DIY Vintage Wall Art
Ready to give that thrift store find a fabulous new life? Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need and how to do it!
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr
Dry Time1 hour hr
Course: Upcycled Home Decor
Keyword: diy home decor, diy vintage art
Cost: $20
- thrift store frame with outdated art
- Old frame with outdated art
- Screwdriver razor scraper if needed
- White primer
- Chip brushes
- Mod Podge
- Printed free vintage art
- Clear matte top coat
- Optional: Paint/gilding wax for frame
Prep Your Frame: Clean your thrifted artwork and its ornate frame. Disassemble the old art, scrape off thick paint, and prime the original canvas white. Optional: Update the frame with paint or antique gold gilding wax.
Get Your Art: Find and print your favorite free vintage art from a public domain source (like Simple Joy Art) at an online print shop (like Staples.com). Make sure it fits your canvas!
Apply Art: Adhere your printed art to the primed canvas using Mod Podge. Apply Mod Podge to the entire surface first, then carefully lay and smooth the print to avoid bubbles.
Faux Oil Painting Look: Create an authentic look by brushing a thick layer of Mod Podge over the printed art using criss-cross strokes (or fine brush strokes around elements) to mimic brush strokes and add texture. Let it dry completely.
Finish Strong: Seal the piece with a water-based matte finish top coat to prevent stickiness. Optional: Apply dark brown wax to edges for an aged look. Reassemble and hang your stunning new DIY vintage wall art!