Summer is a great time of year to lean into the coastal decor aesthetic whether you live near the beach or far from it. And while we normally equate beachy decor with shocking price tags, there are a LOT of ways to get the look while staying on budget. Especially if you take some inspiration from these coastal projects, all of which upcycle items you can find at thrift stores or yard sales.
Coffee Table Tray
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Giving a plain tray a coastal-inspired makeover with inexpensive chalk paint from the craft store is a great place to start. Trays are always trendy and are a good base for displaying some beachy treasures on a coffee table.
Beachy Decor for the Wall
Image credit: H2O Bungalow.
Pressed cane has come back in style in a big way which makes this beachy decor idea perfectly timed. Thrift store frames get a seaside makeover and beach treasures are mounted on pressed cane. Such a perfect idea for that beach cottage vibe.
Coastal Farmhouse Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Clear glass candleholders are pretty common at thrift stores which means they are ideal for upcycled makeovers. In this case, they were given a sea glass look and paired with some chicken wire ribbon for a farmhouse touch. It’s an unexpected pairing, but it works really well for farmhouse lovers who also enjoy coastal home decor like this.
Beachy Basket
Image credit: Petticoat Junktion.
A storage basket in your home is a great element to decorate with seashells and beach treasures like this. You could paint it first or leave it natural, whichever looks best in your home. Adding handles or extra embellishments with rope gives it an even more coastal or nautical look.
Underwater Jars
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Speaking of beach treasures, creating coastal scenes in aqua mason jars is a lovely way to display your beachcombing finds. They look divine when clustered on a coffee table or mantel, and require zero craft skills to put together.
Driftwood Art
Image credit: Sustain My Craft Habit.
For a clean, modern take on driftwood art, this idea can’t be beat. All pieces are cut the exact same length and paint is used sparingly. But the end result is SO beachy chic and would add coastal elegance to any home.
Coastal Candle Holders
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A set of plain wooden candle holders from the thrift store wasn’t much to look at, honestly. But this beachy/nautical makeover with chalk paint and jute rope turned them into showstoppers, didn’t it? They look straight out of a coastal boutique now, but they sure didn’t start out that way.
Beachy Decor with Bottles
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Antique bottles are such a fabulous way to achieve that beachy decor look without doing anything to them. Many of them are already blue-green in color and have this cloudy, weathered look- as if they’ve tumbled on the ocean floor for a few decades. But here’s a fun twist to amp up the beachiness: topping them with shells you bring home from a seaside getaway.
Coastal Signs
Image credit: Confessions of a Serial DIYer.
Here’s a sweet little beachy decor idea to hang on the guest room doorknob or a bathroom hook. Made from the wooden top that came with a thrift store basket, this DIY mermaid sign looks like it came straight from a coastal home decor boutique, doesn’t it?
Upcycled “Shell” Bowl
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Abalone shells are sought after for that magical, iridescent color pattern that they have. But you can fake that look on a large wooden bowl with some specialty craft paints and it looks fantastic!
Beachy Decor with Candleholders
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Plain glass candleholders, either from your cupboard or a thrift store, are easy to elevate into stunning pieces with a beach house vibe! Especially if you incorporate seashells or starfish that you found on your beach walk.
Picture Frame Tray
Image credit: The Interior Frugalista.
There are SO many ways to repurpose thrift store picture frames, including beachy decor in the form on a tray. Doesn’t this one look like a coastal boardwalk? From the coastal colors to the rope handles, this tray captures that style perfectly.
Beachy Bottles
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Upcycling some bottles into these coastal beauties is an easy and inexpensive idea for coastal decorating- especially since the bottles may come from your own recycling bin! You can tint the bottles with specialty spray paint and add the netting yourself- DIY or pre-made!
Decorative Sailboats
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Decorative sailboats are a delightful touch of nautical or beachy decor for your home throughout summer and even year-round. You can make them with a variety of items, so long as the wooden part can pass as a boat shape!
Coastal Wall Art on Sandpaper
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sure, sandpaper comes in handy when prepping a frame for DIY wall art. But using sandpaper as the actual wall art itself is COMPLETELY unexpected. Check out how perfect it is in a beachy coastal application like this…
Beach House Coasters
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A set of wooden coasters from the thrift store can be “beachified” with this easy makeover idea: chalk paint and string! Functional decor is especially thrifty because it works hard to earn its keep.
Driftwood Candleholder
Image credit: Sustain My Craft Habit.
If you can get your hands on some smooth, clean driftwood, it’s really a fabulous craft supply. And there are lots of things you can make with it: wreaths, wall art, and in this case, a candleholder. A little sea glass and jute twine tie it all together- literally AND figuratively.
Sea Glass Bottles
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sea glass bottles look like they’ve rolled along the ocean floor for decades, maybe longer! But you can fake the look beautifully with some spray paint and wine bottles from your recycling bin.
Beachy Decor from the Thrift Store
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
The good news is that there are lots of thrifty ways to add beachy touches to your home, and a lot of them start at the thrift store. Upcycling your way to beach house decor helps you stay well within whatever your budget may be. I hope some of the above ideas have given you the easy breezy inspiration your home needs this summer. Happy (coastal) crafting!
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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