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I'm a design editor, and this is how to pull it off.
Shop & Tell is our shopping series, featuring thoughtfully curated home finds from House Beautiful editors. Every week we'll take you inside our carts and dish on what we're buying—and why you should be reaching for your wallet too.
Summer is a time to escape—to swap out real life for a slice of paradise. Ideally, that means a house near a beautiful beach where you can stare at a large body of water and heal your overstimulated, over-scrolled brain. Less ideally, that house is decked out in nautical kitsch: think porthole windows, signs made of distressed wood that read “Gone to the Beach,” and surfboards masquerading as art, or worse—headboards.
As I sit in my Montauk rental just steps from the rocky shore, I’m surrounded by nothing hinting at my oceanfront location but two framed vintage swimsuits and a scattering of seashells on the windowsill. It’s making me wonder: Is there a happy medium? Can beach house decor be stylish and thematic, without veering into cliché territory?
After sifting through hundreds of shell-covered frames, fish-shaped dinnerware, trinket boxes made of clams, and fake-rattan-everythings, I can confirm—it exists. There is such a thing as non-cheesy beach decor. You can nod to the coast without going full captain’s quarters. You can have coral in your bedroom without actually having coral in your bedroom. You can embrace seashells without gluing them to the body of another object. So, whether your getaway is beachy, coastal, or just vaguely nautical-adjacent, this roundup is here to prove that tasteful ocean-inspired decor is possible. Read on for pieces that channel the spirit of the shore without screaming it, so your home can look like a beach house, not a beach gift shop.
Cast anything in silver and it's instantly ten times chicer, if not more. Seashells are no exception. Use this serveware to elevate your beach house hostess status while serving up summer on a (very pretty) platter.
Nautical, but make it ceramic and chic. This ceramic keeps the maritime motif but skips the kitsch, so your hydrangeas can finally have their Hamptons moment. It’s breezy and textural, not themed out.
The rattan mirror glow-up we’ve been waiting for. This mirror is more about the intricate braided details and less about the fact that it's made out of rattan. It's a sophisticated way to bring the material into your beachside abode.
There are plenty of fish-adorned wallpapers out there (and if you know you know, there's one in particular that may be the most overused fish wallpaper to ever exist), so when thinking about wrapping your oceanside home in a thematic wallcovering, I suggest exploring the other marine possibilities. Lala Curio may offer other sea-life-inspired papers, but this jellyfish paper, in its pink hue, gives haute-aquatic fantasy, which is a perfectly unexpected but fitting underwater dreamscape for any beach house.
The coral-inspired pattern of these sheets is so subtle that you almost wouldn't know they were reef-coded, which is what you want when opting for a beachy motif. Also available in a just as chic shell motif, this crisp sheet set is perfect for a breezy guest bedroom where the windows are always open.
Okay, I know what you're thinking—this is literally a clamshell. Yes, but its oversized scale and overtly sculptural build make this ceramic more of an artistic, gallery-level piece, regardless of whether you use it as a fruit bowl or catch-all.
Now, I'm not saying you can't include beach motifs like shells, fish, or waves. You just have to do it with intention and finesse. With its repetitive, continual wave stripe, this pillow whispers coastal elegance. It's a call to the ocean, but at a soft volume.
This sculptural shell pot skips the “I collect shells” vibe and lands somewhere closer to Danish beach house minimalism. Perfect for your air plant or just sitting pretty.
Storage that doesn’t scream “I came in a set of three.” H&M's home collection is carving out a name for itself with beautiful baskets. This seagrass situation is natural, unfussy, and the perfect low-lift way to sprinkle in texture.
Instead of a typographic poster that reads: "Surf's Up" or "No Shoes. No Shirt. No Problem."opt for art that's a little less obvious. A vintage matchbook from a seafood restaurant reimagined as wall art? Yes please. It’s giving “stylish seaside collectible” energy, not “Dad’s fish camp,” and we love that for your powder room.
A palm tree pillow that doesn’t scream “Margaritaville” is a rare species indeed. This one earns its place with tailored embroidery and an inky palette that feels more Malibu bungalow than tiki bar.
When trying to avoid the cheese factor, it's safer to incorporate thematic pieces through smaller home details, like hardware. This toilet paper holder may be shell-shaped, yes, but the aged brass and antique nature give it a cool, found aesthetic rather than a corny one. Go even subtler (or double down) with a shell wall hook.
This is how you "do" nautical. All the elements of a seaworthy ship—handwoven jute and solid, turned wood—are packaged into an unassuming table lamp. The classic elements, mixed with their rich warmth and texture, are the perfect nod to the sea.
This mirror feels like a treasure you'd stumble upon in a tucked-away coastal gallery. The blue-green resin color is just reminiscent of ocean-sculpted sea glass, almost like you found it washed up upon the shore without being too on the nose.
Coastal trays can go corny real quick—but not this one. Whether it’s corralling SPF or cocktails, the tightly braided texture and natural tone of this tray pull all your essentials together without trying too hard.
Coral can feel cliché, but these candlesticks are more abstract art than aquarium decor. Due to their dark, moody hue à la the deepest, darkest depths of the ocean, these sculptural stunners give your tablescape a hint of seaside drama without tipping into SpongeBob territory.
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