Revamping the Beach Bathroom

Living in or visiting a coastal town, most people are familiar with beachy bathroom themes popular across condominiums and coastal cottages. The kitschy beach chair and sandcastle painting, a collection of seashells in a wicker basket, hand towels adorned with sea turtles, the list goes on.  

But beyond cliched decor, there are ways to marry coastal themes with class. Let’s call it Emerald Coast elevated.  

Envision a tranquil, spa-like space that embraces the hues of our iconic beaches, pulling inspiration from the natural terrain and investing in the workmanship of local artists and designers.  

Emerald Coast beaches are iconic, pristine, and award-winning—our sugar-; white powder rooms should reflect that same nature.  

“I believe the Emerald Coast specifically differentiates itself from other forms of beach style by concentrating on capturing and incorporating the beautiful colors of our Gulf waters,” says Sylvia Ignas, interior designer and entrepreneur in Rosemary Beach.  

Gulf Greens offer a vibrant emerald and seafoam, resembling calm saltwater and crashing waves. On land, darker hues shine through in the forest green of longleaf pines, verdant shades resembling palm leaves, and a subdued sage reflected in Northwest Florida flora. Coastal blues include a nautical navy or a pastel sky blue rather than the typical bright turquoise or royal blue.  

Avoid saturating the entire room in color and utilize your hues as eye-catching pops and accents. Incorporate creamy whites throughout for a beautiful, beachy balance. Statement walls are a good way to incorporate color and texture with painted wood paneling or multicolored shiplap. Colorful tile on the floors and walls or cabinets in a bright hue can add a nice pop, too.  

“I would suggest using a solid white quartz countertop as opposed to a granite of some sort because that will immediately give the bathroom a fresh look,” Ignas says. “Then, come in with a beautiful coastal blue, really soft turquoise, or mint green color cabinet, and keep the tile simple.”  

Ignas advises venturing into texture to create dimensions and interest in a bathroom space. Try pebbled tile on the shower floor, fish scale tile on the shower walls, rustic wood paneling on the walls, or layered stone flooring.  

“Beach style can be elevated by going with a monochromatic color scheme and concentrating on textures and patterns,” Ignas says. “In this scenario, I am referring to layering textures in the shower tile and countertops that look like they have movement. Cabinets are having a moment with the fluting that we’re seeing.”  

Multiple showerheads, rain showerheads, built-in shower benches, and soaking tubs with jets are additional hardware elements that are appreciated after long days in the sea, sun, and sand.  

In many ways, it’s the decor details that make a notable impact.  

“Bathrooms often get overlooked when it comes to art and decor but if you think about how much time we spend in them, it makes sense to treat it like every other living space in the home,” says Christi Sheffield, co-owner of The Blue Giraffe in Inlet Beach. “Some examples could be a fun pop of color in artwork on the walls, a coastal-scented candle or room diffuser, or a shell-shaped trinket dish by the sink.”  

Statement-making sea-inspired ideas include a porthole mirror or rope lined mirror above the sink, a chandelier composed of shells, or lantern lights secured by fisherman style hooks. Line the floor with ratan rugs, invest in plush towels in striped prints, and stock your shelves with glass canisters filled with bath salts.  

“Incorporating a beach style into your decor can be achieved in a variety of ways, but if you’re going for a more elevated style, adorning your walls with paintings by fine artists using coastal scenes and colors is a lovely option,” Sheffield says. “It doesn’t have to be a beach scene or beach-specific subject matter. Abstract artwork using soft shades of blues and greens can offer a serene and sophisticated coastal aesthetic.”  

Embrace the parallels between the beach and the bathroom by creating a room that focuses on the cleansing nature of water, the relaxation of cool hues, and the rejuvenation found in a calming space.