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Transform your laundry room into a breezy, coastal oasis with these 15 chic ideas.

See how to achieve each look on a budget and include simple DIY projects perfect for beginners.

Get ready to create a serene, beach-inspired space that makes laundry day more enjoyable!

1. Nautical Stripes

Bring a classic coastal vibe to your laundry room with bold nautical stripes. This timeless pattern instantly evokes images of seaside cottages and sailboats.

Budget Tip: Use painter's tape to create crisp wall stripe patterns. Opt for navy blue and white for a traditional look, or experiment with softer blues for a subtle effect. If painting isn't an option, you can also incorporate stripes through textiles like curtains or rugs.

DIY Project: Paint an accent wall with alternating white and navy stripes. Start by painting the entire wall white. Once dry, use a level and painter's tape to mark out evenly spaced horizontal lines. Paint every other section navy blue for a striking striped effect. Remove the tape while the paint is still slightly wet for the cleanest lines.

2. Weathered Wood Accents

Weathered wood brings your space a rustic, beachy feel, reminiscent of driftwood washed up on shore or old sailing vessels.

Budget Tip: Use peel-and-stick wood-look wallpaper for an instant transformation. Apply it to a single wall, the sides of cabinets, or even on countertops for a budget-friendly wood effect. Look for varieties with a grey, weathered finish for that authentic coastal look.

DIY Project: Create a rustic shelf using reclaimed driftwood or pallet wood. Sand the wood lightly to remove any rough spots, but leave some of the weathered patina for character. Apply a clear sealant to protect the wood. Mount the shelf using hidden brackets for a floating effect, perfect for displaying coastal decor or storing laundry essentials.

3. Sea Glass Color Palette

Incorporate the soft, frosted hues of sea glass to bring a calming, oceanic feel to your laundry room. Think muted greens, blues, and aquas.

Budget Tip: Incorporate sea glass colors through affordable accessories like storage bins, hangers, and small appliances. Look for items in various shades of blue and green to create a cohesive sea glass palette. Even small touches like colored glass soap dispensers can make a big impact.

DIY Project: Paint mason jars in various sea glass hues for stylish storage. Clean and dry your jars thoroughly. Mix a small amount of white paint with your chosen colors to create that frosted sea glass look. Apply the paint to the outside of the jars in thin, even coats. Once dry, use fine-grit sandpaper to distress the paint slightly for an authentic weathered appearance. Use these jars to store laundry pods, clothespins, or as vases for beachy plants.

4. Rope Details

Incorporate nautical rope elements to add texture and maritime charm to your laundry room.

Budget Tip: Replace standard drawer pulls with nautical rope handles. You can find pre-made rope drawer pulls online, or create your own using thick rope and metal fasteners. This small change can dramatically alter the look of your cabinetry without the cost of a full replacement.

DIY Project: Wrap a plain mirror frame with thick rope for a coastal touch. Start with an inexpensive plain wooden mirror. Apply a strong adhesive like E6000 along the frame, then carefully wrap rope around it, keeping each coil tight against the last. For added detail, create a rope knot embellishment for the corners. Finish with a clear sealant to protect the rope from moisture.

5. Beachy Wall Art

Adorn your walls with coastal-inspired art to set the mood and bring the beach indoors.

Budget Tip: Frame beach photos or free printable coastal art. Look online for free printable beach-themed art, or use your own vacation photos. Dollar stores often have simple frames that you can easily paint in coastal colors. Group several small pieces together for a gallery wall effect.

DIY Project: Create a shadowbox with collected seashells and sand. Find a deep picture frame or shadow box at a craft store. Paint it a coastal color if desired. Fill the bottom with a layer of sand from your favorite beach (or craft sand if you don't have access to a beach). Arrange seashells, sea glass, and other beach findings in an attractive display. You can even add a small driftwood or rope accent for extra coastal flair.

6. Woven Baskets

Incorporate natural textures with woven baskets, adding both style and functionality to your laundry room.

Budget Tip: Check thrift stores, yard sales, and discount home goods stores for affordable baskets to use as storage. Look for a variety of sizes and weaves to add visual interest. Natural colored baskets work well in a coastal theme, but don't be afraid to mix in some painted ones in sea-inspired hues.

DIY Project: Paint plain baskets with white or blue stripes for a coastal look. Choose baskets with a tight weave for easier painting. Use painter's tape to create clean stripe patterns. Spray paint works well for an even coat, but brush-on paint can also be effective. Consider leaving some of the natural basket color showing through for a more rustic effect.

7. Shiplap Accent Wall

Nothing says coastal quite like shiplap. This classic wall treatment adds instant beachy charm to any space.

Budget Tip: Use peel-and-stick shiplap wallpaper for an easy installation. This option gives you the look of real shiplap without the cost or commitment of permanent installation. It's also a great choice for renters who can't make major changes to their space.

DIY Project: Install a real shiplap wall using inexpensive pine boards. Purchase thin pine boards (1x6 or 1x8) from your local hardware store. Paint them white before installation for easier coverage. Starting at the bottom of your wall, nail each board in place, using nickels as spacers between boards to create that characteristic shiplap gap. Use a level to ensure straight lines. Paint over nail holes and touch up as needed for a polished look.

8. Coastal-Inspired Tile

Bring in some coastal pattern and color with tile elements, whether on the floor, as a backsplash, or even on a countertop.

Budget Tip: Use peel-and-stick floor tiles in a coastal pattern for a temporary update. Look for designs featuring ocean-inspired colors or patterns like waves, fish scales, or geometric shapes reminiscent of beach umbrellas. These are easy to install and remove, making them perfect for renters or those wanting to test out a look before committing.

DIY Project: Paint existing floor tiles with a stencil in a wave or fish scale pattern. Clean your tiles thoroughly and apply a bonding primer. Choose a stencil with a coastal-inspired pattern and use it to apply paint in your chosen colors. Finish with several coats of clear sealant to protect your design from wear and tear. This project can dramatically change the look of your laundry room floor without the cost and hassle of tile replacement.

9. Driftwood Laundry Signs

Add some beachy personality to your laundry room with custom driftwood signs.

Budget Tip: Use chalk paint on old wood for a weathered look. If you don't have access to real driftwood, you can create a similar effect with any piece of wood. Sand it lightly, then apply chalk paint in a grayish or whitewashed tone. Distress the edges slightly with sandpaper for an authentic weathered appearance.

DIY Project: Create custom laundry signs using driftwood or distressed wood. Once you've prepared your wood, use stencils or freehand lettering to add laundry-related words or phrases like "Wash", "Dry", "Fold", or fun sayings like "Loads of Fun" or "Sorting Out Life One Load at a Time". Use paint colors that complement your coastal theme, such as navy blue or sea glass green.

10. Beach-Themed Cabinet Makeover

Give your laundry room cabinets a coastal refresh to completely transform the space. 

Budget Tip: Paint existing cabinets in a fresh, coastal color. Soft blues, greens, or crisp whites work well. Be sure to properly clean and prime your cabinets before painting for the best results. This can give your laundry room an entirely new look without the cost of cabinet replacement.

DIY Project: Add beadboard paneling to cabinet doors for texture. Remove your cabinet doors and measure carefully. Cut beadboard panels to fit within the existing door frame. Attach the beadboard using wood glue and small nails or a nail gun. Paint the entire door in your chosen coastal color. This adds wonderful texture and coastal charm to plain cabinet doors.

11. Seashell Accents

Incorporate seashells into your decor for quintessential beach style.

Budget Tip: Collect seashells during beach trips for free decor. Clean them thoroughly and use them in various ways around your laundry room. Fill a clear glass vase or jar with shells for a simple decorative touch. Or, hot glue shells around the edge of a plain mirror or picture frame for a custom look.

DIY Project: Create a seashell-encrusted picture frame or mirror. Start with a plain wooden frame. Apply a thick layer of craft glue or tile adhesive to the frame. Carefully place your chosen shells onto the adhesive, arranging them in an attractive pattern. Fill in gaps with smaller shells or pieces. Once dry, apply a clear sealant to protect your creation and give it a polished look.

12. Coastal Pattern Curtains

Add softness and pattern to your laundry room with coastal-inspired curtains.

Budget Tip: Sew simple curtains using affordable coastal-print fabric. Look for fabrics featuring seashells, starfish, coral patterns, or nautical stripes. Even if you're a beginner sewer, straight curtain panels are an easy project. If sewing isn't your thing, many stores offer budget-friendly, ready-made curtains in coastal patterns.

DIY Project: Stencil a plain shower curtain with nautical or beach motifs. Buy a plain white or light-colored shower curtain (or use an existing one). Choose stencils with coastal designs like anchors, seahorses, or waves. Use fabric paint to apply your chosen design. This allows you to create a custom look that perfectly matches your laundry room's color scheme.

13. Glass Bottle Decor

Repurpose glass bottles for a touch of coastal charm and eco-friendly decor.

Budget Tip: Collect and clean used glass bottles for free vases. Look for bottles in various shades of blue and green to echo sea glass colors. Remove labels and thoroughly clean the bottles. Group them together on a shelf or windowsill for a striking display.

DIY Project: Fill clear bottles with layers of sand and small shells for display. Collect different colors of sand (or use colored craft sand) and layer them in clear bottles for a beach-in-a-bottle effect. Add small shells, pieces of sea glass, or even miniature starfish between the layers. Seal the bottles with corks for a finished look. These make beautiful, personalized decor items that remind you of beach vacations.

14. Beachy Pendant Light

Lighting can dramatically affect the mood of your laundry room. A coastal-inspired pendant light can serve as both illumination and a statement piece. The lighting in the photo above is made from glass fishing floats and sprayed with a gold leaf flakes for a textured or cracked look.

Budget Tip: Update an existing light fixture with rope wrapping. Carefully wrap thick rope around the cord or chain of your current pendant light, securing it with hot glue at intervals. This simple update adds instant coastal texture to your lighting.

DIY Project: Create a DIY pendant light using a large glass jar and rope. Clean and dry a large glass jar (like a pickle jar). Drill a hole in the lid for the light cord to pass through. Paint the lid to match your decor if desired. Thread the cord of a pendant light kit (available at hardware stores) through the hole. Secure the jar to the lid. Wrap rope around the jar in a pattern you like, securing with hot glue. This creates a unique, coastal-inspired light fixture at a fraction of the cost of store-bought versions.

15. Surfboard-Inspired Ironing Board Cover

Turn a functional item into a fun design element with a surfboard-inspired ironing board.

Budget Tip: Use coastal-print fabric to recover an existing ironing board. Choose a fabric with a fun, beachy print like palm trees, waves, or colorful stripes reminiscent of surfboards. Follow the shape of your current ironing board cover to cut out and sew a new one. This is an easy way to inject coastal fun into a mundane item.

DIY Project: Paint your ironing board stand to resemble a surfboard. Remove the cover and board from the stand. Sand the stand lightly, then apply a base coat of paint that is typical of surfboards (blue, yellow, or white work well). Once dry, use painter's tape to create stripes or other classic surfboard designs. Paint these sections in complementary colors. Finish with a clear sealant for durability. You'll have a unique, beach-inspired ironing station when you replace the board and new cover.

Remember, achieving a coastal chic laundry room doesn't have to break the bank.

With these budget-friendly tips and easy DIY projects, you can create a serene, beach-inspired space that makes laundry day a little more enjoyable.

Mix and match these ideas to create a personalized coastal retreat that suits your style and budget. Happy decorating!