Cover Old Glass Jars With Seashells To Make Beachy Countertop Storage

We're not all lucky enough to live by the beach. However, there's no saying you can't still enjoy a nautical vibe at home — starting with countertop storage containers! You see, most people need places to stash little items away to avoid cluttered surfaces. While jars are excellent for the job, they can easily be upgraded with seashells so they're beautiful decor pieces, too. This DIY can be kept super simple where you need nothing more than old glass jars, shells, and a hot glue gun. Alternatively, you can get even more artsy with paint and faux pearls.

If you like decorating with real seashells from the beach, hopefully you brought some home from your last vacation. Or, perhaps you can gather some on your morning walk. You'll need enough shells to cover the outside of your old glass jars. As for the containers themselves, they can be any size you like — from regular-mouth Mason jars to giant ones for pickles. If you don't have any shells at the moment, you can always grab some on Amazon, like these Fangoo Mixed Beach Seashells. There's also this Vunder Fancy Shells Mix at Hobby Lobby if you prefer to shop in person.

Before you attempt this creative way to decorate old glass jars, make sure to clean them first. Peel the labels off and thoroughly wash them out. If your seashells were gathered from the beach, you can place them in a mixture of water, dish soap, and a small amount of baking soda. Gently scrub them with a soft brush to get them nice and clean. Allow the items to dry. Next, paint the outside of the jars if you want them to have a background color — such as tan, white, or a soft ocean blue. However, you could also keep the glass clear for a different look.

It's now time to start hot gluing the seashells to the jars. Make a plan first to ensure you get the look you desire. Perhaps you want different types spread evenly around, or there are large shells that deserve to be front and center. Cover the jars with as many as you like. After you're done, consider filling in the gaps between the shells with embellishments, such as these VADQZA Flatback Half Round Pearls. That's it — the beachy containers are ready to use for countertop storage.

Feel free to customize the project so there are even more nautical touches. Wrap the jars' necks with jute rope, or use burlap fabric as a background material instead of paint. Simply glue it to the outside of the jars prior to attaching the shells. Another idea is to mix in Dollar Tree's Aqua Mist Decorative Gems since they look similar to sea glass. Don't forget about decorating the lid, too (if you're using it). You could even decoupage your own beach vacation pic on top to personalize the container.

Want additional pizzazz? Paint the shells with a layer of ModPodge Sparkle. Or, attach tiny battery-operated lights to the inside of the lids to create glowing jars — these BTFO Mini LED Lights for Crafts could be an option. Place the jars in your kitchen or coastal-inspired bathroom to use for countertop storage. They'll be able to help corral little items while appearing to be nothing more than decor.