13 DIY Wall Art Projects for 2013

Tiffany -

Written by contributor Tiffany Larson.

Once the Christmas tree comes down and the decorations are safely put away until next year, I have such a strong need to organize, simplify and decorate our home. Oh, you too?

What is it about January that makes us want to give away all the toys, organize our linen closet and get pictures on the walls? If you have the answer, please share!

Over the summer, we moved into a new house. I”ve hung a few art pieces but I have yet to even hang up my children”s finger paintings.  In the next month, I”m hoping to accomplish a couple of these DIY wall art projects. They are inexpensive, easy to do and will mean even more to you when done personally.

1. Monogram Walls

Jones Design Company designed this awesome “Wall of L”s”. It started as a way for her to hide all the switches on that wall and turned into a beautiful wall of monograms using the first letter of their last name.

You could start your own monogram wall with a free printable letter from The Cooke Family or For Chic Sake. For variety, check out these DIY tutorials to make one with buttons, yarn, fabric, washi tape, maps or moss.

2. Botanicals

I love using botanical art because it brings in that green plant color that feels summery and fresh, even in the midst of a snow-covered, ten-degree day (yes, it”s really that cold in Oregon today!).

I also like botanicals because they are so easy to do myself. You can start by printing out any of the hundreds of free botanical art prints from Vintage Printables. Mount them in frames and arrange them on the wall as you like. Another idea? You could make these yourself (saving yourself over $200) by wrapping burlap or linen around a canvas or piece of wood. Use upholstery tacks to attach the botanical print to the fabric covered board.

3. Family Rules

Family Rules are a popular way to attractively display your family values. I”ve seen ones made with scrapbook paper, on canvas or the super creative, on wooden stair treads. I personally love this version done on pallet wood by Squishy Cheeks & Cupcakes.

If you aren”t feeling crafty, head over to Signs by Andrea where you can design a custom Family Rules document and instantly download it for printing, for just $9.

4. Sheet Music Art

Scout & Nimble made this Sheet Music wall art with a song from their wedding. She constructed it with a large canvas, frame, and Mod Podge. You can purchase your sheet music (it”s a digital download) and then take it to a print shop or office supply store to have it enlarged.

This is definitely on my “to-do” list for 2013. I”ll be using Somewhere Over the Rainbow, a song my grandma used to play for me all the time. It brings back wonderful memories.

5. Paper Garlands

Paper garlands are a great craft to make with children. They can help you cut out the pieces and it”s a great opportunity to teach some basic sewing skills. I”ll be making this heart shaped garland to hang on the wall above my daughter”s bed. I think we”ll spice it up a little with a mix of printed scrapbook papers.

I also like the idea of making a snowflake garland to hang during the winter months (even though we have real snowflakes outside!).

6. Embroidery Hoop Art

I am so inspired by the beautiful embroidery hoop wall art on display at Polli. It”s another project I would love to see hanging in my daughter”s room with fun, bright coordinating fabrics.  This would be a great project to use fabric from your scrap pile. Another inexpensive DIY wall art project, you can get 6-packs of embroidery hoops for just $5.99.

7. Map Art

Map wrapping paper is an inexpensive way to hang map wall art. In the photo above, my sister mounted a piece of Cavallini map wrapping paper onto a piece of foam core board and into a frame, without the glass. It was inexpensive to create and is great for teaching her kids about geography, not to mention how cute it is in their room!

For 75 more ways to decorate with maps, check out the map decorating party over at A Soft Place to Land.

8. Calendar Art

I love framing illustrations from calendars as wall art. Rifle Paper Company has an Around the World Calendar with beautiful hand painted cities from across the world. I”ve traveled to several of the cities and am planning to frame each one as a unique memory of my travels.

Any calendar from Cavallini is beautiful and worth framing. This Garden Wall Calendar would be perfect framed for the kitchen or dining area. I also love the calendars from Snow & Graham, the illustrations are gorgeous and unique.

Gallery walls are one of those projects you see everywhere but never actually complete yourself. Am I talking to you? Then, 2013 is your gallery wall year! I promise, it”s worth the time to put it together because just walking past it daily will make you smile.

Need a little inspiration?

10. Chalkboard Art


The blogosphere”s fascination with chalkboard is not going away and I don”t think it should! I love how practically they can be used but can also be dressed up like the one that Tsh, from Simple Mom, made above.

I made mine with an old painting I didn”t care for anymore. I just taped up the frame and grabbed a can of chalkboard spray paint. A few coats later and it was done! Don”t like the paint fumes? You could also use chalkboard contact paper.

Want a new idea? Check out this outdoor version or make a giant chalkboard calendar. Like the look of a chalkboard but don”t want an actual chalkboard? Buy one of these great chalk art wall prints (just $5) and have it enlarged.

11. Wreaths

Wreaths don”t have to be just a holiday decoration. For my birthday, I was given an eucalyptus wreath that has been decorated for Thanksgiving, Christmas and now, winter. I”ll keep updating it for the season until it lasts.

Wreaths don”t have to be made of live material, Home Depot has a Wooden Sunburst wreath made from shims. Over at Emily A. Clark, you can find a holiday party where they rolled book pages to make a wreath, I love it!

12.  Canvas Art

Canvases are the beginning to many a great art project. You can usually pick them up for half price at the craft store (use a coupon) or get a previously loved one at a thrift store and paint right over it (like Tsh did with her “bad painting”).

You could also make your own photo canvas, paint three canvases for a large piece of art, or break out paper, ribbons and buttons to make these adorable bird and owl art prints for the nursery, complete with a printable template.

13. Fabric Art

This is one of the most inexpensive ways to cover a large wall. Pick up a large canvas from your local craft store (they are often 40-50% off) and then head to the fabric store for a piece of fabric large enough to cover the canvas and edges. Staples the fabric to the wooden edges of the canvas and voila – you have art.

You could try making three into a headboard or incorporating several into a personal gallery wall. Another idea: use wallpaper in place of fabric and glue it on.

What”s on your project list for 2013? Are you inspired by any of these DIY wall art projects?