DIY Textured Wall Art Ideas To Make Your Home Look Elegant On A Budget

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Textured art can spruce up your blank walls and lend them a little personality. Sadly, buying a dimensional piece that's created by a professional can set you back hundreds of dollars. But that doesn't mean you should leave your walls vacant or settle for a generic piece. You just need to pop on your DIY hat and get a few budget-friendly supplies to start crafting masterpieces that look expensive. For instance, if you love the clean lines and simple design of plaster art, create your own at home with some pre-mixed plaster and a paint scraper.

You can mimic the Dutch pour with a hair dryer, nail the draped art look using old sheets, or fashion an abstract artwork with a few toilet paper strips. Whichever art form you choose, ensure you have the right supplies to securely hang your canvas. Command's Large Hangers for Walls is a great option if you want to be able to move it easily or avoid making holes in your walls. Ready to see the kinds of pieces you can DIY without spending a ton of money? Here are some creative textured wall art ideas to make your home look elegant on a budget.

Are you a big fan of graphic 3D wall art but don't like the price tag? Why not achieve the plaster wall art trend at home with budget-friendly items? Grab a white canvas from Crafter's Square and a tub of joint compound like DAP's Wallboard Joint Compound. Pour a little compound on the canvas and smooth it out with a spackle knife. Now, use a paint scraper (or even an old comb) to create the swirls and free-form lines. Let it air dry and hang it as is, or paint it in your favorite shade. To prevent chipping and protect your artwork from moisture and dirt, brush some liquid varnish, like DecoArt's DuraClear Gloss, over it.

Buying droplet art from home decor stores or online crafters can be expensive. So, DIY your own by combining some low-cost premixed compound, such as DAP's Patching Plaster, with a little acrylic paint. Put the mixture in piping bags with various amounts of paint to create multiple hues, and apply small dots on your canvas. Spread them with a putty knife or spatula to bring your chosen design to life. You could even use a plastic spoon if you don't have either tool. Since this is a time- and effort-intensive project, start with a small canvas if you're a beginner-level DIYer.

One clever way to repurpose an old bed sheet is to turn it into gorgeous wall art. This way, you can mimic the draped plaster wall art without spending a fortune. Grab a canvas (or an old piece of art) for your base, and mix water and Mod Podge All-in-One Craft Solution in a 1:2 ratio. Brush the solution on the canvas before dunking the sheet in it and wringing it out. You can also lay the sheet down on the canvas and coat it with a liberal layer of the solution. Then, arrange the fabric, adding as many ruffles and wrinkles as you'd like. Wait for it to dry and give it an optional coat of spray paint.

Want to decorate your walls with an art piece that looks expensive but is super economical to create? Try out this chic canvas décor DIY from TikTok that practically anyone can do. Draw your chosen design on a blank canvas and use self-adhesive weather-stripping, like Upsen's Foam Sealing Tape, on top. Paint the canvas and strips so they complement the rest of your space, or add a rainbow of colors to turn the art into a focal point. Just make sure to use white strips since they'll be easier to paint than black ones (unless you're going for a moody aesthetic).

One of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to create textured wall art is to use a kitchen sponge. Simply paint a canvas and press the sponge to the painted surface while it's wet to give it a grainy feel. Be gentle and quick to give it a delicate, layered texture. You can even use a brush to give your art character. Experiment with varied color schemes to create dreamy, elaborate landscapes, or stick with a single shade for a clean finish.

Do you buy toilet paper in bulk to save money on household essentials? Then, why not use it to DIY textured wall art on a shoestring budget? Combine craft glue and water for a runny solution and apply it liberally over your canvas. Then, tear off strips of toilet paper and place them on top. Brush on a little water to give the surface a grainy texture, and set the canvas aside to dry before painting it. Opt for spray paint if you want to make coating the piece more efficient.

Fashion boho chic wall art on a budget using an old photo frame and a thrifted bamboo mat. Take the backing off of the frame to remove the photo and glass inside. Then, put the backing in place again to create a hollow box-type structure to hold the mat. Apply glue to the frame's backing and nestle the mat inside, trimming it as needed. If you don't find anything that you like at your local thrift store, consider Mind Reader's Bamboo Bath Mat for a similar look.  

Some of the best DIYs turn trash into treasure. So, reuse your paper towel rolls to create gorgeous textured wall art without incurring a lot of expenses. You just need a canvas and a couple of strips of plaster bandages, like Nuanchu's White Gauze Cloth, to add a grainy feel. Cut the empty rolls in half, stick them to the canvas, and lay the wet bandages on top. When everything's dry, give your art a fresh coat of paint.

Textured wall art can be expensive, but don't let that stop you from decorating your home with a unique 3D piece. Buy a pack of air-dry clay, such as Sculpey's White Non-Toxic Clay, and tear tiny pieces off. Get creative making your favorite shapes, like hollow circles or organic discs, and allow them to dry. In the meantime, decide the theme of your art. Would you be covering the entire surface with the clay pieces or just a small portion? If you lean toward the latter, figure out the placement and spray paint the dried structures before gluing them to the canvas. However, if you plan to cover the whole thing, glue the shapes on a give the whole piece a few coats.

Don't want a professionally-made plaster floral wall art to burn a deep hole in your pockets? Craft one yourself with a little textured paste, like Bluebird's Professional Thick Modeling Paste. Start by determining the kind of flowers you want to create. Then, draw the design on a blank canvas and pick the colors for each section. Divide the textured paste into segments and mix a little acrylic paint into each before transferring it to individual piping bags to apply to your canvas.

Want to hang a contemporary work of art on your walls without spending a lot of money? Give the Dutch pour technique a try. You'll need a canvas, acrylic paint, a hair dryer (or canned air or air compressor), and a pouring medium. Cover the area around the canvas so there's minimal cleanup afterward. Mix a little pouring medium (you can use water or opt for a specially formulated one like Apple Barrel Satin Finish) with your paint colors. This will water them down so they remain wet while you blow them across the board. Use contrasting colors for a bold statement or stick with multiple shades of the same hue for an understated one.

So you love yarn wall art but don't want to pay an exorbitant price for a piece? Flatten the cardboard box that your latest Amazon delivery came in and cover one side with craft paper. Use double-sided tape, like 3M's Heavy Duty Roll, around the edges in the back. Then, stick yarn to the tape and crisscross several threads for a weaving effect. Use just one color for a subtle textural look, or mix and match shades to create a unique, dynamic pattern. Mount it to a base of plywood or another sturdy material and hang it on the wall.

Put a cotton rug inside a frame to DIY a high-end textile wall art that'll be easy on your pockets. You just need to score an eye-catching piece for a steal. Keep an eye on the discount bins at your local home improvement stores or go for a small, simple piece like the IKEA TIPHEDE Rug. Then, build a frame or look for a sturdy one at a thrift store to mount the rug to. Spray your new textile wall art with a sealant, such as Scotchgard Fabric Protector, to prevent it from getting stained.

Textured papier-mâché artwork is one of the unusual pieces of wall art that will add a unique touch to your home. However, designer pieces can be quite expensive. So, save some cash and make one yourself. You just need a papier-mâché dry mix, such as AMACO's 1-pound Bag of Claycrete. Mix it with water per the manufacturer's instructions and spread a smooth layer over your canvas. While it dries, add dimensional shapes to the piece to create a design you like. A layer of a product like Liquitex Basics Matte Varnish is a great way to protect your piece without taking away from the earthy finish.

Tired of seeing the same old half circle and line DIY plaster wall art? Craft an attractive alternative using budget-friendly items, including a canvas, painter's tape, plaster, spackle knife, and an old piece of fabric. Tape out a textured rectangle on your canvas using painter's tape, and spread the plaster with the knife to make a small rectangle (you can also try a triangle) in the middle. Dab the area with the fabric using quick motions to create texture. Let the canvas dry and paint the separate sections in distinct hues if you'd like a striking contrast.

Hanging a canvas or frame isn't the only way to decorate your walls with textured art. You can display pottery, too. But if the store-bought versions are more expensive than what you're comfortable spending, purchase a bag of air dry clay. Get creative with the shape, but make sure to create a sturdy base with a hole for the candle. When it's dry, paint it and put the candle in place. For a safer alternative to a real flame, opt for an LED version like GenSwin's Battery-Operated Candles.