How to Decorate With a Southern Coastal Theme

Determine the primary color scheme you will use throughout the house. Choose colors by room and make sure all colors mesh well together. Walk through the house with paint swatch samples and fabric swatches to see how you feel about the colors. Opt for neutral floor and wall colors such as eggshell, cream, beige or light sea foam green. Choose base colors which are plain enough so that accent pieces will match and are easily interchangeable.

Find furniture in coastal styles such as couches in light colors or furniture made from rattan or wicker. Opt for lighter colored woods. Change out cabinets and hardwood floors to use light wood grains such as oak or honey pine.

Install ceiling fans throughout the house. Change standard fan blades to those made from palm fronds or wicker to create a more coastal look. Use soft lights in fans with lighting fixtures.

Place throw rugs throughout the house in beach theme designs or light colors such as powder blue, shell pink or pale yellow. If you are going for a more nautical theme for your Southern coastal look, use shades of red, white and blue.

Hang wall art on primary walls depicting coastal scenes such as shoreline sunsets, crashing waves, ships at sea or even prints of seashells. Make sure all print frames are in light colored frames such as whitewashed wood or light oak.

Use sheer fabric curtains which allow light to come through. Opt for wicker or light wood blinds, shades and shutters. Use pieces of long driftwood in place of traditional curtain rods.

Place candles and decorations around the house with a coastal feel. You can incorporate bowls of seashells, candles in scents of the ocean, couch throws in light colors and miniature lighthouses throughout to help pull the total look together.