Decorating
Decorating for Free With Beachcomber Finds
A treasure trove of organic objects and weathered flotsam and jetsam found on the seashore can add natural beauty to your home
When the tide is out, a beach can reveal the most exquisite natural items, such as precious shells; driftwood washed in from afar, or even old rope from a fisherman’s trawler. Weathered by the waves, these beach finds can add an interesting decorative air to a home. Set them on display as they are, or create a stylish artwork or practical feature with them.
You can cleverly incorporate a prized individual piece from a beach-combing excursion into your decor scheme, or simply show off a collection of beach finds gathered over several beach trips. Read on for inspiration for your next beachcomber-inspired project.
You can cleverly incorporate a prized individual piece from a beach-combing excursion into your decor scheme, or simply show off a collection of beach finds gathered over several beach trips. Read on for inspiration for your next beachcomber-inspired project.
An old piece of rope becomes a wall sculpture
Occasionally you’ll be lucky enough to find a washed-up length of fisherman’s rope. You may find a whole piece, or even a discoloured or frayed rope, which shouldn’t be discounted as the extra textural qualities give it even more appeal. You can create a stunning wall sculpture as a focal point in your home by looping and knotting the rope into an interesting composition. Support each of the top points on the wall with a screw or nail.
More nautical styling ideas
Occasionally you’ll be lucky enough to find a washed-up length of fisherman’s rope. You may find a whole piece, or even a discoloured or frayed rope, which shouldn’t be discounted as the extra textural qualities give it even more appeal. You can create a stunning wall sculpture as a focal point in your home by looping and knotting the rope into an interesting composition. Support each of the top points on the wall with a screw or nail.
More nautical styling ideas
A collection of small shells becomes a shell artwork
For a neat, pretty and cohesive artwork arrangement that would suit any beach house, frame a collection of shells in several frames of the same colour.
To achieve a look similar to what has been pictured here, cut pieces of MDF to fit the back of a set of frames in various sizes, which have all been painted the same colour. Also paint the backing boards, but this time ensure they match the colour of the wall, so that the shells appear to be floating once the artwork is finished.
Super glue a shell into the centre of each board, then attach the frame and hang the collection randomly within a rectangular space you have assigned for the feature.
Make a wall vignette
For a neat, pretty and cohesive artwork arrangement that would suit any beach house, frame a collection of shells in several frames of the same colour.
To achieve a look similar to what has been pictured here, cut pieces of MDF to fit the back of a set of frames in various sizes, which have all been painted the same colour. Also paint the backing boards, but this time ensure they match the colour of the wall, so that the shells appear to be floating once the artwork is finished.
Super glue a shell into the centre of each board, then attach the frame and hang the collection randomly within a rectangular space you have assigned for the feature.
Make a wall vignette
A collection of large shells becomes a unique display
If over the years you have amassed a prized shell collection, you can easily display it where it will gain the most admiration. Consider showing these pieces off in a display case or a dresser with glass doors, placed in an entryway or living space.
To draw even more attention to your shells, illuminate them by inserting LED strip lights at the top of each shelf, or place individual globes inside or behind each shell to bring your shells to life. Their warm pearly glow will create a welcoming ambience in any room.
If over the years you have amassed a prized shell collection, you can easily display it where it will gain the most admiration. Consider showing these pieces off in a display case or a dresser with glass doors, placed in an entryway or living space.
To draw even more attention to your shells, illuminate them by inserting LED strip lights at the top of each shelf, or place individual globes inside or behind each shell to bring your shells to life. Their warm pearly glow will create a welcoming ambience in any room.
A large single piece of driftwood becomes a towel rail
For a towel rail that looks stunning in your bathroom, use a piece of driftwood. Its sculptural form makes it a truly bespoke piece, and it is bound to add warmth and visual interest to the room. Simply sand it lightly to remove splinters, then either leave matt or coat it with a beeswax or oil. Then connect the rail to the wall with small metal brackets.
For a towel rail that looks stunning in your bathroom, use a piece of driftwood. Its sculptural form makes it a truly bespoke piece, and it is bound to add warmth and visual interest to the room. Simply sand it lightly to remove splinters, then either leave matt or coat it with a beeswax or oil. Then connect the rail to the wall with small metal brackets.
Small pieces of driftwood become an entry mirror
Start your driftwood collection by looking for little twigs washed up on the beach. They’ll all have a beautifully muted appearance, but in different sizes. Lay these out in an even pattern on top of the frame or border of an old mirror you wish to upcycle for your entryway. Then stick each piece of driftwood down with super glue.
Start your driftwood collection by looking for little twigs washed up on the beach. They’ll all have a beautifully muted appearance, but in different sizes. Lay these out in an even pattern on top of the frame or border of an old mirror you wish to upcycle for your entryway. Then stick each piece of driftwood down with super glue.
Large pebbles become flooring accents
For inside or outside floor accents, create a pebble gully between different surfaces – here they border stepping stones that lead up to a wooden deck. The assortment of pebbles don’t need securing in place – you want them to look like they’re in their natural environment – but you do need plenty of them to cover the underlying floor or ground.
For inside or outside floor accents, create a pebble gully between different surfaces – here they border stepping stones that lead up to a wooden deck. The assortment of pebbles don’t need securing in place – you want them to look like they’re in their natural environment – but you do need plenty of them to cover the underlying floor or ground.
Small pebbles become a bathroom wall feature
If you’re redoing your bathroom or working on a new build, pebbles pushed flush into cement masonry, similar to what can be seen here on the side of an integrated tub, add visual and tactile appeal to the space. They will also offer a quaint charm to any room, perfect for a beachside cottage.
More wonderful ways with pebbles
If you’re redoing your bathroom or working on a new build, pebbles pushed flush into cement masonry, similar to what can be seen here on the side of an integrated tub, add visual and tactile appeal to the space. They will also offer a quaint charm to any room, perfect for a beachside cottage.
More wonderful ways with pebbles
Coral and flat shells become table decorations
Use washed-up bleached coral fragments as napkin decor or holders, to bring tropical seaside style directly to your dining experience. Flat oyster or scallop shells can also make beautiful vessels to keep salt and pepper in on the table.
An odd assortment of other dried beach finds can also make for a delicate non-permanent table centrepiece. Just make sure all the salt water (and therefore the briny smell) has been washed away and the pieces thoroughly dried out before setting up.
TELL US
Have you used any found items in a decor project? If so, upload a picture and share your ideas in the Comments section.
MORE
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Decorating for Free With Natural Found Objects
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Use washed-up bleached coral fragments as napkin decor or holders, to bring tropical seaside style directly to your dining experience. Flat oyster or scallop shells can also make beautiful vessels to keep salt and pepper in on the table.
An odd assortment of other dried beach finds can also make for a delicate non-permanent table centrepiece. Just make sure all the salt water (and therefore the briny smell) has been washed away and the pieces thoroughly dried out before setting up.
TELL US
Have you used any found items in a decor project? If so, upload a picture and share your ideas in the Comments section.
MORE
So Your Style Is: Beach
Decorating for Free With Natural Found Objects
Get the Easy, Breezy, Aussie Beach House Look
It’s not unusual to find old planks of timber, from building materials or boats, washed ashore. You may find them in different widths, lengths and colours, but I suggest you collect those that are flat, and visually appealing. Hopefully, the pieces you collect will all have muted tones and subtle wood-grain textures, which will unify any project you take on with a Scandinavian aesthetic.
One of the most effective things you can do with these off-cuts is to assemble them into a bedhead. Simply cut each plank to size and nail them onto a piece of MDF. This will create a shipshape feature behind any bed.