Could 1980s Seashell Decor Be Making A Comeback? Here's What We Think

Picture it: You're walking down the beach and you see a cool shell. You pick it up, looking around to see if anyone has noticed you still collect shells. Sound familiar? Well, here's the thing: No one cares. In fact, many people collect them the way others do coins or antiques or plants. These keepsakes are fun curiosities from another world. Not only that, but shells are comforting, interesting, and pull a piece of the natural world into your home whenever you bring them back with you.

With that in mind, many are wondering whether the '80s trend of decorating with seashells is back "in style." During an exclusive interview with House Digest, Erika Dale, interior designer and founder of Erika Dale Interior Design, agreed that the aesthetic is coming back. "While you likely won't see 1980s seashell wallpaper borders or over-the-top shell encrusted picture frames per se, there is definitely a resurgence of embracing actual seashells, as well as shell-shaped decor, in a more modern, subtle way," she said.

"With the widespread popularity of the coastal grandmother design style and Nancy Meyers aesthetic, it is no wonder we are once again seeing seashells making a comeback in stylish interiors," she said. TikTok videos featuring everything from seashell mantels and fireplace borders to smaller accents like soap dishes abound on the internet, and Dale says you can get it with "any aesthetic with a nod to the coast, as it evokes the feeling of sea breezes and sandy feet."

So how do you incorporate seashells into your space without diving too deep into the nostalgia pool? Erika Dale suggests "showcasing a dramatic oversized clam shell bowl on a coffee table or using a small shell-shaped jewelry dish in the bathroom or on a nightstand." You can also get crafty and make your own cute table dishes with seashells you found on one of your beach strolls!

During her exclusive with House Digest, Dale also recommended using a glass vessel. "Fill it with the treasures you find from strolls on the sand, creating a collection of memories that will make you smile every day," she said. This also helps bring elements of nature into your home without overdoing it. To keep it both chic and modern, she also suggests considering "decor made from shell material, such as a stunning capiz chandelier or ottoman tray to bring a little shimmer to your space."