Whether your seashell collection is large or small to give it a dedicated space will make it stand out.
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There are many ways to organize and show off your beautiful shell collection. From simple bowls to elegant glass jars and vintage vases to quirky curio cabinets and rustic printer trays, there are endless options to create a stunning display of your sea treasures. The key is to select a display style that complements your home decor, try and mix different ideas, and let your shell collection shine as a beautiful reminder of the beach right inside your home. So here are 49 creative shell decor ideas to help inspire you to display your shell collection with style.
In order to create a cohesive and striking seashell display, there's one thing you want to keep in mind, and that is focus. If your seashell collection is randomly displayed, it can easily loose its importance, and might even come off as clutter. To quote Dorothy Draper, "Notice how groups of small objects, when they are well arranged, become important and effective." Well arranged can mean anything from sorting your sea shell collection by type, size, color, or even location.
Showcase shells in a decorative bowl with a coastal theme, such as a Starfish Bowl or Pineapple bowl. Images via Facebook.
Any coastal theme dish with a rim can be used to showcase a shell collection. To shop coastal dishes and serveware, browse All in Entertaining.
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A three tier tray that is usually used for food items, now works great as a portable display. Found here.
A seashell collection featured on Decorating with Wire Baskets.
Even a tool box can be used to hold a seashell collection! Via I Love Shelling.
A hand full of shells are lined up on a small wall shelf. Source no longer available.
Look for unlikely spaces. The seashell display on the shower stall ledge adds to the beachy feel of this bathroom by Jane Coslick, featured on Upholstering a Chair Coastal Style.
Here a non-functional fireplace is filled with seashells. Via Apartment Therapy.
A collection of rustic shells are stacked up on a mantel in a Florida Beach Cottage.
A small table is chosen to organize a grouping of beach finds. Seen in Martha Stewart's Seal Harbor Home.
If your Coffee Table has a shelf, use it to display a seashell collection. Via Vicky's Home.
An elegant display of a group of large seashells by Mary McDonald Design. To create different heights, some shells sit on Display Stands.
A seashell collection in a Display Box. And this is not your ordinary box. It's an aquarium.
An antique aquarium. For fashion stylist Linda Rodin it was worth the hunt. Follow the link to view her extensive seashell collection, spread throughout her NYC apartment.
Beautiful Beachy Cloche Ideas with shells, coral and other small accents. Original source unknown.
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Beautiful soothing shell decor in lidded glass jars at the home of Rene Marie of Beach Cottage Life (Etsy Store).
Display your seashells in decorative glass jars. For an elegant classic look, consider Apothecary glass jars as featured on How to Organize & Display Shells in Glass Jars.
Shells in a simple glass jar with lid seen at The Thinking Closet.
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A great grouping of glass jars filled with different types of seashells. Original source unknown.
DIY Hanging Mason Jars inspired by Pottery Barn's Mason Jar Hanging Lanterns can hold a small collection of shells. Hang a whole bunch of them for a greater effect!
A functional twist for a shell mason jar -seashells in a Mason Jar Soap Dispenser. Seen at Creatorvox. The shells look beautiful and shiny, bathed in clear liquid soap.
Any type of glass vase that's large enough for your shells makes for a wonderful vessel to organize and showcase your treasures. And as you can see, repetition is really effective. Source no longer available.
A coastal theme glass vase makes for a fun table centerpiece. See other Cool Coastal Vessels for Collected Shells. Shop Glass Fish Figurines on Wayfair.
To create a beachscape, simply arrange a seashell collection on top of beach sand, then add decorative grasses. By Cleverly Inspired, featured on Beach Style Summer Mantel Decor.
Seashell display ideas to decorate your walls. An ordinary woven basket is upcycled into a wall tray that showcases a seashell collection in a very unique way. Shells are glued to the basket. Via Hometalk.
Drill Shells and hang them within a net. Original source unknown.
Hang your shell collection on the wall. Seen at One Kings Lane. If you like this idea, also see this Shell Wall above the Fireplace.
Take a scientific approach to organize your shells in frames. To see and learn more about this great seashell display, read Beach and Sea Memories in Frames.
Printer Trays are a great way to organize and display your shell collection. All the small compartments of printer trays give each shell or collective item its own space to shine.
Make Shell Art with your treasures. Follow the link for ideas how to frame shells and create a wall gallery. Via Traditional Home.
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Shells are organized in a variety of vessels that are placed in a Glass Display Cabinet by Heather Krout.
A beautiful and cohesive display idea with a collection of seashells in the same color tone organized in a hutch. Original source unknown.
If you are lucky and have a collection of large shells, devote an entire bookcase or Glass Cabinet to your treasures. From a dining room makeover seen at House Beautiful.
To see more amazing examples like this, visit Organizing Sea Collections in Glass Cabinets. Via Wisteria.
An antique printer tray turned into a Display Coffee Table. Source no longer available.
Take your seashell collection outside. In this Coastal Home on the Jersey Shore a shell collection greets you by the entry door.
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Use seashells as a mulch kind of cover for the soil in a potted plant. Seen at Vagabonds House on Instagram. Or top off a pot with seashells. See all Seashell Gardening Ideas.
Image: Home with Heather
Tip on How to Create a Striking Display for your Shell Collection:
Image: Sunset Magazine
Giant Clam Shell Bowls make great vessels for a seashell collection display. And why not add some candles -It's going to look so lovely at night! Seen at Alfresco Emporium on Instagram.
Trays are another great vessel for your seashell collection and any other beach finds. Check out these Basket Trays that have natural dune grass vibe.
Shadow Box with Seashell Collection as wall decor. Imagine a few of these frames hung as a Collection.
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A single large glass jar with lid might just be the way to display your beautiful seashell collection. Add some seasonal evergreens and you have a beautiful Coastal Christmas Table Centerpiece. Seen HERE.
Large Glass Hurricanes make great Candle Holders. You can set the candle on top of your shell display or insert a separate smaller hurricane candle holder and arrange the shells around it -that way no wax drips on your shell display.
Same types of Shells Organized & Displayed in a Glass Cabinet at the Gasparilla Inn Beach Club, featured on Instagram.
A bucket full of shells with a Beachy Sign with Quote on the front porch makes for a welcoming entry.
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