Gallery walls make me happy. Seeing all the pieces fitting together like a puzzle showing off a collection of memories or artwork is so visually satisfying.
Gallery walls make me real happy when they are super inexpensive to pull together. Like my Coastal Gallery Wall.
Let me show you how I created it on a small budget.
To begin any gallery wall you are going to need lots of frames. The best places to find them are thrift stores, yard sales, family/friends, or your own stash. The hoarder in me collects frames like a mama grabbing bite-sized Snickers at Halloween. I snatch them up to tuck them away from future projects.
Most of the frames on this gallery wall came from my personal collection and Goodwill. The largest poster sized frame only cost $8.
Since there’s a good chance that none of your frames will match, grab a can of spray paint and go to town. Black and white always make good safe choices.
Now that you have collected the frames you will need fantastic & cheap art to fill them. Here’s a list of apps, websites, and projects I used to fill my space.
1. Waterlogue
For months I have been telling everyone who would listen about Waterlogue. This miraculous phone app turns your photographs into watercolor images. Wonderful, incredible, ready to print images!
Below is a photograph I took last summer of Tootsie walking on the beach. Once the picture was downloaded from our camera I emailed it to myself, saved it on my phone, then used Waterlogue to transform the image into a watercolor.
Kim from Sand & Sisal did a wonderful job explaining how Waterlogue works. Go {here} to read her post. If a fun, coastal vibe is your style, make sure to follow her while you are there!
2. Maps from Stamen.com
Simple enter a location to generate a map for a certain area. Choose the “watercolor” option to create a map in vibrant watercolor. The map I choose is of the coast of South Carolina.
3. Do-It-Yourself Artwork
There few things I like better than dipping my brush into colorful paint. Plus handmade paintings only cost the price of a blank canvas and paint.
This Palmetto Tree Artwork was simple to make and coordinates perfectly with the coastal theme of the living room gallery.
If abstracts are more your style, make sure to check out my tutorial for an Abstract Circle Painting.
4. Personal Photographs
Whether you choose images of landscapes or loved ones, photographs are a must have for gallery walls. A family friend shared a series of black and white images from the coast with me. I have used and re-used these pictures at our last three houses.
Want landscapes for your wall? Visit places that hold meaning for you {family home, church) or hit the streets to take pictures of interesting buildings, bridges, or local parks. Almost anything looks fantastic when it’s turned into a black and white picture.
5. Song Meaningful Lyric or Favorite Saying
Pinterest is full of artwork inspired by song lyrics or favorite sayings. Many designers and bloggers offer these as free printables for their followers.
One of my favorite bloggers, Megan from The Homes I Have Made, posted this free Lumineers quote that she included in her Master Bedroom update.
Our entire family was in love with this song at the time so I downloaded the file to print out. Because it is lyric the print adds interest a gallery wall full of images. I bet you can find a free printable that is just right for your home.
All of photographs and printables on our Coastal Gallery Wall were printed at our local Sam’s Club. They provide great service and have the best prices. The largest Waterlogue image was printed at Sam’s Club and cost less than $8 for the poster sized print.
After fitting all these pieces together, this wall full of artwork and images cost less than $40. That’s a lot of bank for your buck! Keep on making room spaces to smile about!
Your comments totally make my day! They give me huge motivation to keep creating and having fun with my 3 Little Greenwoods!
I link up with these fun parties!
I love your coastal gallery wall! It looks great! Thanks for the sweet shout out too! 😉
You are so very welcome! I had pinned your original post and wanted to give you props for introducing me Waterlogue. It’s a fantastic app!
~ Ashley
I love it!!!!!!
Hey Sweet Friend!
So excited you like my Coastal Gallery Wall!
~ Ashley
I love the gallery wall. I looks very cool!
Thanks so much!
~ Ashley
Pretty! The watercolor of your little girl is my fav!!
The watercolor of Tootsie walking down the beach did turn out awesome. I’ve been taking pictures of all sorts of things to Waterlogue. 🙂
~ Ashley
This is a great gallery wall!! I’m updating my wall as we speak, so these are some great ideas. I’ve never heard of the waterlogue app before, but it looks SO cool!! I’m all about budgets and thrift store frames/finds. great job! I’m visiting from over at Thursday style link party. 🙂
Oh, you have got to try out Waterlogue! I have been telling all who will listen how fabulous it is. Hopping over to check out your awesome self in just a bit!
~ Ashley
This is so pretty! Waterlogue is AMAZING!
I know! Love-love-love Waterlogue!
This is such a great coastal gallery wall. I adore anything having to do with coastal decor, I love the idea of a map. Thank you for sharing at Friday Favorites!
The map making site is the best! I’m thinking of adding another map image to our office makeover {whenever I get to that update 😉 }.
~ Ashley
This looks so pretty!
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
What a lovely gallery wall!
Thanks for linking up to our Betwitchin Party! Be sure to come back every Sunday starting at 6am EST over at OurMiniFamily.com to link up your projects again!
~Cathy Mini~
I can’t wait to share my projects with you again! Thanks for hosting such a creative party!
~ Ashley
I really love this! Thanks for sharing at Tips and Tricks!
Hey Samantha!
This wall took me a while get perfect but I love it too! Thanks so much for the fun party and the bloggy love.
~ Ashley
What a fun gallery! I love that it’s sprinkled with handmade art and personal touches. Thanks for linking up with Creative Spark!
I love all your suggestions, and I had no idea Sams printed this type of things. Thanks for sharing them at the Celebrate It Blog Party! We are live for this week, and I would love if you would stop by and link up again! http://bit.ly/1AiFR9u
Thanks so much for the party invite! I’ll hop right over. 😉
~ Ashley