Take a cue from tropical and Mediterranean sites when styling a home in a seashell decor theme.
Whether living in a city, small town or seaside hamlet, painting a house certain colors can evoke a soothing, beachfront atmosphere. Before painting a room or house in seashore hues, it is a good idea to use a snapshot of the beach or a vintage postcard as inspiration. Avoid limiting decoration styles to Hawaii or the Caribbean. Think globally and seek inspiration from exotic locations such as Ibiza, the Mediterranean and the Galapagos Islands. No matter the color scheme, it's important to avoid overdoing it, as the palettes can be overwhelming.
Tropical
Balance bright colors inspired by tropical flowers with cooler hues in blue and green.
Look to tropical flora and fauna for inspiration. Flamingo pink and parrot red are warm pops of color that can be counterbalanced with pineapple yellow or a soothing Caribbean blue. Instead of pink and red, other bright color options are mango orange, key-lime green and bright coral. Offsetting any of these hues with cream borders or white linen curtains adds a breezy, relaxed feel.
Mediterranean
Terra cotta and stucco are inspirations for Mediterranean design.
The south of France and Italy's Tuscany region are primary influences in Mediterranean style. Sunflowers and lavender blanket both regions, making those flowers' colors possible choices. Many buildings in both areas are made of stucco or terra cotta, so an earthy brown-red or copper are other options. When you're ready to paint your walls, remember that Mediterranean walls are textured. To achieve the look, apply plaster in uneven layers or paint with a sponge technique.
Seaside
Choose paint colors based on those seen at the ocean.
Think sea, sand and sky. Turquoise waters surround the tawny beaches of California, Florida and Hawaii, so both colors are possibilities. Other inspirational colors come from gray seashells with pink centers, bright pink hibiscus, and orange and purple birds of paradise. Sunshine yellow is also popular.
