Coastal Christmas decorations

The coastal Christmas look

Coastal Christmas decorating swaps red and gold for seafoam, aqua, white and sand. It suits an Australian summer Christmas and works in any home, not just at the beach.

Easy ideas

Try these ideas:

• Sea glass ornaments on a white or timber tree
• A jar of shells and fairy lights on the table
• Driftwood garlands across the mantel
• Linen table runners in soft blue
• A sea glass Christmas tree as a centrepiece

Start with an advent calendar

The Melopure Advent Calendar gives you 24 sea glass pieces through December, so your coastal decorations grow day by day.

One calendar is A$99, two are A$149, three are A$199 (buy 2, get the 3rd free) and four are A$299. All prices are in Australian dollars, include GST and come with free delivery Australia-wide.

10 coastal Christmas decorating ideas

You don't need a beach house to create a coastal Christmas. These ideas work in any home.

• Swap red and green for aqua, white and sand.
• Use a white or natural timber Christmas tree.
• Hang sea glass, shells and starfish as ornaments.
• Wrap the tree base in a jute or rattan basket.
• Fill clear vases with sand, shells and fairy lights.
• Use driftwood as a mantel garland.
• Add rope or linen ribbon instead of tinsel.
• Line a windowsill with sea glass pieces.
• Set the Christmas table with linen and native greenery.
• Count down with a sea glass advent calendar.

A coastal Christmas colour palette

Pick a main colour, a neutral and one accent.

Using Australian native greenery

Native plants give a coastal Christmas a local feel. Eucalyptus, banksia, grevillea and wattle all dry well and pair beautifully with sea glass and white. A sprig of eucalyptus on each place setting also smells lovely in the summer heat.

Outdoor and verandah styling

Australian Christmas often happens outside. Keep outdoor décor simple and weather-proof: solar fairy lights along the verandah, a wreath of dried natives on the door, and sea glass or shells in jars on the outdoor table. Bring delicate pieces inside before wind or storms.

Coastal Christmas tree ideas

The tree sets the tone for a coastal Christmas. Choose a base, then dress it simply.

• White tree with sea glass, shells and silver stars for a bright beach-house look.
• Natural timber or flocked tree with jute ribbon and driftwood pieces.
• A driftwood or branch tree on a sideboard when space is tight.
• A tabletop sea glass Christmas tree as a centrepiece instead of a full tree.

Room by room: where to decorate

Spread a few coastal touches through the house rather than filling one spot.

Three coastal Christmas styles

Coastal Christmas decorations come in a few looks. Pick one so the room feels considered.

• Hamptons Christmas: navy, white and silver, with crisp linen and timber.
• Boho beach: rattan, macramé, dried grasses and warm sand tones.
• Minimal Scandi-coastal: white, pale timber and a few pieces of aqua sea glass.

Easy DIY: sea glass jar lantern

A five-minute project that glows on a summer evening.

1. Take a clean clear glass jar.
2. Add a layer of sand or small shells to the base.
3. Place sea glass pieces on top, mixing colours.
4. Drop in a string of battery fairy lights.
5. Tie jute or linen ribbon around the neck.

Easy DIY: shell garland

Thread shells onto twine with a small knot between each one, leaving a hand-width gap. Drape it over the mantel or along the tree. Use bought shells, or check local rules before collecting.

Coastal Christmas shopping checklist

Start with one keepsake piece and build around it.

• A sea glass advent calendar to grow your display through December
• White or timber Christmas tree
• Jute, rope or linen ribbon
• Clear jars and battery fairy lights
• Dried native greenery
• Linen table runner in aqua or sand

Coastal decorating on a budget

Coastal style suits a small budget because so much of it is natural. Collect driftwood and shells (where it's allowed), reuse glass jars, and buy one hero piece, like an advent calendar, that you bring out every year.