It's the middle of the school year. If you have a school-age child, chances are good that you also have a deluge of delightful artwork piling up around the house. You can't possibly keep, or showcase, it all. But you can't possibly disappoint your little Picasso either.
Here are five ideas that will leave your kid feeling artistically applauded while adding a little life to bare walls.
1. Have a frame free-for-all. I love this idea because it works with frames of all shapes and sizes and you don't have to worry about the cost (and fragility) of glass. Create a uniform look by choosing or painting frames in a single color or mix it up with a touch of something bold or bright.
Simply string wire across the frame (on the inside) and use a clothespin or cute clip to hang the art. It's easy to rotate in new pieces or create a collage by layering multiple pieces in a single frame.
|
Photo source: The Project Corner |
2. Get clipboard creative. I actually love this idea for all kinds of eclectic art, and all you need is a few clipboards. You can paint the clipboards in a uniform color to showcase the art or leave them as is for a more funky, arts and crafts feel. Most clipboards already come with a hole for hanging, so this creative idea really couldn't be much easier.
|
Photo source: Babble |
3. Go pretty in plastic. The durability, ease, and casual style of these heavy-duty plastic page protectors make them a great way to display art in kids' rooms. With grommets already in place for easy hanging and thick, durable plastic that will stand up to tiny hands, your kids will have a ball creating a dynamic gallery of their favorite work.
|
Photo source: Babble |
4. Scan and shrink. This is a super cute way to create a collection of your little one's art. And while the end result looks sophisticated, it's quick and easy to execute. Simply scan artwork using your home scanner and then shrink individual pieces down to a uniform size. Print, position in a large frame, and hang!
|
Photo source: Rebekah Griffin-Gamble |
5. Show, store, and tell. This idea is both cute and efficient – a winning combo in my book! These Lilian Vernon frames let you store up to 50 pieces and easily rotate your favorites for display.
|
Photo source: Lillian Vernon |
BONUS! I couldn't resist adding just one more of my favorite recommendations. Mantle Art has an easy-to-use app that lets you snap a picture of of a piece of art and then experiment with a variety of framing options before you print. Once you select and order the frame and optional mat, they send you a protective sleeve or tube with prepaid shipping to send the artwork back. In a few weeks, you receive your beautifully framed artwork, ready to hang!
|
Photo source: Mantle Art |
The attention you give your kids' artwork today can help build healthy self-confidence well into the future. My wish is that these ideas give you hope that you can support your kids and your own sense of style at the same time. That's what my work is all about, so I'd love to hear some of your ideas in the comments section below.
 |
Sara Eizen is a Seattle-based interior designer and home organizer with a passion for helping busy families reclaim style and space in their homes on any budget. In a bi-weekly column for Seattle's Child, Sara shares creative, fun, affordable tips and tricks for clearing clutter, sprucing up rooms with minimal effort, creating systems that simplify family life, and much more.
