How to Decorate Your Home With a Nautical Theme

There is something sophisticated and timeless about using a nautical theme when decorating a home. This can either be an entire house or simply one room. Whether you're decorating a holiday home near the beach or well inland from the sea, a nautical or beach decor is pleasing for everyone.

The days of only having a ship in a bottle on the sideboard that you bought on your last beach vacation are long gone. You have many avenues with regards to decorating and it's a theme that works well for men, women, and children.

A nautical theme doesn't limit you to one simple item as there are items such as charts and equipment used on a ship which can be put to good use in. Whether your passion is sailing, speed boats, cruising or a rowboat all of these can be brought together to achieve a pleasing atmosphere for everyone.

Topics I'll cover in this article include:

• Ropes and knots
• Maps and charts
• Pirates
• Mermaids
• Shells and driftwood
• Boating accessories

Where would a ship be without its ropes and knots? I suspect it would be adrift, that's where. Using a combination of ropes and knots can transform your room giving it the look of a deck of a ship or a seaside harbor. Wrapping rope around everything from banisters to glasses will give your home a nautical touch that even an old salty sea dog would feel at home in. Remember you don't have to go overboard with this theme, a few simple touches will keep it classy, not tacky.

Using a natural colored rope as opposed to synthetic rope will give you an authentic look.

In the image, the rope is used to mask the wires connecting the ceiling lights. This is a perfect example of how effectively chunky rope can work in home decor. It isn't overpowering but blends in well with both traditional and modern furniture and decor. The image behind the sofa leaves you in no doubt that the owner of this home loves the beach and maybe even beach life.

If you have a large area to cover either inside or out, consider using a fishing net strung open and decorated with various beach and or boating items. Some of these could include shells, starfishes, antique style glass floats, artificial or dried seaweed and other nautical items.

I have seen these used to great effect. My mother used to have one on her patio. She had a long blank wall which needed something and a fishing net was the solution. It can be decorated all in one go or as you collect items. In the image above you see a ship's life preserver, and shells. Driftwood also makes an interesting addition to a decorative fishing net.

Kids are amazed and intrigued by shells and sea life in general and it makes a wonderful conversational piece.

If you're looking for something classic, consider decoring with old maps and charts, they look wonderful on a wall. They take you back to a time when sailors were legends. They struck out with their crew in search of uncharted lands. Often they would be gone for years and sometimes they would never return. It was a tough life but once life at sea gets you, there is no going back to being a landlubber.

Most charts and maps are either naturally or artificially aged to give them an authentic look.

The neutral color lends itself to blending with many color schemes and can be used equally as well in a dining area, living area or anywhere there is a large blank wall.

Don't forget the possibility of decorating with a pirate theme. This is especially fun in a room for a little boy. Those swashbuckling villains have become popular again since the Pirates of the Caribbean films hit the screen. Decorate with things such as the Jolly Roger flags, pirate hats, eye patches and even parrots.

A room can be transformed into a virtual pirate ship! Imagine a treasure chest full of toys.

If the llittle boy is going to have his bedroom decorated with a pirate theme, what about little girls?

They can be mermaids. What little girl doesn't dream of being a mermaid?

Flowing curtains and pretty bedding and maybe even a mural on the wall of an underwater scene.

Decorating doesn't have to cost a lot of money, you just need to have a theme and a color scheme. For mermaids, blues, pinks, and greens work best.

Shells and driftwood are an obvious choice to use when going for a beach or nautical decorating theme. In most places, these can be collected for free but check local regulations beforehand.

After washing these can be placed in either the fishing net I mentioned previously or placed on a windowsill, shelf or at the corners of the bathtub.

Often you may see a ship's wheel mounted on a wall to give a nautical or sailing theme but there are so many more boating accessories you can use. Here are just a few others.

• Compass
• Sextant
• Bell
• Barometer
• Oars

All of these can be used either hanging or on display. These lend an air of authenticity to your room's decor.

Don't forget it isn't just wall mounted, or as a display. Setting a beautiful table can also be done with a nautical theme. Here's a stone coaster which can be customized with initials or a personal message like the name of a yacht. With navy blue stripes and an anchor, it is the perfect accent for a table set in this theme.

Whether you are a sailor, or simply dream of a life on the water, this is decorating theme which is a joy to see.