Colorful Superyacht Interiors Are the Next Big Thing

Say goodbye to neutral color schemes and hello to strong shades, majestic marbles, and much more visual interest in décor. Just as many things in life are cyclical, yacht design trends ebb and flow. For instance, in the 1960s and 1970s, color largely characterized yacht interiors. It was only fitting, considering that fine homes featured assertive patterns and plenty of pop. But, as spec yachts began growing in popularity in the 1990s, shipyards and designers stayed away from bold statements. Instead, because they targeted wider customer bases, they believed “safe” neutrals and subdued patterns were best. Owners who planned to charter their yachts were often advised to play it safe, too. Following a few years of restrained designs, we’re back in an era of color, aboard custom and spec superyachts. In fact, colorful superyacht interiors are becoming more prominent, similar to how home interiors are daring to be a little more different.

The designers at Bannenberg & Rowell have been taking note of this. Dickie Bannenberg, who runs the studio with Simon Rowell, has a theory as to why it’s happening. “I think people are pretty weary of blandness and lack of contrast and interest,” he says. “Character trumps caution with interiors, and much else.” Besides, he continues, “Who wants to spend a lot of money and look uniform?”

Color has the power to boost moods instantly and inject energy. Along these lines, owners aren’t limiting their colorful superyacht interiors to lounges or staterooms. Instead, the design trend is extending to areas behind closed doors—literally. According to Bannenberg, day heads and cloakrooms are both popular options for special aesthetic treatments. What’s more, colors are coming through multiple décor aspects. “Strong marbles, feature mirrors, and interesting textures all find their way into spaces like these,” he says.

Bannenberg points to the 43-meter (153-foot) Elandess as a good example—ahead of her time, seeing delivery in 2008. The original owner strove for an elegant, rich look throughout the decks. For the day head, macassar ebony appeared alongside strong marble, with greys and prominent rust-tone veining. The décor endured until a new owner in 2021 made major changes with another design studio.

If you’re seeking color inspiration but are concerned about being too trendy, a few solutions exist. Consider, for instance, letting furnishings do the trick. With Bannenberg & Rowell, the owner of the 37-meter Heesen Aurelia picked dining chairs with bright pops of lime green. Yet another option is artwork. That’s what the owner of the 65-meter Galactica Star did. One notable painting, in the master bath, features bold pink, purple, teal, and orange. “We love punchy art and will always encourage clients to be brave with this,” Bannenberg says. The owners of the 47-meter Odyssea were similarly bold and brave, collaborating with the studio on a refit in 2022. Though the overall décor is subdued, they selected several conversation-worthy art pieces from their collection. Especially colorful is a painting of a blue dog in the dining area.

Lastly, don’t mistakenly believe daring or dark tones make small spaces seem even smaller, or a room too moody. Bannenberg says balanced room proportions, especially ceiling heights, dictate whether an area feels closed in or comfortable. “The spaces on Aurelia were not particularly large, but it didn’t make us hold back on color or pattern,” he notes. “The interest and punch they provide are integral to the design narrative onboard.”

The bottom line when it comes to colorful superyacht interiors seems to be: Skip being “safe” and start having fun.

By Diane M. Byrne