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Decorating Ideas for Your Beachcombing Finds (Sea Glass, Shells, Driftwood and More)
If you love beachcombing and searching for beach treasures, you're in the right place. Whether you've come home with pockets full of sea glass, a bag of seashells, or a beautiful piece of driftwood, these decorating ideas for your beachcombing finds will help you turn those treasures into something beautiful.
If you love the beach, searching for beach treasures, or decorating with coastal decor, I'm looking for YOU! If you love beachcombing, what do you do with all your treasures afterwards?
Beachcombing is not just a relaxing activity but also a treasure hunt for unique items you can use in your DIY decor. Of course, the most popular finds are seashells. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and they're perfect for a variety of projects. You can use seashells to create beautiful picture frames, wind chimes, wall art or a simple display.
Next up is sea glass. These smooth, frosty pieces of glass are a beachcomber's dream. They're perfect for making jewelry, mosaics, or decorating mirrors and frames. The best part about sea glass is that each piece is unique, with its own story of being tumbled by the waves.
Driftwood is another fantastic find. Its weathered, rustic look makes it ideal for coastal decor. Use driftwood to make shelves, picture frames, or even furniture. The possibilities are endless, and each piece of driftwood adds a touch of the beach to your home.
Sand dollars and starfish are also great finds. These delicate treasures can be used to create stunning wall art or incorporated into wreaths and centerpieces. Just be sure to handle them carefully, as they can be quite fragile.
Shells, sea glass, and driftwood aren't the only treasures you can find. Look out for unique stones, pieces of coral, and even small pieces of metal that have been weathered by the sea.
There are so many different options! But don't forget, if you end up with too many to use, consider sharing with a friend or taking some back to the beach to keep our shorelines built up!
Keep following for more coastal inspiration and ideas!
Complete the Look with a Handmade Sign
Your beachcombing finds deserve the perfect backdrop. Pair your sea glass, shells, and driftwood with one of our handmade wood signs to create a coastal vignette that feels truly personal.
I'd Rather Be Hunting Sea Glass Sign
Made for the beachcombers who are always scanning the shoreline for that perfect frosted piece. This sign looks stunning displayed alongside a jar of sea glass on a shelf or mantle.
Shop the I'd Rather Be Hunting Sea Glass Sign →
Home State Sign
Whether you beach comb in your home state or travel to find your treasures, our custom Home State Sign is a beautiful way to celebrate the place your heart calls home. Handcrafted on real wood and personalized with your state.
I'd Rather Be on the Boat Sign
For the beachcombers who find their best treasures from the water. This handmade sign is perfect for a dock, lake house, or any coastal space that needs a little nautical personality.
Shop the I'd Rather Be on the Boat Sign →
How to Display Your Beachcombing Finds at Home
Not sure how to style your beach treasures once you get them home? Here are a few simple ideas to get you started:
- Glass jars and apothecary bottles: Fill clear glass containers with sea glass sorted by color, small shells, or sand for an easy, beautiful display on any shelf or windowsill.
- Shadow boxes and frames: Arrange your favorite shells, sand dollars, or sea glass pieces in a shadow box for a piece of wall art that tells the story of your beach adventures.
- Driftwood as a base: Use a flat piece of driftwood as a natural tray or base for grouping smaller treasures together on a coffee table or mantle.
- Wreaths and centerpieces: Hot glue shells and starfish onto a grapevine wreath or use them to decorate a candle centerpiece for a coastal tablescape.
- Pair with a handmade sign: Group your beach finds with a handmade wood sign for an instantly cohesive coastal vignette. The sign anchors the display and gives it a finished, intentional look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with the sea glass I find on the beach?
Sea glass is incredibly versatile for coastal decor. Display it in glass jars sorted by color, use it to fill the base of a candle holder, create mosaics or jewelry, or incorporate it into picture frames and mirrors. Paired with a handmade sign like our I'd Rather Be Hunting Sea Glass Sign, a jar of sea glass makes a stunning shelf display.
What are the best decorating ideas for seashells?
Seashells can be used in dozens of ways: fill a glass bowl or apothecary jar, create a shell wreath, make a wind chime, decorate picture frames, or arrange them in a shadow box. They look especially beautiful grouped with driftwood and a coastal wood sign on a shelf or mantle.
How do I use driftwood in home decor?
Driftwood's weathered, rustic texture makes it a natural fit for coastal decor. Use it as a shelf, a curtain rod, a base for a centerpiece, or simply lean a beautiful piece against a wall as sculptural art. It pairs perfectly with shells, sea glass, and handmade coastal signs.
What do beachcombers look for on the beach?
Beachcombers search for seashells, sea glass, driftwood, sand dollars, starfish, unique stones, coral pieces, and other ocean-tumbled treasures. The best beachcombing spots are often after a storm, at low tide, and on less-trafficked stretches of shoreline.
More Coastal Inspiration
Keep exploring the coastal life with these posts from the blog: