Many people love the Cape Cod style of home interiors for their casual & simple yet sophisticated & polished look.
Whether you live in Cape Cod, your home is in the Cape Cod style, or you just like the Cape Cod aesthetic, here are several Cape Cod style decorating ideas.
History & Exterior Architecture
Cape Cod style architecture started in New England in the late 1600s.
Homes in a Cape Cod style tend to be classic, simplistic, and symmetrical.
The roof is steep to help shed snow and rain with a chimney in the center and often dormer windows on either side.
The front of the house has a door in the center (often painted a bold color) and a window or two on either side of the door.
Cape Cod style homes are known for having unpainted cedar shingle siding that fades to a grey color over time.
The rest of the exterior is usually painted in colors of white, light blue, pale green, or grey.
There is often a white picket fence however no front porch.
Interior Architecture
The interior of Cape Cod homes are usually filled with white painted woodwork - white baseboards, crown molding, doors, beadboard, fireplace mantels, and cabinets.
The walls are typically also a white color, either the same white as the woodwork or another lighter color that is nearly white (if the same color of white paint is used for the walls, the walls will be a less glossy paint sheen than the woodwork).
Flooring is typically stained hardwood throughout, excluding kitchens and bathrooms that have may have floors that are tile or other water resistant materials.
Rustic ceiling beams are popular in Cape Cod style homes.
There are few patterns used on fabrics and other materials, excluding simple stripes (typically navy and white) that tend to be a popular choice.
Color Scheme
Cape Cod interiors are typically dominated by the color white, either bright white, cream, taupe, off-white, or another really pale color that is nearly white.
To make up for the mostly neutral color scheme, textural items are often used to make the home more interesting, such as incorporating a rough wicker basket or a textural sisal rug.
Occasionally, a room is painted a bold color to set it apart.
Blue is probably the most common accent color, which includes all shades of blue from light blue to dark navy.
In addition to blue, other popular accent colors include buttery yellow, sage green, and other pastel colors.
Cape Cod style homes tend to not be overly colorful since the view out the windows is meant to take center stage.
Maximize the View
Design emphasis is placed on the view outdoors in Cape Cod style homes, so window coverings are often simplistic or not used at all.
Many of us require window treatments for privacy, at least in certain rooms, so avoid using overly complicated and fussy curtains and drapes with tassels, valances, and other add-ons on those windows.
Solid colored curtains (especially those the same color as the wall) and/or bamboo shades are wonderful window treatment options for a Cape Cod style home.
Make it Cozy
Cape Cod homes are not known to be overly fancy or formal.
They are usually decorated in a traditional style, however quite casual.
There can be a few formal accent pieces, however the majority of items in a Cape Cod home are not as formal.
Some formal pieces that were originally stained wood will be painted to make them look more casual.
Sofas are often slipcovered.
Furniture is often an eclectic mix of collected pieces that have been thrifted or inherited and might be a tiny bit shabby or worn looking, but definitely not in severe disrepair.
Avoid Cheap Mass Produced Accessories
Cape Cod homes definitely tend to reference the water, but avoid cheap mass produced accessories that go overboard with the nautical or beach theme.
You don't want your home to look like a tacky gift shop!
Avoid new accessories with prints of anchors, sea shells, words, and other cutesy designs.
Instead, opt for vintage or antique accessories with a nautical or beach theme. You might choose a vintage oil painting of a ship, a mirror made from a salvage ship porthole window, or some old glass fishing floats.
You can also collect sea shells, driftwood, and other decorative items from nature to display in your home, however make sure to know your local rules about what is acceptable for you to take and what items must be left alone.
Hardback books are also a very popular decor choice, whether you intend to read them or are just a collector. If you have paperback books or other books that are not as beautiful, store them in an out-of-the-way spot and only display your books that add to the aesthetic.
