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Nautical and beach themed kitchens are popular with coastal homes, but the look can be achieved no matter where you live. The first rooms in the house to be decorated with nautical decor are typically the bedrooms and bathrooms. Now, it’s time to expand that comforting beach theme to the rest of the house – particularly the kitchen.
You don’t need to live in a warm climate to enjoy coastal kitchen decor. Whether you are planning on a whole remodeling project or you just want to make a few tweaks by adding some accents, there are plenty of ways to have a beach themed kitchen.
We’ve listed our favorites here; check them out and get inspired for your next beach kitchen idea! But first, let’s review the elements of a classic beach kitchen.
What is Nautical Coastal Style?
This style is originally inspired by the likings of the French Riviera with a touch of elegance. Some of the natural elements of this style include:
- Crisp, white colors
- Bold stripes of blue, black, or neutral colors
- The use of shells, corals, and coastal art for decoration and accents
- Natural wood colors and the use of wood as a key design feature
Overall, you want your kitchen to reflect the fun, peaceful, and easygoing nature of life on the beach. With a few key decoration and style changes, you will feel like your home is situated right on the beach, whether or not that is actually true. Make use of wide stripes, soft-feeling furnishings, and light colors to maintain a breezy, relaxing look.
This reflects life on the beach; easy, breezy, and casual – but without losing its sophistication. Check out some of these unique and creative nautical kitchen decor ideas to inspire your own kitchen, helping you to bring the beach cottage of your dreams to life.
WATERFRONT
Do you dream of a kitchen that is both beautiful and light? Michael McKinley and Associates, LLC has created a stunning kitchen that anyone would be proud to call their own. Waterworks’ blue glass tiles pop in this beachy kitchen.
BEACH HAVEN
Do you want a traditional and refreshing kitchen design that simultaneously looks vintage and elegant? This is a good kitchen design by Michael Pagnotta Architects pc that looks very pretty and refreshing. A quaint breakfast nook in this beach-style kitchen.
NAUTICAL ACCENTS
This luxurious and stylish kitchen design will make you feel thoroughly current and refined. This traditional kitchen by Delicious Kitchens & Interiors, LLC has been updated with chic pendant lights and a brass handle.
COASTAL CHIC
This kitchen and dining space, designed by Kate Jackson Design, looks fresh and modern. Everything points to this being a relaxing time for you. Sea Salt Sunbrella with Sunbrella Canvas Navy Trim is featured on the Miles Talbot dining chairs.
COLONIAL
This kitchen design is incredibly attractive and antique at the same time, giving off an air of rustic elegance. This place is the epitome of romance and warmth. Michael Robert Construction has updated this kitchen to be bright and airy.
CLEAN & FRESH
How would you like to imagine yourself in a luxurious and futuristic castle? Delicious Kitchens & Interiors, LLC did an amazing job with this light and airy modern kitchen design. All the standard features of a kitchen, set in a seaside South Carolina setting.
Repaint Your Furniture
It is possible to have a nautical kitchen on a low budget. One brilliant way to start pulling your design elements together is to repaint your existing kitchen furniture. Strong, bold blues, such as sky blue or navy blue, can really make a powerful statement. Coastal kitchen decor is often composed of shades of blue, reflecting the blueness of the ocean that unifies the design. Plus, painted furniture is a great backdrop for the rest of the kitchen, and can set the scene for other decoration ideas you may have in mind.
Set Your Focal Points With Accent Colors
Adding accents in unexpected places can be part of the fun of designing a beach themed kitchen. Again, think about blue as a strong accent. Use it strategically to bring out parts of your kitchen that can make a strong statement. Just make sure that your aqua kitchen decor doesn’t go overboard (nautical pun intended).
Some ideas for blue highlights in the kitchen include:
- Backsplash behind your sink or stove
- The base of your kitchen island or cabinets
- Blue bar stools against your white counter
- A blue striped rug near your dining table
The nautical theme relies heavily on the use of accents. While blue is the dominant color in this field, you can also make a great statement with gray, charcoal, or even black. Again, just make sure that you aren’t adding too much; they are called accents for a reason.
CONTEMPORARY
Want a coastal-chic kitchen that seems natural yet is thoroughly up-to-date? This Michael McKinley and Associates LLC-designed kitchen is the epitome of modern elegance. Beautifully updated seaside kitchen from the 1980s.
LAKEFRONT
This kitchen layout is stunning in its simplicity and rustic charm. This kitchen by Visbeen Architects is gorgeous and seems like a breath of fresh air. The kitchen cabinets in this lakeside home are made of real wood.
STARFISH + CORALS
Is your kitchen too small for comfort? Advance Design Studio, Ltd. has created a minimalist yet sophisticated kitchen that seems fully functional despite its small footprint. This beach kitchen has a modern and inviting feel thanks to the starfish and coral decorations.
SOPHISTICATED
You’ll agree that this is the sort of kitchen that appears in TV commercials and online banner ads. This kitchen by CM Natural Designs appears elegant and homey simultaneously. The family wants a sleek look, so they’ve decided to go with a mild nautical theme.
Add White Cupboards
White is always a good choice when it comes to a kitchen redesign. This is especially true for your nautical kitchen. White, and creamy shades of white, reflect a pure sandy beach and ocean-washed surfaces. White cupboards are classy, elegant, and up-to-date. But they are still a huge part of the coastal kitchen theme and blend easily with other beach-like changes.
White cupboards serve as a great background for the addition of nautical elements such as wood plank shelves and tables, seashell decorations, and more.
Don’t Like White? Try Brown!
If you aren’t a huge fan of white cupboards, don’t worry; there are other options that can make your cupboards stand out and be a huge part of your beach themed kitchen decor. Brown cupboards can go a long way, especially when they give that natural wooden plank vibe. Brown wood cupboards are just as elegant, inspiring a sense of modernity and rusticism altogether. If your cabinets are dark brown wood, that’s okay – just make sure the majority of the design in your kitchen is light. Remember, light and airy is the key to a nautical theme. Give your cabinets the weathered look for an even more authentic effect.
MERMAID
Do you want this kitchen’s design to feel like you’re in a beach house? This one is adorable and good-looking. In this kitchen design by Piper Gonzalez Designs, everything appears to be so coastal and light. Murano glass was hand-cut into a mosaic for the backsplash.
NAVY BLUE
Do you long for a kitchen that is both inviting and functional? This one is both mundane and conventional in appearance. You can experiment with navy blue kitchenware before painting your walls. This is another stunning Olga Adler creation.
BOAT ISLAND
A beach house is only complete with a stunning, relaxing, modern kitchen. What a gorgeous kitchen by DiMauro Architects, Inc. You can pretend you’re at the beach without leaving your kitchen with this stunning island.
SHELLS
This kitchen has a wonderful seaside vibe throughout. It’s like being in a luxurious, remote mansion by the sea. Between the Sheets, LLC‘s Spectra Blue by Benjamin Moore brightens up this coastal-style contemporary kitchen.
Use Beadboard
Beadboard originated in Europe and is known as butt and bead in the UK. This is a decorative wood paneling that can be installed along the walls of your kitchen for a simple, breezy, beachy look. It’s quite affordable and can be installed with ease. Most beadboard is typically painted white and covers half of the wall from the floor up. You can choose another color for your beadboard, but remember that the goal is to keep things simple and not add a backdrop that’s too distracting form the main focal points of your nautical kitchen.
Beadboard is like wainscoting and can cover one-third to two-thirds of the wall. Add a decorative molding or base to finish it off, adding some depth to the interior walls of your kitchen. Using eggshell-based paints is especially advantageous in the kitchen as it protects the paneling from potentially getting wet.
Add Transitional Kitchen Furniture
The transitional style goes great with coastal kitchen decor. Again, this is another way to add a touch of beach theme to your kitchen without having to break your budget. If you are a fan of big kitchen chairs with upholstery, get a slipcover with a creamy color. White and blue furniture not only makes the kitchen look upscale, but also stays in line with that beach theme that consistently ranks high in popularity throughout the years. Don’t be afraid to get creative and add some stripes or simple patterns to give your kitchen a little bit of pop.
Do You Have Big Kitchen Windows? Add Shutters and Linen Drapes
Old-fashioned shutters are a gorgeous addition to the kitchen that adds a lot of class; not to mention it is the epitome of the nautical coastal style. Nothing says French Riviera quite like a large window with shutters, or even shutter doors leading into the other parts of your home. Make sure your shutters are painted in a neutral color so they do not distract from the beautiful view your windows have to offer. The most common colors for your beach kitchen shutters can include white, cream, or light natural wood. Finish the look with light, breezy, billowy linen drapes, allowing the sea breeze to come right into your home. Plus, light-colored drapes make the room look bigger and do not distract from the main focal points.
Aqua Appliances Are Fabulous
If you’re loving your white cabinets and neutral-toned furniture, you can add your splash of color somewhere else. A great way to make a statement and to elevate the value of your kitchen is to add aqua appliances. Aqua kitchen decor is by far the most popular way to embrace the beach theme in the most important room of the house. Aqua-colored ovens, refrigerators, and even the oven range can be painted in the same aqua color. Don’t forget about your smaller appliances too, like your coffee maker, kettle, and microwave.
Embrace The Historic Style
If you prefer your kitchens to be a little more rustic, you can easily incorporate this with the nautical style. In fact, history and the coastal style go hand-in-hand. Transform your kitchen into an old weathered sailor’s room – without losing any of its elegance. Add nautical decorations like an old wooden ship’s wheel, weathered wood-plank tabletops, and hanging ship lantern lights to really give it that old fisherman’s dock feel. Don’t forget that your bold blue-striped furniture and wooden cupboards still make a great fit.
YACHT INSPIRED
Do you have a passion for yachts? After reading this, you’ll find new motivation and deeper affection for the yacht. The entire seaside loft’s kitchen is outfitted with hardware resembling that found on yachts. This kitchen, designed by Lisa Tharp Design, is a model of clarity and minimalism.
BEACH-STYLE DINING
Those who have seen this beach house will agree that it is an excellent example of a design for a home on the water. Woodmeister Master Builders did a fantastic job with this beachy setting. A tiny yet cozy eating area, perfect for your vacation home.
COASTAL CHARM
The conventional kitchen style is bright and cheery, and everything looks nice and toasty. Kitchen by Dempsey Hodges Construction is just stunning. The shiplap walls, wicker stools, and pendant lights are all easygoing nautical touches.
COASTAL COTTAGE
What a lovely kitchen layout, full of light and simplicity. Kustom Home Design did an excellent job with this cottage/farmhouse-style kitchen. The starfishes perched atop the window sills are a cute and unique touch in this beach house.
Get Your Nautical Decor Down
Let’s talk about wall decor. You have plenty of options when it comes to staying in line with the nautical theme. However, there are a few key features to keep in mind. Make sure you are using plenty of actual nautical elements. This includes large rope knots, weathered wooden planks, seashells, and more. If you are a fan of fishing, you can mount a prized catch on the wall. Or, hang some ship lanterns that reflect red and green against your dark wood accents. Pictures hung with wooden frames and white matte backdrops make an excellent addition to the kitchen. This is a great way to add to the cozy beach kitchen theme while maintaining its simplicity. Plus, a kitchen that looks more lived-in will actually add to its value. Photographs, prints, and paintings all look great on the wall, especially if the pictures contain many of the same color schemes you want to employ. Blue watercolor paintings are highly valued in a nautical kitchen.
Two-Toned Is Good
There is no need to go too crazy with your color palette. Sometimes, less is more. This is a tried and true fact of beach themed kitchens for many years, and one that you can certainly use to your advantage when redecorating your own kitchen. Two-toned kitchens rely heavily on a balance between light and dark. Dark wooden kitchen cabinets with downlights, cream-colored countertops can make a bold statement. A rich wooden floor with white cabinets – accented with dark handles – can bring the whole kitchen together. When it comes to beach themed kitchen decor, you really don’t need much more than that.
Black and White Has Its Place
Sticking with the two-toned theme, black and white isn’t completely overruled when it comes to coastal kitchen decor. You can certainly make it work, as long as you still keep the fundamentals of a beach house present in the kitchen. White cabinets with black countertops is timelessly classy. Accent that with weathered plank flooring, a nautical backsplash, and hanging pendant lights to keep ahold of that rustic coastal charm. If you have windows in your kitchen, this works even better, as the natural light will counteract the darkness that the black brings out.
BEACH HOUSE
Want to experience being in a very cozy and cool seaside house? Given the color scheme, this excellent kitchen design by Nick George | Photographer, has a beachy, aquatic feel. This beach house kitchen’s bold and straightforward design is one of our favorites.
OPEN PLAN
Everybody wants to have a clean, well-lit kitchen design! There is a lot of room in this kitchen layout! This kitchen from Advance Design Studio, Ltd. is cozy. Unique hand-weathered finish with a delicate blue-green hue on the island.
SOPHISTICATED
In this brightly colored kitchen design by Olga Adler, everything appears sleek and contemporary. The big island, quartz worktops, open storage, and white shaker-style cabinets enhance the maritime theme of this kitchen.
OCEAN THEME
Treefrog Design’s classic, uncomplicated, brilliant kitchen design is a shining example. This kitchen’s design is a breath of fresh air, with its aquatic theme and clean, crisp aesthetic. In the backsplash, understated marine details are encased in a palette reminiscent of sea glass.
Blend Fitted and Free-Standing
Diversity breeds value. Mix up your appliances with a combination fo free-standing and fitted units. The stove or fridge can be all on its own, while the sink and microwave may be built right into the countertops and cabinets. It can actually make the room look bigger. Expand this look further with white walls and bright linen drapes. Just make sure everything in the kitchen is easy to access, just like it would be in a small beachside cottage.
Add Your Own Beach Finds
Did you recently take a trip to a beach and find a myriad of exciting items? Collecting intact shells or dried-up kelp can be a great way to add your own decorations for free. Make sure to use a lot of twine and rope when making your own decorations, as this is a true reflection of the aquatic style. Place them strategically in your kitchen, either by hanging them on the walls or making them part of your dinner table’s centerpiece. You can even collect old driftwood that you see floating around. The realness of these items adds a lot of value and plays strongly into your theme.
Create The Nautical Coastal Kitchen Of Your Dreams
A beach themed kitchen is one of the easiest looks to accomplish without needing to put aside a huge budget. Just like its simple nature, nautical decor is easy to achieve. Thinking about light and airy decoration ideas can point you in the right direction towards achieving this look comprehensively throughout your kitchen. Wooden floors, stripped wood cabinets, and white walls are just a few of the ways you can incorporate the beach look in your next kitchen remodel. Don’t forget to accent the room with touches of bright blue or navy. You will soon come to find that this is one of the most fun projects you can take on in your kitchen.
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