Getting Beachy At Home

by Corcoran McEnearney

If you love the idea of adding a beachy touch to your everyday space or summer house but are worried about your decor looking too cheesy or kitschy, you’ve come to the right place. Note that there are many stylish decorative items on the market that incorporate shells, surfboards, and other beach-themed motifs that happen to look quite chic. Below are a few of our favorites.

Shell Shaped Handwoven Rattan Bowls

How cute are these shell shaped decorative bowls? We can’t get enough of the rattan material and could see them looking stunning on a coffee table or dresser top. You can even use them as napkin holders while entertaining; just place some shell-printed paper napkins inside.

Shell Catchall

If you’re looking for a piece that’s ultra budget friendly, we’re loving this white shell-shaped catchall that will pack a punch anywhere it’s placed. It makes for an excellent jewelry holder on the nightstand or could also house small lotions, hair essentials, and lip balms in the bathroom. It would also shine on open shelving sitting atop a stack of books.

Surfboard Collection Art Prints

It’s more than ok if you don’t want to go all in and hang a surfboard on the wall. This framed collection of prints is the next best thing—festive yet more subtle. The black and white hues will look excellent in any room of the home.

Palm Tree Floor Lamp

Though it’s certainly an investment piece, this palm tree-shaped rattan floor lamp sure is a showstopper and will add a sculpture touch to any room. After all, why settle for a plain light fixture when you can decorate with one that doubles as art? Kids and adults alike will appreciate this eye-catching, cheerful piece.

Lit Coastal Objects

Speaking of lighting, how neat are these lit shell objects that you can display on a table, dresser, or mantel? They even would look fantastic outdoors. Part nightlight, part trinket, they’ll make spending time on the porch after sunset feel even more enjoyable.

Beach Starfish Garland

Who doesn’t love starfish? This festive garland would look great on the mantel in your living room during the summer months. Choose from various length and color options depending on your décor needs and style.

Beachy Paint Colors

Now that you’ve scoped out your décor, let’s talk paint colors. There are so many wonderful beachy paint colors to use throughout your space. Below are a few of our top picks.

Benjamin Moore has put together an amazing coastal inspired paint color palette featuring a number of soothing hues, which range from sunny yellows to calming blues. Whether you’re looking to transform the kitchen, powder room, primary bedroom, or another space entirely, you’ll want to take a look at this paint guide to determine which shades best speak to you.
Claire Paint, a Black and woman-owned brand, has risen in popularity in recent years and offers a wide selection of paint colors, many of which are excellent for beachy spaces. Take a look at the brand’s various swatch kits to get a sense of all that you can choose from: In this instance, we recommend focusing on the Whites & Lights, Sunset Shades, and Best of the Blues.
Finally, take a look through Sherwin-Williams’s coastal cool hues. Featuring blues, greens, and beyond. These colors will immediately put you at ease and are all inspired by coastal environments.

Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelance writer, originally from Bethesda, MD. She contributes to a number of national design and lifestyle publications like Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, and more. Sarah also works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots. Find more shelfies on her Instagram page, @sarahlyon9