Having white walls or blank walls may keep your home simple and if that is the direction you want to go than more power to you. However, decorating your home can be a creative decision you can make once and leave alone or continually change as the mood inspires you.

Color on WallsMany people would like to put some art on their walls. There are multiple ways to go about this. The most important idea to keep in mind is to hang what you love.

Spend little to none:

  • Frame your own or your children’s artwork and hang
  • Rent some art-work – At the library in my hometown we had the option to check out fine art pieces and hang them in our home for a few weeks. Check with your library on this.
  • Don’t forget the trash – One person’s tired picture is a ‘new’ one for you
  • Search your closets or your parent’s basement for those old ‘masterpieces’ created in school
  • Old calendars can be a great resource for single framed or collage art to hang

Spend a little more:

  • Check online at eBay or Etsy for some original art from an unknown artist – prices can start as low as $4
  • Pick up cheap pieces at yard sales and thrift stores
  • Check with schools or colleges art departments to see if students are selling their work
  • Find photos on flickr to buy and frame for your home – example
  • Enlarge existing photos and frame them

Spend a lot more:

  • Check out local, neighborhood art galleries – not the high end ones and go with a budget in mind
  • Take a day to visit an art festival – have some ideas in mind of what you are looking for as well

If artwork isn’t for you, there are alternatives:

  • Hang a quilt or blanket that you like the design on
  • Gather your stuffed critters and make multiple shelves for them to sit on against one wall or two
  • If you have a collection of hats, clocks, sports items or toys, bring them out of hiding and enjoy them.
  • Paste together a college of something that inspires you: quotes, story rejection letters, pictures from magazines and so on.
  • Make a shadow box and place your keepsakes in them.

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Dawn C. is site owner of Frugalforlife.com and is residing in Colorado with her spouse, Teri, of 11 years. Dawn can be reached at Frugalforlife@gmail.com