Have you ever picked up a seashell at the beach and thought, this would look so cute on my shelf? You’re not alone! Seashells aren’t just souvenirs—they’re tiny pieces of art gifted by nature. Whether you’ve got a bucket full of beach finds or a handful from a seaside vacation, I’ll walk you through gorgeous, creative, and even functional ways to decorate your home with seashells. Beach season is opened, and how is it better to decorate your home for this season?
Why Use Seashells in Home Decor?
Honestly, I started decorating with seashells by accident. I brought a handful home from a beach trip—thinking I’d maybe toss them in a bowl—and before I knew it, they had completely taken over my windowsill. What I didn’t expect was how much warmth and texture they added to the space. It wasn’t just decor—it felt like I’d brought home a little piece of calm.
Seashells are so versatile too. I’ve used them in rustic farmhouse decor with some twine and driftwood, and they looked just as good in a cleaner, more minimalist setup. And let’s be real—they’re free, which is kind of a win if you’re on a budget. Plus, they pair beautifully with natural elements like rope, jute, sand, and even pebbles. It’s one of those “low effort, high impact” kind of things.
There’s just something grounding about natural decor, especially if it reminds you of a happy memory. So yeah, if you’re on the fence—try it. Even a tiny jar of shells can completely change the vibe of a room.
A boat filled with seashells and starfish is a nice decoration for any seaside space.
A minimalist wreath crafted from deep blue mussel shells, arranged in a circular pattern that mimics delicate petals, perfect for beach-inspired decor. (@myplanb.no).
A basket tray with lots of seashells, starfish and corals is a nice decoration or centerpiece if you need one.
A charming mobile of various shells hanging by string in layers, creating a breezy, ocean-inspired accent that adds texture and movement to your space. (@latifahshoots_).
A mason jar filled with scallop shells and glowing fairy lights—this simple yet magical piece brings ocean vibes and a warm glow to any table. (@__tinalawson).
A vibrant wall canvas featuring real seashells blended into blue and sand-toned textures, evoking the colors and feel of the seashore. (@forsha_alwan).
Preparing Seashells for Home Decor
Oh man, the first time I used seashells in a craft project, I skipped the cleaning step. Big mistake. They looked fine—but after a few days in a warm room? Let’s just say the smell was… not great.
Now I always soak my shells in a mix of water and a splash of bleach for a few hours. Then I give them a gentle scrub with an old toothbrush. If they still look a little dull, a dab of mineral oil really brings out their natural shine. And if you’re planning on painting or sealing them, make sure they’re bone dry—moisture messes everything up.
One more tip: sort your seashells by size before you start a project. I used to dump them all in a bowl, and when I needed a tiny one, I’d have to dig through layers of big ol’ clamshells. Not fun.
A cool gallery wall with seashells, starfish, corals and other sea stuff for a coastal entryway.
A large candle lantern with beach sand, starfish and seashells plus a large candle to decorate indoors or outdoors.
A large lamp with a neutral shade and lots of seashells covering the base looks very coastal and seaside.
A large mirror fully clad with seashells, corals and sea urchins is a cool idea for a coastal or beach bathroom.
A monogram seashell artwork and some corals and seashells on fishing net for coastal and beachy decor.
A pendant lamp of seashells and jute is a catchy and bold idea for a coastal space.
A pretty beach display with seashells and corals in jars and cloches plus blue bottles and a wicker basket.
A pretty rope wreath with starfish, seashells and various pearls looks very coastal or beachy.
A tall glass with beach sand, seashells and some grass for decorating your console table.
A tall vase and a bottle with beach sand and seashells plus a candle on top are a nice decoration or centerpiece.
An oyster shellbookend is a cool idea to highlight your beachy decor and you can easily DIY it.
Make a pretty seashell and starfish wind chime for your garden for this summer.
A round vintage fish tank filled with various seashells and starfish will remind you of the sea and seashores.
seashells and starfish on the mantel and covering the mirror frame make the space feel coastal and sea-inspired at the same time.
A shabby chic vintage cage with lots seashells inside to give a coastal feel to a vintage space.
A seashell table runner will highlight a coastal tablescape or a beach-inspired one.
Elegant Ways to Display Seashells
If you’re not the crafting type (no judgment!), you can still get that beachy vibe with almost zero effort. My trick? Just drop some pretty shells into glass jars, vases, or even a fishbowl. Add a little sand or a piece of rope, and suddenly it looks like a coastal magazine spread.
I’ve also used shadow boxes to display special shells—like that giant spiral one I found in Florida. I labeled it with the date and location, and it’s now part of a mini gallery wall in my hallway. You can even use wide bowls or trays and mix in candles, sea glass, and smooth stones.
One time I used a plain white tray, filled it with sand from a beach trip, and placed a handful of shells and a tiny photo frame inside. It’s so simple, but every time I see it, I smile. That’s the magic.
A vintage and elegant console table with seashells - decorated with them and with seashells on it for a coastal feel.
Seashell hooks on the wall and a jar with sand and seashells to give a coastal or beach feel to the space.
An oversized chandelier of seashells will easily turn your home into a gorgeous seaside space and it will match a boho space, too.
A wall decoration with seashells, starfish and a coral piece will give a slight sea feel to your space.
Seashell candles placed on the table make up a cool table runner with lights.
A cool seashell decoration - a blue glass bowl with seashells, starfish and a large candle inside it.
Reclaimed wooden plaques with starfish and seashells make up a cool sea-inspired and coastal-inspired gallery wall.
A catchy twine and seashell and starfish garland can be hung anywhere - on the window, on a shelf or wherever else you want.
A catchy chandelier with blue and white seashells, starfish and a wicker base is a cool idea for a beach or boho space or for outdoors.
A wooden stick with lots of seashells hanging on it is a cool way to add a coastal feel to the space.
A gorgeous centerpiece with a white orchid and a large seashell with smaller ones and starfish is a chic idea for your home.
Decorating Specific Rooms with Seashells
Let me walk you through my house, because I’ve honestly gone a little overboard in the best way.
In the bathroom, I hot-glued tiny shells onto a cheap soap dish and tied a few shells to the ends of my shower curtain ties with jute twine. It took 10 minutes and made the space feel like a spa. In the living room, I filled a tall vase with shells and driftwood, and added a couple of shell-covered frames to the mantel.
For the bedroom, I made a subtle garland using mini white shells and hung it above the headboard. It catches the morning light so beautifully. And in the entryway, I put together a shadow box with a bold, dark blue background—it’s the first thing people see, and they always ask about it.
Each room has a hint of beach, but it doesn’t scream theme party. It’s more like a gentle breeze from the ocean followed you home.
A whole gallery wall of mirrors clad with small seashells is a great idea for an entryway or some other space.
A galvanized bathtub with seashells and starfish is a cool decoration both for indoors and outdoors.
A cloche with natural seashells is a nice decoration or centerpiece for any space, it feels and looks very modern.
A cool decoration with large seashells that cover candles can be used both indoors and outdoors.
An outdoor table decorated with real seashells is ideal for a coastal or seaside outdoor space or just if you love the sea.
A round mirror becomes a stunning coastal statement piece with cowrie shells intricately layered into a bold, sunburst-like design. (@mirrorssandmore).
Make cute seashell heart wreaths to decorate your home and make it look and feel coastal and cool.
Simply place large seashells on the steps inside or outside the house to make it feel more beachside-like.
Seashells on the shelves and in jars will give a beachy feel to your home at once.
A large wooden bread bowl with seashells and starfish is a perfect and easy centerpiece both for indoors and outdoors.
A rustic console table covered with burlap and with large shells and white blooms for beachy decor.
A cool decoration of a glarge glass, seashells and a candle in the center is a cool and easy DIY.
Place seashells into a bowl you like and here you got a nice decoration or centerpiece for any space.
A garden path covered with seashells will make your garden feel coastal and beachy, and this is all-natural.
Accent your front door with a large monogram made of seashells - a perfect idea for a coastal home or for summer.
Seashells in a tall glass and all around on the table plus white hydrangeas look very chic and feel nautical.
Cover a mirror frame with large seashells to make it feel beachy and decorate any space you want with it.
A glass with seashells is a nice idea of a centerpiece or decoration for indoors or outdoors.
A large round bowl with beach sand and sea urchins and seashells is a cool centerpiece or decoration.
A round jar filled with starfish and seashells plus some bottles for decorating a whitewashed beach and coastal space.
Mixing Seashells with Other Natural Elements
You want that beach house look without going full pirate treasure chest, right? I totally get it. The trick is mixing in other natural elements—like driftwood, rope, stones, or even dried grasses. It balances out the shine and structure of the shells.
I once made a centerpiece using a wide wooden bowl, filled it with moss, pale rocks, and just a few perfectly placed shells. It looked earthy and elegant—not like I dumped out my shell stash. Another time, I wrapped a mason jar in jute rope, glued a few shells around the base, and popped in a tealight. That combo of texture? Chef’s kiss.
Try keeping your color palette soft—whites, sandy beige, seafoam greens, maybe a dusty blue. The shells will pop without overpowering your space. And don’t forget: less is often more.
Seashells are more than just beachy souvenirs—they’re little pieces of memory you can turn into something beautiful. Whether you’re hot-gluing your way through a Sunday afternoon or just filling a jar with your favorite finds, there’s something so satisfying about using nature in your decor.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. My favorite pieces are the ones with crooked lines and glue strings I missed. They remind me of warm days, sandy feet, and that salty air that makes you feel alive. So dig out that shell stash, grab some twine or a glue stick, and just see what happens. You might surprise yourself.