The hustle and bustle of a city can be exciting, but as Londoners we often find ourselves daydreaming of sandy shores and cotton curtains dancing in the salty seaside breeze. Sounds lovely, doesn't it? Unfortunately, beach escapades aren’t on the tube line, so we thought we'd ask our Homewings designers for their expert tips on giving your city flat a seaside makeover.
1 | Move Away From the Literal
The first step to bringing that beach house vibe into your home is as simple as it is counterintuitive: If it lives in the sea, try not to incorporate it in your interiors. The line between beach bliss and nautical kitsch is a fine one, so move away from seashell-filled vases and sail boat maquettes for the time being.
2 | Colour me 'Seaside'
The rule of thumb for a lovely, fresh seaside colour palette is a crisp, light base. Think: white or cream walls with pops of celestial blue and navy accents. In the bedroom your choice of colour palette is especially important. White-based hues will help refract and maximise the natural light that seeps in and give the space a bright and breezy energy, which is especially important when optimising your bedroom for better sleep. If your walls aren’t plain, adding a large yet thin white cotton rug will also bring lightness into your space - no paintbrush necessary!
3 | Cushion Up!
Get creative with your cushion covers. Whether you opt for sandy neutral tones or bright prints, switching up your cushion covers every so often can completely transform a space. Our designers recommend to change up your cushion covers every four months or so to fit the changing seasons.
"Try to stick to natural fibres like hessian or linen and subtle decorative statements" says interior styling guru, Natasha Birley. "Nothing is more evocative and elegant than a simple embroidered white cushion. Whether that be in the form of delicate lace or a woven effect macramé."
In terms of patterned or statement cushions, Natasha suggests beaded bolsters, or a cluster of screen printed blue cushions as opposed to bold tropical prints. "In my opinion, beach houses are all about light and etherial serenity - tropical prints are fabulous but a little too bold to convey that feeling".
4 | Mother (Nature) Knows Best
Instead of swapping carpet for sand, we recommend wooden furnishings to harness nature indoors, especially when looking to recreate a beach vibe. As central point of a home, the living room can help determine the tone of your interior, so if it is beach-chic you’re after, a wooden coffee table or arm chair will add an effortless, natural statement. Wood can also be incorporated in softer ways with the use of wicker baskets, woven coasters and light wood photo frames.
5 | Making Waves With Vases
Vases are a fabulous way to create great impact with minimal effort and space. A simple tip for bringing the beach house to your city home is to incorporate clear or blue tinted vases. This will give your interior an elegant touch and the reflections of natural light through the coloured glass will provide an image reminiscent of the waves of the sea.
6 | An Ocean View
Our brains are easier to trick than one might like to admit. Looking at a photo of a beautiful landscape can dramatically improve your mood by quite literally transporting you there. Our final but most transformative tip is to invest in some large scale prints of beautiful sandy beaches. Whether you opt for the Italian Riviera or a magical Cornwall vista, we promise the energy of your space will be transformed.
Ready to bring the tranquil spirit of the beach to your city home this summer? Give these tips a try to see how simple it can be. Or, enquire now and a member of the Homewings team will be in contact to tell how we can help transform your home.
Ready to bring the seaside into your own home? Why not work with one of our Homweings designers and begin your design project today!