15 Easy DIY Nautical Decor Ideas

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Discover 15 easy DIY nautical decor ideas and embrace the spirit of summer with creativity by bringing a maritime touch into your home. Summer is the perfect time to embrace the refreshing and vibrant aesthetics of nautical decor. Easy DIY nautical decor ideas can transform your living space into a breezy style, bringing the essence of the beach right to your home. There are compelling reasons to give these projects a try this season.

What is Nautical Decor?

Nautical decor or maritime decor is an interior design style inspired by the sea, sailing, beaches, and marine life. It’s meant to evoke a relaxed, breezy, ocean-side feeling whether you’re by the coast or not.

Engaging in DIY activities is a great way to spend quality time with family or friends during the long summer days. Whether it’s painting old furniture in ocean hues or crafting unique wall art from driftwood, these projects offer endless possibilities. Common materials to use in nautical crafts:

Natural fibers: Rope, jute, rattan, wicker
Wood: Driftwood, weathered or whitewashed wood
Metal: Brass, iron (especially with a patina or rusted look)
Glass: Sea glass, clear or frosted bottles
Canvas and cotton: Sailcloth, striped fabrics
Shells and coral: Real or faux, often as accents

Gather supplies and collaborate on creative endeavors that everyone can enjoy. Not only will you end up with beautiful decor pieces, but you’ll also create lasting memories along the way. Typical nautical color palettes usually include colors like:

Navy blue and White
Seafoam green
Sand beige
Driftwood gray
Red accents (e.g., lifebuoys or signal flags)
Turquoise and aqua for a lighter beachy twist

15 Easy DIY Nautical Decor Ideas

Nautical decor evokes feelings of relaxation and tranquility, reminiscent of seaside getaways. By incorporating elements like seashells, ropes, and marine colors such as navy blue and sandy beige, you can create an inviting atmosphere that enhances your summer experience. Here are 15 easy DIY nautical decor projects:

Driftwood Mirror Frame

DIY projects are not only budget-friendly but also allow for personalization. You can tailor each piece to reflect your style while enjoying the satisfaction that comes from creating something with your own hands. Glue pieces of driftwood around a circular or square mirror for a coastal look.

Nautical Rope Coasters

Coil thick rope into spirals, glue, and trim to create a nautical rope coasters for a simple and functional DIY.

DIY Lifebuoy Wall Art

Use a foam ring and wrap it with white and red fabric or tape for DIY Lifebuoy wall art or garland that are perfect for hanging on a wall.

Pallet Wood Sign with Nautical Quotes

Paint beach quotes on reclaimed wood like:

“Let’s sail away.”
“Home is where the anchor drops.”
“Seas the day.”
“Let’s get nauti.” etc.

Shell & Sea Glass Wind Chime

String shells, sea glass, and beads from a piece of driftwood or branch.

Anchor Wall Art

Paint or stencil an anchor on canvas, wood, or even a piece of burlap.

Lanterns with Sand & Shells

Fill mason jars with sand, shells, and a candle for cozy beach lighting.

Rope Curtain Tiebacks

Use heavy rope as curtain holders, tied in nautical knots like the monkey fist.

DIY Nautical Knots Shadow Box

Frame various decorative knots like bowline, cleat hitch with labels in a white or navy blue shadow box.

Striped Cushions or Table Runners

Sew or paint blue and white stripes onto fabric for a coastal vibe.

Bottle with a “Message in a Bottle”

Write a faux message, roll it up, and insert it into a vintage-style bottle.

Seashell Picture Frame

Glue collected shells around the border of a frame that is great for beach photos.

DIY Boat Shelf

Convert an old rowboat or canoe into a bookshelf or wall-mounted display.

Nautical Flag Banner

Make a bunting of maritime signal flags using fabric or paper to hang in a hallway or kids’ room.

Rope-Wrapped Vases or Jars

Wrap glass mason jars or bottles with rope or twine for a rustic, coastal centerpiece.

Glass jars are so versatile items and ideal for upcycling projects. You can give them a coastal style by wrapping around rope or twine. You can use many different materials and colors to match them with your home decoration:

mason jars
twine
scissors
hot glue
pebbles and seashells
soft decorative wire
candles

Put the end of the twine in the jar and hot glue it.
Wrap the twine around the jar tightly.
When you cover the area you want, cut the twine and hot glue the edge of it on the rest twine to keep it stable and not stick out.
I used soft decorative wire to make the handle, but you can do a braid with twine instead of wire, or you can leave it as it is.
Hot glue the handle on the sides of the jar and above these points hot glue seashells, or any other decorative item you want in order to cover the glue.
And, the upcycling jar as a lovely coastal candle holder is ready!

Instead of glass jars, you can use tin cans or whatever you have as an available container. You can paint it, or spray it with colors like white, blue, aqua, etc., and have a pretty nautical-style vase.