48 Affordable DIY Wall Art Projects

Decorating your walls is one of our favorite ways to personalize your space, but investing in art or even printing and framing photos can get expensive, fast! Put away your wallet and embrace your inner crafter-extraordinaire with these easy and budget-friendly DIY wall art ideas.

First up, channel Andy Warhol and make your own photography-inspired pop art. This simple faux-screenprinting technique uses everyday craft supplies to take DIY art to the next level.

Make customized wall art using artificial boxwood panels. Simply connect the panels together, add in some faux florals and place a neon sign in the center to create a must-see piece of DIY art.

Display your wall art with this trendy magnetic acrylic frame. Give your frame a rustic look with this simple DIY.

Create graphic art for your space with corrugated foam core and nail heads or brass tacks. First, decide on a message, name or combination of words. Next, use a pencil to free-hand the message directly onto the foam core. Using the traced letters as a guide, apply nail heads or brass tacks with a hammer or rubber mallet. Once complete, place the foam core inside a complementary frame and hang.

Put a cherished rug on display as handmade art with some basic lumber and these DIY tapestry instructions.

A fun way to mark where you've been and where you're going, a large world map made out of cork gives you limitless possibilities. A neon hue makes this classic wall feature thoroughly modern.

Try another spin on cork art from HGTV Magazine — this time directly on the wall — with this oversized cork bulldog installation perfect for kids' rooms.

The most basic of household supplies, coffee filters, undergo a modern treatment for this wall installation. Fill a big, blank wall with dip-dyed coffee filters in a flowing, floral pattern.

String art used to be straight out of the '70s, but there's a new graphic version that's back in a big way. Learn how to make your own modern monogrammed string art in just a few easy steps.

Fill an entire blank wall with an architectural, graphic painted piece. Your friends will never guess it started off as basic plywood.

Drip art is commonly known for its use in grade-school art classes. It's created by holding a canvas vertically, then dripping latex or acrylic paint randomly across the top. Another interpretation of this style is spray-bottle art which involves applying paint directly to a canvas, then spraying it with a bottle of water to dilute the paint and cause it to drip downward.

Take spray-bottle art up a notch by mixing touches of gold or silver leaf in with other colors. After all colors are added to the canvas, apply the gold or silver leaf to the surface using leaf adhesive and a small detail paintbrush.

Make your family a focal point with a grouping of large-scale canvas prints. Learn how to select, edit and hang your photos for a professional-quality look.

Create custom ombre artwork with this how-to from HGTV Magazine and DIY blogger Typhanie Peterson.

Display a map from a memorable vacation by cutting it into pieces and displaying it gallery wall-style.

Create personalized wall art with these fun and easy, giant-sized board game pieces.

Use colorful paper tape to create a geometric wall pattern — perfect for renters or kids' bedrooms. When you're ready for a new look, it's easily removable and won't damage your walls.

Save major money on wall decor by getting creative and crafty with common items from your recycling bin. Make this trendy geometric cardboard planter in an afternoon.

Flea markets and thrift stores are overflowing with discarded china. Add a custom stencil, like numbers or a monogram, and hang to create unique wall art on the cheap. Get the floral china wall art how-to from HGTV Magazine.

This printable, personalized wall mural makes a bold statement without the need for paint or wallpaper. It's the perfect solution for apartments or rental homes where temporary decor is a must.

To create the look of flying-open books, add hot glue to different areas of back-to-back open pages. This will create the look of motion. Once the glue has dried, group several books together and attach them to the wall with drywall screws through the back of each book cover.

It's amazing what painter's tape, some patience and pretty paint colors can achieve. Even novice artists can turn a plain canvas into a modern masterpiece.

Vary the look of a modern map by displaying it in symmetrical pieces.

Turn to your backyard for the main materials for this artwork project. A few foliage clippings and some spray paint transform a blank canvas into bright, modern wall art.

Unite instant photos from a day or event in a clear acrylic frame. You'll see how each takes on a color palette and tone of its own simply because of the photos inside.

Fake the look of stained glass using crayons and wax paper. This modern take on a traditional technique creates freeform shapes that can easily be customized to match your space perfectly.

DIY decorators tend to make frequent visits to the paint store — and the paint chip rack. Repurpose the extras as a colorful, geometric piece of art that perfectly matches your space.

After amassing a variety of paint swatches from your home makeover, organize them into groups by color. Conceptualize an overall look or design based on the size, scale, shape and proportion of the swatches. Here, a gradient effect was created by lining up the colors and differentiating them by levels of saturation. For a cohesive look, consider cutting all swatches into the same shape using craft scissors. Attach the swatches to posterboard using double-sided tape, and then add matting before placing into a frame.

Create an interesting photo display that can be easily updated with black-and-white photos and bright-colored tape. Choose a few of your favorite photos and use a photo editing software to make them black and white. Print at home on glossy paper, online or at your local print shop. For greater visual interest, use vertical and horizontal photos of different sizes. Tape directly to the wall with brightly colored tape.

Create the look of taxidermy with all-natural materials. Pick up a wooden plaque and a bag of crafting moss, then search outside for a pair of branches similar in shape and size. Cut the branches back using pruning shears and attach the branches to the plaque using plumbing or cable clips and screws. Once complete, add a nail to the wall and hang.

Houseplants have never been more in style. Create a living wall art display with this simple planter project made from upcycled cookie tins.

Homeowners who love to entertain will surely love artwork created from guests' signatures. Pick up a basic art canvas, then use nails or screws to add trim around the canvas’s edges as a frame. Next, hang the blank canvas in a high-traffic area where guests are certain to gather. Keep a marker nearby and ask guests to add their signatures to the canvas. The random placement of the signatures will result in something personal and graphic that reads differently from far away than it does close up.

Convert an embroidery hoop into a seaside-inspired loom wreath perfect for any space.

While many art stores offer paint supplies that texturize canvases, texture and depth can also be created by layering paint. To layer paint with a textural effect, apply the paint in random areas using a painting knife, ensuring the layers are thick. After several hours of drying, continue to layer paint in different colors and in random spots on the canvas.

Remember, as the layers build up around a layered-paint piece, the edges on the canvas can start to look messy and unprofessional. By simply adding four strips of MDF or wood trim along the edges with nails or screws, any eyesores become instantly concealed.

Add a burst of color year-round with this simple paper wreath project.

Add gorgeous texture and a brilliant blend of color with a few shallow baskets displayed effortlessly on the wall. To copy this look, try hanging the largest basket first, layering in others. Nail each basket to the wall by the basket's center to achieve the overlapping look.

A vintage scarf may be just what you need to brighten your home and add a bit of retro design to your blank walls. Try framing your scarf for an instant statement piece.

An easy way to make a bold impact is by printing out all your favorite Instagram photos and displaying them in a fun shape, such as the ampersand seen here.

Start saving up your wine corks to make this simple recycled memo board.

Turn any basic object into a work of art with a gold or silver leaf application. For a high-end metallic finish, all you need are leafing sheets, leafing adhesive and a detail paintbrush. Apply the sheets directly to the objects with a paintbrush dipped into the adhesive, then use the paintbrush to fill in any cracks. For proper display, either place objects inside a cloche, on risers or in an open frame.

Sweet butterfly wall art mimics the grace and delicacy of the real thing. To create a similar look, use card-stock paper and cut out butterfly shapes in various sizes. Gently fold the wings, and attach to the wall using a small amount of sticky putty.

Simple crates become a work of art and unexpected storage with a few coats of bright, colorful paint. Once painted, attach the crates to the wall by drilling a hole in each corner and screwing to the wall.

This project is a fun and colorful way to recycle baby food jars. After they are wired together, the jars can be used to add a splash of color and fresh flowers to a plain wall or window.

While this stunning display looks expensive, it was actually accomplished using a gorgeous mix of inexpensive ceiling medallions. Once painted in coordinating shades, the lightweight medallions can be attached using Velcro or a strong glue.

Colorful sheets of origami paper make a striking wall garland when sewn together and hung in a prominent spot, such as above the sofa.

Try this throwback photo printing process to make your own custom wall art print.