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Catch the Wave of Boats Indoors

Canoes, sailboats and even speedboats have been finding berths inside the house, and the result is a captivating new take on nautical style

Becky Harris June 27, 2012

Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected." I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.

Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More

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While some people prefer to bring the lake indoors with a creel (fish trap) or a paddle, and others bring in the ocean with a nautical flag or a buoy, there is a way to take it to the next level: Bring the whole boat inside. You can hang a canoe or a skiff from the ceiling, build a boat-like kitchen island or take part of a ship's hull and use it as a bar. Boat inspiration is a great option for decorating kids' rooms as well; ship's wheels, boat-shape beds, porthole windows and crow's nests will invigorate creativity in bedrooms and playrooms. There's a giant range of options for incorporating boats into your decor; decide if any of them suit your style.

Bedroom by Elias Benabib, Corp.

Elias Benabib, Corp.

When hanging a boat, you'll have to decide which side you want to show off. You may decide to show off the details and colors on the inside of the boat.

Beach Style Bedroom by Patrick Sutton

Conversely, if you're going more minimal, a beautiful wooden boat with a gorgeous form looks best right side up.

Traditional Living Room by Interior Changes home design & consulting

Interior Changes home design & consulting

A cathedral ceiling provides a prime opportunity for hanging a canoe. This lake home's living room also features unique chairs crafted from water skis.

Rustic Living Room by Hendricks Architecture

Hendricks Architecture

"Originally that home was designed to have timber trusses, but after talking with the owners we decided to put a canoe up there instead," says John Hendricks of Hendricks Architecture. "The reason for both cases is to bring the ceiling down."

The piece was also meaningful to the client. "The canoe was his grandfather’s and is quite beautiful. I don’t think I’d ever hang an aluminum Grumann canoe unless it was a more modern house," says Hendricks. "The canoe is hung with rope from a timber ridge beam. I think it makes a great statement and is much more cost effective than the original timber trusses I had designed."

Eclectic Family Room by Brian Watford Interiors

Brian Watford Interiors

Two cut branch rods add to the rustic feel of this Georgia lake house. I highly recommend leaving the boat hanging to the professionals for safety's sake.

Traditional Family Room by John Kraemer & Sons

John Kraemer & Sons

A lower, flat ceiling doesn't necessarily mean you can't float a boat; it can cozy up a rustic room. Just be sure to mount it higher than your tallest guests' height. I'd recommend at least 6½ feet of clearance space beneath it.

Rustic Living Room Rustic Living Room

If the idea of an entire full-size canoe is too much for you, consider a boat's skeleton for a unique architectural element.

Modern Kitchen by Russell

For die-hard boat lovers, this unique kitchen island will make you feel like you're at the marina when you're in your kitchen. The top is covered in a maple wood veneer reminiscent of a boat's deck.

A boat's hull also makes for a fun bar or island in the home.

Eclectic Deck by Elad Gonen

Boats also serve as unique outdoor accents.

Kids by La Vie en Blanc

La Vie en Blanc

Of course, boats around the house are not just for grown-ups. Boat-shape beds similar to these are available through retail outlets; Pottery Barn Kids has a trundle bed version.

Traditional Kids by PoshTots

An aquatic wall mural completes this shipwreck bedroom scene.

More:
Dip a Toe Into Nautical Style
Sailboats Steer Rooms Into Nautical Style

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Comments (4)

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Leta Thiessen

Does anyone else find that these overhead boats make them feel like they want to duck.....or definitely select where they sit rather carefully...............?

1 Like June 28, 2012 at 9:08AM

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Becky Harris

letat, that's so funny, when I submitted this my editor said she feared it might make her feel like she was underwater. Guess it floats some peoples' boats and not others :) Sorry, I'm full of bad puns lately! Becky

Like June 28, 2012 at 9:10AM

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PRO

Cindy Stiller

Just completed a space where we used a canoe frame outfitted for the boardroom light. It looks amazing. Benefit here is we were able to hang it high, as the ceilings were a bit taller than most. And with the boardroom table positioned under it, no one walk directly under it any way. Huge conversation topic there.

2 Likes September 23, 2013 at 6:41AM

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