Many of you asked for close-up photos and a clearer explanation of the small art switch we did above the sofa, so here’s a simple walkthrough. This is a low-cost, easy project anyone can tackle — likely under $5 if you already have frames and a few small photos or prints you like. Greeting card images or postcards work well, too. We thought we’d share the process while we finish our backsplash (that update will be posted tomorrow morning).
These frames above the sofa originally held colorful craft paper (a $5 pack from Michael’s). The inexpensive paper added a playful pop for a while, and the low cost made it easy to experiment and change things when we wanted. For a time they remained bold blocks of color…
…then we added some local art prints, taped over the paper centers to create an easy layered look…
After our new rug arrived, we wanted something less colorful because the room already had many bright pillows and a few vivid accessories. We also decided the space needed more texture, so I dug through my fabric scrap bin and found a sand-colored, linen-like fabric with a subtle crosshatched texture. It wasn’t actual linen and not quite burlap, but it had the right look and feel.
The fabric was on clearance at JoAnn’s some time ago. It’s soft, textured, and neutral — just enough visual interest to act as a backdrop for small prints without competing with other colorful elements in the room.
Here’s my simple, not-at-all scientific framing method:
- Carefully remove the small art squares that had been taped to the colorful paper.
- Use the same loop of tape to attach each small print to the center of an individual 12″ x 12″ fabric square.
- Secure the fabric to the back of each frame’s mat on all sides so the fabric doesn’t sag or shift.
- Regular scotch tape worked fine with this lightweight fabric; for heavier fabrics, use stronger tape or an adhesive that can handle more weight.
That’s it. We used Ikea Ribba frames with 12″ x 12″ openings. I like how the tiny, Polaroid-style prints encourage viewers to come closer — when you look closely you notice the fabric texture behind them, which gives the whole grouping warmth and depth. I catch myself staring at them from the sofa.
Sometimes our dog interprets photo sessions as a cue to climb onto whatever human is in reach. Naturally, more photos followed and some were shared on our family blog.
The colored paper we removed wasn’t wasted — we repurposed it for other projects around the house, like a small boy-scout-badge gift project.
A few readers asked to see inside our ottoman to understand how we organized storage there, so here are a couple of photos showing the arrangement:
The large woven basket holds paint sample decks and loose paint chips — I save these for making small art pieces or ornaments. Three smaller baskets contain Clara’s toys, and there’s a giant blanket folded in there, large enough to stretch across our sectional and keep both of us cozy. It was a budget find from HomeGoods.
So that’s the quick update on two living room projects: simple framed fabric mats and ottoman organization. Have you tried fabric mats or fabric-backed art? Using fabric behind small prints is an easy way to add texture and soften a display. For ottoman storage, we learned pretty fast that smaller bins and baskets inside the ottoman prevent chaos — without sub-containers, everything ends up jumbled like a mini-tornado when the ottoman is opened. Sub-containment inside larger storage is the key.
P.S. A reader shared an article about the psychological draw to DIY projects, which was a fascinating read — I especially liked the bit about how small rituals or steps (like “add one egg”) can make projects feel more engaging.