DIY Minimalist Wall Art

Make a punchy graphic statement with this black-and-white brushstroke art that uses unconventional materials. You can create this impressive artwork yourself in a weekend—no prior art experience required!
By Sydney Price August 31, 2018

Dress up a contemporary room or add something unexpected to a more traditional setting with this DIY artwork. Using a mop as a paintbrush and doors as oversize canvas panels, this large-scale monochrome artwork steals the show in any space. Bold, high-contrast lines swoop across the panels and capture attention. This wall art is super easy to do yourself, and it’ll look like you bought it from an expensive art showroom.

Editor’s Tip: Doors come in standard sizes of 80-inches tall with varying widths. We used the smallest standard size—24-inch by 80-inch—but if you want it to be smaller, try narrow closet door panels or use canvases in the size of your choice. Look for an unfinished slab door, which will be unpainted and won’t have any hardware on it. This is also usually the cheapest option.

  • Working time 2 hrs
  • Start to finish 2 days
  • Difficulty Easy
  • Involves Painting
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What you need

Tools
Materials
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How to do it

Step 1

Paint Doors

Prime and paint all three doors white. Since you're covering a large area, it's easiest to use a roller for this. Be sure to paint the edges, as they will show when mounted on the wall. Let dry completely.

Watch
How to Paint Wood Furniture Like a Pro

Get tips for painting the doors for a smooth, even finish.

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Step 2

Prep Doors for Design

Use wide painters tape to mask off the edges of the doors so the black and gray paint won't seep over the sides. Lay down a drop cloth to protect your work surface and be sure to work in a well-ventilated area. Push the three doors together on the floor next to each other so they form one large rectangle with no gaps.

See also
All About Painters Tape

Learn the secret to preventing paint from leaking under the edges!

Step 3

Paint Design

To make our abstract design, use a mop to create a path of light gray paint across all three door panels. Repeat at the top and bottom of the faux canvas. We created a Y-like shape and a rounded half circle design, but you could choose any abstract shape. Let the paint dry, then repeat the design with black paint. This method of layering gives the design dimension. Use a separate mop head for each color. Don't worry about making the lines perfect—the streaks and imprecision give it character. Add splatters as desired. Let your second color and splatters dry. 

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Step 4

Install Hanging Hardware

Use a drill and the provided screws to attach two picture hangers—one on each side—to the back of each door. Run thick wire through them to form a hanging loop. Tie multiple knots until secure.

Now you're ready to mount your door triptych! How far apart you space the three door panels is up to you, but measure their placement first to check that they're even. The doors are heavy, so you may need to hang them on studs for support.

    Comments (2)

    How difficult was this project?
    Better Homes & Gardens Member
    January 8, 2020
    Difficulty: Very Hard
    Um. You are seriously telling readers to paint on Heavy doors that will probably tear up the wall in time (at best), and at worst will fall and hurt someone. Ever heard of stretched canvas? That's what artists use. You can make them any size that you want. These tutorials are bad news.
    Better Homes & Gardens Member
    January 8, 2020
    Difficulty: Very Hard
    Um. You are seriously telling readers to paint on Heavy doors that will probably tear up the wall in time (at best), and at worst will fall and hurt someone. Ever heard of stretched canvas? That's what artists use. You can make them any size that you want. These tutorials are bad news.
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