I’m the kind of girl that loves to hang things on the wall. Art, photos, weird little sentimental pieces, shelves. Whatever. I love it all. A full wall gives me joy. Blank walls make me nervous.
But if I had to frame each thing that I hang, I would be broke. Because, gosh darnit, frames are expensive. Even if I buy them for $4 a piece at Ikea, it adds up quickly.
So one thing I’ve been focusing on lately are ideas on how to hang photos without frames (or how to use one frame for several pictures). Thanks to the beauty and the power of the internet, people who are far more innovative than myself have given me plenty of ideas on how to navigate this.
So if you’re stuck in the same home decorating boat as myself and in need some new money-saving ideas for hanging pictures, try these out:
Hanging Pictures Without Frames: Idea #1
Scan and Shrink Images
I love the idea of scanning and shrinking your child’s artwork and then hanging them all in one big poster frame.
Hanging Pictures Without Frames: Idea #2
Create a Mod Podge Collage
The girls at Bits of Everything used some foamboard, mod podge, and 4×6 photos to create a great wall collage.
Hanging Pictures Without Frames: Idea #3
Create a Bulletin Board Collage
Don’t underestimate the beauty of a bulletin board collage. This image shows that even unorganized can be pretty. It’s much cheaper to tack things up on some large cork boards or magnet boards than try and frame them all; plus, it gives you freedom to hang unconventional items that wouldn’t fit in frames, as well as the chance to change them out often.
Hanging Pictures Without Frames: Idea #4
DIY Magnet Boards
Speaking of magnet boards… consider making your own from old cookie sheets (scour garage sales are the thrift store for cheap ones) and spray paint! It’s perfect for displaying kid’s artwork and I think ornate ones would be really pretty in really bright, funky colors.
Hanging Pictures Without Frames: Idea #5
Put Photos on Canvas
Instead of framing your photos, consider putting them directly on a canvas. Sarah gives a great tutorial here. If you buy canvases on sale at Michaels (or with a coupon) or canvases in bulk on Amazon, they can be pretty cheap.
Hanging Pictures Without Frames: Idea #6
Use an Old Window
Place a big poster (or small individual photos) behind the glass of an old window. You can print large black and white photos or artwork at Staples as an Engineering Print for under $2 to use for this project! The quality is not as good as a poster might be, but it’s totally worth it for the price.
Hanging Pictures Without Frames: Idea #7
Use Old Wooden Hangers
I love using these vintage wooden hangers to hang art. Luckily my mom had a couple in her garage for me to use, but a girlfriend of mine also found some at the flea market.
Hanging Pictures Without Frames: Idea #8
Use Embroidery Hoops
Wooden embroidery hoops usually only cost a dollar or two, and once you cover them with fabric or paint, they make an adorable frame. Fill them with fabric, or string twine between them and hang photos.
[ See Hanging pictures without frames, part two ]
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