Framing Wallpaper as Art: A Budget-Friendly Wall Decor Idea

Wall decor plays a crucial role in defining the look and feel of a space, but finding the perfect piece of artwork can be both time-consuming and expensive. If you’re searching for a creative, budget-friendly way to enhance your home, framing wallpaper as art is a simple and stylish solution.

I’m always on the lookout for new ways to spruce up my home decor, and I have to say, I have a favorite trick. It’s so easy and cheap, and the results are really beautiful!

A Wallpaper Framed Art Hack

You know that feeling when you walk into a room and something just feels off?

The decorating is almost finished, but there’s an empty space that’s practically screaming for attention?

That was me, standing in my living room, staring at the wall between my patio doors and my curtain rod.

I had just hung these gorgeous black and white striped curtain panels—so bold, so crisp, and a perfect complement to my newly painted black doors. But then I stepped back and saw it.

That blank space.

Do you see it?

Now, I’m all about embracing negative space when it’s intentional, but this wasn’t working.

The curtain rod was high (by design—more on that later), and the gap between the door and the curtains felt like a decorating black hole. It needed something, but what?

Art can be tricky, especially when you need specific exact measurements and want something stylish but affordable. And let’s be real—wall art can get expensive!

And then, like a lightbulb moment, I remembered my favorite wall art hack: framing wallpaper as art!

Why Framed Wallpaper is a Game-Changer

I love decorating with wallpaper, but sometimes, I don’t want to commit to covering an entire wall or an entire room with it.

Enter the genius of framed wallpaper panels or small art pieces! It’s the perfect solution for adding beautiful patterns and decorative designs to your home—without the time, effort, or cost of traditional wallpapering.

This little trick is a great way to:

✔ Add personality to a space without the commitment of a wall mural
✔ Use up leftover wallpaper scraps (reduce, reuse, recycle!)
✔ Experiment with patterns, colors, and cool colors in small doses
✔ Create a focal point in a room without overwhelming it
✔ Refresh your decor seasonally, since swapping out wallpaper art is so easy!

I’ve done this before with wrapping paper (which is also a good idea), but I wanted something a little more substantial this time. So, I pulled out my gold frames and some leftover wallpaper, and I got to work!

The Curtain Rod Dilemma

Let’s circle back to that empty space I mentioned earlier.

My striped curtain panels hang high and dramatic, framing my black French doors perfectly. I hung the curtain rod extra high for two reasons:

1. I wanted to use the existing holes in the wall (because patching and repainting? No thanks!).
2. Hanging curtains closer to the ceiling makes the room feel taller and more grand.

But that left me with a decorating dilemma—the space between the doors and the curtains felt unbalanced. That’s where my framed wallpaper panels came to the rescue!

I had some leftover Bobby Berk “Wiggle Room” wallpaper from Tempaper—a gorgeous wallpaper with an abstract, wavy black-and-white pattern repeat. It was graphic, bold, and had just the right amount of movement to balance out the stripes of the curtains and the geometric tiles on my fireplace.

So, I grabbed my favorite gold frames and got started!

How to Frame Wallpaper as Art (Full Tutorial)

This project is SO easy, I promise you’ll want to do it in every room. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

✔ Leftover wallpaper (or sample sheets of gorgeous wallpapers—many brands sell them!)
✔ Picture frames with mattes (I used a set of 9 matching gold frames, but black frames would be stunning too.)
✔ Scissors
✔ Measuring tape or ruler
✔ Painter’s tape 

Step 2: Choose Your Cuts Wisely

Now, this is where the fun begins!

Since my wallpaper had a pattern repeat, I played around with cutting out different sections so each frame had a unique but cohesive look. Some showed bigger curves, others had smaller details.

I love the randomness of the pattern. But yet the pieces work cohesively together!

If you want a more uniform look, you can cut all your pieces to match. But I love the way each one feels like its own piece of art!

Step 3: Cut the Wallpaper to Size

To get the exact size needed, I laid the frame’s matte directly on top of the wallpaper and used a sharp knife to cut around it. If you’re using a black frame with no matte, just cut the wallpaper to the panel width of the frame.

Step 4: Framing Wallpaper

Instead of permanently gluing the wallpaper in place, I just used painter’s tape to attach it to the back of the mattes. This way, I can easily swap out the wallpaper whenever I feel like a change!

Step 5: Hang & Enjoy!

I arranged my framed wallpaper in groups of three—three on top of the living room doors, three on the adjacent windows, and three beside a hallway entrance.

The result? Instant drama, instant style!

Other Creative Places to Hang Framed Wallpaper

This hack works everywhere! Here are some more good ideas for decorating with framed wallpaper panels:

✔ Make a Headboard Alternative – Frame a large piece of wallpaper above your bed for a stylish accent wall effect.
✔ Dress Up a Hallway – Create a gallery wall of framed decorative designs for a chic corridor.
✔ Add Color to a Home Office – Wallpaper art adds a fresh touch to workspaces.
✔ Frame a Single Large Panel – Go bold with an oversized piece of wallpaper for a true focal point.
✔ Highlight Built-In Shelves – Line the backs of bookshelves with framed wallpaper panels for a fun pop of pattern.
✔ Enhance a Nursery or Kids’ Room – Playful beautiful patterns framed on the wall make easy, changeable decor.

The End of the Day Verdict? A Must-Try!

I have to say, framed wallpaper art is one of the best decorating tricks I’ve ever used. It’s quick, budget-friendly, and lets you play with pattern and color in a totally noncommittal way.

So, if you’ve got some gorgeous wallpaper lying around (or if you’re itching for a weekend DIY project), good luck—I promise you’ll love the results!

Have you ever tried wallpaper art? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to see what you come up with!

Cheers!

A Little About Me

Hi! I’m missy. So happy to meet you!

“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness”

I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.

I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends for a delicioHomes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!

– cheers –

Don’t Forget to Pin It

Pin the image below to your boards on Pinterest (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!

The Most Versatile Frames Ever!

This hack starts with a great set of nine frames. These are home decor “gold” in our home!

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