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How to Make Gorgeous DIY Art in 5 Minutes for Less than $5!

June 21, 2016 by Laura Kiernan 8 Comments

Wrapping paper art is a simple way to decorate your for just a few dollars, and I’ll share my top tips for selecting the right paper for your project. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures.

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Hold on to your seats, people, because I’m about to tell you my secret to creating wall art so simply and cheaply that you will instantly go “Well, duh!” Plus, I’ll show you how this fancy-schmancy art is dressing up a corner of our new kitchen!

If you follow me on Instagram (and if you don’t, you should), then you saw a sneak peek at some artwork for our newly renovated kitchen.

A photo posted by Laura Kiernan (@thenopressurelife) on Jun 11, 2016 at 7:46am PDT

Aside from our navy blue island, the kitchen cabinets are pure white and the wall color is just barely gray (Nebulous White by Sherwin Williams). The room really needed some bright color to perk it up. While I do like kitchen-themed artwork, I’m still looking for the perfect piece and therefore did not want to spend very much money on this “first phase” of decorating.

A visit to my local Paper Source store inspired me, and I picked up these pretty coordinating wrapping papers.

Hummingbird and Abstract Art Wrapping Paper

left, right

Don’t the colors just say “Hooray, summer!” to you? Needless to say, I fell in love – but what I really love is that the colors work so well in all of our first floor rooms that they will fit in anywhere if I tire of them in the kitchen.

Although wrapping paper art is stupidly simple, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are my tips to create art that looks more expensive than it is.

Related Reading: 3 Cheap and Quick Ways to Store Wrapping Paper in a Small Space

4 Tips for Easy Wrapping Paper Art

  1. Choose high-quality paper that’s thick and has a matte finish (unless you’re after something metallic).
  2. Cut the paper to fit the frame’s glass, especially if the paper has an all-over print. That way, you can choose to display it with or without a mat.
  3. Paper is sold by the sheet or by the roll. Rolled paper is more difficult to cut due to curling, so use the frame’s glass or cardboard insert to flatten out the paper (as I did in the Instagram photo above). Place the glass or cardboard on the back of the paper, trace with a pencil, then cut.
  4. If you prefer to see and feel the wrapping paper in person, look in stores like HomeGoods, World Market, Paper Source, The Container Store, and Papyrus.

I already had frames, and just bought new mats because I foolishly threw away the originals. Don’t ever throw away the mats that come with frames! If you don’t want to use them, just stick them in back of the picture!

Here’s our new wrapping paper art hanging on the kitchen wall:

It's so easy and cheap to fill a wall with DIY wrapping paper art! Get tips and sources for beautiful wrapping paper at www.thenopressurelife.com.

I’m obsessed with my new counters! They are LG Viaterra in “Cirrus” and resemble marble without all the upkeep.

Looking for new art? Check out these lovely wrapping papers!

Pretty Wrapping Paper Roundup

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9


Hanging art on your walls is really the easiest way to make your house feel like a home. Don’t be scared to hang a picture temporarily until you find just the right one. Wrapping paper art is a great way to add some color without the commitment!

Need small-scale art?

Wrapping paper is perfect for large-scale art, but if you need something smaller, try scrapbook paper, leftover wallpaper, or a fabric remnant!

Happy decorating!

Check out these other ideas!

  • A Laundry Room Lint Bin You Can Make in a Few Easy Steps
  • How to Easily Update Shelves in Minutes (Without Paint!)
  • How to Make a DIY Cloche In Just 5 Minutes
  • The Easiest Way to Make DIY Watercolor Art (In Just 30 Seconds!)
  • Where to Find Cheap Art for Your Gallery Wall

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Filed Under: Make Tagged With: art, quick craft

About Laura Kiernan

I'm Laura, a mom of two little humans and one furry rescue pup. As a full-time working mom, I understand how tough it is to keep your home looking nice and functioning well while juggling everything life throws at you. Check out my organization tips, decor ideas, and quick crafts that will help even the busiest mom feel more in control of her home.

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Comments

  1. John Willingham says

    July 11, 2016 at 2:38 AM

    textures and colors of these wallpapers are gorgeous. Undoubtedly this is the simplest idea to decor home without much effort.

    Reply
  2. Anna says

    January 11, 2018 at 11:43 PM

    You are right to bring it all back to the point of decorative art. It does not have to cost a fortune to have a beautiful framed “picture” that makes you smile at home.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      January 12, 2018 at 8:41 PM

      Yup! Great decor is possible with any budget! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Our Site says

    July 31, 2022 at 1:33 AM

    What a great content, I remember having a hard time doing this stuff. Thanks for your easy to follow steps, definitely a big help. Keep it up!

    Reply

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I'm a working mom of two who loves making something from nothing, rearranging furniture, and finding a place for everything. Come learn more about me and my journey to a less-stress life!

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