Marine Style in Interior Design

Yet among the countless styles, a few stand out most distinctly and are therefore encountered most frequently: marine design is one of them.

Key Principles of Marine Theme in Interior Design

Marine style in interior design has already been around for more than a hundred years, yet it remains as popular as ever. Oceanic motifs are still used in fashion, apartment interiors, and even building exteriors. Of course, the ideas of designers from previous centuries differ from those of today, but the main principles remain unchanged. Three major trends can be highlighted as characteristic of marine interior design.

1. The primary colors of the design are blue and white. They can be combined in the form of lines, stripes of varying widths. Red or orange shades (sometimes brown) may be added in small amounts.
   
2. Natural wood is a must. This refers to furniture, some decorative elements, and wooden floors (in the latter case, high-quality imitation is acceptable).
   
3. Marine-style interiors must include many items related to the theme. These can be antique chests, classic steering wheels, ship models (preferably sailing vessels), shells, nautical gear, compasses. An aquarium fits organically into the interior. Limiting the number of decorative elements is not advisable – this is one of the characteristics of this design style.
   

Marine Style Design for Different Rooms

The versatility of this design direction allows using marine style in any room of a modern home. Details of the decoration are related to the purpose of the space: living or non-living. Below are examples of decorating various rooms.

Bathroom in Marine Style

Water and marine style are inseparable, so it's not difficult to decorate a bathroom in this direction at first glance. First of all, attention should be paid to wall finishing: ceramic tiles with printed designs are appropriate. These can be not only individual small elements themed on the sea, but also entire paintings depicting mermaids, Neptune, ocean dwellers: whales, dolphins, sharks, and others. Don't forget about accessories: bathroom items (soap dishes, shelves, etc.) can be made in the form of shells or have wavy shapes.

Bedroom Design

First, let's talk about color: it is undesirable to paint walls entirely in blue or navy. Additional shades can be introduced: light brown and pink. The ideal option is when walls are covered with shiplap (reminiscent of a ship's cabin), and the floor is wooden (like a deck). To give the bedroom a final marine-style interior, it should be decorated. Use various accessories: floor lamps, woven mats, chandeliers or wall lights. You can use suspended shelves with nautical models in normal form or in bottles. It's also acceptable to hang theme-related paintings on the walls depicting storms, ships, or ocean dwellers.

Kids Room in Marine Style

This style is most often used to decorate a boy's room. Marine motifs in interior design can inspire the room inhabitants to various creative 'adventures', lift their mood, and promote aesthetic taste. Photo wallpapers depicting a naval battle or underwater world are appropriate. Drawings with nautical elements such as steering wheels, compasses, anchors, and other items are suitable.

A good option is buying a bed made in the form of a ship. As additional elements for play, use thick braided ropes, decorate the table with a globe, and hang a world map on the wall. Scatter several shells in the child's room: large and small ones. The latter will develop tactile sensations in the child. If the children are older, it makes sense to purchase model ships.

Kitchen and Living Room

The main task here is to integrate household appliances organically into the interior. Their fronts should match the marine style in color. When decorating a kitchen, you can use themes associated with the beach. Other options:

• Stylization of the room as a ship;
  
• Bungalow (create an impression that the kitchen is a water house);
  
• Fishing direction.
  

The floor should be laid with parquet boards or laminate to resemble a ship deck. Just don't forget to buy water-resistant material (this should be indicated on the packaging). A striking effect is achieved with 3D wallpaper featuring ocean themes. Pay attention to the kitchen apron: it can be made from ceramic tiles or glass. In the latter case, choose a material with a sea-themed photo print.

In the living room, arrange soft furniture covered with fabric in white-blue stripes. Pillows with wave, shell, dolphin, shark, and other appliques can be used. Other interior items should be wooden: artificially aged furniture gives a good effect. A good fit is an aquarium with lighting.

Entryway

One of the options is to use dominant gray and turquoise colors. The floor can be finished in gray, and the walls in turquoise. A shoe bench for putting on and taking off shoes can be covered with fabric in white-blue stripes. The cabinet front should be in a blue tone. The ceiling should be white.

Features of Marine Style Renovation

The main attention is given to surface finishing, which should not be overly ornate but simple and unpretentious.

1. Walls. There are a whole range of options. You can choose ordinary shiplap, textured paint compositions, or textured stucco applied with an intentionally rough texture. Any ornaments on the walls are not welcome. You can also combine finishing materials: for example, finish the surface with shiplap from below and put wallpaper on top. An interesting option is stucco with shells mixed in.
   
2. Floor. As mentioned above, the ideal option is wood in the form of natural (bleached) or parquet boards. A quality substitute can be laminate (imitation of ash, bamboo). In the worst case, blue carpet with a stiff pile will do.
   
3. Ceiling. Whether it's a stretch, suspended, or regular plastered ceiling – it doesn't matter. The main thing is color: beige or white.
   

Don't forget about interior doors: they should be wooden and opaque (you can use frosted glass). If there are inserts, it's preferable for them to have a rounded shape.

Characteristic Color Palette of Marine Style

It includes not only white-blue motifs associated with ocean depths. Beige-turquoise and sand-emerald shades are also welcome. A good effect is achieved by using tones reminiscent of a ship deck: a combination of beige, brown, and ocean wave color. Use tones that remind you of the beach moderately: blue (cloudless sky and water) combined with yellow (sand). Turquoise in a harmonious combination with azure will remind you of gentle waves. Soothing tones can be slightly diluted with wine or silver shades, but neon colors are prohibited for this style.

Lighting in Marine Style

The classic option is a chandelier. It can be made from various materials, the main thing is that it evokes associations with the sea. One of the most popular types of such chandeliers is a steering wheel, on which ceramic or glass shades are fixed, wrapped in rope or decorated with shells. These chandeliers are suspended on a strong chain, reminiscent of an anchor.

Another interesting and affordable option is a wind rose. In the center of the room, a chandelier in the form of a closed shade (a nautical lamp) is suspended on a chain, and from its mounting point in different directions, arrows indicating the cardinal directions are extended (made as stickers). A very original look is a chandelier in the form of a tentacle hanging from the ceiling, with shades attached to its arms. If all of this is too expensive for you, take an old chandelier and paint it in white-blue tones, decorate it with shells brought from the sea.

Accessories in Marine Style

It is impossible to maintain this style without additional details. What can you use? The set is quite extensive:

• Clocks or mirrors in the form of a steering wheel or porthole;
  
• Bamboo sculptures;
  
• Stylish compass, telescope, you can use a functioning barometer in an original bronze frame;
  
• Decorative mesh ceiling, resembling a hammock;
  
• An accent element can be an aquarium with bright fish;
  
• Tableware with thematic images;
  
• Beach photos;
  
• Reproductions of paintings by marine artists in heavy frames, imitating bronze or brass;
  
• Sheets that should resemble sailcloth: monochrome and dense;
  
• Signal flags or national banners of different countries;
  
• Models of sea vessels (preferably sailing ships).
  

Girl's Bedroom in Marine Style

One of the popular ways to decorate is a stylized 'House by the Shore'. This includes many light draperies (like a canopy above the bed), elegant furniture in combination with decoration. Everything is maintained in pastel tones: pale pink, pale beige. The room should receive maximum light. Curtains are made from light thin fabric (muslin). If the windows face south, use wooden blinds. Wall and floor surfaces are finished with light materials. Preferred shades:

• Milk white;
  
• Sandy;
  
• Azure.
  

The floor surface and walls should be associated with bleached under intense solar rays deck and cabin. Therefore, use soft wallpapers and laminate imitating light woods. For seating furniture, choose woven (from rattan or bamboo). If there are plants, prefer those with large leaves and flowers.

Marine Attributes Made by Hand

When selecting accessories, it is not necessary to focus on expensive items. For example, a wooden steering wheel with functional shelves inside can be made by yourself. Instead of expensive reproductions of paintings, hang nautical charts. It's easy to find a piece of old fishing net, cut it out, and hang it up high to imitate a sailor's hammock. Also, you can weave a rope ladder yourself and hang it in the child's room for the child's joy. If there are free surfaces, fill them with old books, ordinary polished pebbles, and sea shells. A vintage grandmother's chest can also be useful for repairs and for its intended purpose.

In conclusion – a few important points. If you plan to decorate the entire house or apartment in this style, try to make sure that each room has its own shade – monotony tires. However, the best option is to try your strength in one space, and if everyone likes it, you can continue.

One Option for Budget-Friendly Kids Room Decoration in Marine Style

The cover photo from the project tips from Nina Romanюk.