Decorating Diva: Beach-inspired home decor

May 25, 2011 9:00 AM by Jessica Padykula

Posted in Home / Décor & Style / Living rooms

Ocean-Inspired
Home Accents

Welcome to Decorating Diva, where every week we share fresh, fun ways to update your home and spice up your living space! When we think of summer, the first thing that comes to mind (other than barbecues and patio parties) is the beach. What better way to while away the long, gorgeous days than by lounging by the water, book in hand (or in our case, celebrity gossip magazine), enjoying the sunshine? With that in mind, we wanted to bring some of the beach home, in the form of stylish, sea-inspired home accents.

Ocean decor

8 great beachy home accessories

Why settle for only being at the beach part time? We suggest bringing the sun, sand and surf inside – or at least decorating your home with a beach theme – so you can enjoy the relaxed, carefree vibe anytime.

Sea glass

If you don't have a collection from your own beach-combing excursions, you can buy sea glass (Pottery Barn, $15) and display it in pretty containers -- one of the best ways to welcome the beach into your home. These pieces in particular come in beautiful shades of blue, green and white, and are tumbled for a smooth, just-washed-up from the ocean look.

Dig up your collection of sea shells (or the ones your kids have collected over the years) and put them on display in a tall glass vase. Give them a rinse first to wash away any errant sand, then give them their time in the style spotlight.

Teal vase

We fell instantly in love with this handmade translucent teal vase (Crate & Barrel, $25), reminiscent of waves gently lapping at the shore. Textural stripes of white glass are encased in another layer of teal, making for a unique, beach-inspired look. Leave empty (these are striking enough to stand alone) or display a single bloom in a bold color for dramatic effect.

Wall art

Show off your love of sea creatures with these handcrafted plaques (West Elm, $39-$49) featuring starfish and ocean plants rendered in bas-relief papier-mâché. We love the minimalist design and how chic these will look on our bathroom wall or even in the kitchen.

Cool blue seating

Wherever you put this electric-blue chair (CB2, $90) you're sure to be reminded of the ocean. The swooping design reminds us of the ebb and flow of the water, and the bold shade of turquoise will add a fun pop of color to whatever room you put it in.