Modern Maritime Design Ideas

Set your sights on the open sea with decorating ideas that'll leave your home feeling like a coastal cottage.

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September 08, 2020

Located on the coast of Portland, Maine, the HGTV Urban Oasis 2020 embraces its setting with inspiration from the waterfront and fishing wharves — bringing sea-worthy decorating to life.

From nautical flags to lighthouses, we've found stylish and sophisticated (no kitsch here) ways to incorporate maritime ideas into your home.

Signal With Nautical Flags

Flags Arranged on Bedroom Wall Add Color and Contrast

Similar Color Palette

The different shapes and sizes help the flags pop off the bedroom wall. "Some are conical and triangular, some are perfectly square," says designer Brian Patrick Flynn. "But they all have a similar palette."

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza

Tomas Espinoza

Overlapping nautical flags make for a stunning display in the master bedroom. Take a cue from maritime communication and infuse your space with bold colors and geometric design. Since each flag corresponds to a specific letter and number, try spelling out your family name or an inspiring word, such as "love," "hope" or "joy," to truly personalize your space.

Sail Away With Wallpaper

Blue Nautical Wallpaper Features Architectural Renderings of Sailboats

Wonderful Wallpaper

HGTV Urban Oasis 2020 in Portland, ME

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza

Tomas Espinoza

Small spaces, like powder rooms, are the ideal spots to play with unexpected materials. Here, wallpaper featuring navy-and-white sailboat diagrams flows with the overall nautical theme of the HGTV Urban Oasis 2020. Deck your own walls with a taste of the ocean, whether opting for classic boats or whimsical jellyfish.

Swim With the Fishes

Forest-Green Guest Bedroom Has Cozy Ambiance

Extra Cozy

HGTV Urban Oasis 2020 in Portland, ME

Photo by: Robert Peterson, Rustic White

Robert Peterson, Rustic White

Every nautical home needs an aquatic friend or two. Artist Karen Musgraves created this canvas giclee of a rainbow trout, which picks up the deep green shade of the guest bedroom. Add a fishing touch to your home with framed artwork, sculptures or even, a rug.

Incorporate Antiques

View From Green Coastal Breakfast Nook of Adjacent Living Room

Open-Concept Style

HGTV Urban Oasis 2020 in Portland, ME

Photo by: Robert Peterson, Rustic White

Robert Peterson, Rustic White

Vintage pieces, from fishing nets and lobster cages to fishing baskets, dot the walls of the home, bringing in a timeless maritime quality. If you want the real deal in your home, try local antique and thrift shops or scour through eBay and Etsy. Replicas give you the look as well, without a pricey investment.

Illuminate the Way With Lighthouses

Custom Multicolored Lighthouse Artwork on Blue Wall

Custom Art

HGTV Urban Oasis 2020 in Portland, ME

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza

Tomas Espinoza

Maine is commonly known as "The Lighthouse State," so, of course, the HGTV Urban Oasis 2020 had to showcase some of the state's most prominent landmarks. This piece, designed by Adam Keafer, mixes colorful wood blocks to create eye-catching art.

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