For nautical themed decorating, think model ships or decorative boat models and build from there. Larger accent pieces such as fish netting, boat oars, and life preservers are ideal. Afterward, bring in smaller details, such as ocean-themed linens or throws, candles nestled in sand and seashells, and rugs made from jute. There are many techniques you can use to tie these items together so they compliment each other and look cohesive. We’ll cover two important ones in detail.

Nautical Decorating Calls for Specific Color Palettes

Obviously, your color scheme should bring to mind some elements of the sand and the sea, but the color palette used could be different for every decorator and for every space. Small rooms, such as boat cabins or hallways, will appear larger if you use lighter colors on the walls, floors, and ceilings. This could make sandy-beige wall paint your new best friend. Add accents of teal, sky blue, and coral to lend a beachy air. Bring in natural elements such as driftwood, jute, and sand dollars to give the eyes a place to rest.

Then again, if you’re using nautical themed decorating in a large, cavernous space, you can afford to be more dramatic. Navy blue, contrasted with stark white and hints of gold, is very nautical. Open shelving filled with decorative boat models, lighthouse statuary, and the occasional conch shell will more than evoke a seafaring mood.

Nautical Theme Lighting Is Also a Plus

Lighting fixtures that combine heavy rope with wood or brass bring to mind a nautical theme. And so do wall-mounted lanterns. Lamps, pendant lights, and chandeliers that feature appropriate motifs are ideal as well. Consider patterns such as:

• Boat anchors
• Seagulls
• Ship’s wheels
• Compasses
• Dolphins, Fish, or Whales

And echo these motifs in other elements around the room such as fabrics, throw rugs, carpets, and window treatments. Remember, you should always have several types of lighting in a room, including ambient, accent, and task lighting, to make the space more appealing and convenient.

Shop GoNautical.com

When you’re ready to begin your new decorating project focused on nautical decor, visit GoNautical.com for inspiration. You’ll find a captivation collection of nautical home decor, including ship models, spyglasses, and globes, both vintage-inspired and contemporary. There truly is something to satisfy every boat enthusiast at GoNautical. We invite you to shop for inspiration today.

1. Classic Decor: The Mantel Centerpiece

When most people think of a decorative ship model, they envision it proudly displayed on the mantel above a fireplace — preferably with logs crackling comfortably below. This is a tried-and-true way to display your favorite items, so don’t feel you have to reinvent the wheel.

Pro Tip: Place your ship in the center of the mantel, and be sure to leave open space around it to set it apart from other items. You’ll need at least half the boat’s length on either side empty for proper spacing.

2. Conversation Starter: The Dining Room Table

If you have a highly detailed wooden boat model, you’ll want to provide a 360-degree view of all its interesting facets. Consider placing your ship model in the center of your dining room table. It’s sure to inspire more conversation than flowers, and you’ll be able to see it from every angle.

Pro Tip: A tabletop display case will protect your model from everyday dust or dinnertime spills.  

3. Whimsical Touches: The Book Shelf

Not everyone is a collector. If you have a small model ship that you love but also want to display other items, try placing your ship on a bookshelf. You can group it with other interesting antiques, photos, or favorite items for a balanced look. Groups of three work best.

Pro Tip: To draw more attention to your model, place it on a shelf with books in empty space you create with bookends.

4. Ships in Bottles: The Children’s Room

Nothing quite captures the imagination like a ship in a bottle. These tiny models are the perfect “starter kit” for young fans of model ships, since they are relatively protected. Place them on a shelf where they can be seen and enjoyed, but not touched. 

Pro Tip: Be sure to give young children a separate toy boat to play with so they learn the difference between toys and models!

5. Collector’s Paradise: The Study

Serious collectors of model ships may need a separate room to display several. If you’re planning a miniature museum in a study, den or spare room, be sure to invest in sturdy shelves and glass display cases to protect your investment. 

Pro Tip: Mini spotlights or under cabinet lighting will make sure that your model ships look their best by highlighting their details.

Whether you’re purchasing your first model ship or looking to add to your collection, GoNautical.com has a wide range of wooden ships to choose from. Explore the collection today! 

Whether you’re the type of person who lives for getting to spend exciting afternoons out on the high seas, or if you’ve just always loved nautical symbolism and want a little more of it in your life, ship models can make the perfect addition to any interior look that you’re going for with your home. In fact, injecting just the right amount of that nautical theme into your interior decorating efforts is a lot easier than you probably think – it simply requires you to keep a few key things in mind.

The Art of Decorating with Model Ships: Breaking Things Down

Maybe the most important thing to understand about nautical decor is that this is truly one of those situations where a little goes a long way.

Adding one or two tall ship models, for example, can dramatically change the look and feel of a room – albeit in a way that complements the rest of the choices you’ve already made. They immediately become a focal point for someone’s attention, so be sure to pay close attention to placement above all else.

Tall ship models in particular are great for mounting on your wall, or even hanging from your ceiling if the room itself will allow for it. If you’d like to go for something a little more subdued, consider smaller ship models like sailboats as a perfect addition to the mantle above your fireplace.

If you’re looking to go all out and create a dining room, bedroom or other common space with a full blown nautical theme, you’ll also want to look for accessories beyond those model ships. If the model ship you have your heart set on is large, adding too many others of a similar size might distract from what should be a genuine conversation stimulator. In that case, you would want to explore things like ship wallpaper, ship steering wheels and other accessories that can compliment the theme you’re trying to build, rather than distract from it.

All the while, make sure that you’re using the right colors to really seal the impression you’re working hard to create. When in doubt, try to lean heavy into whites and blues with a healthy amount of brown to make your room really feel like the interior of the ships you love so much.

The GoNautical Approach

At GoNautical, we’re proud of the reputation we’ve been able to earn over the years for offering some of the finest handcrafted decorative boat models anywhere on the Internet. As a family owned and operated business, we always make sure that we employ only the best artisans in the industry to bring you the types of products you need to finally have that perfect nautical decor you’ve been after.

So if you’d like to find out more information about the finer points of using ship models in interior decorating, or if you’d just like to discuss your own needs with someone in a bit more detail, please don’t delay – contact us today.

A nautical theme appeals to so many different segments of the population. Whether you are a lifelong veteran of the Coast Guard or Navy, a diehard history buff or you simply want to recreate the relaxed and breezy days of sailing, boat models are a versatile and creative way to add a nautical touch to any room in your home.

1. Miniature Tall Ship Replica

A miniature tall ship models brings the grace and beauty of a tall ship into your home in a size that makes it easy for you to display. Intricately designed down to the most minute detail, this type of ship model is available in a range of different styles. Whether you want to feed your inner rouge with a pirate ship or your tastes lean more toward the Mayflower and the USS Constitution, a replica of your favorite tall ship will almost make you think that you see the sails billowing gently in the breeze.

Tall Ship Model Surprise 

2. Sailboats

There’s nothing quite like a sailboat to add a carefree and sunny feel to any room. A replica of America’s Cup Intrepid or the Endeavour also lends a significant air of elegance and sophistication that make them the perfect sailboat models decor for an office, den or study.

If you’re searching for something a little more lighthearted — or if space is at a premium — consider a decorative sailboat. Colorful sails are coupled with a smaller size with the result being model ships that remind you of your love of sailing in a more playful way.

Sailboat Rustic Columbia Model 

Old Barrel from Whiskey Wall Cabinet 

3. Nautical Theme Decor

Tie in the nautical theme throughout your home by adding other types of decor. A diving helmet displayed atop a shelf, a ship’s wheel place in a strategic spot on the wall or a set of buoys strung leisurely along a railing all provide instant visual appeal that invites curious questions and lively conversation.

Large Ship Models 

Are you a lover of lighthouses? An electric lawn lighthouse serves as a warm welcome to visitors while a tabletop version adds beauty and charm to your favorite room.

Nautical charts, flags and artwork that is inspired by the theme provide the ideal method of decor for your empty walls that are begging to instantly become the room’s focal point. Whether you want the clean and modern look of nautical flags or you prefer a more historical element, nautical decor is beautiful, versatile and always charming.

1914 Herreshoff 12 1/2 Boat Model

Classic Sailboat Herreshoff  image source 

Classic Sailboat source 

Schooner Atlantic Under Sails image source

Wooden Handmade Schooner Atlantic Model 

The Atlantic Schooner was built in 1903 by Townsend and Downey shipyard, and designed by William Gardner, for Wilson Marshall. The three-masted schooner was skippered by Charlie Barr and it set the record for fastest transatlantic passage by a monohull in the 1905 Kaiser’s Cup race. The record remained unbroken for nearly 100 years

Schooner Lynx Under Sails

 Famous Historic Schooner Model 1812 “Lynx” 

Schooner Under Sails source 

 America, 1851 Scaled Schooner Model

Tall Ship Rigging source  

Tall Ship Sailing photo credit Valery Vasilevsky

The Bark Europa crossing the Drake Passage source

Schooner Bluenose

Sailing Ship, Arctic image source 

Endurance, 1914 Ernest Shackleton’s legendary ship  source

The Endurance, 1914 Ernest Shackleton’s  Model Ship 

USS Constitution Old Ironsides

USS Constitution Tall Ship Model Deck Details  

American Famous Ship USS Constitution

USS Constitution Tall Ship Model 

Topsail Schooner Lynx

Peter Kemp, Baltimore’s best known 19th-century shipbuilder, worked in the Fells Point area. He built the square topsail schooner Lynx in 1812 for just under $10,000. It measured 97 feet long and 25 tons, a bit larger than the swift pilot boats after which it was modeled. Pilot boats had to be fast, for the first one that reached a vessel offshore won the job to lead it through local waters into the port facilities.

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The Lynx was a letter of marque—a merchant vessel authorized to take prizes—rather than a privateer designed and built only to raid enemy shipping. Letters of marque were armed merchant vessels which were granted the authority to chase enemy merchantmen during the normal course of business, if an opportunity arose. Unlike privateers, letter of marque vessels paid their crews a regular wage, and their income did not depend on income from enemy ships. As a result, the Lynx carried only six guns and a 40-man crew instead of the many guns and big crews of privateers.

Lynx served less than a year before it was captured by a British fleet of 17 vessels while trying to run a blockade off the Rappahannock River, Virginia. Renamed the Mosquidobit, it served in the British naval squadron blockading Chesapeake Bay. At the end of the War of 1812, it served against France. In recognition of its superior sailing characteristics, its hull shape was recorded by the Royal Navy. In 1820, it resumed service as a private merchant vessel. source

Squared Topsail Schooner Model “Lynx” 

1870 Tall Ship Constellation Sloop of War

USS Constellation Wooden Tall Ship Model

Constellation fought and captured the frigate L’Insurgente of 36 guns, the fastest ship in the French Navy — the first major victory by an American-designed and built warship. In February 1800 Constellation fought a night encounter with the frigate La Vengeance of 54 guns. Constellation was victorious after a five-hour battle. The French commander just managed to save his ship from capture and -upon returning to port- was so humiliated he later boasted that the American ship he had fought was a much larger and more powerful ship of the line. Since the encounter, the Constellations incredible speed and power inspired the French to nickname her the “Yankee Racehorse”.

CSS Alabama Painting by Tom Harper

CSS Alabama Wooden Hand Built Model Ship 

HMS Endeavour Under Sails image source

In 1768 Lieutenant James Cook, Royal Navy, set sail on HMS Endeavour on a voyage of exploration and scientific investigation and through his journeys. Cook was considered to be one of the greatest explorers. In 1770 Cook reached New Zealand where he circumnavigated and completely charted the north and south islands before continuing west. In April, he sighted the east coast of Australia and sailed north along the coast before anchoring in what he named Botany Bay. He then continued north to Cape York and on to Jakarta and Indonesia. During the four months voyage along the coast Cook charted the coastline from Victoria to Queensland and proclaimed the eastern part of the continent for Great Britain. Cook was the first person to accurately chart a substantial part of the coastline of Australia and to fix the continent in relation to known waters.

When Endeavour left England on 26 August 1768, 94 people were aboard, including her captain, Lieutenant James Cook, visit https://www.jerrysmajestic.com/ to see all of the marina services they offer.

As a young man, Cook learned his seamanship in Whitby colliers on the English coast. In 1755, he joined the Royal Navy as an able seaman, aged 27. His experiences quickly earned him promotion. As a Master on the 64-gun ship of the line HMS Pembroke, Cook went to war against France in Admiral Boscawen’s squadron. He was at the capture of Louisbourg and the siege of Quebec. Cook remained in North America charting and surveying. On his return to England, he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1768 and given command of HMB Endeavour.

Life on board Endeavour was rough and sometimes dangerous, with little or no privacy. However, compared to his counterpart on land, a seaman ate a hot meal every day with meat four times a week, a pound of bread and a gallon of beer a day. This was supplemented with dried fish, pease pudding, oatmeal, butter or oil, cheese, fresh fish and vegetables when possible. Although some on board Endeavour contracted scurvy, no-one died of the disease, which often killed a third of a ship’s crew during a long sea voyage.

Sailing Schooner “Bluenose” Under Sails image source 

The schooner “Bluenose” has a very special place in the history of navigation and yachting. Built to fish off the Newfoundland coast.

The original Bluenose was launched as a Grand Banks fishing and racing schooner on 26 March 1921 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. It was designed by William Roué and built by the Smith and Rhuland Shipyard. Bluenose Captain Angus Walters and the builders who crafted the sleek vessel had something to prove.

Famous Canadian Schooner Model Ship  “Bluenose”

Three-mast schooner Atlantic that held transatlantic record for almost a century 

Commissioned by New York Yacht Club member Wilson Marshall, Atlantic was launched in 1903.
She was designed by William Gardner, one of America’s foremost designers of large yachts.

From the moment Atlantic went to sea, it was clear that she was an exceptionally fast and beautiful schooner. When a yacht in 1903 hits twenty knots during her sea trials, she is a promising yacht, but even then nobody could imagine two years later this yacht would set a record that would stand unmatched for almost a century

Schooner Atlantic Model Deck Details  For Sale 

Schooner Atlantic Scaled Model Ship 

HMS Surprise Under Sails source 

The Ship — Oliver Hazard Perry source 

H.M.S. Surprise has become famous as the 18th-century tall ship portrayed in the movie “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” starring Russell Crowe. The ship used in the Academy Award-winning film is actually a modern tall ship – a magnificent replica of a 24-gun Royal Navy frigate. The Surprise was painstakingly re-created to look like a vessel from the Revolutionary War Era. The replica ship was christened H.M.S. Rose when launched in 1970 in Nova Scotia, and for more than 30 years it served as a sail-training vessel, primarily along the East Coast. In the movie, a fictional British frigate named the Surprise and a much larger French warship, the Acheron, stalk each other off of the coast of South America. The movie, directed by Peter Weir, was based on a book by author Patrick OBrian. After the movie, the ship’s name was officially changed from the Rose to the Surprise. Today, H.M.S. Surprise resides dockside at the San Diego Maritime Museum and is still seaworthy.

HMS Surprise Hand Crafted Wooden Decorative Model Ship

Tall Ship Crew source

Tall Ship Atlantis was launched in Hamburg in 1905 and in the early ‘80s was converted into an elegant three-masted barquentine. She henceforth sailed with guests in Western Europe and the Caribbean.

Under Sails

Tall Ship Eagle

US Coast Guard Eagle Ship Model

Frigate Denmark in New York source 

At Sea, Sailing Tall Ship

Wooden Ship Model Hand Built Replica GJOA

Gjøa  was the first Norwegian vessel to transit the Northwest Passage at the beginning of 19th century With a crew of six, Roald Amundsen traversed the passage in a three-year journey

Sailing Schooner Atlantic photo credit  JUERG KAUFMANN

Schooner Atlantic Photo credit to Kees Stuip

Tall Ship Parade

Tall Ships image source 

Sailing Adventure source 

Training Vessel Tall Ship “Nadezhda”

Tall Ship Kruzenshtern Training  Vessel

Ship’s Maritime Signals Flags Photo by kees straver

Tall Ships

Tall Ship Source 

Decorative Boat Models