Repurpose Old Canvas Wall Art Into A Stunning New DIY Home Decor Piece

The overall aesthetic of your home is determined by multiple factors. The furniture, wall paint color, and flooring all contribute to this design and so do the things you hang on your walls. There are so many trendy wall art ideas for every room in your home that can help inspire home decor, but this can quickly become overwhelming, especially if you are on a tight budget. Luckily, this DIY project allows you to repurpose an old canvas into a stunning home decor piece.

Start this project by looking around your home for an old, already painted canvas. You will want to make sure that it no longer holds value to you or anyone else. For instance, you might use a mass produced print that no longer matches your style or a paint-and-sip masterpiece gone wrong. If you don't have something like this in your home, you could also head to the thrift store to find a cheap option. Worst comes to worst, you could also buy a fresh canvas at the craft store. This option is okay in a pinch, but it will lack the frame that a repurposed canvas generally includes (and cost a little more money).

When choosing your canvas, you will also want to think about the size of your wall space. Try picturing how you would arrange artwork in the space, and read about the wall art sizing tip that makes a plain wall look more expensive. You can also ask a friend or roommate to hold the picture, so you can get a sense of what scale or orientation works best.

Once you have your chosen a canvas, you will be ready to make this project your own. One easy way to create a modern art design is to use peel-and-stick tiles. Begin by measuring the size of the canvas so you know approximately how many tiles you will need. Always plan to have a few extras to avoid having too few. Next, arrange the tiles on the canvas so they lay flat. After they are arranged how you like, simply peel the backing off the tile and stick them onto the surface, carefully aligning them. Finally, hang the frame and admire your updated design.

Using just these tiles, you can create many different design aesthetics. Before beginning, take a few moments to decide what you want out of the finished piece. If you want something more modern, consider using a solid color tile across the entire design or maybe finding tiles that can create an ombre effect. However, if you are looking for something more eclectic, try arranging the tiles into a fun pattern. You could even try your hand at creating a sign with words. See what tiles are available, and let your imagination soar.

If you want to be even more adventurous — and have more artistic ability — you can try other media beyond peel-and-stick tiles. One trending option is called overpainting. While overpainting can be a controversial idea (especially if done on rare works of art or to cover individual artists' voices), when done on mass produced paintings, it can be a fun exercise. Find a painting you want to experiment with, like a landscape. Then, get creative by adding your own unique spin. This could involve incorporating creative words or perhaps something humorous like a sci-fi character that wouldn't normally appear in the image.

If you want to start fresh, you could also do that with an already painted canvas. Sand the top of the painting with a 120- or 220-grit sanding block. Then, cover it with two or three coats of gesso. Once completely dry, your canvas will be as good as new and a fresh slate for your ideas. With a paint brush and palette of colors, you could create almost any design. Or, if you are feeling less artistic, try this gorgeous DIY art for the living room that just calls for a potato and a canvas.