Driftwood Home Decor DIYs

A shelf on a white wall made out of driftwood.

Driftwood adds a touch of nature and peace to your home and if you live by the coast, chances are it's easy to find! Here are three DIYs that make the most of its natural beauty.

Floating Shelf

This floating driftwood shelf requires very little effort to make and is a great piece to display your favorite momentos.

Tools

  • 45 cm length of driftwood
  • 10 cm screws
  • Drill
  • Wall plugs
  • Hammer
  • Ruler
  • Pencil

Step 1 - Choose Your Driftwood Piece

You will need a piece of driftwood that is large enough to support the items you want to display. If necessary, you can use a large piece of driftwood that you have cut to size. Choose a piece that is also quite flat.

Step 2 - Mark Holes for Hanging

Use your ruler and pencil to mark a point that is 12 centimeters from either end of the driftwood. Be sure to mark along the side of the wood that will be facing the wall.

Step 3 - Create Holes With a Drill

Use your drill to put a hole at each point that you marked. Be careful that the hole is just deep enough to secure the shelf and does not go all the way through the wood.

Step 4 - Mark the Holes on the Wall

Determine where you want to place the shelf on your wall. Use your pencil to make a light mark along the top of the shelf. Use your ruler to measure 12 centimeters inward from either end of the line. These two spots will be where you insert your screws. Mark these spots with your pencil.

Step 5 - Insert the Wall Plugs

Use your drill to make a hole at each spot you marked. Use your hammer to insert the wall plugs into the holes. Secure the screws into the wall plugs leaving enough of them showing to fit into the holes on your driftwood shelf.

Step 6 - Attach the Shelf

Position the holes of your driftwood shelf onto the screws. You may need to turn the screws so that they are further into the plugs or out of the plugs so that your shelf fits flush with the wall. If you are using a larger or heavier piece of driftwood you may want to use shelf brackets that will provide more support.

Live, Laugh, Love Wall Art

A piece of driftwood art with the words "live, laugh, love" written on it.

Bring the beach home with this DIY driftwood wall art.

Tools

  • 3 driftwood pieces
  • 6 shells
  • Glue gun
  • Glue sticks
  • Pencil
  • Thick black marker
  • Twine
  • Ruler
  • Drill

Step 1 - Choose Your Driftwood Pieces

You will need three pieces of driftwood that are large enough for you to print one word on each of them. Choose pieces that are as flat as possible. If necessary, you can use three large piece of driftwood that you have to cut to size.

Step 2 - Drill Holes for Hanging

Measure two inches inward from each end of one of the pieces. Use your pencil to draw a light line across the back of the driftwood at that those two points on either end of the board. Use your drill to make a hole that goes all the way through the driftwood at the line you've marked. Continue the process with the other two pieces of driftwood.

Step 3 - Print the Words

Use your pencil to print the word "live" on one of the boards. When you're satisfied with the size and style of the letters, go back over them with your thick black marker. Do the same with the next two boards printing the word "laugh" on one and the word "love" on the other.

Step 4 - Decorate With the Shells

Use your glue gun to attach a decorative shell on either side of the words you have printed on the boards.

Step 5 - Attach the Twine

Tie a knot on the end of your twine. Run it through the left hole of the driftwood with the word "love" on it. Allow six inches on the twine before tying another knot. Run the twine through the left hole of the driftwood with the word "laugh" on it. Allow six more inches of twine before tying a third knot. Run the twine through the left hole of the driftwood with the word "live" on it. Allow twelve inches of twine. Run the knot back down through the right hole of the driftwood with the word "live" on it. Tie a knot just below the hole. Continue the process until you have joined all of the boards together.

Step 6 - Hang Your Artwork

Secure a hook to the wall and hang your wall art.

Driftwood Lamp

A driftwood lamp.

This driftwood lamp is simple and easy to create.

Tools

  • Driftwood pieces
  • Straight metal rod lamp
  • Glue gun
  • Glue sticks
  • Painter's tape
  • Ruler

Step 1 - Choose Your Driftwood Pieces

Use your ruler to measure the height of the lamp. You will want pieces of driftwood that fit from the base of the lamp to the switch component. Keep in mind they might be arranged on an angle so they can be a little longer. You will need enough pieces to go around the entire lamp in a random arrangement.

Step 2 - Confirm the Driftwood Placement

Arrange all of your pieces and secure them into place with painter's tape. Be sure to leave enough space to be able to access the switch. Wrap the painter's tape around the driftwood pieces so that you can see how well they fit together.

Step 3 - Secure the Wood

Use your glue gun to secure each piece of driftwood at the top and bottom of the lamp. Carefully remove a small portion of the painter's tape and take out one piece of driftwood. Apply the glue and position the piece into place. Hold the driftwood in position for about 10 seconds. Continue the process until the entire lamp is wrapped in driftwood. Wrap more painter's tape around the driftwood and allow the lamp to dry overnight.