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10 Beach Cottage Decorating Ideas

November 25, 2014

Whether you're hours away from a coastline or steps away from golden sand, bring the beach inside your home through rustic, sea-inspired decor. Browse through these graceful shabby chic retreats for ideas and inspiration.

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Photo: Courtesy of Somerset Bay Home. From: Beachfront Bargain Hunt.

Shabby Minimalism

This simple dining room is light, airy and tranquil without being washed out from the completely neutral palette. Hints of color can be found in the diverse shell display and through the soft blues of the vintage bottles. Image courtesy of Somerset Bay
Get the Look: If you're trying to pull in relaxing ocean vibes, keep your dining room design simple. Crisp white slipcovers, a shabby white dining table and natural accessories can make a bold statement without appearing overly rustic.

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Photo: Somerset Bay. From: Beachfront Bargain Hunt.

Toes in the Sand

HGTV fan dgabriele used neutral hues and subtle seashell decor to create a chic, sea-inspired living space. An eclectic mix of distressed furniture and crisp white accents showcase the casual elegance of a refined yet shabby space.
Get the Look: To create a casual, beachy feel in your space, mix various furniture styles (rustic, cottage or contemporary) and materials (rattan, polyester, cotton or linen).

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Elegantly Shabby

White is a classic tone often used in shabby chic designs. HGTV fan rnhey wanted to create a light, airy dining room ideal for casual year-round entertaining, so she used this fresh hue as the base for her entire design. The upholstered cane-backed chairs, freshly painted table and vintage marine life prints are reminiscent of relaxed summers and shabby seaside homes. White beadboard walls allow the sand-colored curtains and accessories to act as complementary accents rather than simply appearing in the background.
Get the Look: For an elegantly shabby look, combine your rustic pieces with more contemporary counterparts. The white table and rattan chairs feel ultra casual, while the symmetrical prints, pleated draperies and dark wood serving tray deliver a perfect hint of refinement.

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From: Beachfront Bargain Hunt

Classic Turquoise

Soft neutral hues, found objects and distressed white furnishings bring in a contemporary nautical take on shabby chic living. While primarily incorporating sandy hues to mirror the beach, HGTV fan rkm1213 also snuck in hints of turquoise around the space to add a vibrant color that immediately draws your eyes to every part of the room.
Get the Look: Break up a neutral palette by adding unexpected bits of color. Eyes will be drawn around the room with each vibrant accessory, ensuring guests don't miss a single stunning detail.

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