🐠 11 DIY Under The Sea Decorations

Planning an ocean-themed bash or just craving mermaid-core at home? Let’s turn your space into a salty little paradise without selling your soul to the craft store. Low effort, high splash. Warning your guests may refuse to leave.

1. Jellyfish Lanterns

Floaty, glowing, and weirdly elegant. Grab paper lanterns and add ribbon or crepe streamers as tentacles. Paint soft gradients with diluted acrylics.

• Materials Paper lanterns, crepe streamers, hot glue
• Glow Add LED tea lights inside
• Texture Mix ribbon widths for movement

Pro tip Curl plastic gift ribbon with scissors for bouncy tendrils. This works because the layered tentacles look alive when the AC kicks on.

2. Seaweed Garland

Wavy greens that look fresh off a reef. Cut long leaf shapes from tissue or felt and string them up. Add different greens for depth.

• Materials Tissue paper or felt, twine, needle
• Shape Vary lengths for a natural flow
• Placement Drape along walls or doorways

Pro tip Snip tiny notches along edges for ruffly texture. It works because the layers create an underwater sway vibe without a tank.

3. Bubble Balloon Clusters

Instant underwater atmosphere with zero effort. Use clear and pale blue balloons in mixed sizes. Cluster them from floor to ceiling.

• Materials Clear balloons, fishing line, glue dots
• Shape Use 5-inch minis for realistic “bubbles”
• Anchor Tape line to ceiling or wall

Pro tip Add a few iridescent balloons for sparkle. It works because the translucence screams ocean without being literal.

4. Coral Centerpieces

Colorful, sculptural, and surprisingly easy. Spray-paint dried branches or thrifted faux florals in neon coral tones. Pop them in sand-filled jars.

• Palette Coral, teal, hot pink, mint
• Base Mason jars, vases, or bowls
• Fill Play sand or aquarium gravel

Pro tip Hit tips with white paint for bleached highlights. It works because the silhouette mimics reef structures for instant sea vibes.

5. Fish Scale Backdrop

A shimmering wall that doubles as a selfie spot. Punch or cut circles from metallic paper and overlap like scales. Stick them in cascading rows.

• Materials Metallic cardstock, tape, scissors
• Depth Mix blues, greens, and silver
• Layout Start at the bottom for perfect overlap

Pro tip Curl edges slightly with a pencil for movement. It works because the light catches each “scale” like real fish.

6. Driftwood Name Signs

Beachy signage without the sand-in-everything. Paint names or cute phrases on driftwood or reclaimed wood. Hang with twine.

• Look Matte white or seafoam paint
• Detail Add shells or starfish accents
• Use Table labels or a welcome sign

Pro tip Dry-brush for a weathered finish. It works because the texture reads coastal at a glance.

7. Mermaid Tail Table Runner

A glittery path for snacks and compliments. Cut a long runner from fabric and add a fin-shaped end. Layer fish-scale cutouts on top.

• Materials Sequined fabric, felt, fabric glue
• Color Teal, lilac, or iridescent
• Finish Edge with bias tape or leave raw for vibe

Pro tip Add peel-and-stick gems down the “spine.” It works because the shine guides eyes straight to the food.

8. Seashell Candle Jars

Soft glow, beach whisper. Fill jars with sand and perch a tealight on top. Add shells for texture.

• Containers Recycled jars or low bowls
• Fill Sand, crushed shells, or salt
• Scent Ocean or coconut candles

Pro tip Wrap rims with jute and a tiny shell charm. It works because warm light plus natural textures feels coastal-cozy.

9. Underwater Photo Booth Frame

Capture the chaos in aquatic style. Decorate a foam board frame with seaweed, fish cutouts, and bubbles. Hang with fishing line for a floating effect.

• Base Foam board or cardboard
• Decor Tissue seaweed, foil fish, bubble stickers
• Mount Ceiling hook and clear line

Pro tip Add a blue cellophane “water” layer over parts of the frame. It works because the transparent tint fakes depth.

10. Tide Pool Trays

Miniature ocean scenes on your table. Arrange pebbles, faux moss, shells, and toy sea creatures on shallow trays. Mist lightly for sheen.

• Base Serving trays or baking sheets
• Texture Mix smooth stones and rough coral
• Pop Add a few glass marbles as water droplets

Pro tip Tuck in a tiny mirror to mimic water. It works because reflections add that tide pool sparkle.

11. Bubble Curtain Doorway

Make your entrance feel like a swim-through. String clear beads on fishing line at varying lengths. Hang in clusters for a bubbly cascade.

• Materials Clear acrylic beads, fishing line, dowel
• Spacing Randomize for a natural effect
• Install Mount the dowel above the doorway

Pro tip Add a few pale blue beads for depth. It works because the glinting strands look like rising bubbles.

Conclusion

That’s your ocean, minus the soggy socks. With a few glossy textures, soft lights, and organic shapes, your space transforms from landlocked to sea-chic fast. Keep it layered, keep it shiny, and let the vibes swim on by.