Living on a boat can be a unique and exciting experience, but it’s essential to make it feel like home. Consider nautical themes, sleek minimalism, or an industrial style – whatever floats your boat!
Life aboard a houseboat means embracing a whole new lifestyle and careful planning. Having a boat as your primary residence is a viable option in Spain. For the most part, moorings of choice tend to be marinas, which provide essential amenities like electricity, drinking water, Wi-Fi and security.
Choosing to live in a houseboat goes hand in hand with adapting to a smaller, more functional space where comfort depends on making the most of every inch of available space so that cosy doesn’t become cramped. Apart from the deck, it shares the same basic facilities as any conventional home – a bathroom, bedroom, and living-dining-kitchen area – you just need to be well-organised and have plenty of space-saving storage solutions up your sleeve.
To avoid feeling hemmed by space constraints, focus on interior design to create a homely atmosphere. A warm, minimalist style is ideal for boats, as it maximises space and creates a clean, uncluttered look. Furniture with rounded edges is essential for avoiding bumps and bruises. Compact and multifunctional furniture is key, preferably with built-in storage. Unless the armchair has storage, ditch it! Tables should be foldable, too.
Ensure your houseboat is kitted out in materials resistant to moisture, corrosion, and sunlight. All textiles should be water-repellent, and everything on board should be easy to clean.
Ultimately, interior design comes down to personal choice. The nautical theme is particularly popular with its blue and white colour scheme and classic maritime elements like stripes, ropes and nautical charts. Pops of yellows and reds work well, too. An effective way to add more colour is through cushions and throws, which are easy to update.
Other design factors include the boat’s size and whether it is designed to set sail or be on permanent anchorage. For instance, a sleek minimalist look would suit a vintage cargo ship anchored in an Amsterdam canal or it could be transformed into a floating industrial loft-style space.
Having plenty of large windows and skylights is another absolute must to make the most of natural light and create a cosy atmosphere day and night. Materials best suited to keeping clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic are wood, metal cement and leather. Take inspiration from stylish SoHo lofts in New York, the retrofuturism of Steampunk… and so much more…the possibilities are endless!
