You can enjoy the feeling of sea and sky indoors with tile designs that reflect the beauty and serenity of a coastal landscape. Your kitchen, bathroom, foyer or even laundry room can be transformed into a tranquil space through tile inspired by beach and sun. Let’s travel to the coast with tile design expert John Merola for tips on creating a feel-good oasis within your home.
Adding a touch of summer all year round is always a good idea. I recently helped a friend create a coastal design for her summer home on the Jersey Shore and thought I would share my insights. I hope you saw some of these summer inspirations on our Instagram page @merolatile.
Color plays an essential part in coastal design. Think of the many shades of blue found in water and focus on the ones that feel soothing or relaxing. Spas and retreats are often decorated with tile in soft blues and aqua for their calming effect. Pale blue can make a space feel expansive and restful, evoking images of sparkling waters and clear skies. Soft neutrals in trending beige or warm grey create a soothing space reminiscent of a sandy beach or peaceful pond. Even bright, vivid blues like turquoise and indigo can be tranquil when combined with neutrals or used as accent colors in tile designs and mosaics.
You can mix different shades of blue together to create a mosaic effect or pair them with other natural elements like seashells or driftwood for an authentic coastal look. The versatility of tile allows you to express your personal color style while still maintaining that beachy vibe.
When it comes to choosing the right ocean-inspired colored tiles for your home, there are many options available. As you consider colors, looking from deep navy blues to soft aquamarines, you’ll find a shade that perfectly captures the essence of the sea.
The use of ocean-inspired colored tiles can instantly change the mood of a space, making it feel brighter and more inviting. Whether you choose to incorporate them in your bathroom, kitchen backsplash, or even as statement pieces on your walls, these tiles will create a serene environment that will make every day feel like summer.
Use textured tile to enhance your coastal design. Travertine and distressed tile are stunning ways to bring coastal elegance to any room, making it feel like a seaside villa. Or try sandstone and wood grain tile to evoke the feeling of beach sand and driftwood. Plank style tile has a nautical feel that’s both appealing and practical for use in kitchens, bathrooms, and entry ways.
Shiny, reflective tile combined with rough textured tile makes a wonderful juxtaposition that mirrors the textures of water, rock, and sand found in nature. Metallic tile or rusty terracotta also enhances the weathered feel of boats, beaches, and cliffs.
Play with pattern and shape to create coastal elements. Tile is a wonderfully creative design medium. Imagine an abstract wave pattern in tranquil shades of blue flowing across white sea spray tile. Mosaics can create an entire landscape that turns the wall of your bathroom into another world of peace and beauty. Or you can opt for a simple, contemporary tile pattern that suggests waves, horizon, beach.
Tile comes in wonderful shapes that can enhance your coastal design. Fish tail and fish scale tiles are delightful options that add wit and whimsy. Another creative idea is to incorporate shiny round tiles, which resemble water bubbles and seafoam. Consider using larger format tiles for bigger areas like floors or countertops, while smaller tiles work well for adding accents or borders.
Whether you’re looking to transform your kitchen into a culinary oasis or reimagine your bathroom into a spa-like retreat, Merola Tile has an outstanding selection of colors, textures, shapes, and styles. Incorporating coastal design elements into your home doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Our team is available to help you take the plunge and dive into the orld of coastal tile design, where tranquility meets innovation.
