One of my favorite ways to bring personality into a home is through curated art—and I believe the frames matter just as much as the pieces inside them. Over the past few months, I slowly collected secondhand frames from thrift stores, flea markets, and estate sales. Some were ornate and heavy, others simple and worn, but they all had one thing in common: potential.
When I decided to create a gallery wall in my stairwell, I knew I wanted something warm, layered, and nostalgic. With a few coats of gold spray paint, these mismatched frames were transformed into cohesive gems. Each one has its own unique details, but together they tell a story.
To fill them, I turned to Etsy. I found downloadable art prints that spoke to me—botanical illustrations, vintage oil painting reproductions, abstract line drawings. The beauty of printable art is that it’s affordable, instant, and endlessly customizable.
Checkout my reel to see the magic unfold!
Here’s how I pulled it all together:
Step 1: Collect thrifted frames I looked for interesting shapes and textures, not worrying about the color or finish. I kept an eye out for frames with matting too—it adds an extra polished touch.Step
2: Spray paint magic Using a metallic gold spray paint, I gave each frame a uniform finish while still letting the original textures shine through.
Step 3: Select and print your art I searched Etsy for printable art that felt timeless and added depth to my stairwell space. I printed everything at home with my commercial uv printer on canvas. I understand most do not have access to a monster like that, but Office Depot is a great resource for large prints.
Step 4: Plan your layout Before hanging, I laid everything out on the floor and shifted pieces around until the layout felt balanced. I like to mix horizontal and vertical pieces and vary the spacing just a bit for that effortless look.
Step 5: Hang and enjoy! Now every trip up the stairs is a little gallery moment. It makes our home feel more curated, collected, and personal.If you’ve ever thought about doing a gallery wall, this is your sign. All it takes is a few thrift trips, a can of paint, and a little art that speaks to you.
Want to shop the printable art I used? I’ll link a few of my favorite Etsy shops below—so you can create your own budget-friendly gallery wall with heart.