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Where to Buy Beach Home Decor: Best Shops Online and In Person
If you're searching for the best beach home decor, you're in the right place. Whether you're decorating a coastal retreat, a lake house, or just bringing a little seaside charm into your everyday home, knowing where to shop makes all the difference. While you'll find some of the best beach house decor near an actual coastal location, you can find it just about anywhere these days, especially seasonally.
Of course, because I'm a handmade small business making beach wall art every single day here on Amelia Island, Florida, I'm going to suggest that you do just that. Shop local with small businesses!
But let's take a real look at the top places people actually shop for their beach and nautical decor, and go through where you SHOULD shop. Because not all beach decor is created equal, and your home deserves better than the same mass-produced starfish print everyone else has.
Popular Stores for Beach Decor (And Why They Fall Short)
When most people think about decorating a beach-themed bathroom or bedroom, they head straight to stores like:
- Hobby Lobby
- Ross
- TJ Maxx and HomeGoods
- Kirkland's
- At Home
- Amazon
- Dollar Tree
There's nothing wrong with these places. I've snagged things from every single one of them! But here's the thing: a lot of what you find there is cheaply made, a little generic, or the exact same piece sitting in a hundred other beach houses. When you buy something just because the price is low, you end up not valuing it as much as something you took a little more time to choose. Your home is worth more than that.
So here's my list of where you should actually be shopping, in order of preference.
Top Places to Buy Beach Home Decor (In This Order!)
1. Shop Small and Local
Shopping small, local, and handmade is where you should always start when looking for beach home decor. If you didn't just land here randomly on my coastal home decor website, you knew that was coming!
Obviously, I would love for you to shop with us first and foremost. But I also want you to know there is so much unique, creative talent out there from other small businesses. Shopping locally is the best place to start, even if it isn't local to you but to wherever you happen to be on vacation.
Where to Find Small Shops:
- Google "beach shops near me" when you are on vacation.
- Use Apple or Google Maps and search for vintage shops, beach decor shops, and gift shops. Vintage and antique shops often carry one-of-a-kind repurposed pieces, collections of beach finds, and handmade art.
- Ask friends and family about their favorite small shops. Many depend on word of mouth since advertising is expensive!
- Join local Facebook groups for vacationers and find out the best places to shop locally.
- Find a small downtown area or shopping center with lots of small shops and just explore.
- Look locally in your own town, even if it's not near the beach. Lots of small shops add coastal and nautical designs at different times of the year.
One of the best things about shopping at small, local businesses is the thrill of not knowing what you'll find or where you'll find it. Plus, you'll often have time to explore while on vacation.
2. Local Events
Local special events almost always have vendors selling handmade and locally sourced items. Search Google for events near you or local farmer's markets. You'll get your beach decor fix at these events too if you're on vacation near the water.
Things to Look For:
- Farmer's Markets
- Craft Fairs
- Sip and Shops
- Bazaars
- Barn Sales
- Vintage Markets
- Flea Markets
- Annual festivals and special events
Here on Amelia Island, we have the Shrimp Festival, which is filled with local artists and antiques. It's a wonderful place to seek out unique and one-of-a-kind pieces you won't find anywhere else.
3. Small Online Shops
Before you head to Etsy, check to see if your favorite small online shops have their own websites! Buying directly from a maker's website means more of your money goes straight to them, and you often get better customer service too.
How do you find small online shops with great beach home decor? Social media is a fantastic way. Facebook groups for your favorite decorating styles are packed with people sharing the small artists they've purchased from. Follow small makers on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and check out their links in bios to shop their sites directly. You might even find a discount code!
Looking for a great starting point? Check out our post on the best gifts for beach lovers. It's packed with handmade finds that make perfect gifts for anyone who loves the coast.
4. Etsy
We sell our beach and coastal decor on our own website, but we also sell on Etsy because it helps some of you find us. Many small makers get their start on Etsy, so it's a great platform for discovering handmade items. Just be sure to read reviews and check that what you're buying is actually handmade and not a mass-produced import.
5. Second-Hand Shops
Have you ever visited thrift stores near the beach? You can find some amazing things! Of course, sometimes you won't find anything, but you can stumble upon gems that someone else has decided to part with. Vintage coastal pieces have a character and history that brand-new decor just can't replicate.
6. DIY and Shop Your Own Home
Grab some supplies from a craft store or an online supplier and make your own decor! It will mean more because you made it, and you can match it perfectly to your home. Pair your DIY pieces with a handmade sign from a small business and you've got a coastal space that is completely your own.
7. Specialized Online Beach Decor Stores
There are many great beach decor websites online. They may not always feature handmade items, but they offer excellent selections of coastal-inspired pieces. A few worth exploring:
- Caron's Beach House
- Completely Coastal
- Bella Coastal Decor
- And of course, right here at Anchored Soul Designs!
8. Mass Chain Stores
Mass chain stores like HomeGoods and Target can have some great finds, especially during summer. Just remember to shop with intention and only buy what you truly love. A well-chosen piece from a chain store can work beautifully alongside handmade and vintage items.
9. Specialized High-End Home Decor Shops
Some high-end stores like Pottery Barn offer stylish coastal decor that can be worth the investment for a long-lasting, quality piece. If you're going to spend more, make sure it's something you'll love for years.
10. Major Commercial Websites
Finally, if you haven't found what you're looking for anywhere else, you can always check larger commercial websites like Amazon and Wayfair. This should be your last resort for beach home decor, but it can be useful for basics and filler pieces.
Overall, it makes sense to combine items from many of these places. After all, it's your home, and you should decorate with what makes you happy! The best coastal spaces are layered, personal, and full of pieces that tell a story.
What would you add to the list? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Start with a Handmade Sign
If you're not sure where to begin transforming your space into a coastal paradise, a handmade wood sign is always the perfect starting point. It sets the tone for the whole room and tells the world exactly where your heart belongs. Here are a few of our most popular picks:
Browse all Handmade Coastal Signs
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to buy beach home decor online?
The best place to buy beach home decor online is directly from a small handmade shop like Anchored Soul Designs. You'll get a unique, quality piece made with care, and your purchase directly supports a small business. Etsy is also a great option for discovering handmade coastal decor, just be sure to verify items are truly handmade before purchasing.
Is Etsy good for beach decor?
Etsy can be a great source for handmade beach decor, but it's important to read reviews and check that items are genuinely handmade rather than mass-produced imports. Many talented small makers, including Anchored Soul Designs, sell on Etsy alongside their own websites. Buying directly from a maker's website means more of your money goes straight to them.
What stores sell coastal home decor?
Many stores carry coastal home decor, including HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, Pottery Barn, and Amazon. However, for truly unique beach home decor, small handmade shops, local craft fairs, vintage markets, and specialized coastal decor websites will give you pieces that stand out from the crowd.
What is the best handmade beach decor to start with?
A handmade wood sign is the perfect starting point for any coastal space. It instantly sets the tone and can anchor an entire room's decor. Popular choices include the Beach House Sign, Life is Better at the Beach Sign, and A Day at the Beach Restores My Soul Sign, all available handmade on real wood from Anchored Soul Designs.
How do I find unique beach home decor that no one else has?
Shop small and local! Visit small shops near the beach when you're on vacation, explore local craft fairs and vintage markets, and follow small makers on social media. Handmade and one-of-a-kind pieces from small businesses will always give your home a more personal, curated feel than anything you'd find at a big box store.
2 comments
Loved this curated list of beach home decor shops so refreshing and inspiring! https://saveplus.in/
Loved your roundup of beach home decor spots—so refreshing and stylish! Great tips for creating a coastal vibe.
https://saveplus.in/