Whether you live by the sea or not, beach bathrooms have an undeniable appeal. Casual, calming and full of blues and whites, they’re great at making you feel like you’re on vacation all year long. Still, there are a number of directions you can take coastal bathroom decor, whether you prefer nautical patterns or serene and glassy hues. If you’re on the lookout for beach-themed bathroom ideas, read on and browse our collection of photos below.

1. Pick a Color Scheme

Before you start choosing fixtures and materials for your bathroom, you should decide on a color scheme. Do you want to go with bright, preppy colors to evoke classic Cape Cod style? Or do you prefer more muted, light blues and whites? You might also consider adding in splashes of red, brown or light green.

2. Incorporate Rope and Jute Accents

While you hunt for just the right accessories to fill your bathroom, consider using pieces made of rope or jute. Go for a vanity mirror with a rope border or lay down a durable jute rug to keep your floors dry.

3. Install Blue Mosaic Tile

If you really want to make a splash, install a blue mosaic tile on your floors or in the shower. Opt for a scalloped, seashell shape or go with small squares of differing shades of blue.

4. Hang Up Some Nautical Prints

Decorate your beach bathroom with ocean-themed wall art, like a print of a lobster or a whale. Use distressed white or wooden frames to add to the look.

5. Hunt For Glassy Blue Decor

Think light blue and green bottles filled with flowers, cotton swabs or even your toothbrush. Shimmery and seaglass-like, they’re perfect for achieving a rustic, beachy mood.

6. Go All-White

All-white bathrooms go perfectly with a coastal theme, and will always feel airy and refreshing. You can also go for a coastal farmhouse look with white wooden paneling and a clawfoot tub.

7. Use Linen Bath Towels

To really make it feel like you’re living in a beach house, opt for linen towels over basic terry cloth. For a classic look, go for a creamy white shade with blue stripes.

8. Be Creative with Lighting

If you’re searching for just the right vanity lights for your coastal bathroom, think a little bit outside of the box! Frosted or clear glass orbs are a playful choice, and lantern-style lights or those made of capiz shell are also fitting.

9. Go for Soft Gray Cabinetry

White may be the obvious choice for your bathroom vanity, shelving or cabinets in a seaside-inspired bathroom. But don’t overlook a very light gray wooden finish. It’ll look windswept and rustic — perfect for a beachy theme.

10. Channel Contemporary Beach Style

Don’t worry about a coastal look feeling dated; simply use bold colors and finishes that pop. Pair navy blue walls, bright white subway tile and gold hardware to nail contemporary beach bathroom decor.

Whether you want inspiration for planning a coastal bathroom renovation or are building a designer bathroom from scratch, Houzz has 32,151 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including Austin Patterson Disston Architects and Evens Architects. Look through bathroom pictures in different colors and styles and when you find a coastal bathroom design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful coastal bathroom photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.