DIY Paper Chain Wall Art

We’re bringing back the humble paper chain, but this time we’re turning it into an Instagram-worthy wall hanging.

Red, Orange and Yellow Paper Chain Wall Art

Hang up

Hang up your paper chain wall art, turning all of the circles so the tape is in the back

Photo by: Karen Kavett

Karen Kavett

We're taking this beloved throwback craft to create instant, almost-free wall art. You can make this paper chain tapestry in any size or pattern, using any color scheme you like to perfectly match your own home.

DIY Paper Chain Wall Art
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Materials + Tools

  • graph paper
  • card stock
  • paper cutter
  • scissors
  • tape
  • ruler
  • dowel
  • string
  • low-temp hot glue gun + glue sticks

Plan Your Design

Sketch out your design on graph paper before getting started. In our design, each square accounts for one loop of your paper chain.

Red, Orange, and Yellow  Design on Crafts Paper

Plan your design

Sketch out your design on graph paper before getting started.

Photo by: Karen Kavett

Karen Kavett

Cut Card Stock

Cut card stock into 1/4-inch strips using a paper cutter or scissors (Image 1). Then cut down each strip to pieces that measure 3-1/4 inches (Image 2). Once you have one piece cut, you can use it as a pattern to trim the rest of the strips (Image 3 + 4).

Make Paper Chains

Make paper chains following your pattern (Image 1) by taping one paper strip into a circle and then attaching more circles underneath (Image 2).

Adjust Design

Thread a dowel through the top loop of each chain so they hang next to each other like a tapestry (Image 1). Cut off or add more loops until you’re happy with your design (Image 2).

Add Hanger

Add a small amount of hot glue to one end of the dowel and wrap a piece of string around it (Image 1). Glue the other end of the string around the other end of the dowel so the paper chains hang in the center (Image 2 + 3).

Hang Up

Finally, hang up your paper chain wall art, turning all of the circles so the tape is in the back.

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