I’ve received a few requests for affordable wall art ideas, both retail and DIY versions. After thinking about how to share these ideas, I’ve decided to split this great topic into two posts.
Today, we’ll explore the world of DIY wall art ideas. In the next post, I’ll share a roundup of affordable artwork you can purchase online.
Read More: Where to Buy Affordable Wall Art
I would love to hear your feedback as we go; if you have other ideas, sources, or photos of your projects, please send them my way!
Large DIY Wall Art Ideas
Installing large-scale artwork can be an expensive undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s possible to create stunning, large wall art with these creative hacks.
Shower Curtain Canvas
I want to try this brilliant idea! I’ve seen a few bloggers pull this off, and Bless’er House has a good tutorial here.
Basically, you’ll build a simple frame and then staple a cool shower curtain to it. The end result looks like large canvas art! Can you believe this started as a shower curtain?!
Here is a similar idea, using an affordable wall tapestry from Society 6, with a floating frame built around it.
These are some fun shower curtains for this project:
Modern Canvas Art
Buy large blank canvas like this at a craft store and slap on some acrylic paint that fits with your home’s decor. My mother-in-law did this years ago to create art for her living room, and I’ve been meaning to try it.
Here’s a tutorial that includes a texture medium for added dimension. Find inspiration by browsing modern art prints and paintings, like these:
Quilt or Tapestry Hanging
Hang a quilt, tapestry, or handmade blanket on the wall. I hung this baby blanket, a gift from a friend, above my desk. I love seeing it every time I sit down to work.
For this project, I ran a dowel through a sleeve sewn on the back, to avoid distorting the blanket. Here’s a simple hanging frame for lighter materials.
Display a Collection to Make a Large Impact
Turn small art into a large statement by displaying a collection of favorite items. Here are some fun ideas.
Basket Wall
I know you’ve seen a lot of my living room basket wall, but it’s still my favorite DIY project in our entire house! Some of the baskets are sentimental, and it makes an incredible impact as soon as we open the front door.
If you already have a collection of baskets, this is a very low-cost project.
Plate Display
How about hanging a collection of vintage or sentimental plates?
I’ve seen a few ideas to hang plates using these hangers or these adhesive discs, the way these plates are mounted in the photo. Plus, here’s a video from The Inspired Room to show how they hang plates:
Gallery Wall
Gallery walls are always in style. Whether you choose to display family photos or favorite prints, a gallery wall collection allows smaller frames to make a big impact.
For cohesiveness, use the same frame color, even in different sizes and styles. Another design choice that helps coordinate a gallery wall is to apply the same filter to all photos or stick to black and white.
You could also frame sections of wallpaper or wrapping paper to create wall art or a gallery wall. Here are a few great examples.
Get Crafty With These Wall Art Ideas
Decoupage Print
Here’s a fun idea to create your own large wall art from a beautiful print. After printing and cutting out the images, you can design the layout, decoupage and frame it. Group two or three different framed designs together to create a larger effect.
Yarn Wall Art
Try your hand at a modern macrame piece or boho yarn wall art creation. This is simply a branch with long strands of yarn tied to it. Here’s a DIY tutorial, if needed, and you’ll find inspiration here on Pinterest.
Upcycle Collage
Upcycle old treasures into your own DIY art.
A few years ago, my aunt created these collages out of old computer parts that could not be recycled (at the time). She is a graphic designer and this is a nice tribute to her career. She spray-painted the various parts in a few colors and glued them together to make each collage. Such a cool idea!
Paint, Stencil, or Wallpaper Your Own Wall Art
These are some of my favorite, creative wall art ideas using just a few supplies. From paint to wallpaper, you can design an affordable and unique feature wall.
Painted Design
How striking is this asymmetrical painted circle + floating shelf combo? This image stopped me in my tracks when I first saw it. (You might have noticed I have a thing for circles.)
Stencil
Stencil a mandala behind your console table. Boom! Instant entryway update. Cutting Edge stencils are great; I recommend this nice fat stencil brush to use with large designs.
You Might Also Like:
How to Make a Doormat With a Custom Stencil
Temporary Wallpaper
My friend is installing a wallpaper mural in her living room. (Sounds pretty, but I’ve removed too much wallpaper to ever apply it myself, unless it’s the temporary version.)
Another friend swears by Tempaper, which I haven’t tried yet. Here is her daughter’s room:
Wall Mural/Decal
My last idea is to look at removable wall murals and decals at Society 6, Wayfair, Etsy, West Elm, Minted, and Home Depot. If you’re skeptical of the word “decal,” I’m not talking about a hockey team logo. Just take a look at this beautiful example:
More Wall Art Ideas
Update: here’s the next post! Where to Buy Affordable Wall Art
I’ve been bookmarking some great sources for affordable wall art that I’m excited to share with you.
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