Add a seafarer’s touch to any room of your home with nautical decor, fixtures, and antiques. Authentic nautical collectibles are built to last and will impress your family and guests.
Boats are required to display navigation lights for visibility for other boats. Those navigation lights include all-round white lights, green sidelights crossing from port (left) to starboard, and masthead lights for ships or vessels over 50m long.
Nautical Light Fixtures
Lighting in a nautical style adds a touch of adventure to your home. Whether it is a wall sconce shaped like a ship, a chandelier that looks like it was constructed from ropes, or even just a table lamp adorned with shells and driftwood, these lights are a wonderful addition to any home design. They are ideal for marine or beach design and are also popular with people who love industrial design as well.
A nautical-themed home can make anyone feel like they are ready for a voyage at sea, even landlubbers! The beauty of these types of lights is that they are timeless and can be used in any type of home. Unlike many other lighting styles that can go out of fashion, the nautical style will always be in style. Regardless of your design elements, adding some nautical decor will tie your whole room or home together into one cohesive look.
While nautical, coastal, and beach lighting all share some common features, a few key differences set them apart. While nautical lighting is often influenced by all things related to being out at sea, beach-themed lighting tends to focus more on the sandy beaches that we all love. Additionally, coastal lighting tends to incorporate more natural materials such as woven textures, seagrass, driftwood, and shells into the overall design, while nautical lighting will often be cleaner and more modern in its style.
Having some nautical-themed accents in your home can help pull the entire space together. In addition to nautical-styled light fixtures, other items that can complement this design theme include items crafted from woods such as teak and jarrah, accent furniture pieces incorporating woven textures or reclaimed wood, and decorative accessories such as seashells, coral, artfully shaped pieces of driftwood, or parts of ships upgraded to become objets d’art.
Choosing the right nautical-themed light fixture for your home is easy, thanks to the wide range of options that are available. For example, the large Argyll industrial pendant can be hung as a single setting in a hallway or alcove for dramatic effect or in a run of three or more to illuminate an island, breakfast bar, or dining room. Another option is the Henley Cylinder Fluted Glass Pendant, which would look great in either a nautical or an industrial style.
Nautical Chandeliers
The most obvious way to imbue a home with a nautical theme is through lighting fixtures. Whether in the form of chandeliers or pendants, these fixtures often become focal points for decorating with nautical themes. They also set the tone for other decor choices you might make, which can help your home look cohesive and unified.
Nautical chandeliers typically feature designs that are inspired by actual ship lights. They might be fashioned from metal with caged shades or have frosted glass for a more casual look that still evokes the sea. Many of these nautical chandeliers have a weathered texture to underscore the design theme, which adds to their charm and authenticity.
Other popular nautical mini pendant styles include lanterns and glass shades with a simple cage. These are great for kitchen island lighting or over dining room tables. They can be paired with nautical wall sconces for an even more coordinated look.
Bathlight fixtures are another excellent choice for a nautical theme. They might be shaped like anchors or life preservers to bring a touch of the sea to bathrooms. They can also be covered with starfish or shells for a more whimsical style. These are an ideal way to add a bit of the nautical theme to a bath without overdoing it.
You can also use a nautical pendant light as an accent piece to complement the other design elements in a room. This is a good option if you want to incorporate the nautical theme into your home but don’t have a large budget or time to redecorate your entire home. A small nautical pendant light can really add a lot of appeal to a room.
Coastal chandeliers are also an excellent choice for those who want to enhance their living or dining rooms with a nautical theme but don’t have the space for a full-blown ocean-inspired design. These nautical lighting fixtures can be used to highlight a focal point in the room, such as a fireplace or a window that overlooks the sea.
Those who are interested in incorporating a nautical theme into their homes can also consider using vintage anchors or other maritime antiques as decoration. For example, you could hang a vintage anchor or an old life preserver on a wall as a unique decorative accent. Alternatively, you could display a small decorative object, such as an antique ship wheel or an old buoy, in a decorative bowl on a side table to accentuate the nautical theme in a room.
Nautical Wall Sconces
Whether they’re used indoors or out, nautical wall sconces can elevate the look of a coastal-themed space. Authentic brass passageway lights that were once aboard ships, for example, are perfect to grace the walls of beach-style homes with their warm and unique design. Iron candle sconces that mimic the look of maritime lanterns also bring a sense of adventure to rooms of all sizes.
These sconces can be used to highlight paintings, family photo galleries, or new pieces of nautical artwork. Find a pair that’s roughly the same size as your frame or canvas to create a cohesive display. A sconce with a high-wattage bulb can add a dramatic touch to your living room, while one that emits a low light level is a great option for bedrooms and bathrooms.
Decorative seashells, rope details, and other nautical themes can also be found in these lighting fixtures. These home accents evoke images of peaceful afternoons at the beach with sand between your toes. They’re ideal for a kids’ bedroom or reading nook and can complement the look of any nautical-themed bathroom.
A nautical-themed sconce set can also serve as an interesting way to display your favorite antiques. For instance, a vintage Nantucket basket can make an attractive centerpiece for a floral arrangement or hold your collection of seashells and other small household items. Alternatively, a scrimshawed lap desk that once belonged to a ship’s captain or sailor can provide a beautiful display piece in a foyer or living room.
Decorative ship lights are an excellent choice for many spaces, including bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and the foyer or entryway of a home. These unique fixtures can transform the look of a room with their warm and welcoming glow while also providing ample light for those who enter the space. The different nautical-themed light fixture designs are also a fantastic complement to other types of lighting, such as chandeliers and table lamps. These home accents are an easy and affordable way to add a touch of the ocean to any interior space. The best part is that you can choose the nautical-themed light fixtures that work best for your home and still be sure that the look of your entire space flows together beautifully.
Nautical Table Lamps
Nautical table lamps can add a creative and unique element to your home. They’re easy to tie in a nautical, beach, or tropical theme without overwhelming your space with too many accessories. These lamps can also provide the perfect accent to a dresser, nightstand, coffee table, or other piece of home decor.
You can find a wide array of antique and vintage nautical table lamps for sale at 1stDibs, featuring styles that look like ship lanterns or feature a compass rose or anchor motif. Most feature a frosted glass shade that helps diffuse the light and create a softer lighting effect. Many of these lamps have a switch on the base that can be used to turn them on and off easily. Some of these lamps have a variety of wattage options from 25 to 100 watts, depending on their size and design.
Coastal table lamps can add a relaxed, breezy feel to your space. These lamps often incorporate natural elements, including rope, netting, and beachy colors, to create a true nautical feel. These lamps pair well with any nautical-themed room and will blend in well with a modern coastal decorating scheme as well.
If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, try making a nautical table lamp from an old lamp you have in your home. This DIY project is a great way to show off your creativity and add some personality to an existing piece of home decor. Just make sure to follow the instructions and safety precautions for your particular type of lamp before beginning this project.
You can also purchase nautical-themed lamps made with various materials and finishes, from bronze to brass and from rustic to contemporary. Choose a finish that best suits your home’s style and décor. For example, a dark bronze table lamp would complement a traditional or transitional interior, while a copper table lamp might go better with a more industrial design style. Then, select a nautical-inspired lampshade and fasten it onto your new lamp base. This is a simple and easy way to transform an existing piece of furniture into a decorative nautical lamp that can be enjoyed for years to come.
