Create A Pretty Accent Wall On A Thrift Store Budget With One Easy DIY Upcycle

Have you ever thought about adding an accent wall to your space? Accent walls can transform a room, changing its overall aesthetic. They can add dramatic flair, creating a center point that draws eyes without clashing with your existing decor. However, from choosing the right accent wall type to the task of installation itself, it can also be a big commitment — one that may seem daunting. Thankfully, with just a few budget-friendly materials and some of your old, ornate placemats, you can create a trendy DIY accent wall that can be easily modified, giving you the freedom to bring your vision to life.

To create your own accent wall, you don't need to run to the hardware store for trim and paint. Instead, you just need a few supplies, including enough large canvases (you can also use foamboard) to cover your wall, a strong glue like Liquid Nails heavy-duty adhesive, and some old, round ornamental placemats. You will also need all-purpose caulk, a spatula, adhesive spray, and paint. 

This is not only a great way to upcycle placemats while creating an accent wall that doesn't involve painting, but you can also upcycle old canvases, as well. To remove the existing design, sand the canvas and apply a fresh coat of paint. When it comes to customizing this DIY, you can get creative by using supplies you may already have on hand. 

The first step to this project is to create your faux wall. To do this, apply a layer of all-purpose caulk to each canvas and allow it to dry (this will provide an element of texture). Then, join each of your canvases or foam boards using your heavy-duty adhesive. The amount of glue and drying time needed for this step depends on how many canvases you're using. Also, for those upcycling foamboard, you may not need as much adhesive, since foamboard is often lighter than canvas. Using clips or clamps to hold the boards together while they dry may be helpful.

Now, it's time to add your placemats. You can arrange them however you like on your canvas unit. Cutting one or two of them in half to place around the edges of the unit and placing one or two in the center is an option to consider. When you have planned the pattern, apply spray adhesive to the back of the placemats and affix them to the board unit. 

From here, you can get crafty in your customization. Add a few accents to your faux wall using paint, gold-colored flecks, leftover glitter, or any other materials have on hand. For a rustic design, instead of gluing your placements to the board, you can use them as stencils for a drywall mud texture art design. For this, follow the manufacturer's preparation instructions for your dry wall mud, then apply it over your placemats with a spackle knife. Finally, remove your placemats before they dry. If you want, after the drywall mud dries, you can add a pop of color with acrylic paint or gold leaf.