Driftwood is abundant on the West Coast of the Pacific Northwest. You’ll see piles of it near the mouths of rivers as far south as the Pistol River and as far north as the Columbia River. Varieties include Douglas Fir, Sitka Spruce, and Western Red Cedar. Hardwoods such as Red Alder and Bigleaf Maple can also be found, along with other kinds. Driftwood’s assorted species, colors, and shapes often leave homeowners baffled about how to best use it. This design guide should make outdoor decorating with driftwood a lot easier.

Assemble a driftwood tree.

Driftwood trees are ideal for most outdoor areas. Add character to a coastal or riverfront home in the Pacific Northwest with one of your own designs. Mount your tree to a fence, a gate, or plant one in a side garden.

Create driftwood dividers.

Combine driftwood to create decorative garden and lawn dividers. Play with your options before assembly and installation.

Repetition is your friend.

When collecting driftwood, find bigger pieces that look great together and use them to line a fence. Driftwood also looks great as a focal point in a rock garden. Make sure the fence’s color looks attractive with the repeating driftwood pieces.

Got any other ideas?

The secret to success is organizing what appears to be chaotic on the beach or riverbanks into a well-balanced backyard design. We’d love to see what you come up with!