Smart Ways To Give Your Small Home Some Coastal Charm

While decorating a small home can pose challenges, there are plenty of ways to achieve the coastal charm you're looking for. It's easy because most of what goes into incorporating a coastal vibe into a home's decor doesn't take up much space; it's more about the colors and lighting. Think of the colorful things you see when viewing the coast — the sand, the sky, and the water. Also, consider how much light reflects off the water and into your windows. These are the things you want to capture when bringing a coastal feel into your home. As for furniture and wall decor, reach for natural elements like wood.

Where your small home may present a challenge is with lighting and finding room for all those glorious natural items. There are plenty of workarounds for that, though. When it comes to innovative ways to add coastal charm to a small home, it's all about how you use the space you have. Lighting can also be an issue in some small homes. If your house doesn't have great lighting, there are ways to compensate and brighten it up, as well. 

Incorporating coastal decor is all about using the room you have wisely, leaving some open space, and letting in enough natural light. Think about it — if you live on the coast, you'd likely have your window shades or curtains open to enjoy the view, which means lots of light. If you don't live on the coast, natural light can add size to your small home, as well as bring in a coastal feel. There are plenty of ways to improve natural light in your home, such as replacing heavy curtains with sheer ones. If you're unable to bring in more sunlight, adding artificial lighting is important. White lamp shades, strategically placed mirrors, and layers of light from lamps and wall sconces can all brighten a small space and make it feel more beach-like. 

As far as furniture goes, you want to ensure it won't take up too much room in your small home. Look for couches and chairs that aren't big and bold, but rather sleek and unassuming. Once you have your furniture in place, it's time to add the accents and decide on the colors you'll use.

Light colored walls are a great choice that will capture the coastal theme and visually enhance the size of a room — neutrals like off-white and sandy tan shades are ideal. Pops of color, though, are what will tie the beach look together. When it comes to picking those colors, look to the nature that surrounds beachy areas — think pale blues and greens, light corals, and muted shades of yellow. Window dressings with a coastal vibe include striped Roman shades in these beachy colors.

When it comes to coastal decor, you want to lean into natural elements as much as you can — like a gorgeous wood coffee table and some airy plants. Nautical-themed decor is an easy way to get a coastal look, whether it's throw pillows with lobsters and anchors or large shells as table decor. You can go with a sea-inspired look that isn't as polished, including interesting maritime pieces like repurposed life preservers and strategically placed sea glass pieces. Even something as simple as framed photos of watery landscapes will add peace and calm to your coastal-inspired home. Wall decor is one of the easiest ways to incorporate a coastal feel into your decor, as it uses only wall space.