How to Decorate a Beach Cottage in a Neutral Color Palette

A neutral color palette can give your beach cottage a sophisticated, airy appearance and create cohesiveness between your cottage and the outdoors. A neutral color palette includes white, cream, beige, brown, gray and black. You can incorporate colors from the neutral palette into your beach cottage by using them in your paint, tile, upholstery and decor choices. By decorating your beach cottage with a neutral palette, you create a versatile look that won't go out of style.

Beige paint
Hardwood floor
White or beige cabinetry
Neutral-covered furniture
Natural grass rugs
Small decorative accents

Instructions

- 1
  Create a foundation for your neutral color palette by painting the interior walls in your beach cottage with beige paint. Use matte and semigloss paints appropriately so high traffic areas can be cleaned easily and other areas don't look too glossy.
- 2
  
  Hardwood contrasts the light-colored walls and incorporates nature.
  
  Balance the light color of the paint by installing light to medium-colored hardwood floors. Balance is essential in a neutral color palette to avoid having your beach cottage look too stark -- and hardwood flooring draws upon the natural look of your beach surroundings.
- 3
  Install white or beige cabinetry in your bathroom and kitchen, being sure to balance each room out with the wood flooring and decorative kitchen accents and linens in the darker neutral colors of black, gray and brown.
- 4
  Opt for lighter-colored neutrals for furniture upholstery but add visual interest through the use of textures. Choose upholstery and decorative pillows in various textures, including smooth cotton, raised knits, thick wool and silky satins.
- 5
  
  A sisal rug completes a room with neutral decor.
  
  Lay down natural grass rugs in your living room, under the dining table, and in the foyer. The use of rugs made from seagrass or sisal help connect the interior of your home with the natural beach surroundings outside your door.
- 6
  Add small decorative accents in a beach theme to complement or coordinate with your neutral color decor. Incorporate small splashes of color with framed pictures of native birds. Use painted metal buckets to hold wood by the fireplace or serve as small trash receptacles in each room.

How to Fit a Lot of Furniture in a Small Bedroom

DIY Wire Racetrack

Home Decor