As Sherry mentioned in her Pinterest Challenge post this morning, we made simple DIY wood frames for her homemade artwork. We did it partly because we’re frugal and partly because we wanted to see how uncomplicated we could keep the project.
We challenged ourselves to spend zero dollars and use only items we already had. The supplies ended up being:
- leftover scrap wood
- wood glue
- a staple gun
- a hammer
- sandpaper
- a miter saw (a miter box and hand saw will also work)
- duct tape
- spray paint with primer included
We started by digging through the basement junk pile for scrap wood and found a spare canvas still wrapped in plastic to use as a template. Using the canvas as a guide helped us size the frames accurately while keeping costs at zero.
The plan was straightforward: cut 45-degree mitered ends on all four boards and assemble them. I used a power miter saw for speed, but this can be accomplished with a miter box and a hand saw if you don’t own a power saw. For accuracy and efficiency I clamped two boards together and cut them at the same time so parallel sides would be equal in length.
After making the first 45-degree cut, I laid the stacked boards on the edge of the canvas to mark the next cut, making sure to overlap the canvas slightly so the finished frame would have a lip to rest on. With the boards still clamped and aligned, I made the second 45-degree cut in the opposite direction.
In about ten minutes I had the two long sides complete. I repeated the same process for the two shorter pieces: stack, cut one miter, lay on the canvas to mark, then cut the final miter. This produced four pieces that fit together into a basic wood frame.
Because Sherry had painted two canvases, I used a different scrap board to build a second frame. The second set of wood was more rustic and knotty, but it matched the size and added a different character — we weren’t trying to be matchy-matchy anyway.
Before assembly I sanded the cut edges lightly to remove rough spots. To keep the method simple and accessible, I used wood glue to bond the corners. I normally prefer nails or screws or pocket hole joinery, but glue is an easy option for people without specialized tools. To add strength, Sherry suggested stapling the corners from the backside to hold the glued edges together while the glue dried. We used a staple gun from a previous project and then hammered each staple flush with the wood to ensure a good hold.
Initially the frame looked slightly warped when I flipped it over, so I added more glue into the joints from the front and let both frames sit for a couple of hours. After the glue cured, the frames had become solid and square again.
Next, Sherry spray painted both frames with a paint-and-primer-in-one in satin white for a quick, even finish. Spray painting sped up the process versus brushing on primer and paint, though either method works well depending on the finish you want.
For hanging hardware we used sawtooth hangers on the backs, which we already had on hand. To attach the canvases to the frame backs we used duct tape — not elegant, but fast, free, and easily reversible if we decide to change the display later.
In the end, the project stayed mostly free: the only items we bought were a few small accessories later on. We picked up some velcro-style picture hanging strips and a small sheet of plexiglass to protect the piece above the stove; those additions cost roughly a few dollars, but the frames themselves were built from scrap and household supplies.
If you want to replicate this project, the essentials are scrap wood, a way to cut 45-degree miters, wood glue, and a simple stapling or bracing method while the glue dries. Finish with paint or stain to match your decor, and attach hanging hardware and a protective front panel if needed. It’s an efficient, budget-friendly way to frame homemade artwork while keeping the process approachable for anyone who wants to DIY.
Update: We created a Shop Our House page to help locate furniture, accessories, and paint colors used in our home.