Ahoy, matey! Love boating? Dream of a life at sea? But landlocked ashore? You don’t have to be a landlubber any more. Now you can get the thrill of the yachting life in your home with nautical window treatments.

If you’ve been shopping for window treatments for your home, you know there is a bewildering array of choices. From blinds and draperies to an unlimited number of themes. But achieving a nautical theme is easy. Here are four easy ideas to put some wind in your sails.

Arrrgh, Matey!
Shades, blinds and draperies all come in a variety of fabrics and patterns. Look for nautical prints of boats, seahorses, mermaids or pirates.

Hoist the Main
If you’re making your own window treatments or having them custom made, consider integrating marine hardware such as sail cloth, rope, brass eyelets and deck-style cleats to tie-off any cords.

One clever option is to hang your drapery from the curtain rod using rope looped through brass eyelets along the top edge. Rope trim along the bottom edge can complete the look while adding weight to the drapery. A marine hardware store is full of interesting gadgets that can work with your window treatments.

Batten Down the Hatches
For a powder room, children’s playroom or basement rec room, create a fun porthole effect by covering your windows with plywood or drywall with a round hole over the window. To complete the effect, find authentic portholes by shopping online or scouring antique stores.

Explore Uncharted Territory
A marine supply store is full of interesting products that can be repurposed for your window treatments. Sail cloth is an obvious option. Consider also integrating pennants, signal flags or fish nets into your draperies, valances and other window accessories. Large navigation charts can also make attractive and authentic nautical window shades. And you’ll never run aground.

Just like being on the open water, you’re only limited by your imagination. So be brave and experiment.