DIY Canvas Frame-Upgrade your art on the Cheap!
It’s a two for one this week and I’m sharing easy-peasy ways to add art to your kitchen. I bought a pretty, but basic print for my kitchen and this is a quick tutorial on how to kick the chic appeal up a notch by making a DIY canvas frame. Plus, I’m giving you a pretty printable for the art it’s replacing.Out shopping a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon this cute little canvas print at Ross for $11.99.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase I earn a small commission to help me run this site at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. Read my full disclosure here. I’m all about the glam so the silver and gold caught my eye right away. This little print was fine on its own, but I wanted to add a little bit of pizzazz so I decided to frame the canvas piece.I was switching out this guy.
I really loved this menu board we added to the kitchen to stop the “what’s for dinner,” question my son would incessantly ask all day long. About a year ago I created the chalkboard dupe and had a 24x36” poster printed for $3 and some change at Staples. Architectural prints are perfect for creating the matte/chalk look. They are NOT for your high-quality printing needs.I used an old frame and hung it on the wall. The glass allowed me to use these window markers to write and erase daily with water and paper towels. Genius little system if I don’t say.Except. I always forgot to write on it. Even though I meal planned, I constantly forgot to write on the board and after a while we I just stopped using it. So, when I found this guy, I decided to just count it as a loss and take it down.Here it is ready for you to print if you’re better at me with actually writing on it.
18x24 (prints on 24"x36" paper)
11x14 (prints on 18" x 24" paper)
8x10 (prints on regular letter size paper)
The files are built so that you can cut them down to the size you need. Even if you print the 8x10, I still suggest sending it to a copy center to print because it’s an ink cartridge killer. Max it should cost is about 15 cents.
Now on the DIY Canvas Frame
Supplies
- 3 Poplar lattice boards (they measure .25" x 1.5" x 36") You can find them in the lumber section of Lowe's or Home Depot.
- Loctite Go2 glue
- Clamps
- Saw and Miter Box OR Nail gun and Compressor
Difficulty: Easy | TIME: 1 hour. | Cost $5 plus the cost of canvasI only had to purchase the lattice boards so this only cost me about $5. If you have to buy EVERYTHING, this would cost you around $40.
How to frame canvas art
Step 1 - Dry fit the boards and measure for the frame
Start by dry fitting your lattice boards to the canvas to make the basic frame. I used clamps to hold them in place. The canvas was almost an exact fit width-wise, so they worked great.
Mark where you want to cut the boards with a pencil. Remember to measure for overlap so everything is nice and flush.
Step 2--Measure twice, cut once
Cut your boards. I used my circular saw to do this very quickly, but all you really need is a miter box and saw for these teeny cuts.TIP: Always cut on the waste side of your marked line. If you cut ON the line your piece will be too short.
Step 3-Paint the wood for your DIY canvas frame
After you cut the boards, give them two coats of paint. I used Rustoleum gold spray paint. Make sure you spray the edges of the boards because at least one of them will show on the front of your art. I painted all sides so I don’t have to figure out which side is the right side.
You could sand the lattice boards to make them completely smooth, but I wanted a bit of texture for character so I let them be. Alternatively, you could also leave them raw or stain them for a different look.
Step 4--Glue or Nail the boards onto the canvas to make the frame
After the paint has completely dried, dry fit your boards once more and use clamps to hold them in place. Glue the boards to the canvas one by one, securing with the clamps. Allow to dry and hang. If you’re impatient like me, you can always use your nail gun to secure the boards to the frame and hang immediately. The nails are so tiny they didn’t even need filling.
And that is all folks. I used command strips to hang the canvas frame. So so easy for a little bit more glam.What do you think?
Don't forget to pin for later!
