"I moved into a new apartment about two months ago, and nearly all of my walls are still empty. I went from a studio to a one-bedroom, so the thought of decorating that much more wall space feels very overwhelming to me. Not only is it difficult to figure out how exactly to decorate your walls, but you’re faced with pretty hefty costs once you do. Wall art can be expensive by itself, but then you also need to purchase frames, which are even more expensive.
However, wall art can completely transform a room and make it look a lot more put-together, so I’ve decided that I can’t put off the project any longer. Even though I’ve decorated and tried to refresh my home aesthetic, my apartment still feels unfinished and not quite like a home with all of its empty white walls. That’s why I turned to our company Slack channel to ask for my coworkers’ best tips and tricks on wall art that doesn’t cost a fortune.
Everyone had amazing ideas to share—from where to get free art online to how to put together a gallery wall—so we wanted to share our best tips with all of you. Here’s how our editors find wall art on a budget:
1. Find downloadable prints on Etsy
Downloading art online and printing it yourself is one of the best ways to find unique, affordable wall art, and Etsy is THE place to find print-worthy options for not much money. Individual downloads usually cost around $5 or less, and for not much more, you can find curated sets of artwork that take the guesswork out of filling up a gallery wall. If you want even more options, you can also purchase bundles that will grant you digital access to hundreds of different images (usually related to a specific theme).
2. Print art using an online service
Same-day printing at the pharmacy down the street may be convenient, but it often costs a lot for not-great quality. Several of our editors recommended Snapfish instead for nice quality prints that don’t cost a fortune (you can always count on them to have a coupon code to apply). If you want to get the best quality possible, however, consider ordering from a place that offers giclee prints. These fine art prints are produced using a special printing process that creates beautiful, highly detailed images that won’t fade over time. Mpix is a great online option, but your local print shop will likely offer giclee printing, too.
3. Search thrift shops and antique stores for affordable art
Our senior lifestyle editor Jessica has found some of her favorite wall art at antique stores and thrift shops for dirt cheap (we’re talking $30 or less, even for large-scale pieces). She always has her eyes peeled for great art whenever she’s out thrifting. Even if you don’t love the artwork itself, pay attention to the frame. It’s usually easy enough to swap out the art yourself, and you can often find high-quality frames at shockingly low prices when shopping secondhand.
4. Print and frame your own photos
You don’t have to be a professional photographer to use your own photos as art in your home. Everyone has snapped some photos on a trip that they love to go back and look at. A lot of vacation destinations are naturally beautiful, so you can get great photos without much experience. A bit of simple editing is likely all it will take to get them print-ready. For an instantly chic and timeless look, try printing them in black and white.
5. Use a gallery wall template
Our senior fashion & beauty editor, Maddie, suggested searching Pinterest for a gallery wall template before you start hanging. There are tons of options out there, so you’ll have no trouble finding one that fits your specific wall space and personal style. Most layout templates are labeled with dimensions, so you can see exactly what size prints and frames you need to order. These free templates are the ultimate money-saving wall art hack because they reduce the probability of any planning errors that will require you to purchase more frames or art.
6. Frame memorabilia as art
Ally, The Everygirl’s chief of sales, shared that her favorite way to fill her home with art is to go the less traditional route. She reminded us that wall art doesn’t have to just be prints or photography—it can also be free postcards, scarves, fabric scraps, wallpaper samples, matchbooks, souvenirs from your travels, and more. You may just need to get a little creative with framing (shadow boxes are great for bulkier items). Not only does repurposing items into art save you money (and help the Earth!), but it also means your wall art will be unique and meaningful to you.
7. Download and print public domain art
The Everygirl’s senior managing editor, Garri, pointed out that you can download public domain—AKA copyright-free—art completely for free from a few different sources. Art enters the public domain after a certain number of years, so a lot of the work from artists before the 1920s is available for download. Some of the best places to download art include Wikimedia Commons, the National Gallery of Art, The Met, RawPixel, and ArtVee. These are usually high-resolution downloads, so you can get them printed in any size you need, and the image will still look crisp and clear.
8. Find free photography on stock image sites
Similar to downloading public domain art, you can also find free high-resolution photography and stock images from numerous sources online. Our deputy art director, Kirra, recommended downloading images from sites like Unsplash and Pexels. These sites are easily searchable and great if you prefer photography over other art forms. Kirra advises printing the images at your local print shop and using IKEA frames to keep things ultra-affordable.
9. Upcycle old art through DIY
An easy way to upscale old art—either from a thrift store, a discount store like HomeGoods, or anything you may have lying around your house—is to paint over it yourself. This way, you already have a large canvas to work with (and most likely a frame or finished edge), and it’s more affordable than starting from scratch. There are a lot of different ways you can go about this, but one of the most foolproof options is to make your own abstract art using plaster or paint. With a more abstract image, there’s less room for error!
Jessica Welsh, Commerce Editor at The Everymom
As Commerce Editor, Jessica oversees and edits all shopping content on The Everymom—including everything from mom fashion to product reviews. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, gift guides, and more. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, and Kohl’s, and was previously a regular contributor to The Everygirl.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.