I am still in LOVE with gallery walls. I think it’s a trend that will hold on and continue to evolve. After I shared this rainbow gallery wall (all from Minted, probably $1000 in art), I kept getting asked for tips on how to get a similar look on a budget.

Let’s be clear, if you can afford it, Minted is amazing! You are supporting the artists that sell there, the art is stunning, and it’s so convenient to choose the exact size and color of your frame that is shipped right to your house.

But if money is tight, I 100% get it- not everyone has the budget to do such a splurge on art. I am SO grateful to have partners to work with, but it wasn’t so long ago that I had to be crazy scrappy to do any decorating.

the backstory

In the fall of 2015, I started my blog about decorating my house. The problem was that I hadn’t decorated in years because I was on a TIGHT budget while paying off debt. My husband and I were paying off the rest of our student loans and had just had a baby, so money was still scarce. I budgeted $50 a month towards decor and tried to make every penny go as far as possible.

But I got creative and saved up every bit I could. Here’s a gallery wall I created while on a budget-

The art was from an old Rifle Paper Co. calendar. Most of the photos I’d printed years before and put in frames I already owned. The bigger frames were from a thrift store- ugly wood ones that I bought for $0.50 each and painted white. I drew the quote in the gold frame (a find from a second hand store). I loved that sweet travel themed wall! And it was definitely done on a budget! All this to say- it can be done!

how to create a gallery wall on a budget- frames

I asked my Instagram followers for ideas on how to create a gallery wall on a budget and so I thought I’d compile what they suggested here plus some of my own ideas-

First up- frames! I like to use one color of frame when doing a gallery wall- I think it pulls everything together. Here’s some frame ideas that you can do for cheap!

IKEA Ribba frames are affordable
Michael’s frames are usually on sale or you can use a coupon
Thrift store frames that you paint (or use as is)
Tape art on the wall with washi tape
Pin art up on a bullentin board (you can always find one from a thrift store)

how to create a gallery wall on a budget- art

Here’s where it gets fun! There are SO many ways to find art on a budget!

Frame napkins from IKEA (or really any cute ones)
Look for free printables on Pinterest. There’s so much good free art out there!
greeting cards (especially Trader Joe’s) make for cute art
Book jackets sometimes have great art (especially kids ones)
Use wrapping paper for art (Tuesday Morning has cute cheap options)
Calendar pages. Buy in February when they’re crazy marked down
Frame free (or cheap) wallpaper samples
Kids art is so cute (especially if you choose the paint color)
Pick up pretty postcards when traveling and frame the collection
Vintage children’s books are beautiful as art
Check the fabric aisle for textural fabric art.
Press flowers and plants you find in your own yard
Search for printable digital art on Etsy
Vintage wallpaper is perfect for art. If you remove some from your house, save a bit to frame
Embroider your own art! Fun and affordable!
Frame pages from magazines– sometimes ads even make for good art
Go down the scrapbooking aisle and find colors and prints of scrapbook paper you like
Find coffee table books at the thrift store or online and frame your favorite pages
Paint your own! There’s tons of options on Pinterest for easy art projects
Take pictures and actually frame them. I think people have forgotten this simple activity
Sometimes gift bags have the cutest designs for seasonal artwork
Frame engineer prints- big and affordable!
Sentimental things are perfect- keys from your first house, a handkerchief, a love letter
In the kitchen, frame your favorite recipe (then you never have to look it up)
On your next trip, bring an Insta camera. Take lots of pictures and hang up the best ones