Rugs in ticking stripes lend a casual vibe.

Any combination of blue, white and red will add a graphic, nautical hit to a room. Plus, cotton rugs are affordable and easy to wash — perfect for a cottage or country home.

Bright bedding and flags liven up a kids’ bedroom.

Red quilts, white walls and a navy rug look sharp together. Rope ties on the pillows, a tripod lamp and caned headboards add to the nautical style.

One bright paint colour in an ocean hue is an easy way to brighten a bathroom.

Bold teal paint livens up this cottage-style children's bathroom. The bold colour covers a vintage clawfoot tub, old-fashioned sink and the upper walls, contrasting with crisp white panelling.

Vintage vases, antiques, shells and other beach-combing treasures add interest and personality.

Group artifacts of similar colours and varying sizes together on a beadboard-backed bookshelf for a beachy, casual look. Here, delicate glass buoys, a timeworn vintage fan, milk-white bud vases and moody seascapes tell a story of the homeowner.

Warm wood ceilings keep spaces casual and cottage-like.

Leave wood ceiling beams exposed or install a pine ceiling for a seaside look. This screened-in porch is made even more cosy and comfortable with wicker furniture, lanterns and nautical accessories.

Buy or reupholster a sofa in a bold striped fabric.

This rustic yet pretty summer cottage uses reclaimed wood timbers as support beams and for a wall feature that doubles as art. Combined with white painted beadboard the country look is clean and fresh. Eco-friendly upholstered furniture like the sofa from Lee Industries in light blue adds some New Hamptons chic. Seaside and nature-inspired accessories are trendy and carry through the earthy theme.

For more beachy and nautical rooms, see our Seaside-Inspired Interiors photo gallery. For more eco-friendly ideas, see our Photo Gallery: Green Design.

Modern patio chairs are an unexpected — yet comfortable — alternative to bulky armchairs.

A wood ceiling, tall ferns and a trendy Breton striped floor rug add to the seaside vibe of this living room. The wall-to-wall windows allow for expansive views to the lake.

There’s no need to stain, paint or varnish wood accents.

For a raw, casual look, leave wood pieces au naturel. A stump stool, side table, bamboo bench and found wood objects are beautiful left untouched, and complement a nature-inspired theme.

Subtle accents in ocean colours create a serene atmosphere.

Add a beachy look easily by painting the inside of a shelving unit or switching up chair cushions. A soft turquoise paint isn’t overly dramatic, but looks great with bright white vases and stored tableware. Modern nautical chairs are instantly updated with bold blue cushions that can be easily swapped from season to season.

For more beachy and nautical rooms, see our Seaside-Inspired Interiors photo gallery.

Twin beds with traditional brass frames work in any bedroom.

Hits of red, navy, white and brass evoke a Ralph Lauren-look that is classic and timeless. Sailing-ship pillows are an easy way to add a nautical element without overdoing it.

Create a marine theme with rope and twine.

To create a vignette like this, cut and coil lengths of rope in glass vessels to showcase their natural tones and coarse textures. An oversized fishbowl pairs nicely with a length of chunky sisal, while a narrower hurricane shows off loops of twine.

For more beachy and nautical rooms, see our Seaside-Inspired Interiors photo gallery.

To learn how to make your own coiled-rope lamp, view Michael Penney’s Online TV DIY segment.

Rugs made from natural fibres create a beachy feel.

An affordable way to update a room for summer? Pick up a large rug made from sisal or seagrass. The rough fibres, tight weave and neutral tones are kid-friendly and suit nearly any style of room. Ikea has several styles and sizes, for instance.

Beadboard painted out bright white evokes country charm.

Older homes often already have beadboard, but to fake this rustic cottage style, install it yourself and paint the wooden slats white. In this colourful children’s bedroom, regatta flags, buoys and patriotic rugs break up the white walls and complete the seaside look.

For more beachy and nautical rooms, see our Seaside-Inspired Interiors photo gallery.

To learn how to make your own coiled-rope lamp, view Michael Penney’s Online TV DIY segment.

Install wood shutters in a dining room instead of drapery to keep the room relaxed.

Wood shutters are a staple for casual, seaside style. When open, they invite plenty of sunshine; closed, they keep interiors cool. Shiny terracotta floor tiles add Mediterranean warmth, while a raw-wood pedestal table and X-back chairs slip-covered in linen add to the cottage theme.

For more beachy and nautical rooms, see our Seaside-Inspired Interiors photo gallery.

A simple metal railing lends a nautical look.

This lightweight railing follows the form and patina of a sailboat mast. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a skylight also add to the bright, airy feeling of the entryway.

Cover dining chairs in an earthy tone for a less formal look.

Louis XV-style chairs have a more relaxed appearance with cotton slipcovers, while white wood paneled walls, an elegant sideboard and dark hardwood flooring add a sense of refinement.

For more beachy and nautical rooms, see our Seaside-Inspired Interiors photo gallery.

Reclaimed materials and vintage art add interest.

The interior of this Georgian Bay cottage draws from the crisp white palettes and nautical themes of old homes in the Carolinas. New York architect Alexander Latham worked with the homeowner to build her dream space. To achieve a historical feel and balance the dark flooring, reclaimed ceiling beams were painted black. A painting of an old boat lift adds to the vintage vibe of the room.

For more beachy and nautical rooms, see our Seaside-Inspired Interiors photo gallery.

For more traditional inspiration photos, see our Traditional Cottages photo gallery.

For more cottage ideas, see our Cottages & Country Houses photo gallery, plus more cottage photos.

To learn how to make your own framed nautical prints, view Michael Penney’s Online TV DIY segment.

Natural materials offer an island vibe.

Textured rattan mats stapled to the walls are an affordable substitute for grasscloth wallpaper, and mosquito netting over the beds is both practical and charming. These fun decor tricks are also budget savvy: the mosquito nets were $10 each at Ikea, and the rattan mats were $10 each in Chinatown.

For more beachy and nautical rooms, see our Seaside-Inspired Interiors photo gallery. For more cottage ideas, see our Cottages & Country Houses photo gallery, plus more cottage photos.

Bring the outdoors in with a seaside-inspired print.

If you don't have a beachfront view, create one with contemporary art or photography depicting sun, sand and surf. Purple is calming paint option for bedrooms, especially when paired with crisp white linens.