Summer brings the feeling of sand under your feet, the sun on your face, and the wind through your hair. It’s a feeling most of us crave during these dark and cold days. Fortunately, summer returns every year, and that’s the beauty of it! 😉 But how can you bring that wonderful summer feeling into your home on a daily basis? If we could, we would suggest packing up your home and taking it to Spain! Unfortunately, this is not possible unless you have superhuman strength. So, bring the sunshine into your home yourself with a maritime interior!
Maritime Interior
Maritime, which means ‘related to the sea’, is a broad term that encompasses various aspects. When we refer to a maritime interior, we are generally describing a style of living that is easily recognizable. No other interior style has such a distinct colour palette as maritime interior design. This is because the two main colours used are blue and white, which are common around and on the sea. Just think about it for a moment and you’ll see: traditional sailor suits, the blue sea with its white foam, and cloudless blue skies with white seagulls, just to name a few. That’s why it’s important to use these colours extensively in your nautical living style. Let’s start with the basics!
The foundation of a nautical living style is the floor, and nothing fits this style better than a real wood floor. After all, wood is a common material found around the sea such as on wooden decking, jetties, old ships, and driftwood. Therefore, choosing a real wood floor for your home is an easy decision. The question is, what colour should the floor be? The answer depends on the overall picture of your interior. In general, creating contrasts is a good first step. For instance, if you plan to use dark (blue) accessories and furniture, choose a light oak wooden floor, such as wooden parquet with a white oiled finish. The dark accessories and furniture will look better on a light floor because the colour combinations are visually exciting. If you have mainly light accessories and furniture, you have a choice of either a light or a dark floor. A dark floor will create an exciting contrast similar to the planks of an old ship, while a light floor will provide more optical space.
Sun, sea & beach
It goes without saying that the walls should remain white, as this colour makes the room look bigger and has a calming effect. Blue is a very harmonious colour, making it the perfect colour to combine with white. To further transform the space into a beach pavilion, there are several things you can do. Choose furniture with a story and a rough edge, as this fits well with the charm of the maritime style. For example, opt for a table made of driftwood or a sturdy chest made of reclaimed wood. This will give your home a shabby-chic look, with atmosphere and personality. If you want to add a pop of colour to your interior, consider choosing a bright red accessory, such as a statue of a lighthouse. Don’t add too many lighthouses and beach chairs, as this can quickly look kitschy. Instead, add subtle elements that relate to the theme, such as large canvases with images of dune landscapes or a painting of the sea.
Luxurious yachts
Do you love the maritime colours, but are not a fan of the shabby chic style? Fortunately, a maritime interior does not only include driftwood and old ships; luxury modern yachts also fit within the nautical picture! If you are going for a chic maritime interior, then there are a number of things you can do, including adding accents of gold and brass within the space. In fact, these materials are widely used on new yachts to complete the picture. For the maritime chic look, of course, opt for sleeker and more modern furniture, combined with luxurious fabrics. So a velvet sofa with brass legs will certainly not look out of place within a nautical chic interior!
Herringbone floors are not commonly found in maritime living styles, but rules are meant to be broken! A herringbone floor looks luxurious and adds a touch of class, which is exactly what you’re looking for on a yacht! If you’re a daredevil and want to combine rebellious maritime with herringbone, then you can make your herringbone floor even more maritime-proof by choosing a water-resistant Herringbone Vinyl floor! Dryback vinyl floors are easy to maintain and cost-effective, especially when it comes to underfloor heating. And let’s be honest, what could be a better fit for a nautical theme than a real “fish” herringbone floor?
Do it yourself!
Of course, there are many ways to turn your home into a cozy sea hut and embrace a maritime interior! Here are just a few ideas: display beautiful beach finds under a glass bell, add lamps made of driftwood and linen, and create fun decorations with shells and twigs. Print out your holiday photos and hang them on the wall to keep you in that holiday mode we all look forward to, even during the winter months!
