Decorating a nautical kid’s bedroom

Whether your kid loves the ocean and all things beachy or you’re simply looking for a fun decorating theme, we have tips for creating a nautical kid’s bedroom.

Nothing says the ocean quite like nautical-themed decor. We spoke with designers to find out some of the best ways to create an oceanside retreat for a kid’s bedroom without going over the top.

Contemporary color palette

A traditional nautical color palette includes navy, red and white and still makes for a crisp, seaside theme. For a modern spin on a bright kid’s room, Susie Fougerousse, mother of five and owner of Rosenberry Rooms, suggests pairing classic nautical shades with other bright colors. Orange, aqua and green are some of her favorite complementary colors that will freshen up the classic color combination and provide another burst of color.

Set sail with stripes

According to Fougerousse, “Nothing says nautical like blue-and-white cabana stripes.” A crisp duvet cover, rug or even a pendant light with bold stripes would look great in a nautical bedroom. Feeling adventurous? Fougerousse says that rugby stripes look fantastic on the ceiling when paired with solid walls or on a dramatic focal wall.

Beachy accents

When it comes to creating a nautical or seaside theme, designer Cathy Hobbs says that now is the time to be whimsical, colorful and creative. Hobbs suggests infusing nautical accents like thick ropes, coral or seashells in a room. Sand and seashells that were picked up on a vacation can be put on display in glass jars and vases. For an older teen, old oars, porthole mirrors, ocean maps and a coral lamp would make for a more sophisticated take on the seaside look.

Fun furnishings

There are an assortment of fun nautical-themed furniture options like a rowboat bed or surf-shack inspired fort bed, but furniture with beadboard accents like this bed or whitewashed wood are great options for more traditional pieces. A sail canopy can also be a creative alternative for a headboard. For an affordable customized look, Nancy Dalton of Baywolf Dalton, Inc. recommends replacing the pulls on nightstands and dressers with nautical hardware — anchors, knots, starfish and beach glass are all great options.

Seaworthy storage

One of the most important functional elements in a kid’s bedroom is adequate storage for toys, books and knickknacks. Stay with the nautical theme by using heavy-duty canvas boxes, woven baskets or painted crates for storage with style. Buckets are great for corralling little toys.