DIY Wall Art Projects You Can Finish This Weekend

I’m Obsessed with DIY Wall Art, and Here’s Why You Should Be Too

Okay, so DIY wall art is, like, my current hyperfixation. I’m sitting here in my tiny Seattle apartment, surrounded by half-finished canvases and a glue gun that’s probably gonna burn my coffee table if I don’t unplug it soon. The smell of acrylic paint is everywhere, and my fingers are still speckled with that mustard yellow I thought would “pop” but kinda looks like baby food. Anyway, I’m no artist—seriously, my stick figures look like they’re having an existential crisis—but there’s something so freaking satisfying about making your own wall decor. It’s cheap, it’s personal, and when it goes wrong? You just laugh and call it “abstract.”

I started this whole DIY wall art kick last month when I realized my walls were depressingly bare. Like, I’ve been in this place for a year, and my living room still looked like a college dorm minus the fairy lights. So, I hit up Pinterest (dangerous move) and decided I could totally make some crafty wall projects to spice things up. Spoiler: I’m not Martha Stewart. But I learned some stuff, made some messes, and ended up with a few pieces I’m weirdly proud of. Here’s my take on five DIY wall art projects you can knock out this weekend—flaws and all.

Why DIY Wall Art Is My Weekend Jam

It’s Cheaper Than Buying Fancy Prints

I’m broke, okay? Like, “checking the couch cushions for coffee money” broke. Dropping $50 on a generic Target print wasn’t happening, but a $5 canvas and some leftover paint from my failed bookshelf project? That’s my speed. DIY wall art lets you use what you’ve got—old fabric scraps, random buttons, even that yarn you swore you’d knit with.

It’s Stupidly Fun (Even When You Suck)

There’s this moment when you’re smearing paint or gluing stuff and you’re like, “Am I a genius or a total disaster?” Spoiler: It’s both. Last weekend, I tried making a textured wall piece with hot glue and ended up with a blob that looked like a melted marshmallow. My roommate laughed so hard she snorted coffee. But it was fun, you know?

You Get to Flex Your Personality

Store-bought art is fine, but it’s not you. My favorite homemade wall decor is this wonky collage I made from old concert tickets and Polaroids. It’s messy, but every time I look at it, I’m back at that rainy music festival in Oregon, soaked and screaming the lyrics.

5 DIY Wall Art Projects I Tried (and You Can Too)

1. Abstract Acrylic Pour: My “Oops, That’s Art” Moment

This one’s so easy it’s almost cheating. Grab a cheap canvas, some acrylic paints, and a cup. Mix paint with a bit of water, pour it onto the canvas, and tilt it around to make cool patterns. I tried this in my garage last Saturday, and let me tell you, I got way too cocky with the glitter. Now my floor sparkles like a disco ball, and my dog keeps licking it. Pro tip: Lay down a tarp.

• What You Need: Canvas, acrylic paints, cups, water, optional glitter (don’t be me).
• Time: 2 hours, plus drying time.
• Cost: ~$10 if you’re starting from scratch.
• My Mistake: I used too much paint, and it dripped onto my sneakers. They’re now “art shoes,” I guess.

Check out this tutorial from Artful Parent for better instructions than my chaos.

2. Woven Wall Hanging: My Yarn Fiasco

I saw these boho woven wall hangings on Instagram and thought, “Psh, I can do that.” Spoiler: Weaving is hard. I used a cheap picture frame as a loom and some yarn I found in a thrift store bin. The result? A lumpy, uneven mess that I still hung up because it’s “rustic.” It’s honestly kinda cute in a “my cat could do better” way.

• What You Need: Picture frame, yarn, scissors, maybe some beads.
• Time: 3-4 hours (longer if you’re bad at knots like me).
• Cost: ~$8 if you thrift your yarn.
• My Mistake: I didn’t plan the colors, so it looks like a rainbow had a tantrum.

3. Photo Grid with a Twist: My Nostalgia Overload

This one’s my favorite. I printed a bunch of phone photos at Walgreens (super cheap) and arranged them on a foam board with washi tape. I added little doodles and quotes with a Sharpie, which felt risky but ended up looking dope. It’s like a scrapbook on my wall, and it makes me smile every time I see it.

• What You Need: Foam board, printed photos, washi tape, Sharpie.
• Time: 2 hours.
• Cost: ~$15 for prints and supplies.
• My Mistake: I smudged the Sharpie and tried to wipe it off, which made it worse. Now it’s “character.”

4. Painted Quote Canvas: My Handwriting Betrayal

Pick a quote, grab a canvas, and paint it on. Sounds simple, right? My handwriting is atrocious, so I used stencils, but I still managed to smear the paint. I went with “Stay Weird” in that mustard yellow (why am I like this?), and it’s… fine. It’s quirky, at least.

• What You Need: Canvas, paint, stencils, brushes.
• Time: 1-2 hours.
• Cost: ~$10.
• My Mistake: I didn’t let the base layer dry, so it’s a bit streaky.

For stencil tips, this guide from The Spruce Crafts saved my butt.

5. Nature-Inspired Shadow Box: My Leaf Hoarding Paid Off

I’m that weirdo who collects leaves on walks, so I pressed some in a book and made a shadow box with them. I added tiny twigs and a bit of gold paint for flair. It’s delicate and kinda magical, but I dropped it while hanging it, and now one leaf is upside down. Classic me.

• What You Need: Shadow box frame, pressed leaves, glue, optional paint.
• Time: 2 hours (plus leaf-pressing time).
• Cost: ~$12 for the frame.
• My Mistake: I didn’t seal the leaves, so they might fade. Oops.

My Biggest DIY Wall Art Fails (and What I Learned)

Okay, real talk: Not every project was a win. I tried making a macramé wall hanging, and it looked like a fishing net gone wrong. I also attempted a resin pour, which sounded cool but ended up sticky and lumpy because I didn’t measure right. My kitchen still smells like chemicals. But here’s what I figured out:

• Start Small: Big projects are overwhelming. A tiny canvas is less intimidating.
• Embrace the Mess: Flaws make it yours. That smudged quote canvas? It’s me.
• Have Fun: If you’re not laughing at your mistakes, you’re doing it wrong.

Wrapping Up My DIY Wall Art Adventure

So, yeah, I’m hooked on DIY wall art. My apartment’s starting to look like a quirky art gallery, and I’m low-key proud of it. It’s not perfect—neither am I—but it’s mine. If you’re bored this weekend, grab some paint, raid your junk drawer, and make something. It doesn’t have to be Insta-worthy; it just has to make you smile. Got a favorite crafty wall project? Drop it in the comments—I need more ideas to fuel my chaos.

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