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Easy and Inexpensive DIY Art and Wallpaper for the Home

I‘ve enjoyed making my own art out of quality paper for years. When you just want something pretty on your walls or when you don’t have the “right” art, I’ve found that heavy duty wrapping paper is perfect for so many applications including “wallpapering” a wall (like I did below with my map wall and some push pins) and framing it as art (like I did in my old powder room bathroom, as you might have noticed in The Inspired Room book)!

The Inspired Room Map Hallway

After we painted our bedroom in this house, I realized I didn’t really have the “right” art for the space next to my closet. So to create either temporary or long-term art, I selected my favorite sheets of quality wrapping paper (the sheets are much larger than scrapbook paper, more like poster size) based on our color scheme, a neat marbleized paper and a pretty peacock pattern.

The Inspired Room Bedroom - Easy and Inexpensive DIY Art

Because I wanted a larger statement and we didn’t have any frames that would be the right size, I picked up two inexpensive gray frames at IKEA and used a little gold Rub N’ Buff to fancy them up.

The Inspired Room - Easy and Inexpensive DIY Artwork

Once the paper was framed, it makes great patterned statement. I can use any leftover paper and additional sheets in other ways around the house, such as lining drawers.

Celestial Chart DIY

My daughters also made a neat map art in their townhouse hallway with this same type of heavy duty paper and a poster hanging kit!

Below I am sharing a round up of fun papers I could see using on a wall, so check ’em out (and scroll all the way to the bottom to find out what I’ll be sharing this week on the blog)!

Marbleized Paper - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkBlue on Natural Marble

Botanical Art Poster - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkBotany

Constellation Map - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkConstellations

Gold and White Marbleized Paper - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkGold on Natural Marble

Blue and White Anchor Pattern - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkLokta White Anchors on Blue

Blue Fish Pattern - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkSmall Blue Fish on Cream

Gold and White Mums - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkGold on Cream Mums

World Map Poster - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkHemisphere Map

Peacock Feather Pattern - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkPeacock

Green and Gold Scalloped Pattern - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkGold Scallops on Sea Green

Gold and White Striped Paper - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkGold Stripes on Cream

Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkBlue Batik Zig Zags

Blue Painted Checks - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkBlue Squares on Cream

Navy Blue Marbleized Paper - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkDark Blue Marble

Black and White Dots - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkBlack String Dot on Cream

Blue and White Floral Paper - Easy and Inexpensive DIY ArtworkDistressed Blue Floral on White

Thanks for your comments on my new bedroom paint color! I definitely think it is worth it to BE BRAVE and try new things that make sense for you and your home, whether they seem like the most trendy, popular or safest choice or not. It definitely turned out to be one of the coziest most romantic little rooms we’ve ever had, and that was our goal. The gorgeous depth of the color really adds something really special to my home, too, so I have no regrets!

I can’t wait to show you more developments around our house so you can see how it is coming together, I’m loving it! This week I’ll show you the brand new light fixture we selected for our dining room…and maybe even a peek at a small update that has already transformed our living room fireplace!

More Inspiration:

Beautiful Bedroom Wallpaper Ideas

10 Little Ways to Refresh Your Home

9 Ways to Decorate Above a Bed

5 Things Every Small Bedroom Needs

25 Ways to Restyle Your Home

12 Comments

  1. Joanne Taggart

    The possibilities are endless for framing decorative wrapping paper. It was cool to realize that the beautiful artwork on your bedroom walls was actually the wrapping paper. Wow! I know what will be my next project. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Tracie

    I’m definitely going to frame “Botany” and maybe a few more! Thank you for the ideas.

  3. Amy

    What a creative decorating idea! Not to mention, it can be relatively inexpensive! I’m not sure why I didn’t think of it before, but I know I’ll be looking at quality wrapping paper in a completely new light. And I really like the idea of using constellation maps for wall hangings. So lovely!

  4. Carolyn

    Great idea! World Market sells pretty textured wrapping paper that would make great art…

  5. Jess

    Beautiful ideas!!!

  6. Rose

    Hi,
    Your article was perfectly timed, as I’m in the process of “wallpapering” a closet with wrapping paper from the paper source. My only issue is finding the right push pins. I can’t tell from you picture, did you use plain push pins or did you find decorative ones? Thank you!

  7. konya iç dekorasyon

    I’m definitely going to frame “Botany” and maybe a few more! Thank you for the ideas.

  8. Judi Moore

    You can also buy scraps of wallpaper for a bit of added texture and weight. Home stores often have remnants of wallpaper at low cost.

  9. Donna

    Melissa,
    After reading your daughter’s post about her hallway map, I immediately ordered a hanging kit as well as a butterfly print made by the same company . It’s now hanging over my bed. I appreciate the inspiration that I get when I come to your blog.

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