Nautical Decor Makes a Stylish Comeback
Across Gen Z and Gen X households, interest is rising in the fisherman aesthetic, including coastal-inspired palettes that bring utilitarian charm indoors.
NEW YORK — In 2025, design is drifting to a saltier and scrappier direction, with nautical nostalgia leading the way. It's part of a broader shift away from hyper-minimalism and toward interiors that feel lived-in, layered and emotionally grounded. Through this lens, it explores how to surf the fisherman decor trend by unpacking the textures, colors and cultural drivers that make this maritime style more relevant than ever.
Across Gen Z and Gen X households, interest is rising in fish bags, raincoats and cable knits that bring utilitarian charm indoors. Here's how the trend comes to life, from its core design elements and ideas for bringing it home to the designers quietly leading its rise.
Why the fisherman aesthetic feels fresh
The 2025 fisherman aesthetic pushes back against cold, minimal interiors in favor of history, comfort and tactile utility. It gained momentum in the 2025 Pinterest Predicts Trend Report as a symbol of a laid-back maritime attitude, with Gen Z and Gen X adopting the style far from the coast.
Sydney Stanback, global trends and insights lead at Pinterest, suggests that the appeal of microtrends like this signals a wider cultural movement as we navigate a fully post-pandemic era. She explains in Architectural Digest: "I started in 2020, and we have seen a pretty significant shift in the sentiment driving these trends forward. Escapism is not necessarily new, but it's evolved over the past few years as we've dealt with the effects of being isolated for quite some time; that's not normal behavior. While we're five years out from the pandemic, I think we're still dealing with the effects of it now."
In that context, the fisherman aesthetic becomes more than visual; it anchors us in the tactile, the storied and the slow. It's no wonder Pinterest's trend forecast shows a surge in interest for fisherman sandals, cable-knit sweaters, fish bags and the raincoat outfit aesthetic, as each of these elements links to a design language shaped by both memory and meaning.
Core elements of the fisherman decor trend
The fisherman trend reimagines what coastal living feels like when filtered through memory, utility and texture. From rugged rope and vintage lanterns to soft seafoam hues and weathered wood, it's the kind of design that doesn't just look good but feels like it belongs.
Rope, cable knits and textures
Texture defines the fisherman trend look, bringing both memory and practicality into focus. Cable-knit blankets evoke the warmth and function of fishermen's sweaters, while rope accents, whether in tiebacks or drawer pulls, add tactile grit. Even a single jute strand can tie it all together, proving that beauty follows purpose.
Weathered wood and stone
Fisherman-inspired homes feature aged wood and rough-cut stone, drawing from traditional coastal clapboard houses, like those found in New England. Wooden paneling is a natural fit here, ranging from half-wall details to full vertical treatments that create flow and unity. These textural backdrops, paired with soft finishes and sea-washed hues, strike a careful balance between grounded tradition and relaxed warmth.
Coastal-inspired color palette
Think of the view from a quiet harbor, such as the soft skies, foggy light, bleached rope and worn boat decks, and you've got the fisherman aesthetic's core colors. Seafoam greens, sandy beige, deep brown and washed blues all echo the natural tones you'd find along the coast, says In Detail Interiors founder Cheryl Clendenon in Better Homes & Gardens. For depth, layer sunset-inspired hues like pink or orange with brass or copper accents that will gently patinate over time.
Vintage and utilitarian finds
Every fisherman-inspired space tells a story, and vintage finds are what give them voice. Creel baskets and tackle boxes, once used for fishing, now serve as clever storage, while lanterns and wool throws soften and warm a room's edges. These aren't just decorative touches; they carry the texture of time and weather, adding lived-in character to modern interiors.
How to incorporate subtle nautical touches at home
Bringing in the fisherman aesthetic doesn't mean turning your home into a boat cabin; it's about layering subtle nods to coastal life. In an entryway, a jute rug, a rope-wrapped hook rack and a vintage tin bucket can quietly set a seaside tone through materials tied to regional tradition and coastal utility. These elements blend function with feel, grounding the space in texture and tradition.
In living areas, a foggy-blue linen throw and a cable-knit pillow add depth without dominating. Brass accents on knobs, frames or candleholders lend warmth while subtly referencing maritime tools. Even a coat of sea-washed green paint can transform a corner from plain to quietly nostalgic.
Designers and makers leading the trend
Some of today's most thoughtful designers are steering the fisherman aesthetic into elegant waters by blending traditional materials with playful layers that evoke memory and place. Their work reflects a broader desire to balance coastal nostalgia with lived-in ease, creating homes that feel both grounded and personal.
Frances Merrell, founder of Reath Design, mixes raw materials with refined silhouettes, building on this aesthetic through vibrant textiles and layered patterns that feel sun faded and casually thrown together. In projects across Maine and Massachusetts, her spaces often combine needlepoint pillows with space-age lamps, creating rooms that feel shaped by generations. She draws inspiration from auction finds and books like "Family Houses by the Sea" and "Finnish Summer Houses," which evoke a playful spirit grounded in childhood summers and natural surroundings.
Katie Martinez brings in layered textures and handpicked vintage, curating spaces that feel intimate and inviting. In her Federal-era home on Boston's North Shore, she worked closely with a local handyman to preserve the property's history while updating its function. "I love traditional New England architecture, but often the interiors feel too historical to me," she told Architectural Digest, opting for romantic florals, poppy prints and heirloom antiques to strike a modern yet storied balance.
Nantucket Looms, a longtime champion of maritime design, keeps the coastal heritage alive with handwoven textiles and artisan-made furniture that quietly honors tradition. Bess Clarke, president of Nantucket Looms, explains in Veranda: "For many, it's tied to childhood memories or favorite vacations; it's their happy place," highlighting that the lasting appeal may also come from a personal connection to the sea. She adds that coastal themes, like a hand-carved whale or woven tapestry of scallop shells, offer countless of ways to reflect the rejuvenating spirit of the ocean in a home.
Sailing ahead with texture, story and calm
As homes continue to reflect more of who people are and what they value, the fisherman aesthetic offers something deeper than style. It's about slowing down, embracing texture and finding comfort in objects that carry history. For those seeking to bring a bit of quiet maritime charm indoors, this trend proves that nostalgia isn't stuck in the past but is just getting started.
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