Coastal Living Vibes: How to Choose the Perfect Seascape Print to Transform Your Living Space
1. Understand Your Room's Mood and Purpose
Before you even begin browsing, consider the room where your print will hang and the feeling you want to achieve for your coastal space.
Living Room: Is it a hub of activity or a calm retreat? A dynamic, crashing wave might inject energy into a social space, while a serene, glassy ocean could enhance a relaxing atmosphere for reading.
Bedroom: This is often a sanctuary. Gentle, soft-focus waves or tranquil horizon lines are usually preferred for their calming effect, promoting relaxation—essential for coastal-style bedrooms.
Home Office: An inspiring view, like a powerful breaking wave or an expansive ocean view, can boost creativity and focus, helping to prevent burnout and provide an escape. If you are transforming your home to create a Coastal Living theme, it is important to know that the right piece of art can entirely redefine a room, transforming it from merely functional to a true sanctuary. For many, the captivating beauty of the ocean holds an irresistible allure, offering peace, power, and endless horizons. Seascape prints, in particular, bring that unique essence into your home, helping you achieve those perfect coastal living vibes. They create a focal point that calms, inspires, or energizes your space. But with so many stunning waves and coastal scenes available, how do you choose the perfect one for your home? Let's dive into creating your ideal coastal aesthetic.
2. Harmonise with Your Existing Coastal Colour Palette
Colour is paramount in interior design, especially when aiming for a specific coastal decor theme. Your seascape print should either complement your existing aesthetic or intentionally create a striking contrast.
Classic Coastal (Blues, Whites, Sand Tones): Most seascape prints naturally feature these hues. If your room is already classic coastal, choose a print that deepens or subtly varies these shades (e.g., adding deep aqua or navy).
Nautical & Warm Coastal (Creams, Beiges, Earth Tones): A vibrant blue seascape can provide a refreshing contrast against warm walls or furniture. Conversely, a print featuring a golden sunset over the ocean will blend seamlessly with a warmer, nautical-inspired scheme.
Minimalist Coastal: For a clean, modern aesthetic, consider black and white seascape prints. They offer dramatic impact and timeless elegance, enhancing the minimalist feel without distracting from clean lines.
3. Consider the Scale and Placement for Impact
The size of your print relative to the wall and surrounding furniture is critical for visual balance and reinforcing the coastal ambiance.
The "Two-Thirds Rule": A common guideline is for the artwork to be approximately two-thirds the width of the furniture it hangs above (e.g., a sofa or sideboard).
Making a Statement: A large, oversized print can become the undeniable focal point of a room, creating a striking "window to the sea" effect—a cornerstone of coastal living vibes.
Gallery Wall: Smaller prints can be grouped to form a curated gallery wall. You may want to try mixing wave prints with other coastal elements like driftwood or shell art.
Eye Level: As a general rule, the centre of your artwork should hang at eye level for an average person.
4. Choose Your Wave: From Calm to Crashing
Seascapes aren't just one thing; they encompass a vast spectrum of oceanic moods that directly influence your coastal atmosphere. My artworks attempt to convey the connection between the Ocean and our human experience; for example, the changing states of the ocean often reflect our own inner landscape.
Serene Horizons: Calm, still waters extending to the horizon evoke peace, vastness, and introspection. This style leans into the minimalist coastal aesthetic.
Gentle Shores: Soft, lapping waves on a sandy beach convey relaxation, warmth, and nostalgic memories of childhood or holidays. Ideal for a relaxed beach-house vibe.
Breaking Waves: The raw power and dynamic energy of a barrel wave or a powerful crest. Perfect for adding drama, movement, and a sense of awe to a modern living space or office. Breaking waves embody a sense of fierce resilience through life's toughest challenges. 'This Storm Too Shall Pass.'
5. Framing and Finish: The Final Touch
The presentation of your print is crucial for a polished coastal look.
Frame Style: For a true coastal feel, opt for natural wood frames (light oak or driftwood tones) or simple white frames. These complement the ocean theme without being distracting.
Print Medium:
Canvas Prints: Provide a softer, tactile feel, excellent for a relaxed, beach-house style.
Acrylic Prints: Offer incredible vibrancy, depth, and a contemporary, glossy finish that makes the blues and greens of the water pop. Perfect for a modern coastal home.
Metal Prints: Known for their striking luminescence and durability, they offer a very clean, contemporary aesthetic.
Conclusion: Your Personal Connection to the Ocean
Ultimately, the best seascape print is one that resonates deeply with you and perfectly reinforces your desired coastal living vibes. It should evoke a personal feeling, a memory, or an aspiration. Take your time, explore different wave styles, and imagine how that perfect piece of the ocean will transform your living space into a haven of beauty and inspiration.
Explore the diverse collection of seascape prints at Art of the Wave to find the wave that completes your coastal home.
https://artofthewave.co.uk/collections/seascape-prints-on-canvas