Stop buying mass-produced prints
Walk into any home today and you’ll likely see the same three IKEA or Amazon prints on the wall. It’s boring. It has no soul. I’ve always believed that the art on your walls should tell a story about who you are, not just fill a gap in the drywall.
Creating your own wall art isn’t about being a professional artist. It’s about curation and personal meaning. In 2026, the trend is moving away from ‘perfect’ and toward ‘authentic.’ If you have a printer, some old frames, and a bit of creativity, you can out-style any luxury showroom.
The ‘Found Object’ Gallery
One of my favorite ideas is the shadow box of memories. But don’t just throw a photo in there.
Think about the physical things from your life. A matchbook from the restaurant where you had your first date. A pressed flower from a hike. A literal piece of a map from a city you loved. When you mount these on high-quality, heavy-weight cardstock (use a neutral cream or off-white), they look like museum artifacts. The key is the ‘white space.’ Don’t clutter the frame. Let the object breathe. It signals to the eye that this item is important.
Textile Art: The $10 Masterpiece
Frame your fabric. Seriously.
If you have an old scarf from a grandmother, or even a piece of interesting linen, framing it behind glass instantly elevates it. In 2026, we’re seeing a huge surge in ‘Soft Minimalism.’ You don’t need a painting when the texture of a hand-woven textile can provide more warmth and depth to a room than a flat print ever could. Use a deep frame to create a shadow effect around the edges of the fabric.
The ‘Abstract’ Hack for Non-Artists
If you want a large-scale painting but can’t draw a straight line, use the ‘Color Block’ method. Buy a giant canvas and pick three colors that already exist in your room (maybe from your rug or pillows). Use painter’s tape to create sharp, geometric lines, and just fill the spaces with flat color. The ‘insider’ trick here is to add a little bit of texture paste to your paint. It gives the canvas a 3D feel that makes it look like a high-end gallery piece rather than a DIY project. People will ask you where you bought it, and you can just smile.
Digital to Physical: The 2026 Way
We all have thousands of photos on our phones that we never look at. But instead of printing a standard 4×6, try ‘Macro’ photography. Take a photo of something close up—a leaf, a piece of rusted metal, the iris of your partner’s eye. Blow it up to a 24×36 size. When you remove the context of what the object is, it becomes an abstract study in form and color. It’s deeply personal because only you know what it actually is.
The unspoken rule of DIY wall art? The frame is 50% of the battle. You can put a child’s doodle in a high-quality, thick wood frame with a wide mat, and it will look like professional art. Invest in the framing, and the art will follow.
Final thoughts on your walls
Your home shouldn’t look like a catalog. It should look like a biography. Start small. Pick one wall. Don’t worry about it being perfect. A slightly crooked, handmade piece of art has more ‘vibe’ than a perfectly centered, soulless print from a big-box store. Go get your hands dirty.