable you to see more of the beautiful sky and surrounds.
Perhaps install a telescope to watch those dolphins, or peer at passing ships. Being at the seaside can never grow boring.
Make the Walls Blend In
Walls in a beach-house can best reflect your surroundings. Light coloured wooden panelling, white-washed walls, walls decorated with sea-stones—the ideas are endless. You can even paint some of the interiors blue—a light cobalt will reflect a warm day very well, and offset some of the sandy colours of the wood.
Whatever your choice is, you need to ensure that the outside is well kept. Being at the seaside can lead to the exterior looking weather-beaten, so have something you can easily maintain without too much effort.
Floors Should Reflect Nature
Wooden floors are a must. Light, slightly pink oak looks stunning in this environment. It’s practical, and sounds musical when you walk across, which matches the holiday theme.
When well-sealed, you can clean the floors easily—a must for any place that speaks of vacations.
Colour Schemes
The colour schemes need to be neutrals or pale pastels. The only exception you can make are some stronger light greens or blues, with accents of bright orange or pink as the theme permits. Of course, some houses have dark-wooden panelling if you’re going for a more sombre, traditional mood, but the trend is to keep it light and airy.
Some ideas:
- You could have a sand-coloured mat, with light blue furniture, lightly mahogany walls, and a few white and bright pink striped cushions.
- Have an entranceway with skylight, and a red Turkish carpet, with dark panelling three quarters of the height of the walls.
- If you do add dark blue, make sure you have white to brighten it up, and always add highlights of orange to ensure balance and prevent the room from becoming dull.
Furniture is Functional
Furniture will reflect the outer world and make it beautiful but functional, creating comfort. Consider:
- Wooden chairs
- Beds with brass headboards and bed knobs
- Cushioned window-seats
You’ll want to have a kitchen island that easily permit legs underneath the table or counter. Just make sure it’s big enough to chop, cut, dice and sizzle fresh fruit to enjoy near the sea.
Interesting idea: wooden chests, redolent of mystery and pirates can form centre pieces for sitting rooms.
Décor and Art
The décor can reflect the sea, but also a little more off nature beyond that. Make sure you add a few pot plants around the house for both colour and harmony.
Place driftwood in strategic decorative spots, and add a few shells here and there, but think about a few bright paintings of beaches, waves and the sea. Or what about abstract art with a little more colour?
Rugs can be natural wool, or coir. Let textures have a say where colours are more neutral—chunky, soft, fluffy and metallic are ideal. Mirrors, a little gold framing, and you have a sunny style in your home! Research the Scandinavian style for some ideas.
If you’re going for a deeper colour mood, add deep reds and greens in various spots along the walls and floors.
Outdoor Storage Shed
One of the most important items will be your outdoor storage shed. You don’t want to bring bikes or boats or surf boards into the house, dragging in all that sand. Rather have a secure shed where you can keep those items, along with all that you need to maintain them. It can be right next to the house in order to save space, but make sure the entrance is outside.
Conclusion
Make the most of your home by the sea and enjoy the decorating! Anyone can get it right! Try adding some nature, and some man-made textures for a good balance, and you’ll have that harmonious, relaxing place you’ve always sought.
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