I have never met anyone who said that they don’t want to live in a beach house. It comes as no surprise because who in their right mind would turn down an oasis? Certain things in life just belong together, like peanut butter and jelly or fish and chips. The same goes for a beach house. There are certain must-have interior elements that every beach house should possess. So, what do you want in a beach house?
Beach house must-haves include:
- Natural Fiber Rugs
- Wicker Furniture
- Seaside Treasures
- An Outdoor Shower
- Light, Beach-Themed Interiors
- Large Glass Windows
- Sailing Paraphernalia
- A Drinks Station
- Hurricane Lanterns
- A Hammock
- A Porch
- Stripes And Tropical Patterns
- A Nautical-Themed Guestroom
If you own or are thinking of buying a beach house, this article will provide you with a list of some of the most popular beachy interior and exterior must-haves that are quintessential to any beach house!
What Do You Want In A Beach House?
Natural Fiber Rugs
Not only do rugs such as sisal, jute, seagrass, wool, and hand-woven natural fiber rugs have a beach vibe to them, but they also stand up to the sand that gets stuck between your toes after a leisurely stroll on the beach.
They add a dreaminess to a space and have an organic and effortless feel, which is precisely what you want to feel when you live by the beach. Sisal rugs are the best option for areas with a lot of foot traffic, as they are much more durable than other natural fiber rugs.
Wicker Furniture
Wicker is a classic beach house material and can come in coffee tables, patio furniture, ottomans, baskets, and more. It is ideal for coastal locations and adds a beachy element to your beach house.
The only downside to having wicker furniture outside is damage caused by drying saltwater, coastal storms, and corrosive winds. However, with regular inspection and upkeep, you shouldn’t have a problem.
Seaside Treasures
No beach house is complete without displays of seaside treasures such as shells, sea fans, anemones, coral, beach stones, and any décor-worthy things you find on the beach.
It always looks so inviting when you see a heart of shells on the door or a bathroom shelf decorated with large shells, sea stars, or a hurricane vase filled with an array of different shells or corals.
You can even get creative by arranging all sorts of seaside treasures on a canvas and having them framed as art for your walls.
An Outdoor Shower
An outdoor shower is the most luxurious feature a beach house can have! The idea of taking a refreshing morning shower outside in the fresh sea air is enough to make you want a beach house of your own.
Aside from the relaxing qualities of an outside shower, it is also ideal for rinsing off any sea sand before you enter your clean beach house. Sand is great, but it belongs on the beach, not all over the floor!
An outdoor shower should have enough space to allow you to get undressed, hang up your towels, and wash your hair without bumping into the sides of the shower.
Light, Beach-Themed Interiors
Try to keep your interior walls as light as possible. Light walls can make a small space feel much bigger than it is. It adds airiness to a room which is ideal because a beach house should give you a feeling of freedom and lightness.
Light walls, couches, tables, curtains, and other furniture also help to draw your attention to the sea because a person’s eyes automatically fixate on a color that stands out and, in this case, if your walls are light, the blue color of the ocean becomes the main focus.
Light walls also serve as a contrasting background to your colorful interior décor and make the colors stand out more prominently. White or pastel-colored shiplap can add a rustic touch to your beach house.
Durable, Easy-To-Clean Flooring
Living by the beach should be a relaxing experience. It would help if you didn’t have to worry about ruining your wooden floors or carpets when you return from the beach. Having a bit of sand in your beach home is normal, and let’s face it, inevitable.
However, when it comes to floor damage caused by humidity, saltwater, moisture, and sandy feet, you need to think about finding an alternative flooring material. Laminate flooring is one of the most durable flooring solutions on the market, and they come in an array of beautiful colors and textures.
You can choose a style that compliments the rest of your home’s interiors, and it is robust and warp-, fade-, and stain-resistant, allowing you to come and go as you please, worry-free! Porcelain and ceramic tiles are other great options, but steer clear of wall-to-wall carpets as they tend to develop a musty odor from the humidity.
Durable Coastal Flooring Ideas
Large Glass Windows
The biggest reason people own a beach house is to go to the beach whenever they want and the beautiful ocean views. That is why it is essential to have large windows that allow you to see as clearly and unobstructed as possible. Ideally, a beach house should have the following;
- Large picture windows (with upper transoms for additional light to enter).
- Sliding glass doors that lead onto your porch, deck, or patio.
- Acrylic block windows in the bathroom for sunlight and privacy.
- Casement windows (that open wide).
- Impact-resistant windows to protect the glass from flying debris, hurricane-force winds, and air pressure changes.
- Awning windows with top hinges to deflect rain and let in the fresh sea air.
- Laminated impact glass filters 99% of the UV rays and helps protect your curtains, furniture, carpets, and other interiors from the damaging effects of the sun. It also dampens sound so you can have plenty of peace and quiet.
Unbreakable Outdoor Dinnerware
Instead of setting your outside patio table with crystal glasses and your finest china, consider opting for unbreakable dinnerware such as acrylic or melamine instead. You will be amazed at how many beautiful acrylic and melamine versions of glasses, plate sets, cups, and even salad bowls there are.
You can use them inside or outside, and they are dishwasher and microwave safe. They look like the real thing, except they are much more durable than your expensive and fancy dinnerware.
Remember, strong and unpredictable gusts of wind will always be there when you live near the ocean, so rather be safe with unbreakable dinnerware than sorry with broken crystal.
Sailing Paraphernalia
Sailing paraphernalia is another classic beach house must-have. To carry the beach theme throughout your house, add decorative buoys, anchors, rope, a message in a bottle, small sailboat or ship models, and the helm of a ship.
This is the perfect opportunity to get creative and make your own nautical décor. There are plenty of DIY sailing paraphernalia tutorials that you can use to guide you step-by-step.
Shells
I strongly believe that a beach house without shells is not a beach house. Bring the beach inside by placing large seashells on the bathroom vanity, the bedside tables, and the mantle.
Use smaller shells to fill glass jars and add them anywhere where people can look at and appreciate them. Framed shells also give a lovely touch to your beach house, and they look especially great in a series of three or more.
It is the perfect opportunity to spend a day at the beach collecting shells. It is a priceless way to decorate your home.
A Drinks Station
When people say” let’s have sundowners,” they usually mean they want to have a few drinks after work.
However, the great thing about living in a beach house is that “let’s have sundowners” becomes literal because you can have sundowners while literally watching the sun disappear behind the ocean’s horizon.
Make sure that your drinks station is set up on the side of the house where the sun sets, and don’t forget the cocktail umbrellas!
A Hammock
There is no better way to unwind and read a book than in a hammock with the sound of ocean waves in the background. It is a great relaxation element to have at a beach house, and there are some beautiful hammock designs available.
Stripes And Tropical Patterns
Bold blue and white stripes and tropical patterns create the perfect setting for the inside of a beach house. The designs are completely different from one another, yet they complement each other beautifully.
The best way to add these touches to your living space is by placing tropical printed scatter cushions on couches or loose standing chairs and laying down stripe printed rugs throughout the house. Reupholster your couches or ottomans with palm-print or striped textiles.
Another wonderful idea is to place large tropical plants in the house. It makes you feel closer to nature, and they create a calm and tranquil ambiance throughout the house.
Driftwood
Driftwood is such a great accessory for a beach house. You can use it as a natural sculpture indoors or as a garden feature outdoors.
Driftwood furniture has made a huge comeback, and people have come up with many creative ideas for repurposing the wood. Driftwood adds a naturally rustic feel to a beach house, and best of all, it’s free!
Hurricane Lanterns
Hurricane lanterns make stunning pathway lights. The enclosed lantern design protects the flame from the wind, so you don’t have to keep relighting the candles or wicks, and they add a magical touch to an already awesome beach vibe.
A Porch Or Patio
Every beach house should have a porch or patio where you can sit at the end of the day and soak up the last rays of the sun. The porch should be situated at the sunny side of the house (unless it runs around the entire house), preferably with a view of the ocean or a nature scene.
Wrapping fairy lights around the pillars of the porch makes it look whimsical and inviting, and be sure to have comfortable lounging chairs where you can put your feet up and relax.
Seascapes
Just because you have a permanent view of the ocean outside doesn’t mean that you can’t have pictures of the sea indoors too. Seascapes are a lovely addition to beach houses because they bring out the beach theme and tie everything together.
A Nautical-Themed Guestroom
Receive your guests in a guestroom that is decorated with all sorts of nautical paraphernalia. They may only be visiting for a few days, giving them the complete beach house vacation experience.
Decorate this room as if it were a miniature version of your actual beach house. With anchor bedding, shell decorations, seascapes, blue and white stripes, and fun tropical scatter cushions, make them feel welcome.
A Barbeque With A View
Finally, you want to invest in an outdoor kitchen and grill under a covered pergola that faces the ocean. You could install large French doors that can open wide and close when it’s raining or windy outside. Or you can use grill protectors if your grill area is not enclosed.
There is no better way to enjoy your beach house than having a barbeque with your friends and, together, appreciating and enjoying the beauty of the sea.
Conclusion
I can’t think of anything more exciting than creating the beach house of your dreams. With so many wonderful, inventive ideas on the internet, you will have more than enough decorating inspiration to start creating your haven by the sea.
References
- https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/design-ideas-quintessential-beach-house?epik=dj0yJnU9YXdXbGRYZEZmalQxRUlJZkRHdERzaERvOTcyTXlKa1UmcD0wJm49XzdCeGpycVRMLTdkb244c1JJbjUxUSZ0PUFBQUFBR0Z4RG5V
- https://www.sisalcarpet.com/catalog/Natural-Fiber-Rugs
- https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-sisal-jute-abaca-rugs.html