
I am all about budget-friendly wall decor. I have created gallery walls with clipboards and dollar store frames, used cardboard to create a laundry sign, and framed everything from scrapbook paper to engineering prints. When you think “wall décor”, what comes to mind? Artwork? Photos? Maybe a cute piece you found at a retail store? Today I am sharing some “unconventional” ideas for wall décor, and most of them are free (or nearly free). And who doesn’t love free?
Where to Find Free Wall Decor
One Man’s Trash…

Vintage Boxspring Art (Found on the Curb for the Garbage Man) via The Chelsea Project

Framed Flea Market Burlap Sacks via The Honeycomb Home

Bottom of An Old Basket Decor via The Boondocks Blog

Thrift Store Plates via The Cofran Home
Nature Finds

Feather Art (Instead of the $200-$300 price tag from West Elm, Ashley made this for free!) via Bigger Than The Three of Us

Framed Beach Stones via Sustain My Craft Habit

Rustic Evergreen Decor via Home with Cupcakes and Crinoline

Rustic Pinecone Wall Hanging via Sustain My Craft Habit
What?!
This deserves its own category. Drinking Straws? That’s incredible!

Drinking Straws Artwork (Instead of spending $300 at Pottery Barn, Rachael made this with drinking straws! What?) via This Is Our Bliss
Scraps and Leftovers

Scrap Wood Art (with leftover paint) via Reinventedkb

Framed Wallpaper Panels via Elizabeth Joan Designs

Wire Word Art (Buy at Anthropologie for $48-58? Or use some wire you have in the garage.) via Craving Some Creativity

Framed Curtain (Need big art to fill a space? This idea is for you! Emily bought her curtain at Target, but shop your local thrift store, and you might just find a pattern you love.) via Our House Now A Home

Framed Fabric (Another item available at Pottery Barn for $334… or find some leftover fabric and do it yourself.) via The Honeycomb Home at Pretty Handy Girl
Gift Giving Materials

Gift Bag Gallery Wall via Life Prekarious
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Framed Holiday Gift Bag (That car print? Gift Bag.) via Little House of Four

Framed Catalog Images and Children’s Book Pages via All Things Big and Small

Framed Grocery Bag via Woodshop Diaries
More Ideas
After seeing all these amazing projects, I started to think of others items you could use to create free wall decor:
- Coins From Your Travels
- Calendar Images
- Newspaper Pages
- Paint Color Samples
- Wrapping Paper
- Doilies (maybe on a paper bag background)
- Acorns
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Sticks/Branches
- Maybe even Grass…
Seriously, there are a million things you could use…
Got any more ideas?
Love it? Pin it!

Erin these are all super great ideas. The first time I saw Chelsea project’s hung mattress frame I was awe struck! Thank you for including my little basket bottom with this great company.
That mattress frame is CRAZY! I love all the creativity in this post!
Today at Denny’s, I noticed they had covered their regular artwork in wrapping paper and added a fun bow for the holidays!
Great idea for the holidays 🙂
This is an amazing round-up! Thank you so much for including my barnwood art. I’m so excited to pin and share! Happy Sunday! If you haven’t yet, be sure to link this up to Funtastic Friday!
I absolutely love that barnwood piece you made. Isn’t barnwood the best? Thanks for letting me share your creativity.
WOW! What am impressive round-up! Took a few notes 😉 Thanks so much for including my Straw Art piece and Journal Cover Art!
That straw idea was simply brilliant. I would have never thought of it. Thanks for allowing me to share your amazing ideas!
I’ve seen labels from canned food matted and framed. They looked great! Or the front cover on packaging boxes, like Borax or powdered laundry detergent. Even unusual wrapping from soap could work.
I LOVE the idea of using a borax box. I actually have one that should be empty soon. I’m totally gonna try framing it and hanging it up in the laundry closet. Brilliant idea! And I totally agree with the soap wrappers. Some are so pretty. Great ideas Janis. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks so much for including my curbside rescue in your roundup. I could linger over the work of these talented bloggers for hours. They are so amazing and I’m so honored to be featured alongside them. Thanks again and Happy Holidays! ~~Susie from The Chelsea Project
That boxspring was such a score. I would never have thought to use it as wall decor, but it looks so good! Thanks for letting me share… and Happy Holidays to you as well.