Today I want to talk about Cheap DIY Artwork because I think a lot of us look at all of the oversized art in the homes that we see online and think it’s not possible for our own home because let’s face it, arts expensive right?
Well let me be the one to tell you it is totally possible no matter your budget! The secret is to always look for ways you can incorporate something similar on the cheap! Because I don’t know about you but I don’t have tons of money to throw around.
Typically I like to use a majority of my budget on big-ticket items and save money on decor and accessories, so I look for similar items that I can do a little bit of DIY magic and get the same look. The key to this is printable artwork on ETSY! Yep, you heard me Etsy!
They have thousands upon thousands of printable images you can download most for $5.00 to $10.00. So today I wanted to share several popular items and tell you how to make them look amazing for very little cash.
1. Animal Prints- These horse prints are very popular, especially for the modern farmhouse look. You can even do cow prints which are totally in as well. I’m working on this horse print now and we actually have a huge print of a longhorn bull in our Office/Guestroom and I love it!
Horse Print
Horse Print
2. Botanical Artwork- Botanical art has been floating around the internet for some time now and I don’t see it going anywhere anytime soon. If purchased in stores framed prints like these can run you upwards of $300.00 and no way am I going to pay that when I could create the same look with printables and some cheap frames. These are perfect for a gallery wall in the entry or hallway. (comes in 8×10 for gallery wall)
Botanical Prints
3. Abstract Artwork- You can find abstract art like this all over Etsy for pennies on the dollar. I love this one and it would be perfect in a girls room. You could literally put prints like these anywhere though like one above each nightstand, the laundry room, hallway and the list goes on. We have several of these pieces throughout our home.
Abstract Watercolor Print
4. Tropical Leaf Prints- I adore these tropical leaf prints, they are perfect for any area of your home that you’d like a little bit of color and a pop green is always a wonderful choice. If your going for the coastal airy vibe they totally fit the bill!
Tropical Leaf Print
Tropical Leaf Print
5. Typography- Heres the big one guys! These are probably the most popular prints that I see daily in so many of the top homes around. You can find almost any saying in a printable version. The stay awhile print could be used in the entryway and I love the Be Still and Be Our Guest for the bedroom.
Stay Awhile Print
Why Hello Print
Lets Stay Home Print
You may be saying okay I can print them but I don’t want some dinky 8×10 art Ashley! I hear ya and here’s the kicker Staples has black and white engineer prints starting at $1.79 to $8.00! Or you can spend a little more and get them in color. I usually use Shutterfly if I need something in color because they always seem to have coupons and half the time I can get what I want for half off the regular price.
Gather Print
Be Still Print
Once you have purchased your printable you simply download it to your computer then go to staples engineer print website here or if you purchased something in color the Shutterfly website here and upload the file then choose the size you want. (make sure the printable file size has the ability to be printed to the size your choosing before you purchase)
Most of these options do but to make sure you will want to read the Etsy listing completely before you purchase as they usually tell you what size it can be printed to.
After you have your oversized print in hand then it is time to frame it. Most of the time you can just purchase regular poster frames from Target or Wal-Mart, then pick up a can of quality spray paint like Rustoleum in the color of your choice.
Spray paint the frame, insert the print and bam! You have a huge piece for under $40.00 maybe less depending on the size you choose! Where else can you find that?
If my print is bigger than the frames they carry I head over to Art To Frames where I can grab a wooden frame in any size or color imaginable! Huge plus their really cheap and don’t take long to ship!
Also Chelsea from Making Home Base recently posted this tutorial for a DIY wall hanging that I absolutely love! And she used wrapping paper! I have done projects where I framed wallpaper samples in the past but never thought of using wrapping paper so I’m all over this one. I would love to see which of these you choose and how your project turns out so feel free to post it in the comments.
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