Maybe it's just your bathroom, maybe your entire house—whatever special area you choose, bring an ocean feel to that space in your home or office. The ocean carries implications of vibrancy, freshness, and serenity--and décor using an ocean theme evokes soothing feelings and connects us to nature.  Beach decorating is not only in fashion, but timeless--a home decorating style that will never be passé!

With so many beach "themes" coming to mind, one way to let the ocean into your home is to merge subtle and striking elements together in a way to keep the feel of your home or office reflecting your own personality and style, while enhancing it with themes from the sea. Here are some simple beach decorating tips to help you succeed with utilizing ocean decor -- and some perfect items to use.

Repeated Theme: You don't need to clutter your space with excessive beach paraphernalia, making your living room into Gilligan's Island. Choose some items that are related by beach theme. Placing a number of large shells of different variety on shelves and tables flavors the room with the beach. Match each shell with a shell-shaped candle to unite your theme. If you love seabirds, choose a few different birds made of the same materials, like handpainted birds from Viet Nam, and place them around the room. You don't need to overdo it—rather than create a cluttered chaos, you want your guests to feel soothed by their presence. Also, picking an area that will be your centerpiece, the focal point of the room, is a good spot to make a simple ocean theme display, if you don't want to spread out around the room. But, keep to a repeated theme: If you are using dishes with starfish designs, place starfish candles with real starfish in the center of your table. Simple, but attractive.  Beach decor has intrinsic beauty, you don't need to over-"announce" it.

Color Contrasts: It usually stands that your large pieces such as sofas and side tables are more neutral tones. Accent them with a splash of color—with a throw or pillow with whales or seals swimming across them, or with a sculpture—a raku fish bowl or seahorse sculpture. Beach themed rooms are often light colors—blues, yellows, sand. Vary the textures by adding a sea urchin vase. If your area has dull colors, accent with something silver, like an aluminum sailboat, to reflect light.  Any colors can work with beach decor, but just pick a few and repeat them.

Simplify: Collections can be fun, but they can easily turn into clutter. More is not necessarily better. If you have a huge beach rock or shell collection, consider putting the items in a large paper bag vase set against a window to let light filter through. Just a touch on the wall say "beach" without over-doing it. Try to clean up the clutter by packing away some things you rarely use or look at to bring out at a later time.  Home decorating doesn't have to be left to the professionals--use your own instinct and focus on just a few things you love about beach decor.

Add the Unique: To add just the right touch, pick something special to feature—a work of art like an original work of art, or a whale watercolor—as something that speaks to your personality. Rather than clutter the wall with conflicting themes and styles of art, pick one or two similar pieces or a collection of photographs.  It's really that simple!  Once you use beach and ocean decor in your home, don't forget the office--or backyard!  Beach decorating fits in everywhere, if done tastefully and by following these simple decorating tips!