How to Style Found Objects – Shells, stones, driftwood and beyond

Stop me if this sounds familiar:
You’re on a walk—maybe by the sea, maybe in the woods—and something catches your eye. A smooth, wave-worn stone. A feather with unexpected patterning. A piece of driftwood, curved just right. Into your pocket it goes. Weeks later, it’s still sitting on your shelf… looking more like clutter than a keepsake.

You’re not alone. Found objects carry stories, memories, and a quiet kind of beauty—but styling them inside your home? That’s where most people get stuck. The line between “curated and calming” and “random pile of stuff” can feel painfully thin.

Here’s the good news: you can turn those bits of nature into intentional, beautiful decor—and you don’t need to be a designer to do it.

I’ve spent years helping people translate creativity into real, lived-in spaces. In this guide, you’ll learn simple principles and specific ideas for styling shells, stones, driftwood and beyond—so your natural finds look less like leftovers and more like art.

Why Found Objects Are Worth Styling

There’s a reason you picked that shell up off the sand. Or tucked that feather into your coat pocket. These objects aren’t just beautiful—they carry meaning. They remind you of a moment, a place, a feeling. And that’s exactly why they deserve a place in your home.

Here’s why styling found objects works—both visually and emotionally:

1. They add soul to your space

Anyone can buy a vase from a shop. But a handful of stones from your favourite walk? That’s yours. Found objects make your space feel lived-in, personal, and quietly intentional.

2. They’re sustainable

No manufacturing, no shipping, no plastic wrap. Styling found objects is a simple way to bring sustainability into your decor.

3. They invite curiosity

A well-placed piece of driftwood or a bowl of sea glass doesn’t just sit there—it starts conversations. It makes people look twice.

4. They connect you to nature

Whether you live by the beach or in a city flat, styling natural materials brings a grounding, calming element indoors.

Bottom line? You’re not just decorating. You’re telling a story—and using objects that already have one.

Styling Principles That Work

Before you start arranging your shells or stacking stones, it helps to understand a few styling basics. These principles will keep your space feeling intentional—not like you accidentally emptied your pockets onto the nearest surface.

1. Balance is everything

Found objects tend to be irregular in shape, size, and texture. That’s part of the charm—but it also means you need to think about how they sit within a space. Balance doesn’t mean symmetry; it means making sure nothing feels too heavy on one side. If you’re styling a shelf, for example, balance a large piece of driftwood with a small cluster of shells or a lighter object on the other end.

2. Repetition creates rhythm

Using multiple items of the same material (like three similar stones or a group of feathers) helps the eye understand what it’s seeing. This gives your objects a sense of rhythm—rather than looking like random scatter.

3. Leave negative space

Just because you have a lot of objects doesn’t mean they all need to go on display at once. Negative space (aka empty space) is what makes the styled parts shine. Don’t be afraid to edit.

4. Play with height and texture

Layering textures—like a smooth shell on a rough linen cloth, or a feather inside a ceramic bowl—adds visual interest. Vary the height of objects too, using things like stands, books, or even stacked stones to guide the eye upward.

5. Contain the chaos

Use trays, bowls, or shadow boxes to ‘frame’ your objects. Containing them in a defined space instantly makes them look styled instead of scattered.

Specific Styling Ideas by Material

Let’s break it down. Here’s how to take common found objects and turn them into beautiful, intentional decor—without overthinking it.

🐚 Shells

Shells bring an instant sense of calm and coastal charm, but they can quickly veer into “beach souvenir shop” territory if overdone.

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🪨 Stones

Stones bring weight, grounding, and natural texture. They pair well with clean, modern interiors and rustic spaces.

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🌿 Driftwood

Driftwood adds warmth, movement, and a weathered story. It often works best as a statement piece.

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✨ Other Found Objects

Nature is generous—so let’s not forget the extras.

Feathers: Tuck into a small bud vase or layer inside a glass cloche.
Sea Glass: Fill a clear jar or vase, or glue onto a backing to make a mosaic tray.
Seeds, Pods, or Pinecones: Great in autumn—arrange them in a bowl or scatter around candle bases.

Where to Put Them

Even the most beautifully styled objects can fall flat if they’re in the wrong spot. Here’s how to choose placements that make your found objects feel like part of your home, not just an afterthought.

🪟 Windowsills and Ledges

These slim spaces are perfect for showcasing smaller items like stones, feathers, or a single striking shell. Natural light brings out textures and colours beautifully—especially with translucent things like sea glass.

🪵 Coffee Tables and Side Tables

Use trays or shallow bowls to keep things feeling anchored. Combine natural objects with candles, books, or ceramics to create a relaxed but deliberate vibe.

📚 Bookshelves

Mix your found items in with your books and other decor. A stone beside a small plant, or a shell in front of a vertical book stack, creates visual breaks and a touch of nature.

🚿 Bathrooms

This is where shells and driftwood feel most at home. Try placing a few shells around a soap dish, or lean a piece of driftwood on a shelf for a spa-like touch.

🛏️ Bedrooms

Use found objects as part of your bedside styling—stones for grounding, feathers for lightness, or shells as a reminder of calm. A single, meaningful object on your nightstand can do more than a dozen decor items.

🎨 Gallery Walls & Displays

Float-frame your objects or hang driftwood as part of a mixed media wall. Shadow boxes work well for displaying grouped collections with more visual structure.

Do’s and Don’ts

Found object styling is part art, part intuition—but a few key rules can help keep things from going sideways.

✅ DO group with intention

A random scatter of shells? Messy. A small group arranged in a dish or on a tray? Intentional. Always aim to contain your collection, even if it’s just with an invisible visual boundary.

❌ DON’T overcrowd

Less really is more. If you’ve got a lot of pieces, rotate them seasonally rather than displaying everything at once. Think curation, not collection.

✅ DO mix textures and tones

Natural materials play well together. Contrast smooth with rough, light with dark, small with large. This creates visual depth and keeps things interesting.

❌ DON’T force symmetry

Nature is irregular—let it be. You don’t need everything to line up or match. A bit of asymmetry often makes things feel more relaxed and natural.

✅ DO tie it into your existing style

If your home is minimal, go for one or two striking objects. If your space is more eclectic, you can layer more freely. Match the energy of your home.

❌ DON’T forget the purpose

Remember why you kept these things in the first place. If a piece doesn’t bring you joy or add something visually, it doesn’t need to stay on display.

Quick Tips for Cleaning & Prepping

Before you start styling, a little prep goes a long way—especially if your finds came straight from the outdoors. Here’s how to clean and care for them, simply.

🐚 Shells

• Soak in a solution of warm water and a bit of white vinegar to remove any lingering smell or algae.
• Scrub gently with a toothbrush if needed. Let them air dry completely before styling.

🪨 Stones

• Rinse with warm water and mild soap.
• For polished stones, a tiny dab of olive oil can enhance their natural shine.
• Let them dry on a towel and brush off any remaining debris.

🌿 Driftwood

• Shake or brush off sand, insects, or dirt.
• If you want to be thorough, soak in a bleach-water solution (1:9 ratio) for a few hours, then dry in the sun.
• Sand any sharp edges if you’re planning to handle it a lot.

🪶 Feathers

• Freeze them in a plastic bag for 24 hours to kill any mites.
• You can gently wipe with a damp cloth or soft brush. Avoid soaking.

✨ General Tip

Always let your items fully dry before bringing them inside or sealing in containers. Dampness can lead to mould or smell, which defeats the calming effect you’re going for.

Let Yourself Experiment

Here’s the truth: there’s no single “right” way to style found objects. What matters is how they make you feel. If that driftwood brings you back to a quiet morning walk, or that stone reminds you of a place you love—then it’s already doing its job.

You don’t need a designer’s eye. You just need to give yourself permission to try things out. Move pieces around. Take a photo. Step back. If it feels off, tweak it. If it makes you smile, you’ve nailed it.

Styling with found objects is more than decorating—it’s about noticing beauty in the everyday and letting it live on inside your home. So go ahead. Open that drawer of treasures. Pull out what speaks to you. Start small, stay curious, and trust your instincts.

Because your home isn’t just a place—it’s a story. And these objects? They’re your punctuation marks.