From this print, we cut out
the bird, the leaves below the
bird, and the blue flowers on
the top right.

Inexpensive Art and Supplies

If you find an inexpensive poster, print, or canvas you like but don't have a spot large enough to hang it or want to give it a new twist, don't be afraid to use its parts. We cut blooms, leaves, and a bird from one large piece, then popped them into two sizes of matted frames from a discount store.

 

The three smaller pieces of art
are the framed sections of the
poster seen above.

In our grouping, they nicely offset two larger horizontal pieces. Use the tactic on cast-off posters you relegated to the basement -- frame parts you still love and then hang them in a grid or series.

Hanging art is even less painful if you have everything you need on hand. Check out our mini-guide to make sure you've covered all your bases.

 

Always use acid-free matting that
helps preserve art and photos.

Mat board can be a plain-color (smooth or textured) or covered in fabric, leather, or other natural materials, such as grass cloth. Mats are used to highlight the personality of the artwork and can either grab attention or fade into the background.

Frames come in a variety of colors and styles, including finishes that mimic precious metals and exotic wood species. When selecting a frame, use the style and setting of the room as a guide.

You'll need a hammer, tape measure, and level. Avoid using nails to hang art, since picture hooks can be sized to hold the weight of a particular piece of art. For lightweight art, try hanging with hook-and-loop tabs. Look for special adhesive discs or spring hangers used to hang plates.