Decorating a beach house is both a privilege and a hardship. While they're of course a dreamy escape away from the hustle and bustle, when it comes to decorating these coastal retreats, many beachside homeowners fall into the trap of cliche nautical themes.
TikTok creator and interior designer Taylor Simon, however, is keen to share her wisdom and point you in the right direction. 'I hate to say it but most beach houses are decorated pretty poorly...' she says in her latest viral video.
Instead of seashells and word art, Taylor shares a fresher approach to beach house decor that forgoes kitschy seashells and word art for something far more timeless and elegant. Here's why we're on board with what she has to say.
How To Properly Decorate A Beach House
@intayriors The ocean: literally nothing Me: 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
♬ original sound - Taylor Migliazzo Simon
When looking for coastal decor ideas, it can be easy to get carried away with overly literal seaside decor. Taylor Simon, @intayriors, advocates for a more refined and elegant style when decorating your beach house that still captures the essence of the ocean.
'A lot of the time they have word art or literal decor with the shells,' she says in reference to common coastal decor mistakes. 'So I'm going to go through some updated ideas on how to decorate a beach house.'
Here are the 5 ways Taylor recommends you should approach to help you 'properly' design a stylish beach house.
1. Natural materials
One of the key elements Taylor emphasizes is the use of natural materials in a beach house. 'I would definitely incorporate some natural materials like rattan and wood,' she advises.
Organic materials not only bring warmth and texture to a space, but also subtly resonate with the surroundings outside (without you having to hang a surfboard on the wall).
A rattan lamp or lounge chair with a driftwood wood coffee table will help to create a calm, welcoming environment in every room.
2. Organic shapes
Taylor also recommends incorporating organic shapes into your furnishings and decor.
'I would incorporate a lot of organic shapes, like rounded edges and circular pillows,' she suggests. These shapes can soften the lines of your decor and create a more relaxed, inviting atmosphere.
'Another subtle nod to the beach would be to incorporate a wave headboard,' she advises. Regardless of pattern or color, a wave headboard like in the above bedroom designed by Wendy Labrum.
3. Consider your color palette
The best way to approach your color palette is to select one that hints at the beach rather than shouting it from the rooftops. Typically, a coastal home features lots of neutral sandy tones with sky-blues, and while there is something lovely and calming about these hues – have you considered the alternative?
'I would also incorporate colors that touch or nod to the ocean, but aren't right on the nose,' Taylor suggests, referencing deeper blues and seafoam greens.
4. Include bamboo shades
'This would also be a great case for bamboo shades,' Taylor continues.
It's no secret that we love a good sheer window treatment at H&G, and there's no place better suited to it than the coast. In this sunroom, seen above designed by Peter Dunham, he has used traditional chik blinds at the windows to bring in another natural material that pairs well with the rattan chairs.
5. Have fun with tile
Bathrooms and kitchens are areas where you can have fun with design in a beach house. Tiles are a great way to bring personality and color into a space without being too overpowering.
'A beach house is another great opportunity to experiment and have some fun with tile in the bathroom,' Taylor continues. She decribes how she loves wood paneling paired with light or navy blue tiles, which can create a stylish, cocooning feel.
Try the stripe tile layout trend, as seen above by Lizzie Green using zellige tiles from Mosaic Factory. The entire bathtub has been adorned with tile in a striped formation and accessorized with artwork and details that read 'beachy' without screaming the theme.
By following Taylor Simon's refreshing advice, you can transform your beach house into a chic and design-led retreat. Look to embrace natural materials, organic shapes, and ocean-inspired colors to create a sophisticated coastal look that doesn't err on the cliche.
