DIY Picture Frames from the Thrift Store
Hey friends! Cynthia here. I’ve been burning some major rubber at the thrift store lately, and I’m so excited to share this fun and easy upgrade with you. Are you looking for fancy dancy framed wall art? Then these DIY picture frames might be just the ticket for upgrading your decor on the cheap.
How to Make Easy, Inexpensive Wall Art with DIY Picture Frames
Y’all know how much I love easy and inexpensive home decor. So when the opportunity to do another thrift flip challenge with some of my blogging besties popped up, I thought this would be the perfect time to show you all how to make some inexpensive wall art!
(And PS, make sure to scroll to the bottom to check out their thrift store challenge posts, too. They’re so good!)
Before I jump into how to upcycle and DIY your own picture frames, let tell you where this wall art’s going to go:
The Ugliest Room in Our House: Meet the Blue Bathroom
We moved into our home about a year ago. And since then, we’ve been chipping at different rooms and spaces trying to make it ours.
But, ya know, between having a baby and going back to work, thing’s have been, ahhhh…., insane.
So there are two rooms in particular that we just haven’t touched. And here’s why:
They’re blue. Like, blue blue. Like, Elmo blue. My son’s bedroom and the guest bathroom. SO VERY BLUE.
And, sure, I know that it’s one day and a can of paint away from a new life. But there’s been NO TIME. Ugggggggh.
I’ve decided just to decorate it anyway, blue be dammed. Because waiting for the day I can paint before I decorate might just not happen until 2030. I am officially embracing the blue.
(But let it be known that I still very very very much HATE this blue color.) So off I went to the thrift store, trying to find the right frames to use in the space.
Finding the Right Frames
When you’re on the hunt for picture frames, you definitely should check out a thrift store. Why? Usually, you can find some amazing frames at a super low price.
Here’s what to look for:
- The bones. Is the frame itself sturdy? Will they make good DIY picture frames? Is it real wood? Or nice heavy metal? Is the wood chipped or dinged? (Sometimes, this could actually look rustic and nice!) .
- The mat. Does the picture frame come with a mat? Is the mat in good condition? No smudges? Is the cut of the mat beveled, which looks nicer? Or, even better, is it double matted?
- The glass. Is the glass chipped or cracked? Is it really glass or just plastic?
- The hanging fixtures. Are there fixtures the way you want to hang the photo either vertically or horizontally? Are the fixtured secure on the frame? Will the frame be easy to hang with the fixtures provided?
- The holders. I don’t actually know what this part’s called, but they’re the little fixture things that hold the backboard onto the frame itself, securing your image in place. Are they secure or loose? Will they hold everything in place?
Decorating with Thrift Store DIY Frames
I decided to look for HUGE frames to take up a lot of wall space. This is all in my effort to hide the blue. HIDE. THE. BLUE.
You guys, I must have done something in a former life, because I got the best haul from the thrift store for twenty bucks. Twenty bucks!
I found these amazing matching frames for two bucks each. Score!
I knew I wanted to do some kind of word art in them, so I played around with a few ideas. In the end, I decided to print:
Scrub a dub dub
-and-
Let’s get naykee.
Yup. I am officially a mom of a three-year-old. He’s gonnna just love these. Originally I meant to just print the words on computer paper, but eventually decided to print the words as photos for a few cents at Walgreens.
I like that the photos are weightier and glossier!
Plus, it’s really easy to upload photos to Walgreens.com and just go pick them up. AAAAnd, if you use e-bates, you always get money back when you shop online! Score!!
(Hey! If you join e-bates with my affiliate link, you get $10 back in your wallet. Don’t say I didn’t give ya anything. E-bates is awwwwsome!)
Download Your Free Bathroom Wall Art
If you want, you’re welcome to download the photos I used to create your own bathroom wall art.
The file has six 4 by 6 photos that you can send to Walgreens or wherever. Each says a different word! All I ask is that you like my Facebook page to grab the download. Please and thank ya!
Once you download the files, send them off to Walgreens and pop them in your DIY picture frames. Insta-art!
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Our Updated (Blue) Bathroom with Our DIY Wall Art!
So, okay, let’s be honest.
Our bathroom is still Elmo blue.
BUT.
It’s better. Because at least it’s decorated.
Don’t get me wrong. In many ways, it’s kinda like putting lipstick on a pig. But at least it’s not a plain old empty blue pig. Errr, bathroom.
And I kinda love that my wall art says “let’s get naykee.” #adultinggoals
Hope you love this thrift store transformation!
Check Out These Other Thrift Store Upgrades!
I partnered up with some of my blogsquad for this thrift store challenge, so be sure to check out their amazingly creative awesomeness. They’re seriously talented, and I hope you’re as inspired by these women as I am!
DIY Lumbar Pillow from Love Create Celebrate
DIY Lampshade Upcycled Sweater from Amber Oliver
Stoneware Jug Makeover from A Crafted Passion
File Cabinet Makeover from Love and Renovations
White Farmhouse Pitcher from Making Manzanita
Sled Makeover with Dark Wax from Green with Decor
Painting Furniture With Chalk Paint from Small Stuff Counts
DIY Picture Frames from Home Beautifully