Creative Ideas for Displaying Your Shell Collection

After joining us on a coastal shellventure and collecting beautiful shells, you’re probably wondering how to showcase your finds in a way that highlights their natural beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, displaying your shells creatively can transform them into stunning home decor.

Below, I’ve rounded up some favorite ideas for displaying shells, complete with product suggestions. Let’s dive in and turn your shell collection into a work of art! Full disclosure: this post contains paid links; as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases.

1. Glass Jar Displays: Simple and Elegant

Fill clear glass jars with your shells to create a timeless, coastal-inspired display. Layer different sizes, colors, and textures for visual interest, or mix in sand from your beach trips.

- How to Do It: Choose a variety of jar sizes and shapes—mason jars, apothecary jars, or cylindrical vases work well. Arrange shells by color or type, and consider adding a small LED light inside for a glowing effect.

- Pro Tip: Seal the jar for a polished look, or leave it open to add new finds from future shell tour trips.

- Product Suggestion:

2. Shadow Box Art: A Coastal Gallery

Create a museum-quality display with a shadow box. These framed boxes allow you to arrange shells in a 3D format, perfect for highlighting special pieces from your collection.

- How to Do It: Select a shadow box with enough depth for your largest shells. Use adhesive or museum putty to secure shells in a pattern—try a spiral, grid, or freeform design. Add a fabric or painted background to make the shells pop.

- Pro Tip: Label your shells with their names or the beach where you found them for a personal touch.-

Product Suggestion:

3. Shell-Filled Terrarium Ornaments: Year-Round Charm

Turn your shells into hanging ornaments for a whimsical display. These are perfect for holiday trees, window decor, or year-round coastal accents.

- How to Do It: Use clear plastic or glass terrarium globe ornament, place shells, and add glitter or faux pearls for sparkle, or sand for a natural beach scene. Tie with twine or ribbon for a rustic look.

- Pro Tip: Use shells small enough to fit through the ornament opening.

- Product Suggestion:

4. Floating Shelves: Modern and Minimalist

Display your shells on floating shelves for a clean, contemporary look. This method lets you rearrange your collection easily and mix in other coastal decor.

- How to Do It: Install floating shelves on a wall and arrange shells by size or color. Pair with small potted plants, driftwood, or framed beach photos for a curated vibe.

- Pro Tip: Group shells in odd numbers (3, 5, or 7) for a balanced, visually appealing display.

- Product Suggestion:

5. Shell Mirror Frame: Functional Art

Transform a plain mirror into a coastal masterpiece by adorning the frame with shells. This is a bold way to display your collection while adding function to your decor.

- How to Do It: Use professional heavy-duty glue to attach shells to the frame of a round or rectangular mirror. Start with larger shells as a base and fill gaps with smaller ones for a textured look.

- Pro Tip: Choose a color scheme (e.g., all white shells or a mix of vibrant hues) to match your room’s aesthetic.

- Product Suggestion:

Tips for Displaying Shells

- Clean Your Shells: Before displaying, clean shells with warm water and a mild soap to remove sand or debris. Soak in a water-bleach solution (10:1 ratio) for tough stains, then dry thoroughly.

- Rotate Your Display: Swap out shells seasonally or after new tours to keep your display fresh and reflective of your latest shellventures.

Join Ali’s Shell Tour for More Shells to Display

Need more shells to fuel your creative displays? Join us on tour to explore the best shell-hunting beaches. Book your next shellventure and collect treasures for your next project!