草莓传媒

Home » Life & Style » Bring the beach home:…

Bring the beach home: Expert tips for designing a relaxing, coastal space

Rachel Nania | rnania@wtop.com

May 3, 2018, 12:00 AM

WASHINGTON 鈥� There鈥檚 something about a beach house that triggers a state of instant relaxation.

Sure, the location doesn鈥檛 hurt (especially if there are miles between you and your inbox), but there鈥檚 more to it than that. It鈥檚 the presence of calming color palettes, the feeling of wide-plank floors, and the smell of fresh air blowing through the windows.

It鈥檚 the sound of sea grass in the garden, and the patio that鈥檚 always ready for a party.

Put down the mouse and step away from the vacation rental websites.

You don鈥檛 need to travel to the beach to experience this tranquility. Marnie Oursler, host of DIY Network鈥檚 鈥�,鈥� shares her favorite ways to bring the beach to any home.

outdoor string lights hanging on a line in backyard
String lights Oursler鈥檚 first tip will change the ambience of your outdoor space for less than $50. Her go-to accessory for the beach house porch or patio is a package (or two) of string lights. 聽 鈥淭hey really add a nice element when you鈥檙e entertaining outside, or if you鈥檙e just outside with the kids, or having a glass of wine. You feel like you鈥檙e in a different place because of the lighting,鈥� she said. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Photographed with the Canon D60.
Planters At the beach, the key to landscaping is to keep it low-key 鈥� Who wants to do yard work on vacation? 鈥� so Oursler relies on planters to beautify the outdoor space. She suggests sticking with plants that are light in color and easy to maintain, such as beach grass. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not too colorful where it鈥檚 going to clash with whatever you have going on, but it鈥檚 just an easy, streamlined coastal look,鈥� Oursler said. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Brazilian chair with decorative cushion hanging in white bedroom with posters and green plants
White walls Beige may be boring, but white is wonderful when it comes to creating a beach-inspired look. (Plus, the color 鈥� or lack of color 鈥� is right now.) Oursler recently painted all the rooms in her own home white to achieve 鈥渕ore of a Scandinavian-type look.鈥� 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 go wrong painting everything white,鈥� she added. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
table lamp in blue tone beach house living room interior
Light furniture If you have a bigger budget and want to update your furniture, Oursler recommends choosing pieces that are lighter in color 鈥� even when it comes to rugs. 鈥淎 lighter rug and a light sofa will really change the entire look of your house,鈥� she said. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
vintage swing and blue pillow
Pillows If you find all the white too boring, throw in a splash 鈥� or two 鈥� of color with pillows. (It鈥檚 much easier to update the look of a pillow than it is a couch.) 鈥淣ice, soothing colors are very popular right now 鈥� like that seaglass palate,鈥� Oursler said. And don鈥檛 forget to accessorize the outdoor furniture. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
White fabric texture background. Crumpled of curtains material.
Linen window treatments You may not be able to smell the beach air blowing through your windows, but at least you can replicate the same look with updated window treatments. Oursler said at beach houses, linen window treatments are big. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Closeup of a brushed nickel and frosted glass bathroom light fixture in a light blue bathroom.
Light fixtures Another simple way to make a big change, aesthetically, is with new light fixtures. Oursler said those with wooden or nickel accents bring a lighter, more coastal look to a space. 鈥淲e always say it鈥檚 the jewelry for your room,鈥� she said. Want more home design tips? Catch Oursler in action as she rebuilds beach homes in nearby Bethany Beach, Monday nights at 9 p.m. on DIY Network. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
(1/7)
outdoor string lights hanging on a line in backyard
Photographed with the Canon D60.
Brazilian chair with decorative cushion hanging in white bedroom with posters and green plants
table lamp in blue tone beach house living room interior
vintage swing and blue pillow
White fabric texture background. Crumpled of curtains material.
Closeup of a brushed nickel and frosted glass bathroom light fixture in a light blue bathroom.

Related 草莓传媒

Recommended

Federal 草莓传媒 Network Logo
Log in to your 草莓传媒 account for notifications and alerts customized for you.