10 ways to use rope in your next coastal home DIY

Take a glass hurricane lamp or glass candlestick. Hot-glue the end of 6mm sisal rope at the bottom of the glass, then wrap upwards. Apply a dot of hot glue every 15cm. Knot a separate piece of rope around the exterior, finishing the ends with a metallic bead cap attached with a dot of hot glue.

A plain lamp base gets a quick update thanks to a little sisal rope, a trusty hot-glue gun and a soft tassel. A few small flourishes can add a relaxed beach vibe all year round. Here’s how to craft a table lamp that looks like it’s from your dream beach holiday. Use 10mm sisal rope to wrap the lamp base and add a soft, handcrafted tassel to finish. To make the decorative sculpture, cut three wires from an inexpensive wreath form and wind 6mm jute cord around each circle, hot-gluing each end. Adjust the loops inside one another to create your own orb. 

Complete the beachside theme with a plain or painted driftwood garland. Grab some rope and put holes in driftwood then weave it through. Simple!

Update an old side table with a coat of paint in Hamptons blue, and add a seaside spin with a drawer-pull made from soft 15mm natural jute rope. Patch the original knob hole with filler, then sand, paint and allow to dry. Drill two holes to fit the rope. Insert rope through the holes, tying knots on the inside of the drawer so the pull stays put.

Make a custom mat with tough abaca fibre, sold as manila rope. Working with a partner, cut lengths of 24mm manila rope with secateurs, one person holding the rope tight while the other cuts. Lay out the rope lengths, then weave through matching cotton string or jute to secure the rug. Untwist rope ends for a frayed effect. Add a pulse of pale blue to contrast with taupe and earthy tones.

To make a small rustic display shelf, drill four holes to fit your rope in each corner of a cutting board. Slide a strand of rope through D-ring hanging hardware, then through two holes on one side of the board. Knot one rope end. Repeat with second length of rope. Screw hardware to the wall, making sure shelf is level before you tie remaining knots. Skip the staining and sanding by choosing a handsome cutting board like this one.

Make any corner of your home twice as cosy by warming up the look of a planter. Simply wrap and hot-glue rope or piping cord to your chosen container. You can include a stripe of contrasting colour, or perhaps secure the ends of small woven handles beneath the coils.

It’s simple to make a curtain tieback. Wrap cotton or cotton-blend cord around a book multiple times. Slide the looped cords off the book, then thread a length of cord through the top. This cord will tie around the curtain. (You can tie this with a temporary knot to keep it in place.) Wrap another cord around the top of the loops and tie to make the tassel head. Cut the bottom of the loops to create a tassel. Trim to an even length and unravel the cord ends, if you like. 

Repurpose curtain rods and rope for a rustic headboard. Matching the length of two rods to your mattress width, secure them to the wall at the desired height. Knot 12-15mm thick manila or sisal rope to the bottom rod, then drape the rope over the top rod and wrap under the lower rod. Repeat to achieve your desired look, then knot the end of the rope to the bottom rod. A few dots of hot glue between rope and rod will hold the arrangement steady. (This treatment is not appropriate in rooms where children sleep.)

Upcycle a container to make a hanging vase. Hot-glue a sisal rope around the outside, then glue on rope handles for hanging.