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How to make great big wall art (on a tiny little budget)

Sometimes you just need some great big wall art. Well, I do anyways. Let’s face it, it’s way easier to fill a wall with one great big piece than it is to find lots of little things. So I like big stuff. Big wall art, that is. So I thought about how to get a great big piece on a little budget, and I remembered using a hollow core door to make a headboard. Bingo. I like using doors because they are cheap (even new), lightweight, and easy to find. And, bonus, I wanted the word HOLLA (my ode to Frankie on Big Brother) to remain in wood tone. Just another reason, and it’s so easy that anyone can do it. Here’s how…

big wall art diy

 

For this project, you’ll need:

a hollow core door

painter’s tape

matte adhesive vinyl (I love this kind from my buddies at Happy Crafters) – you’ll need one sheet per letter

transfer tape (for vinyl)

clear spray paint

two colors of paint ( I used gold and aqua)

 

big wall art diy

So, first you’re going to start with your canvas.. err… door. Measure out the size of your letters and center them all up, and use the painters tape to make a line all the way across the door to make them even.

diy wall art

When you have them spaced out where you want, use some transfer tape to put the letters on the raw wood of the door. (For tips on doing this, check out this post.)

big wall art diy

Once you have them down, spray the entire door with a couple of coats of clear sealer. Spraying over the letters really well will help paint from seeping under them later. And sealing the whole door will keep the raw wood from soaking up 18 coats of paint. Trust me, it’s faster this way. Let the entire thing dry overnight (so make sure NOT to leave it outside).

DIY mid-century modern wall art

Kind of eye-ball the area you want the first color to be and paint up the door so it is covered in the “blue” area (although yours could be green or yellow or whatever – just color #1). It will need 2-3 coats, letting it dry an hour or so between coats (on a warm, dry day – you be the judge on your project when it’s dry enough for another coat.). After it’s completely dry, then you’re ready to tape it up for the 2nd color.

DIY wall art

You’re going to have to tape up each end of the V on the sides one at a time to get it right. Start with one end and make sure the edge of the tape is on the outside of the corner, then stretch it to the opposite corner like the photo above. Smooth the tape down REALLLLLLY well, then paint your 2nd color. You’ll need 2-3 coats, depending on the paint (just like the first color.) Once it’s all dry, move on to the opposite side.

DIY wall art

Ok, so my graphic isn’t perfect, but you can get the idea – you don’t want to tape over the fresh paint on the other side, so use what you just painted to help line it up and go right up to that so you get a perfect V in the middle. Then paint the last side 2-3 coats.

When everything is dry enough to touch, but not so dry the paint will crack, peel up all of the vinyl letters, put hangers on the back of the door and hang it on the wall.

fun modern wall art

Although this project is a lot of waiting, it’s a seriously easy way to make huge art without a lot of effort and on a low budget.

*Thanks to my friends at Happy Crafters for partnering with me on this post. All ideas, words, photos and opinions are 100% my own.*

 

 

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Filed Under: DIY

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Khadija says

    September 22, 2014 at 6:30 am

    Using a hollow core door is just brilliant. I was really wanting to buy a huge canvas to do some artwork. You have saved me a ton of money, thanks Gina!

    Reply
  2. Khadija says

    September 22, 2014 at 6:36 am

    I just looked up the price and I found some doors for $19.50 at Lowes. That’s awesome!

    Reply
  3. Cindy Trobaugh says

    September 22, 2014 at 7:17 am

    Amazing!! I Love anything on a Budget and I have an Extra Door…Yippee! Thanks Gina!

    Reply
  4. Peggy says

    September 22, 2014 at 7:42 am

    Your the Bomb! Who dah thought of using a hollow door? Me, myself and I, are thankful for your detailed instructions. Great idea Gina, thank you.

    Reply
  5. Teresa Emrich says

    September 22, 2014 at 8:01 am

    Loved this idea. We NEED a couple of really BIG photos or wall art at the beach. This would be great to do!

    Reply
  6. Debbie E says

    September 22, 2014 at 8:18 am

    What a fabulous idea! The cost of buying a canvas that large is out of the question on my income.
    But, a door – that is soo possible. I love to paint my abstracts on big canvases. Now I can
    paint up a storm!! …giggle..giggle…. This thrills me. Thank you for this fantastic idea.

    Reply
  7. Angie @ CCC says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:04 am

    So why until this very moment did I not know that you were also a Big Brother fan!??!! Love it!!

    Reply
  8. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:45 am

    Love it and great tutorial.

    Reply
  9. Christie says

    September 22, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    How do you hang it on the wall ?

    Reply
  10. Shannon says

    October 1, 2014 at 8:32 pm

    Genius! Thanks for the great tutorial.

    Reply
  11. Allison says

    October 7, 2014 at 8:37 am

    Hey Gina! Love this. I dont have a cutting machine for the letters. Do you know of any sites where you can buy vinyl already cut out? OR do you have any other type of lettering tutorial?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      October 13, 2014 at 10:32 am

      Go to Leenthegraphicsqueen.com contact them tell them i sent you.

      Reply
  12. Kath says

    November 2, 2014 at 11:28 am

    This. Is. Awesome. I would love to do this DIY. It looks pretty easy, but super expensive looking when it’s done!! Quick question, what are the dimensions of the letters that you used??

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      November 10, 2014 at 12:59 pm

      18 inches tall

      Reply
  13. Kath says

    January 10, 2015 at 11:34 am

    Very awesome! What kind of gold paint did you use on this project?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. DIY industrial floor lamp says:
    November 7, 2014 at 4:22 am

    […] few weeks ago I shared my new Holla Sign and a few of you asked about the DIY industrial floor lamp – so that’s what we’re […]

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ARE YOU A FARMHOUSE FAN?
Get instant access to this free guide to The Best Sources for a Farmhouse Style Home on a Budget!
YOUR NAME:
YOUR EMAIL:
_____________