Hack High End Art On A Budget With A Stunning Wallpaper Mural DIY

Love high-end art but not the price tag? We can relate. While dreamy, vintage paintings and modern abstract pieces pack a punch like no other, they always seem to cost an arm and a leg. And the bigger the artwork, the higher the price tag. Don't let that discourage you from decorating a large and empty wall with something big, though — not when you can DIY museum-worthy art by framing wallpaper instead. Believe it or not, it looks almost as impressive as Claude Monet's panoramic "Water Lilies" painting in the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris.

The first, and most obvious, benefit is that it costs way less than authentic art pieces. Secondly, you can personalize the size according to your space. So, if you want to create a humongous display that spans 8 feet wide, you bet you can. This DIY may not completely replace the elegance of a real piece of artwork, but it sure does look expensive compared to cheap framed art. Oh, and did we mention it's a pretty unique way to create an accent wall without painting it? Ok, enough raving — let's jump into how to complete this project.

First, we have the decision-making phase. Pick a wall and find a wallpaper mural that syncs with the space. It will become the main focal point of its chosen area, so choose wisely. For example, a whimsical design would fit right in a traditional-styled interior, as shown in @candidlychan's video above. She went with Anthropologie's Judarn Mural ($298) for her DIY, although you can find much more affordable alternatives on Amazon. Another example is the Murwall Woman Art Silhouette Wallpaper, which would add a neutral feminine pattern to a modern space. Another idea is to bring a comic book-looking cityscape into your home with the WFBHUA Hand-Painted New York City Wallpaper.

Next step: prep your walls before applying the wallpaper. Measure and mark the area you want to cover. You'll also need four moulding pieces (like these from Home Depot) that match those measurements. Cut the edges at a 45-degree angle for a framing effect, then spray paint or stain them in your desired color — be it gold for a luxe touch or walnut to accentuate the wood. Match up the wallpaper's lines and secure the frame with trim nails. 

Alternatively, if you already have molding on your walls, just insert the mural inside the paneled surface. Finally, glaze the wallpaper with matte Modge Podge to give it a realistic "painting" look. Want to be able to move your wall art around? Your best bet would be to stick the wallpaper on a large canvas. You could also tape thick poster boards together and use that as backing.