DIY Holiday Decor with Thrifted Frames
Create your very own DIY holiday decor with thrifted frames. So simple, fun, and creative too! Save money and make your own!
Hello, beautiful friends!
I’m staring out the window at beautiful snowfall as I write this. So fitting for today’s post! I’m sharing some thrift store finds I made into holiday decor.
Today is Trashy Treasures Tuesday. And we are introducing a brand-new member today. Kathy from Petticoat Junktion. Woohoo!! We are so happy to have her join our little group. I have known Kathy since, gosh, almost since the start of my blogging journey way back in 2012. We used to collaborate on lots of posts/groups, etc, back in the early days. So it’s an absolute joy to have her here with us now!
Please give her a big welcome!
DIY Holiday Decor with Thrifted Frames
THRIFT
Okay, the first thing you need to do is run on down to your local thrift store and find a few frames or old framed prints.
Which is usually pretty easy to do/find! There are always tons of options for these small, framed prints at all the thrift stores I visit.
MATERIALS LIST FOR THRIFY HOLIDAY DECOR
- Thrifted frames
- Heavyweight Paper
- Graphics (create your own on ChatGPT!)
- White spray paint
- Staple Remover or Pliers
- Glass Cleaner
DISMANTLE
Next, you’ll want to dismantle the frames from the insides, which is always fun, not! haha!
Can’t ever have enough staples. Wow.
All of them! And yep, pull all of those out. You can use this handy tool or basic pliers.
You can also use the mats, if you like. But sometimes they are glued like this and can be tough to separate.
I wanted to use them, so I got all of that off. Can you believe the pretty art is just a thin print like that??
I decided not to use this trim part on the holiday art, though. It was attached to the print and not the mat, thank goodness.
SPRAY PAINT
I used a white semi-gloss spray paint to paint mine. You can hand-brush them, too, if you like. However, spray painting is so much faster.
I painted the mats and the frames in the same color.
FIND ARTWORK AND PRINT
I created a couple of images in ChatGPT and also found a few online that I liked.
I ended up choosing these three from the list above.
I used this paper to print them out on.
I printed them to the size I needed for each mat in the frame.
Then I cut them out with one of these paper cutters to make perfect cuts.
PUT BACK TOGETHER
Be sure to clean both sides of each glass before you put them back together.
This is my favorite! No streaks. You can find it here.
Isn’t that so pretty??
Look at how pretty that mat turned out.
Spy those feet of my constant companion??
I used tape to secure them in the back. You could staple the back in, also. I didn’t feel like it! Lol, real life here. ;)
And it’s not my first time. Holds great.
DECORATE WITH THEM!
Aren’t they so pretty?!! Who would ever have thought those were cheap thrifted frames/prints??
And beautiful holiday decor on a dime, for sure.
Here’s where I put them around my house.
I moved the picture that usually lives here and replaced it with the pretty tree.
I sat this one in front of the framed print that is usually here on this shelf, giving it a layered look I suppose.
The last one went onto our new slim shelves in the kitchen.
And before I figured out where I wanted to put them, I snapped this photo in the foyer with my favorite Santa.
It didn’t say here, as you know.
I love my DIY holiday decor with thrifted frames—such a fun, creative project that anyone can do. And a cheap way to decorate that doesn’t look cheap!
PIN it to save it!
Don’t forget to hop over and check out what my friends did this week! Also, say hi to Kathy!!
- Kathy at Petticoat Junktion
- Christy at Confessions of a Serial DIYer
- Denise at Salvaged Inspirations
- Me! You are here.
Have a blessed week, friends! OH! And don’t forget that I still have a sale in my shop and my Etsy shop too. (30% off everything!)
xoxo
Such a great way to decorate on a budget! They look so good! XOXO
Thanks, Christy!! Yes, we love our budget decor!! xoxo
These are so beautiful and I love the idea of Christmas art for the holiday season! Pinned! XOXO
Thanks, Denise!! Yes, for sure! xoxo
Those are really wonderful! I see a lot of wonderful frames at my local Goodwill and have never known what to do with them, But I may pick some up and copy this post! One question:
We are about to purchase a beach house. I especially loved the white frames and mats with your beachy photo with the big clamshell. I would love to completely reproduce that, did you purchase that clamshell somewhere that I could do the same, or were you just lucky and Thrifted that as well?
Yes!! Lots you can do with them. Are you talking about the big clamshell with the pine cones and shells inside on the foyer table?? I think that came from Kirkland’s years ago. I have seen similar ones in other stores since though! Try Home Goods!
Oh sorry,
I actually had two questions!
What kind of printer do you have that prints such fine quality? My old printer is about to die and I would love to get one that could handle regular office papers and quality printing, As well.
Thank you!
We got a new laser jet (finally!!) a couple of years ago. I LOVE it. It’s prints great quality and is SO fast too. This is probably the closest to mine (ours is the 750) that I can find. We only paid around $500 for ours though. You might want to look at your local Office Max, etc, though I’m showing all of the 7 series out of stock online.
You will love it if you go with a laser!! :)
GREAT job – those prints are gorgeous in their frames. Well done, Nancy.
Thanks, Michele!! Hope you have a beautiful week, friend! xoxo
So pretty! I love your home and the way you decorate so much. I was also going to ask about your printer. Mine isn’t even color and I’d love to get one to do this and other things that need a good quality color printer. My second question is that I’m wondering how you care for your little snake plant there (forgot actual name) as I have a couple of them and they don’t look nearly as nice as yours. I can’t decide if they are getting too much light, not enough, too much water, not enough lol. Might have to check out your shop. Have wanted to try that paint for a long time. Oh also, welcome to Kathy. I have followed her for a while also.
Thank you, Debra!! And that is so kind, and made my day! :)
So, the printer, we finally got a laser jet printer. Love it so much! It’s lightening fast and prints so beautifully. We paid around $500 for it several years ago. It’s the 750 model similar to this one. I would check your local Office Max or similar store though. Prices will be lower there, I’m sure!
The snake plant, well, funny you should say that!! Because I just killed one that I’d had for years!lol I do have several others just as old that are doing well though. I think that one did not get enough light. I have found that they do like to have some at least. They don’t need a ton of watering (I’m probably neglectful) but don’t like to be too dry either, if that makes sense. And yes, we are thrilled to have Kathy with us! Hope you have a wonderful week, Debra! xoxo
You are inspirational! And, motivational ! Thank you
Hugs 🤗 flowers 💐 prayer 🙏🏻 and chocolates 🍫 for your day, the nutritional essentials.
Aw, thanks so much, Willie!! And I like how you think, yes, to that, for sure!! :)
Thanks for letting me join the group. I love working with trashy stuff, lol. I love your artwork. The images you created with ChatGPT are so dreamy! I like them all! Kathy p.s. I ordered some of your favorite glass cleaner!
So happy you are with us, Kathy!! And thank you!! xo (you’ll love it!)
So cute for Christmas.
Thank you, Rebecca!! xo
Beautiful! BUT…I do think a few dozen staples would have been a great addition to the back view! haha!!lol! Also, love love love your white Santa tabletop display. Thanks for the beautiful posts….Merry Blessed Christmas! Blessings, Ally
Haha!! No thanks!! lol Merry Christmas to you, Ally! xoxo