21 Easy Beach Themed Crafts to Bring Coastal Vibes Home

Summer beckons with its warm embrace, and what better way to celebrate than by bringing the beach into your home?

Beach-themed crafts allow you to capture that coastal magic year-round, regardless of how far you live from the shoreline.

These DIY projects range from simple afternoon activities perfect for kids to sophisticated decor pieces that will impress your guests.

Most use materials you can find during your beach trips or at local craft stores.

Ready to transform your space with oceanic charm?

Let’s dive into these sea-inspired crafts that will transport you to sandy shores without leaving your home.

1: Seashell Candle Holders

Transform ordinary candles into coastal treasures by creating simple seashell holders.

Collect medium to large shells from your beach trips and clean them thoroughly.

Secure a votive or tea light candle to the shell’s interior using melted wax as adhesive.

For added sparkle, brush the outer shell with diluted craft glue and sprinkle with fine glitter.

These elegant holders create beautiful ambient lighting for summer dinners or bathroom decor.

2: Mason Jar Beach Memory Containers

Preserve beach memories in decorative mason jars that showcase your favorite seaside treasures.

Layer sand, tiny shells, and sea glass inside a clean jar, creating distinct colored bands.

Add small mementos from specific beach trips like ticket stubs or photos.

Seal with a tight lid and attach a decorative label noting the beach name and date.

These memory jars make perfect shelf decorations and wonderful personalized gifts.

3: Driftwood Photo Display

Create a rustic photo display using weathered driftwood pieces from your beach excursions.

Sand any rough edges, then attach small clothespins using hot glue or small screws.

Hang your creation using natural twine on either end.

Clip your favorite beach photos or postcards to the clothespins for an ever-changing coastal gallery.

This versatile display works beautifully in entryways, living rooms, or home offices.

4: Sea Glass Wind Chimes

Transform collected sea glass pieces into a melodious wind chime that captures summer breezes.

Drill small holes in larger sea glass pieces using a specialized glass bit.

String the pieces at varying lengths from a piece of driftwood or a wooden embroidery hoop.

Add small bells intermittently for gentle tinkling souns.

Hang your creation on a porch or near a window where it will catch both wind and sunlight.

5: Nautical Rope Baskets

Craft functional storage with a maritime twist using simple rope coiling techniques.

Purchase cotton rope from a hardware store and form a tight spiral, securing each round with hot glue.

Build up the sides by stacking and gluing rope coils. Add handles by creating loops with rope sections before attaching.

These versatile baskets work beautifully for storing towels, magazines, or even as plant holders.

6: Beach-Themed Welcome Sign

Create a welcoming entrance with a coastal-inspired door sign. Paint a wooden board in beach colors like white, blue, or aqua as your base.

Add a welcoming phrase using stencils or freehand lettering such as “Welcome to our beach house” or “Sandy feet welcome here.”

Embellish with small shells or starfish secured with strong adhesive.

This personalized sign immediately sets a relaxed coastal tone for visitors.

7: Sand Footprint Keepsakes

Preserve special beach memories with concrete footprint castings.

Mix quick-setting concrete according to package directions and pour into a disposable aluminum pan.

Have family members press their feet into the wet mixture, then decorate the edges with shells before it sets.

Once dry, flip the pan and reveal your permanent beach footprints.

These keepsakes become treasured mementos of beach vacations and growing children.

8: Painted Seashell Magnets

Transform ordinary shells into functional refrigerator art with simple painting techniques.

Clean and dry your collected shells, then apply acrylic paint in bright coastal colors or patterns.

Seal with clear acrylic spray for longevity. Once dry, attach small magnets to the back using strong adhesive like E6000 glue.

These colorful magnets brighten your kitchen while holding beach photos and summer plans.

9: Coastal Serving Tray

Upcycle an old wooden tray into a beach-themed serving piece for summer entertaining.

Paint the tray in coastal blue or white, then decoupage nautical images like maps or sea life.

Arrange and glue flat shells or sea glass around the border. Finish with several coats of food-safe polyurethane sealer for durability.

This functional art piece serves drinks while showcasing your coastal creativity.

10: Shell and Twine Picture Frames

Create custom photo frames to display your favorite beach memories. Start with an unfinished wooden frame from a craft store and paint it in a coastal color.

Wrap natural twine around portions for texture, securing with glue. Attach cleaned seashells, starfish, or small pieces of driftwood at the corners and edges.

These personalized frames perfectly showcase treasured beach photos.

11: Mermaid Tail Blankets

Craft cozy mermaid tail blankets that bring whimsical ocean charm to movie nights.

Purchase soft fleece in ocean hues and cut using a simple fish tail template.

Sew the pieces together, leaving the top open for easy entry. Add decorative scales using fabric paint or by sewing on felt cutouts in contrasting colors.

These snuggly creations delight children and adults alike during cool evening beach visits.

12: Beach in a Bottle Terrariums

Capture miniature beach scenes in glass containers for year-round coastal vibes. Layer sand, tiny shells, and small figurines inside clear bottles or jars.

Use blue glass beads or colored resin to replicate water. Add miniature palm trees, beach chairs, or tiny umbrellas to complete your scene.

These whimsical terrariums bring beach magic to desks, shelves, or side tables.

13: Sand Art Candles

Create layered sand candles that showcase the colorful strata of your favorite beaches. Purchase plain pillar candles and various colors of craft sand.

Apply adhesive in sections around the candle and carefully pour different sand colors to create distinct layers. Seal with a clear spray fixative to prevent shedding.

These decorative candles bring beach colors to dinner tables and mantels.

14: Seashell Wreaths

Craft a stunning door decoration that welcomes guests with coastal charm. Start with a foam or straw wreath form and wrap it completely with natural twine or ribbon.

Arrange and hot-glue cleaned shells, starfish, and small pieces of driftwood across the surface. Add accents like miniature buoys or fishing net fragments.

This eye-catching wreath works year-round but especially shines during summer months.

15: Ocean Wave Resin Art

Create stunning ocean-inspired artwork using simple resin techniques. Pour layers of clear epoxy resin tinted with blue and white pigments onto a prepared canvas board.

Use a heat gun to create realistic wave textures between layers. Add crushed shells or fine sand to beach areas for texture and authenticity.

This showstopping art piece becomes a focal point in coastal-themed rooms.

16: Lighthouse Lanterns

Craft functional lighting with maritime history inspiration. Transform plain pillar candle holders by painting red and white lighthouse stripes.

Add a small “light house” top made from cardboard or modeling clay.

Insert battery-operated tea lights for safe, atmospheric lighting.

These charming lanterns guide guests through evening garden parties or illuminate bathroom counters.

17: Nautical Rope Mirror

Upgrade a plain circular mirror with classic nautical styling. Apply strong adhesive around a mirror’s edge, then carefully wrap with natural or colored rope in tight coils.

Add decorative elements like small anchors, shells, or starfish at intervals. Finish with a hanging loop made from the same rope.

This statement piece adds coastal character to entryways, bathrooms, or bedrooms.

18: Sand Dollar Ornaments

Create delicate decorations that celebrate beach treasures year-round. Carefully clean found sand dollars or purchase artificial ones from craft stores.

Paint with pearlescent craft paint, then add fine glitter while wet. Attach ribbon or twine through a small drilled hole for hanging.

These elegant ornaments work beautifully on Christmas trees or as year-round window hangings.

19: Coastal Painted Rocks

Transform ordinary stones into pocket-sized beach art. Collect smooth, flat rocks during beach walks and clean thoroughly.

Paint with acrylic colors, creating ocean scenes, sea creatures, or inspirational beach quotes. Seal with clear spray to protect your designs from weathering.

These versatile creations function as paperweights, garden markers, or thoughtful gifts.

20: Shell Encrusted Flower Pots

Give ordinary planters a marine makeover with shell embellishments. Apply waterproof adhesive to terra cotta pots in a small section at a time.

Press cleaned shells, sea glass, or beach pebbles into the glue, working in patterns or random arrangements. Seal with clear waterproof spray when complete.

These decorative pots perfectly house beach-friendly succulents or herbs.

21: Beach Map Coasters

Create functional decor that celebrates your favorite coastal destinations. Cut cork tiles into squares or circles for your coaster base.

Decoupage maps of beloved beach towns onto the cork. Seal thoroughly with multiple layers of waterproof finish for durability.

These personalized coasters protect furniture while sparking conversations about beach adventures.

Conclusion

Beach crafts bring coastal joy into your everyday life while preserving special memories.

Try these projects to transform your space with ocean-inspired creativity, one seashell at a time.