There’s just something about a beach house that brings an instant exhale and has us kicking off our shoes and feeling just a little bit lighter and more relaxed. Sure, part of that has to do with the smell of the salty, sea air and the soothing sounds of the waves, but more so, it’s the easy, breezy feeling of the house itself. Light and airy rooms that are painted the just right shade of warm white, perfectly lived-in and worry-free furniture, pops of happy color, and, of course, all those charming nautical finds.Even if you don’t live in the dreamiest little seaside cottage located in one of the most charming beach towns in the U.S., you can instantly transport yourself to the seaside locale with the addition of a few tasteful (read: not too kitschy) coastal-forward decorating touches, such as framed seascape wall art, lots of natural materials like wood and rattan, seashell-adorned mirrors and accessories, ship-worthy lighting, brass finishes, and anything and everything in all shades of blue! Whether you are looking for a modern or rustic beach house look or something that feels more like an English seaside cottage, check out these 44 dreamy rooms that are packed with beach house decorating inspiration to get you started.For even more coastal decorating ideas, check out these related stories:1Paint Your FloorsStacy Zarin GoldbegWhen topped with durable polyurethane, painted wood floors are up for the challenge of lots of traffic and sand-covered feet. For an even “beachier” look, choose a watery blue hue, like in this Nags Head, North Carolina kitchen. Simple throw rugs provide color and softness and can be easily taken outside for a quick shakeout.Get the Look: Floor Paint Color:Blue Nose by Benjamin MooreSEE MORE OF THIS KITCHENRELATED: 15 Charming Color Ideas for Painting Hardwood Floors2Hang a Ship Rope RailDylan Chandler for Country LivingIn this Connecticut home, the standard wood hand rail was swapped for vintage ship rope looped through brass holders. A couple of old chippy oars on the landing bring more coastal charm.Get the Look: For similar, Rope Rail:Twisted Manila Rope from AmazonAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Lay a Rush RugDane Tashima for Country LivingTo handle the traffic of wet and sandy feet, cover your floors in inexpensive rush rugs: a seagrass floor covering pieced together via one-foot interwoven squares.TOUR THIS BEACH COTTAGEGet the Look: Rush Rug:The Original Rug by Rush House4Display Your Straw HatsRead McKendree for Country LivingIf there is one thing you’ll find at a beach house, it’s a straw hat...or two...or ten. When they aren’t in use, why not make hang them to make a fun, beach-y feeling wall arrangement. TOUR THIS BEACH HOUSERELATED: Get More Creative Ways to Decorate With Straw HatsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Cover Your Walls With SailboatsDylan Chandler for Country LivingIn Homeowner Nora Murphy’s powder room, framed Vintage black and white sailboat photographs cover every spot of the white walls for a nostalgic sailing theme. She found her powder room mirror at a barn sale and added a small anchor flag to make it on-theme.6Don’t Forget the Life RingDane Tashima for Country LivingTurn a blank wall into a fun conversation-starting spot by simply hanging an old life ring. They are the perfect shape and size to stand on their own as a wall accent, especially in an outdoor space—and the color some bring is fun too. RELATED: Screened-In Porch Ideas to Inspire You Any Time of YearAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Layer Blue and White TextilesMatt AlbianiAt Matt Albiani and Ron Brand’s Montauk, New York cottage, Sea Roost, no chair or sofa is complete without a pillow or throw made of an antique indigo and white textile. TOUR THIS COTTAGERELATED: 50 Can’t-Miss Beach Reads for Summer 20248Tuck in Lobster BuoysGridley and GravesImmediately elevate a plain porch into a coastal getaway just by setting around a few colorful lobster buoys. The exposed joists and headers on this Maine cottage’s porch provided the perfect perch for several of the homeowner’s found treasures.RELATED: 100+ Best Places to Shop for Antiques and Vintage Online Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Fashion a Clever Coat RackBecky Luigart-StaynerRepurpose rope cleats as the perfect coastal coat rack. To make, simply screw evenly spaced metal cleats into a painted board.10Paint Your ChairsKaryn MilletTo give her small California cottage a large, airy feel, designer Raili Clasen had the drop ceiling removed and brightened up the dark wood with white paint. Rewired with jute-covered cord, the vintage pendant fixture hangs directly from a junction box, but the swag rope makes it look like it’s nonchalantly tossed around the beams. Surrounding the large dining table is a mix of mismatched vintage chairs which Raili gave a uniform look with happy green paint. Get the Look:Ceiling Paint Color: Pure White by Sherwin-WilliamsChair Paint Color: Avocado by Sherwin-WilliamsJute-Covered Cord: Jute Rope Electrical Cord Kit from AmazonTOUR THIS BEACH HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Embrace Nautical MotifsErick EspinozaDesigner Anthony Baratta is known for his bold use of color and pattern, and this Nantucket porch featuring a nautical-themed painted floor by Adam Lowenbein is thankfully no exception.Get the Look:Floor Paint Color: For similar, Faded Flaxflower by Sherwin-WilliamsRELATED: Brilliant Painted Floors Ideas That’ll Add Instant Charm12Add Color UnderfootFrances Isaac, Design by Gaelle Dudley, GLDESIGNIn this Connecticut powder room by designer Gaelle Dudley of GLDESIGN, blue and blue cement tiles laid in a buffalo check pattern floor lends a playful coastal vibe. Wicker sconces add to the casual, beachy vibe. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Use Washable SlipcoversRoger Davies, styling by Liz StrongThis airy living room may look well-appointed, but washable slipcovers on the deep sofa and swivel chair minimize any and all wear-and-tear worries. The weathered wood coffee table and thick sisal rug also hold up to traffic of all sorts.TOUR THIS BEACH COTTAGE14Build an Outdoor ShowerFrances Isaac Photography, Design by Gaelle Dudley, GLDESIGNEvery beach house needs a spot out back for a rinse off after a trip to the beach. Here, at a coastal home in Connecticut, designer Gaelle Dudley added an outdoor shower pavilion using a customized barn-style door on a rolling barn door track. The soft blue and white color palette references the nearby ocean.Get the Look:Barn Door Track: Single Barn Door Track by RusticaPaint Colors: Coastline and White Caps from the A La Plage Collection by Gaelle DudleyRELATED: Beautiful Outdoor Shower Ideas for Your BackyardAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Mix Rattan FurnitureDylan ChandlerNo material feels more at home in a beach house than rattan, and, as this pretty breakfast nook in a Bahamian beach house designed by Amanda Lindroth proves, there is no such thing as too much. Cushions in soft blues add just the right amount of color in this inviting neutral space.See more of this home in Amanda’s latest book, Island Dreaming: Amanda Lindroth Design. 16Hang an Oar Curtain RodBecky Luigart-StaynerSwitch out your box-store curtain rod for a patinaed paddle or oar. To install, screw the oar directly into your wall (make sure you drill into a stud), or rest the paddle on curtain rod brackets. Slip the narrow end of the paddle through the curtain’s rod pocket or use curtain rings to hang. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Accent With BrassDANE TASHIMAIn this small Cape Cod kitchen of Steve Ballerini and Colin Bohrer, a sloped red cedar ceiling lends a feeling of being on a boat. Handcrafted unlacquered brass and rope pendants further the nautical vibe, as does the brass hardware on the marine blue cabinetry.TOUR THIS HOMERELATED: Beautiful Blue Kitchen Cabinet Ideas to Elevate Your Home18Focus on the ViewAlec Hemer; Styling: Stacy KunstelThanks to a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors, all eyes are on the prize in this dreamy dining room. To add softness, homeowner Marsha Ahearn had breezy tie-top curtains made from 100-year-old French sheets found at the Brimfield antiques shows. Adding to the room’s casual look, rather than a chandelier, a lightweight, but hunky lantern hangs above the generous dining table. Pillows made from vintage bark cloth fabric add feminine pattern to the mix of natural wicker chairs. Get the Look: For similar, Lantern:“Ricardo” by Birch LaneAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Think PinkVictoria PearsonThree words sum up the oh-so-cute kitchen in designer Krista Ewart’s California beach cottage: scallops, scallops, and more scallops. Oh, a perfectly pink retro-style refrigerator, too! Get the Look: Pink Refrigerator: 50’s Style Frig by SMEG20Mix Old and NewALEC HEMERDesigner Loi Thai believes in layering rooms with that just-right piece of antique furniture or collection of vintage art, but he equally embraces the practicality and accessibility of mass retailer finds. Here, in the living room of his Maine coastal retreat, he set the scene by topping an economical jute rug with a striking blue-and-white striped dhurrie rug. For the comfortable seating arrangement, he paired a factory dolly-turned-coffee table with slipcovered seating and an indoor/outdoor wicker chair.Jennifer KopfJennifer Kopf is the Executive Editor of Country Living. She also covers antiques and collecting.