A while back we promised another post about wall art, so here it is. Being sentimental and on a budget, we’ve had to get creative when it comes to decorating our walls. Until we can afford that original Warhol print we’ve been dreaming about, we focused on accessible, meaningful alternatives that add personality without breaking the bank.
One of my favorite projects is a vintage map display that Sherry surprised me with for Christmas. She found an authentic 1907 map on eBay for around ten dollars, picked up a simple white frame from Ikea, removed the glass, added a cork backing, and pinned the map in place. Then she used colored map pins to mark all the places we’ve visited together. It became an interactive centerpiece—guests always stop to study it—and it motivates us to travel more so we can add new pins. This kind of framed map turns a decorative piece into a living record of memories and future adventures.
Another simple, conversation-starting project is a tiny frame of old keys. For our anniversary, Sherry tracked down copies of keys from our past—some reclaimed from former New York City roommates—and mounted them in a small frame with handwritten labels beneath each one. The piece documents important chapters of our lives: apartments, neighborhoods, and the transitions we made together. People who visit always ask about the stories behind the keys, and it’s a quiet, elegant way to preserve personal history.
The labels are straightforward and intimate: the top left key reads “John’s apartment, Upper West Side NYC, 2005,” the top right says “Sherry’s apartment, The Village NYC, 2005,” the bottom left notes “Our first apartment, Richmond Virginia, 2006,” and the bottom right is labeled “Our first house, Richmond Virginia, 2006.” A black sea fan leans beside the little frame—Sherry ordered it from a sea-life supplier and simply placed it inside the frame. It adds texture and a coastal touch, showing that natural elements can be framed just as thoughtfully as paper memorabilia.
We also created a shadow box filled with keepsakes from our backyard wedding. Instead of storing these mementos in a box in the attic, we arranged them in a shadow frame to create a small wedding time capsule that hangs on the wall. Inside: a scrap of fabric from a table runner, a printed dessert napkin, a playful photo-strip from the rented photo booth, our wedding invitation, stamped place cards anchored by river rocks, the favor bag containing a gladiolus bulb with another photo strip clipped to it, and even our thank-you postcard featuring a wedding photo. Each item contributes color, texture, and a vivid sense of that summer day. Framed together, they tell the story of a casual, happy celebration.
These projects reinforce the idea that wall art doesn’t need to be expensive or impersonal. Framed objects—whether an old map, a collection of keys, or a shadow box of wedding mementos—become unique focal points that reflect your life and values. When creating your own framed art, consider materials you already own: fabric scraps, ticket stubs, notes, postcards, shells, dried flowers, and small keepsakes all work well. Use simple frames, experiment with layout, and think about how the piece will interact with the room’s light and color palette.
If you want to take these ideas further, try labeling items with neat, handwritten notes or captions for context, or designate a rotating frame where you update the contents seasonally. Interactive elements—like a pin map you can add to after trips—encourage continued engagement and make the art evolve with your experiences. Most importantly, have fun with the process and prioritize pieces that feel meaningful to you.
We hope these DIY framed art ideas inspire you to look around your home for memorable items to display. There’s no limit to what you can frame, and personal collections often make the best conversation pieces. Please feel free to share your own wall art projects and ideas—we love hearing how others turn everyday objects into beautiful, meaningful displays.