Remember that grid of eight Ribba frames above our sectional (the ones we finally got right the second time around)?
We needed a quick, inexpensive fix for them while we decide on a permanent solution, so we made some temporary art that cost us next to nothing — about five dollars total. It’s simple, colorful, and exactly the kind of low-effort, high-impact update we love when we want to change a space quickly.
We aren’t completely decided on a long-term treatment for that wall yet, but we’re leaning toward something graphic and colorful. The brown paper backing that came with the frames felt heavy and muted, so we wanted something bright to give the room an instant refresh without spending a lot of time or money. Our favorite temporary hack came through 12 x 12″ craft paper from Michael’s.
We picked eight sheets that coordinate with our inspiration napkin. The 12 x 12 size fits perfectly in the Ribba frames, and at around sixty cents a sheet it was an easy choice. The paper instantly felt more intentional once we slipped it into the frames — what looks like very affordable craft paper on its own takes on a finished, gallery-ready quality when framed and displayed together.
Before framing anything, we laid the sheets out on the floor to experiment with different groupings. Because we had chosen a couple of duplicate colors, we spaced them out so identical tones wouldn’t sit next to each other. Once we settled on the arrangement, the frames made the whole display read as a cohesive block of color instead of eight separate pieces.
The result is a compact, colorful grid that adds energy to the room and echoes the patterns and palette in the napkin that inspired the project. It feels fresh and modern — a simplified translation of the original fabric into a bold, graphic wall installation. There’s a playful, almost Scandinavian simplicity to it that works surprisingly well above a busy sectional.
We’ve lived with this arrangement for a day so far, and it may stick around longer than intended. The frames now feel like a unified art piece rather than leftover packaging — and that’s the point of this kind of quick update. A simple change can shift the mood of a room dramatically, and this little project proves you don’t need a huge budget to make a noticeable difference.
Looking ahead, we have a few ideas for building on the concept while still preserving the bright color base. One thought is to layer modern white doilies, or to use stencils to add simple graphic shapes on top of the colored paper. Another direction would be to use the colored sheets as oversized mats for small black-and-white photographs, making the color the focal point while keeping the imagery subtle.
There are even more playful possibilities: Sherry suggested slipping tiny fortune-cookie fortunes in the center of each sheet so viewers have to get close to read them. Little touches like that make inexpensive ideas feel personal and intentional.
For now, we’re happy with the cost-of-a-Subway-footlong solution for these eight frames. It delivers a cheerful pop of color, feels cleaner than the original brown backing, and keeps our options open for something more permanent down the line. We’ll continue experimenting and will share updates when we refine the concept into a long-term installation.
Do you have any affordable colorful art ideas you love, or have you spotted budget-friendly sets of images that work well in a grid? We’re always collecting inspiration for future tweaks, so we’d love to hear what’s working in your spaces. Also, thanks to everyone who shared creative solutions for empty Ribba frames — we’re continually inspired by the clever, low-cost ideas people post.
Psst — we announced the winner of this week’s giveaway. Click here to see if it’s you.