DIY Paper Wall Art
Upcycle an old frame and paper into stunning DIY Paper Wall Art! This easy project uses chicken wire for a layered paper masterpiece.
Tired of staring at bare walls? Craving a creative outlet but short on time or resources?
This DIY Paper Wall Art breathes new life into forgotten treasures, transforming a dusty old frame and some paper scraps into a captivating piece of wall art.
When we attended a Smilebooth event, we met this lovely lady who created an amazingly clever photo backdrop out of chicken wire and paper. So we were inspired to make our own version of an easy paper wall hanging.
The beauty of this project lies in its accessibility. Chicken wire, readily available at most hardware stores, becomes the foundation for your artistic expression. Layered paper of any kind, from colorful construction paper to vintage book pages, adds texture and depth.
And the best part? You can repurpose an old frame that’s been collecting dust in the attic, giving it a whole new purpose and a fresh lease on life. You can hang it up anywhere in your home office, living room or bedroom.
Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, this tutorial will guide you through every step of the process. So gather your materials, unleash your inner artist, and get ready to add a touch of personalized 3d flair to your home in no time!
Materials and Tools Needed
- Wooden frame — Any size or style will work
- Chicken wire — Enough to cover the back of the frame with some overlap
- Colored paper — Cut into 2″x8″ strips
- Staple gun and staples
- Wire cutters
- Needle nose pliers
- Spray paint — Optional to paint your frame and chicken wire
- Wall standoff spacers and appropriate screws — Appropriate size for your frame and wall for mounting the diy paper wall decor. Ours were approximately 15/16″.
- Drill and drill bit — If mounting with screws.
Steps to Follow to Make Wall Art with Paper
1 — Cut the chicken wire with wire cutters. Trim the wire to a size slightly larger than the back of the frame. It should overlap the edges by about an inch.
2 — Using the staple gun, secure the chicken wire to the back of the frame. Start at the center and work your way outwards, placing staples every 1-2 inches to ensure the wire is taut and secure.
Cut away the excess chicken wire with the wire cutters. Make sure to bend over the sharp edges as you go with a needle nose plier or the side of the wire cutters.
3 -– Optional: Spray paint the frame and wire. Allow to dry.
4 –- Measure and mark the placement of the wall standoffs on the back of the frame. The screw holes will be in all four corners when attaching it to the wall.
Then, use a drill bit the corresponds with the size screws you’ll be using to hang the frame to create pre-made holes for the screws and spacers
5 –- Follow the directions on installing the wall standoffs according to the packaging. and screw the frame to the wall.
Line up the wall standoffs with the marked positions and screw them into the frame using a screwdriver. Ensure they are secure but not overtightened.
Depending on your wall material (drywall, brick, etc.), you might want to pre-drill pilot holes to ensure easier screw insertion and prevent damage. Use a drill bit size slightly smaller than the screw diameter.
3 –- Measure and mark where the screw holes will be in all four corners when attaching it to the wall.
Then, use a drill bit the corresponds with the size screws you’ll be using to hang the frame to create pre-made holes for the screws and spacers
4 –- Follow the directions on installing wall spacers according the packaging, and screw the frame to the wall.
6 — Now comes the fun part! Roll up the 2″ x 8″ strips of colored paper, and insert them into the hexagon openings of the chicken wire.
Fill up the frame as much or as little as you’d like with the paper strips. Once you’re happy with your paper arrangement, step back and take a look. You can add additional paper pieces, rearrange them, or trim any that seem out of place.
Tutorial Tips and Notes
- Experiment with different paper types and textures to achieve the desired look and feel. Some other ideas besides construction paper include tissue paper, patterned papers, old book pages, etc.
- You can secure them with small dabs of spray adhesive (optional) if needed, but the chicken wire will hold most pieces in place.
- This project is easily customizable. You can adjust the size of the frame, the paper types, and the overall design to match your style and decor preferences.
- Use any leftover scraps of paper to construct a DIY Paper Shapes Artwork.
More Easy DIY’s
For more ways to uniquely decorate your space, check out a few of our other DIYs in our archives below —
- DIY Wooden Artwork
- DIY Rainbow Wall Hang — You’d never guess that we used pool noodles!
- Free Printable Watercolor Art
- DIY Pegboard Art
DIY Paper Wall Art
Equipment
- Wire cutters
- Staple gun and staples
- Needle nose pliers
- Drill and drill bit
Instructions
- Cut the chicken wire with wire cutters. Trim the wire to a size slightly larger than the back of the frame. It should overlap the edges by about an inch.
- Using the staple gun, secure the chicken wire to the back of the frame. Start at the center and work your way outwards, placing staples every 1-2 inches to ensure the wire is taut and secure. Cut away the excess chicken wire with the wire cutters.
- Optional: Spray paint the frame and wire. Allow to dry.
- Measure and mark the placement of the wall standoffs on the back of the frame. Then, use a drill bit the corresponds with the size screws you'll be using to hang the frame to create pre-made holes for the screws and spacers
- Follow the directions on installing the wall standoffs according to the packaging. and screw the frame to the wall.
- Roll up the 2" x 8" strips of colored paper, and insert them into the hexagon openings of the chicken wire. Fill up the frame as much or as little as you'd like with the paper strips.
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