Driftwood: with a bit of inspiration, you can transform driftwood into wonderful works of art
A stroll along the shoreline of the the sea after a storm often reveals lots of driftwood that has been washed up. These "gifts from the sea" can be collected - whilst observing local laws, of course - and transformed into beautiful decorations for our homes! Check out some great, creative ideas below:
1. Table lamps
Perhaps you've found several driftwood branches or a knotted trunk at the seaside. Once dried - and perhaps oiled to help preserve the wood and get rid of termites - you can turn this driftwood into a wonderful table lamp by installing a light bulb and power cable, like shown in the example here.
2. Marine-themed artwork
Since driftwood is wood from the sea, why not create a marine-themed piece of art with it? These whales - made from painted pieces of driftwood - are very easy to put together!
3. A frame for your creations
Driftwood, especially if it's flat, is perfect to use to make a rustic frame: what you put inside the frame is up to you!
4. An octopus-shaped mosaic
@thefloridaalohamermaid/Instagram
And you can create things with small pieces of driftwood: these small pieces of driftwood can be assembled to create a mosaic-like decoration, like the octopus pictured here.
5. Frames for your mirrors
Do we want to put up a mirror in your home? Even a bland mirror can made unique if you frame it with bits of driftwood.
6. Dream-catchers and other hanging decorations
Decorations suspended in the middle of the room, near the bed or in front of a window: all of these decorations (including the ubiquitous dream-catcher) can be made using driftwood and cord/twine.
7. Big hearts to add warmth to your home
Few shapes are as evocative as those that depict a heart, and creating three-dimensional hearts with lots of pieces of driftwood is a way to decorate your home and make it feel warmer and cozier.
8. A kitty tower
Do you need a climbing tower for your cats to play on? Well, you can do this by using driftwood branches and some shelving (and perhaps wrapping the base in rope to incorporate a scratching post)!
9. Works of art
Some pieces of driftwood are beautiful in themselves and there is no need to transform them into something else: they are standalone works of art that need nothing more than to be put on display.
10. A stylized family portrait
A piece of driftwood for each member of the family, and sea-smoothed pebbles for heads: here's an example of a very sweet, stylized family portrait!
11. Driftwood landscapes
Here's another artwork idea: bits of driftwood - trimmed, painted and properly positioned - looks like a row of houses in some picturesque, seaside village.
12. Flowers from the sea
@naturallypeacefuljewelry/instagram
If you collect other things from the seaside (such as polished glass, pebbles and shells), you can use these items along with driftwood to create amazing portraits of flowers!
13. Modern art
Do you love modern, abstract art? If so, give this idea a try: here, a driftwood branch has been sliced up and a piece of regular, recycled wood has been inserted between each slice. The choice of colors is up to you and, as you can see here, it's a stunning piece of artwork.
Would you like to create similar decorations using driftwood?
