Getting a Coastal Look

ABOVE: Painted wall cladding and floorboards are perfect for the coastal look.

Coastal interiors are enjoying incredible popularity at present, not purely for aesthetic reasons, but because the scheme is great to live with — fresh, light and simple. Whilst it might be tempting to think that creating the look is no more difficult than buying a few nautical-inspired finishing touches, coastal interiors also rely heavily on some key background looks, centred around your walls, floors and choice of lighting. Also consider the following: natural materials work well, as do painted joinery and furniture in neutral shades. Clutter should be minimised and natural light maximised.

ABOVE: Natural light an a sense of being close to outdoors is key to this look, so aim to link your interiors to outside through large windows and sliding doors.

Walls and Ceilings

Whilst fresh whites and variations of white on the walls will do the job just fine, it works well to incorporate some texture and interest to your walls to avoid a look that is overly sterile. Coastal interiors may be intrinsically uncomplicated, but they should also have a warmth and sense of homeliness.

Using panelling, also known as cladding, on the walls and ceiling is a great way to achieve this look and is a simple and low-cost job — plus it is a great way to cover up any bad plasterwork. Tongue-andgroove wood panelling is available from most DIY warehouses and timber merchants, and it should not be too tricky a task to carry out on a DIY basis.

Panelling is usually available in a range of thicknesses and lengths, with various profiles also on offer. Some profiles are very simple in style, with a chamfer on the edges, known as a ‘V’, whilst others have a more elaborate design. In the case of coastal interiors it is best to opt for the former.

Packs of cladding will state their coverage. You should also check with your supplier whether your cladding will need to acclimatise before being fitted. This involves storing the timber, unwrapped, lying flat on its side, for at least two weeks in the room that you intend to use it.

Surfaces should be prepared and any crumbling plaster removed. Depending on the look you are after, it may also be necessary to remove skirting boards and almost certainly dado rails, picture rails and perhaps coving. You will also need to consider how any existing power sockets, switches or wall-mounted lights will interfere with the work. Once you are ready, the panelling is attached to timber battens — vertical or horizontal cladding looks more up to date than diagonal or zigzag patterns.

Once fitted you can choose your finish — painted panelling suits the look perfectly. Finally, opt for timber rather than plastic cladding. The coastal look is all about keeping it natural.

Flooring

Wooden floors are perfect for this style of interior. Whilst natural boards can work really well, particularly Nordic ash and pine in sun-bleached tones, it is painted – typically dry brushed – boards that are really finding favour with those seeking a coastal theme. Floor paint can easily be obtained from most DIY warehouses and gives a durable, chip-resistant surface.

Alternatively, some companies, such as Junkers (junckers.co.uk), now offer prepainted boards. White is a fantastic choice, but not necessarily for those adverse to regular housework as it will inevitably show up dust and dirt. If white seems too brave an option, look at greys, taupe and creams.

An alternative to painted floorboards is the maritime-inspired decking style of boards now on offer. Mimicking a ship’s deck, these boards are most commonly available as engineered boards, with a hardwood top layer.

If you are looking for a soft floor covering, the various types of natural flooring out there – coir, seagrass, sisal and jute being the most common – are ideal. Coir is made from coconut husk fibres, woven into a variety of designs. It is durable and tends to be fairly costeffective.

Jute is nice and soft underfoot and comes from the stalk of the corchorus plant. Jute fibres are quite fine, so it is best used in living areas as opposed to areas of heavy traffic. Seagrass grows in China and

Vietnam and is less prone to watermarks than sisal, which is similar in appearance.

Light

There are a number of light fittings designed specifically with coastal interiors in mind, such as tripod floor lamps, fisherman’s pendant lights and even searchlight-inspired fittings. However, whilst the light fittings you use will play a role in creating coastal interiors, the part that natural light plays in this style cannot be underestimated.

One of the key features of coastal interiors is light-flooded rooms with windows that not only draw in as much light as possible through their size and positioning, but which also provide a good sense of being linked to the outdoors. So, whilst you may not be in the enviable position of having sea views, ensure your windows are designed to make the most of any vistas that you do have and…

Keep Window Dressings Simple

At all costs avoid frills and fuss around your windows. Coastal interiors are no place for pelmets and fancy tie-backs. Painted timber shutters suit the theme, as well as creating a sense of privacy without blocking that allimportant natural light. If your budget will not stretch to shutters, painted wooden

Venetian blinds are a less expensive option. Alternatively, consider sandblasted glass in the lower portion of any windows that require privacy, or frosted film than can be applied to clear glass.

Further Reading: 

• The Hottest Interior Design Ideas 
• How to Create a Stylish, Green Kitchen
• How to Achieve Instant Character