7. Driftwood Sculptural Bookends
Driftwood brings a shoreline feel indoors, and its irregular shapes mean no two bookends ever match exactly. The challenge is weight: driftwood is light, so plan on adding a hidden base or a small internal weight to keep the books upright.
Materials:
- Two sturdy pieces of driftwood with a flat side
- Wood glue, small dowels, or hidden screws
- Flat wood bases cut slightly larger than the driftwood footprint
- A few metal washers or a small sand pouch for weight
- Clear matte sealer, sandpaper, felt pads
How to make them: Scrub the driftwood and let it dry thoroughly in a warm, dry room — this can take a week or more for thick pieces. Sand any rough patches, then seal with a matte finish to keep the natural gray tone and prevent flaking. Glue the wood to the base, hiding the washers or sand pouch in a hollowed area or beneath a small block of wood, and finish the bottom with felt.
Time: about an hour of assembly, plus drying time for the wood and glue. Difficulty: moderate.
These suit a coastal living room, a bathroom shelf holding paperbacks, or a sunroom. Group them with shells, a woven basket, and a linen throw for a relaxed, beach-house mood. If your driftwood is very light, glue two pieces together at an angle to build volume and add stability.