DIY Wall Art For Your Living Room
Posted by michelle on Aug 13, 2012 in Saving Money | 48 comments
Several months ago, before the debt beatings had begun, we decided to spruce up our living room with some fresh paint and new artwork. The toughest part of the renewal was finding artwork large enough for the wall above the sofa, but nothing overpowering in our otherwise subtle, relaxing decor. Not too difficult yet you think? Add to that small list a limit of $50 for the price tag. We had no problem finding artwork that we both liked or that went with our furnishings and color palette, but we had an impossible time finding anything that was large enough to not look dinky behind a full-size sofa, yet didn’t cost $200. I thought I was being a genius when I decided to go on a hunt for 3 smaller pieces of art to hang. Again, I had no problem finding things I liked, but everything was so expensive. In my mad search for beauty to behold…on a budget, I found a lot of DIY wall art projects on good old pinterest.
After seeing several examples of DIY work, I went to Hobby Lobby and bought 4 blank canvases and a simple wall decal kit with a tree and some birds that just so happened to be on SALE–yay! The total was right about $60 with tax. When I got home, I headed to the basement where we have our leftover paint from various projects. I picked out a beige color and a brown, brought them upstairs, mixed them until satisfied, laid my canvas on top of a drop cloth and proceeded to paint them a neutral, creamy color, to break up the powdery blue of the walls.
Once dry, I laid out my goodies on the floor in front of the sofa so I could play with the scale and positioning. I decided to stagger them to make them at least somewhat funky, and then laid out the tree branches on top to find the perfect spot for each leaf and twig. Once happy with my pretty little branches, I removed the paper backings and placed everything on the canvas. I cut the stickers that were laying across two boards so I could put some space between them once on the wall, and then Mod Podged over all 4 canvases once the birds and twigs were to my liking.
If I were more confident in my artistic abilities, I probably could have saved a little more by painting my own tree branches and birds, but this was before I was in full-on gazelle mode with our debt eradication. Also, I could have waited until I had a coupon for Hobby Lobby, shopped prices online first, or even used artwork we already had at the house and simply painted over it if you want to get really hardcore! Still, I’m proud of my inexpensive, and totally unique art. (pat pat…)
If you haven’t yet checked out Jason over at WorkSaveLive.com, he had a really chic DIY headboard a few weeks ago that you have to try! It’s so simple to make, yet looked very rich. Our friend made us a similar design but with tufting for buttons several years ago and we still love it!
DIY projects can save you a bundle. Do you have any projects you’re working on?
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Michelle, that painting looks awesome! I wish we would have done that for the space above our sofa. We found a really cheap painting ($20) at a store out here but it really isn’t big enough.
Thanks for mentioning my headboard post! If we can ever move into the new house then we’ll start looking at a few more DIY projects.
WorkSaveLive recently posted..How We Create an Irregular Income Budget
Anytime, Jason. Your post reminded me that I want to change the fabric on ours. Hopefully, I can figure out how to do that for only a few bucks. (I have no idea how much fabric costs btw! Sewing is my next DIY project I want to tackle learning!)
Currently I do not, but…we just had our offer accepted on a house this weekend. There are quite a few DIY projects we plan on doing over the next 3 years or so. One thing I didn’t think of was DIY art, probably beacuse I’m not much of an artist.
Congrats on thinking outside the box and saving some money!
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted..What Loan Officers Look at When You Apply for a Home Loan
Don’t worry if you’re not much of an artist! I’m not either. Seriously, I painted a vine on our dining room wall several years ago that all our friends blatantly made fun of! That’s why I stuck with stickers for this project.
Great job Michelle. That looks really well done. Not only does it look good, but you can actually say you made it. I don’t do any DIY these days, mostly because I’m in a rental apartment. I might take on some kind of projects when I have my own place though.
Modest Money recently posted..Considering Switching Careers
I agree. When I make something or upcycle something for cheap or free, I’m so much more proud of it! You could probably do some DIY stuff if you’re itching. You could refinish a table or chairs set and not upset your landlord that way.
Wow, I love it! Simple yet it looks like it adds a lot to the room. I want to make the headboard from Jason’s post – I love DIY
Daisy recently posted..Planning For Homebuying
It was very simple, which is why I love it too! My style has changed so much over the years. When I was in my early 20′s, I wanted every room in my house to be bright and…obnoxious. I guess I’m getting old, because now I want everything easy on the eyes, more subdued and neutral. I find it more relaxing.
That looks great! Good job! The only DIY thing I do is photos. I’m not very crafty.
Budget and the Beach recently posted..Week in Review-8/12/12
You don’t have to be crafty…you just have to be broke!
I just couldn’t afford a big piece of art, so I kind of had to get crafty. Trust me…I’m not artistic in any way!
I love this idea ! My BF and I just bought ourselves a new home, and the walls need to painted and we cannot really afford artwork either. This is an amazing idea and I am definitely going to try it ! Your living room looks wonderful.
Gillian — Money After Graduation recently posted..Coping With Stress
Thanks, Gillian! I was really happy with the finished product.
That looks really cool – bonus points for using the decals instead of painting. My wife took a bunch of pictures of old doors and windows on our vacation, and I think she’s plotting some sort of wall collage.
John @ Married (with Debt) recently posted..We Did It: Debt Free
Thanks, John. Loving your new picture! It definitely fits the young, cool personality of that guy I met a month ago! Your wife’s door/window pic idea sounds awesome! Post about it so I can steal it please.
Those four pictures looks pretty darn good! My wife has actually started to develop a knack for this as well. My daughter needed a workstation for her sewing. So we bought an old desk at a garage sale, sanded it down, and then painted it funky colors. Looks just like new now!
My Money Design recently posted..Blogging Tips from All the Dumb Mistakes I Made My First Year
That sounds really neat! I sooo want a work area for my projects and wrapping gifts, but it is far down on our list and you know we are in full gazelle mode with paying down debt now. Next Spring, I will have the cutest little creative work space ever!
Great job Michelle! I love it
That would actually go with our decor in our house too!
Mackenzie recently posted..It’s a Hot Topic
Thanks, Mackenzie! Let me know if you want me to make you one! I could start a business….hehehe
Very cool! I like the stagger, I wouldn’t have thought to do that behind a couch. I’m currently working on some art for in my staircase. I think I have about half of the pieces finished now.
Cassie recently posted..Welcome Back to Lockdown
Staircases are really difficult for me! Our front one is now completely blank. We used to have family pics going up the stairs, but it was so boring, I filled all the holes. Now, I need some inspiration, so do share when you have yours up please
Ooo i love that!
Mo’ Money Mo’ Houses recently posted..Money Saving Tips I Learned from Watching "Say Yes to the Dress"
Thank ya, Jessica!
That painting looks awesome. I have always liked the split canvas look. I am actually working on some canvas prints for our house.
This was my first canvas project, but I had so much fun and really liked doing it…so I will probably do more!
This post makes me feel very incompetent! =)
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted..Farewell London, Thanks for the Memories
Aww, it shouldn’t! This was easy peasy, Holly! I’m not artistic at all. I can’t draw very well, or paint neatly, or mold anything. All I did was cut stickers and mix two neutral color paints together. You can do something like this, I promise!
Put a bird on it! I love it. I get crafty when the weather cools.
Kathleen @ Frugal Portland recently posted..How to frugally prepare for a baby
I get all domestic when there’s a nip in the air! Today, I just wanted to cook and clean like a little Suzy Homemaker.
Looks great! Pinterest is definitely re-designing our house (with the help of my crafty wife). My wife did the artwork for our nursery, and actually painted a few pictures for the wall. I love how being frugal results in awesome DIY stuff like this. You end up enjoying it more because it was hand-made, and fits exactly they way you want. Well done!
Jacob @ iheartbudgets recently posted..Budget Friday Submission 2
I agree, Jacob! You always enjoy things more when you’re able to make it yourself and can brag about how little you spent on it! You’re also right about getting exactly what you want. I didn’t have to settle on colors that were “close enough” or scale that was off. I got exactly what I wanted! Can I just love your whole comment?
That’s so cool – I can’t believe that was done with decals! (Gotta love Pinterest.) What a great idea to decorate, save money, and have a little fun!
Shannon-ReadyForZero recently posted..Weekly Shout Outs: Back to School Edition
Shannon, thanks! Since I put mod podge over it, you can’t really tell that it’s stickers anymore, which makes me love it even more.
My wife is working on a couple of projects that she found off Pinterest. She is going to put them on the walls of the nursery.
Sean @ One Smart Dollar recently posted..5 Best Ways to Make Money From Home
Aww, Sean…you’ll have to post pictures! When is your baby due again? If I haven’t already said it a million times, I’m so happy for you!!
I really like this!!! I’m currently looking to spruce up my boyfriend and my place, I’ll keep my eye out on pinterest! Thanks for the tip!
Janine recently posted..Day Zero – 300 Days
Be careful with pinterest as there are a lot of expensive things on there as well, but I always find great DIY ideas for art, games with the kids, fashion ideas, everything! My husband doesn’t get it, but I’m in love with pinterest.
You did a great job! I love when people actually make the stuff they pin on Pinterest
I’ve done a few small DIY’s but I’ll keep this idea down the road when I have my own home-sweet-home to decorate on a budget.
Jessica @ Budget For Health recently posted..Saving for a Vacation: Ireland expenses
Jessica, so funny….I’ve got a few friends who pin pin pin….but never actually make anything or do anything they pin! I know they have busy lives, though, and might just be pinning things they think are pretty or cool, and not to try later. For me, I try to use it like a checklist! Let’s just say I’ve got a big to-do list….lol
Um – Wow! You did that!? That looks like something you’d buy at World Market for triple the price! As for DIY at my house, the closest I get is the paintings I display done by my sister. She doesn’t have anywhere to put them and I’m her biggest fan (plus they’re free) so it’s a win-win.
Nell @ Housewife Empire recently posted..5 Business Lessons Learned From Potty Training My Toddler
Thanks, Nell! My sister is great at picking furnishings and such….lol. I wish her talent SAVED me money, not made me want to spend more!
I’ve lucked out and found some really cool pieces on Amazon for under $40 for my ex’s place. I normally check there first, but I like painting, so when all else fails, i TRY to make a creative piece and not tell people that I did.
Marissa @ Thirtysixmonths recently posted..The Benefits Of Saving Money
I love Amazon! I actually bought a starburst mirror from Amazon and it was way cheaper than it was being sold at other stores.
That new artwork added a new look to the living room.
I like how the way it is made.
Nice stuff. In my case I wouldn’t even try it because i only know how to draw a house or a pig. So, you can only imagine the faces of friends when they see in my living room a big fat pig on the wall.
Gekko recently posted..Quality should overcome quantity
I audibly giggled just now. Why do you only know how to draw pigs?
I love the painting! I’m not artistic at all so I’m not sure I could even pull off something like this but it looks really cool. Great way to save some money!
Kyle @ YPFinances recently posted..The Next Two Months
What a cool idea for such a large space and a modest budget. I’m not currently working on any projects, but I’m sure there will be tons of stuff once we get our house. If it doesn’t look dreadfully awful, maybe I could hang some of my paintings up—if I ever finish them.
Jen @ Master the Art of Saving recently posted..My Plan to Save a LOT of Money
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