Like many people in the UK, I’m lucky enough to live by the seaside.
From my bathroom window I have what I call a “Fawlty Towers” sea view. If you don't know what I mean, take a look at the classic clip below!
But for the rest of the population, the seaside is just a place to go when the sun makes an all too brief appearance.
Seaside nostalgia
From Brighton to Blackpool, Scarborough to Southend-on-Sea, Largs to Lowestoft, and Portrush to Porthcawl, as an island nation, we in the UK are never far from the sea. Indeed, even the village of Meriden that lays claim to being the traditional “centre” of Britain is only under 100 miles from the nearest coastline. Compare this to the Chinese city of Urumqi, whose inhabitants live 1,600 miles from the China Sea coast!
When we think of the seaside, it throws our minds backs to nostalgic trips. Ice creams, fish and chips, donkey rides, deckchairs and a whole promenade’s worth of clichéd memories.
Above all it reminds us of the summertime. But how do you bring the summertime indoors?
Rock the seaside style
First off, it’s all too easy to (literally) go overboard with the seaside theme. Obvious additions you can make to your bathroom are seashells, interesting rocks, model sailboats and lighthouses. However, less is more. At the end of the day, you don’t want your bathroom to look like a museum dedicated to the North Sea fishing industry!
It’s the more subtle things that can really set the seaside tone. For example, striped wall paper in bold primary colours can evoke a stick of rock. Furniture with a slight bow shape can echo the look of a boat.
The Curve freestanding bath
Lighting can also be used to evoke the spirit of the seaside. Lantern-style lighting or porthole shaped lights give off a real nautical look. But make sure you shop around for these items. You could even recondition an old cabinet or mirror to give it some seaside spirit.
Seaside themed suites
To evoke the shapes and feel of the seaside, you can't go far wrong with investing in our new Curve Freestanding Bath (pictured). The shape of the curve echoes the bow of a boat, giving you the feel of the sea whenever you bathe.
White bathroom suites work fantastically well with this theme. Both contemporary and traditional suites are suitable, depending on how nostalgic you want to be. Classic close coupled toilets like the Winchester coupled with a wooden seat, can add a good accent colour, but if you are choosing a more modern theme, go for a bathroom suite with graceful curves such as the popular Arte Range.
Make a mood board
If you are looking for a more subtle coastal themed bathroom, a mood board (like the one above) is a great starting point.
Colours and textures
When tiling you're bathroom, why not choose a beige or bone coloured wall or floor tile such as those from our Lucia range. Pair this with a teal or blue/green paint shade to really evoke the colours and textures of a beach. Other materials to consider are decking for feature walls and canvas. Indeed, why not go the whole hog and purchase a striped deckchair for your bathroom? It will provide a handy place to rest towels and bathrobes.
Lucia glazed porcelain floor & wall tile
As with anything in life, the more you put into your design, the more you'll get out. So take your time seeking out those perfect seaside touches.
For more inspiration, take a look at our [Rock the Seaside Style Pinterest board].
