Small Budget, Big Impact Wall Art
I feel like I may have referenced at some point that budget is an important part of my design decisions. It may not always be this way, and in some ways I hope it isn’t, but I’m still grateful. I’m grateful for the limitation of budget, because it forces me to be creative, and helps me be grateful for what we do have. And honestly, nothing beats the feeling of not just doing something you love, but saving money in the process!
When we moved into the apartment over a year ago, I knew I needed art for over the couch. Unfortunately, I had depleted the budgeted amount set aside for furnishing our home. Sooooo...it was time to figure out something that would fit the scale of our 91” couch but didn’t break the bank. Also, I like simple, when it comes to wall art. (At least in this season. I find that my preferences always change with stuff like this.)
I honestly don’t remember the moment I had the idea or even where I got it from? I’m sure it was a conglomeration of different DIY wall art ideas that I had seen, maybe? I find that most, if not all, ideas I have are influenced by things I’ve seen, whether I realize it or not. (I feel sure there’s probably a scientific fact about that somewhere. 🤪) Regardless, I somehow came up with the idea to put chalkboard contact paper above the couch and frame it with one-by-fours.
I ordered the roll of contact paper off of amazon for thirteen dollars. It came 84" long, which was the perfect fit for the wall and couch! Then, we bought three one-by-fours (about ten dollars worth of wood from what I can recall) and brought them home where we cut and stained them, on our small apartment porch. We just cut the boards to size, so that it made a neat frame around the paper. Then, we put up the contact paper. I will say that we had to place and readjust several times until we got it straight, and thankfully, that was easy to do. We just didn't press it firmly until were were happy with the alignment. Then, we screwed in the stained one-by-fours around the contact paper. We probably used about ten screws total.
Finally, it was time to write! When I first had the idea, I envisioned changing the verse out every month or so. Once I put the design up though, I loved it and had no desire to change it. Initially, I did the lettering in real chalk. I was so so pumped that this was how it looked after my first attempt. The only problem was that it wasn't centered. Enter vertical verse reference in the awkward space to the left, and BAM, done. I ended up ordering a chalk marker a few weeks later and going over it, once I knew I wanted the design to be there permanently. And it's a good thing, too, because at some point, each boy has stood on the couch and "taught his brothers their letters".
I love this sign, because this small phrase is one of my favorites in the Romans 12:9-21 passage, which is our family passage. If I had to sum up what we strive to do within this home, and outside these walls, it is just that. We strive to love genuinely and teach our boys to do the same, for the sake of honoring and glorifying God, and furthering the Gospel. It's a great reminder for us and an excellent introduction to anyone entering our home, friend or stranger, of what our family is about.
Honestly, this sign was a good reminder for me as I was taking/editing the pictures for this post. I was feeling insecure about the lumpy couch (these three boys love that couch to pieces), and I wanted to try to edit out the fan cords. But I kept seeing that word genuine and thinking how can my love be genuine, if I'm not being genuine? So, this is genuinely how this wall art looks in our well loved home, over our well loved couch, with the cords hanging down from the not so loved, but well appreciated, ceiling fan.
Overall, for $30 and probably one hour of work, I couldn't be more pleased with this project.
So, do you have a blank wall you need to fill? I dare you to make something to go on it, instead of buying something. Be sure to show me a picture if you do, so I can celebrate it with you! And don't worry about it being perfect or Pinterest worthy, your home is for you and the ones who share it with you.
