Decorating Cottage Chic

Beach House Chic
Perfect for the Cottages in Santa Barbara


Come into SB Consignment, we have lots of elements you can add to your design!


Crisp lines, light airy details, a hint of color and texture abound - Living in a beachy cottage evokes relaxation, peace and comfort. If a casual, easy lifestyle appeals to you, try some of these tips and tricks to transform a room or your whole home. 

Like they Say... Life's a Beach...

Beach House Colors:  are most commonly sea-inspired colors. These are soft shades of blues, greens, coral and shell pinks, and natural shades of sand. All of these colors create a wonderful palette to live with, and are easy on the eye. A popular color being used today is a spa blue. This creates a refreshing Beach Cottage look. You can always accent this color with pinks for some warmth.

Paint Your Walls: Use any of the shades as mentioned above. Don't think you have to stay to neutral walls, by all means use color if that's what you like. Just be sure to have plenty of whites to bring about the airy and fresh look.

Don't Be Afraid of Color:  Another popular color combination being used right now is the aqua green or spa blue with brown. This would be perfect for a beach look. Look at the colors used in this beach themed bedroom as inspiration. Use your imagination and see what you can come up with.

Beach House Walls: lend themselves to clapboard or wide width bead board. Check out these walls!  Old barn wood applied to walls, left alone or distress them yourself by applying paint and then sanding off gently.  Pared with a great old yellow pie cabinet and rustic bench makes the look.

Window Treatments:  for beach style, should stay rather simple and unadorned. I would use the wide slat wood blinds, in white or natural or reed style roll-down shades. If using curtains or valances be cure to keep them rather light-weight and airy. You want a lot of natural light to shine through. In this bathroom a simple curtain rod with a vintage linens doubled up.  Another wonderful accent is strung seashells.  You can do this yourself with a bag of seashells, a long branch, some twine and a dremmel tool - or purchase one already made.
 

Beach  Cottage Floors: look best when kept clean and simple. Natural and painted wood floors with throw rugs look great with this decorating style. Tile floors are another option, and always add to a tropical and beach house style decorating look. If you can add a sisal or textured rug, it would be a great addition. Beach house style is enhanced by items with a lot of texture.

Beach Style Furniture: is casual in style, with easy-care fabrics. For couches and chairs, slipcovered furniture would be nice. Remember Beach House decorating has a vacation, or "getaway" feel to it.

Wood furniture looks best kept on the lighter side, possibly pine or painted wood in shades of white. Notice the uncluttered and clean look to this sitting room.

Ottomans are a wonderful multi-use item. They always provide extra seating and give a homey relaxed feeling of "putting your feet up". Take notice of the big bowl of sea treasures atop this comfy ottoman- a perfect decor accent.

Wicker furniture is another great option for Beach House Style Decorating. Wicker provides that light and casual look that is so typical of beach bungalow style. Don't be afraid to use wicker in accent pieces such as, end tables, and accent pieces. Wicker and reed style baskets make great decorating accents and add a lot of texture.

Adirondack furniture is a perfect addition for the outdoors of your beach style cottage. Adding these elements to the outside of your beach inspired home, will give a relaxed and welcoming feel.

Whatever your desire-you can now get started collecting and decorating. Remember have fun! I can smell the fresh air, feel the cool breezes and almost feel my toes in the shoreline.  Aaaaahhhh.