Many readers asked for close-up photos and a clearer explanation of the small art swap we did above the sofa, so here’s a straightforward breakdown. This is an easy, budget-friendly DIY—especially if you already own frames and some small photos or prints. With basic materials like old postcards, greeting card images, or tiny prints you love, you can refresh a gallery wall for next to nothing.
Our frames originally held simple colored paper (we used $5 worth of craft paper from Michael’s). That bright pop was fun for a while, and because it was inexpensive it left us free to experiment and change things without guilt. They worked well as bold color blocks for a bit…
…then we tried taping small local art prints in the center of the colored squares, which added personality without much effort…
…and after our new rug arrived we wanted something more neutral. With so many colorful pillows and bright accessories in the room, we decided to tone things down and add texture instead. That led me to rummage through my fabric scrap bin—turns out I had enough sand-colored, linen-like fabric to line each frame.
It’s a soft, crosshatched fabric that reads like linen but isn’t actually linen—more of a linen-look material I found on clearance at JoAnn. It gives a subtle, woven texture that works well as a neutral background without competing with the rest of the room.
My simple, non-technical framing process:
- Remove the little art squares that were taped to the colored paper using a loop of tape.
- Use that same tape loop to mount each tiny print in the middle of a 12″ x 12″ fabric square.
- Secure the fabric to the back of the mat on all four sides so it stays taut and doesn’t sag.
- For this lightweight fabric, regular Scotch tape did the job; for heavier textiles you might choose stronger tape or fabric adhesive.
That’s basically it. We used Ikea Ribba frames with 12″ x 12″ openings, which made the whole swap quick and inexpensive. I love how the small, Polaroid-style prints invite a closer look, and the textured fabric behind them adds subtle depth—especially noticeable in person. I find myself glancing over at the frames from the sofa all the time.
Sometimes Burger interprets John sprawled on the ottoman with a camera as an invitation to hop up on him. Naturally. We snapped a few more photos and shared them on Young House Life.
The colored paper we removed didn’t go to waste—we reused several sheets for other projects around the house, including John’s Boy Scout badge gift. It’s a nice reminder that small craft supplies can be repurposed for multiple decor ideas.
A few readers also wanted to see the inside of the ottoman to understand how we organize it, so here are those photos.
The large woven basket holds paint chips and paint decks I save for future color projects—tiny paint chips are surprisingly handy for small crafts and art. The other three baskets store Clara’s toys, and there’s a giant blanket folded inside that can stretch across our sectional when we want to curl up. Having smaller baskets inside the ottoman prevents chaos and keeps everything accessible; without them it felt like a mini tornado every time we opened it. The takeaway: sub-containment inside a larger container keeps things tidy.
So that’s the update on two living room projects: swapping in textured fabric mats for framed art and organizing the ottoman. Have you tried using fabric as a mat or backdrop in frames? Do you use fabric panels as standalone art? And how do you organize your ottoman or coffee table storage? We learned quickly that smaller bins inside a large container make daily life simpler.
Psst — a reader (thanks, Caroline!) sent a link to an interesting article about why people are wired to DIY, and it made for a fascinating read—especially the bit about the impulse to “add one egg.”