What’s the Difference Between Nautical Design and Coastal Design?

Although it’s not uncommon to lump nautical design and coastal design together, these two styles vary in a lot of ways. Yes, both take inspiration from all things marine, but each uses its own mix of color palettes, materials, and deco to highlight different aspects of oceans. 

Dreaming of a navy blue abode brimming with sea-faring memorabilia? Then nautical design is probably the right fit for you. But if you prefer a wide-open space that subtly nods to a beachside design aesthetic, you might want to consider going the coastal route instead.

Keep reading to discover the most iconic elements of nautical and coastal design, as well as how they differ and where they overlap.

Elements of Nautical Design

A lot of what is commonly thought of as coastal design is actually an element of nautical design, like all things stripes, blue, and ship-inspired decor. 

Sailing Decor 

Nautically designed homes aren’t always subtle when it comes to decor. This style is famous for making use of just about anything that can be found on a ship, from accessories like rope to real ship parts like anchors. 

Although these unique nautical design elements made frequent appearances in older adaptations of this style, modern reimaginings use a more measured approach. That includes accessories and decor that emulate the same elements in subtler ways, like wallpaper with delicate anchor pattern in place of actual anchors, or the use of the same kind of hardwood you’d find on a boat rather than an authentic boat part. 

Navy Blue

No nautical-inspired home is complete without at least a little bit of navy blue. When it comes to this style, the color makes an appearance on everything from furniture to accent walls. Beyond this shade, nautical design also makes use of neutral whites and beiges and rarely includes bright shades, save for the occasional red or yellow accent. 

Striped Textiles 

This style is also famous for using striped textiles on cushions, furniture, rugs, curtains, and all kinds of cloth accessories in-between. Despite its frequent use in nautical design, you’re unlikely to see much of it in coastal-inspired homes. 

Gold and Brass Accents

The aim of nautical design is to make your home look and feel like it’s on the open sea, even when it comes to your hardware. Gold and brass materials frequently appear on actual ships and this design style uses the material on everything from door knobs to cabinet handles to impart that same sea-faring aesthetic.

Elements of Coastal Design

Unlike nautical design, coastal-inspired homes are much more subtle in their use of seaside-inspired colors and decor. This style relies more heavily on the colors and motifs found naturally in coastal regions. For this reason, it can also vary a lot from one place to the next.

Neutral Color Palette

Unlike nautical design, you won’t always find navy blue in a coastal-inspired color palette. This style instead uses colors that are frequently found in beachy environments. Sandy beiges, whites, and creams are predominantly used on walls and furnishings, while decor encompasses a range of bright accents like cerulean blue, light pink and yellow, and pale green. 

Large, Open Spaces

The goal of most coastal-inspired homes is to create the feeling of sitting on a sandy beach on a warm, sunny day. One major way in which they do this is by establishing open, airy spaces rather than the cozy, crowded environments sometimes found in nautical design. Rooms are sparsely decorated, mirrors are used to open up tight corners, and light colors blur the line between indoors and outdoors. 

Minimalist Decor 

While nautical design is all about ship and sailing memorabilia, coastal design features more of the kind of materials that can naturally be found on the beach. Walls are kept mostly bare to ensure spaces feel as open as possible, and natural decor like driftwood or seashells is preferred over man-made artifacts like anchors and ship parts. 

Regional Variations

Because the coastal color palette is highly dependent on the surrounding environment, this style has been adapted to so many different locations. In warmer climates, coastal design is more likely to feature bright shades like oranges and reds than those in cooler climates. Whether you live by the beach or not, take a moment to determine what kind of coastal style you most want to emulate and take it from there.

What Do Nautical and Coastal Design Have in Common? 

Now that we’ve broken down their differences, let’s talk about the ways in which nautical and coastal design are the same. With this knowledge, and after you ask yourself a few interior design questions, you won’t have trouble picking between the two. 

Lots of Light

Since sunny days are a frequent presence both on the sea and just next to it, Both nautical- and coastal-inspired homes depend greatly on the presence of natural light. When natural light isn’t available, each style supplements additional warm, bright lighting to achieve the desired sun-soaked effect. 

Hardwood

While each style uses different kinds of natural materials, hardwood is a common feature of both nautical and coastal design. The wood used in coastal-inspired homes is more likely to be light or medium-toned, while nautical design features more dark-toned wood. 

Shiplap 

Another wood element that’s common in both nautical and coastal design is shiplap, a form of wood paneling that was originally used on ships (you guessed it!). In addition to creating the desired maritime effect, this wall treatment was originally designed to prevent moisture damage to protect boats and is ideal for particularly wet environments because it will do the same thing for your home.