Every few months or so I find myself wandering around my house moving things around, adding new decorations and reorganizing shelves. Right now we’re also getting the nursery together for our first baby which has ignited a whole new genre of decorating in my brain that I need to get going on (we only have 3 months!) I’ve been wanting to do something with her name and a DIY project from our wedding became the inspiration for this post.
For our wedding a few years ago I did as many of the decorations myself with a hot glue gun, paintbrush, scissors and fabric. One of my favorite things I made were our “love letters” which were just cardboard letters spelling ‘love’ that I spray painted white. At our wedding we left sharpies on a table next to the letters asking guests to write us little notes or words of advice for our new life together. We still have the letters displayed in our living room and these are what inspired me to find a new way to use these cheap and simple letters for some more decor around our house and in the nursery.
To get myself, and you, inspired to create your own simple and cheap cardboard letter decor, here are 14 ways to decorate cardboard letters.
PAINT
DISTRESSED
{ EVERYDAY HOME BLOG }
With a light brush technique and a little stain, you can make cardboard letters look like distressed wood. This works great for kitchen or living room art. I’m envisioning a Christmas themed word resting on my mantle this year…
METALLIC
{ EVERYDAY WITH THE JAYS }
If you’re a fan of metal letters, but don’t want to pay a lot for them, simply buy metallic spray paint and go to town on your cardboard letters! No one will know they’re not real metal.
SIMPLE
{ DECORATING YOUR SMALL SPACE }
Sometimes a simple bright paint job can turn an empty spot on your wall into a fun focal piece. They also played around with sequins or push pins to change it up a bit.
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WRAP IT
TWINE
{ KATIE J GIBSON }
For a more rustic look, wrap your letters in twine using this helpful step-by-step guide to make sure it doesn’t unravel on you later.
YARN OR STRING
{ 100 LAYER CAKE-LET }
Similar to twine, yarn or string can be a great way to cover your letters (and use up that leftover yarn from that scarf you never made).
MOD PODGE
PAPER
{ MY PAPER LUST }
There are thousands of different prints and patterns on scrapbook paper these days so your possibilities here are really endless. Use a myriad of different styles to fill a blank wall in your house for hundreds less than a giant painting.
MAPS
{ THE CHICKABUG BLOG }
This could be a great idea for your friend or a couple who love to travel. Find vintage maps at antique stores, nautical themed maps at estate sales, or park maps from your own travels!
BOOK OR MAGAZINE PAGES
I love this idea to fill space on a bookshelf. You can use old books from local thrift stores to cover your letters in words of inspiration. Another great idea for your kitchen is to rip out pages of an old cookbook and cover your letters in recipes for foodie inspiration.
SHEET MUSIC
{ SEW COUNTRY CHIC }
For you music lovers, repurpose old sheet music into whimsical word art. Think lullaby’s, sonnets, ballads and more!
PICTURES
Great gift idea for friends and family! Print out pictures from a wedding, engagement, vacation or baby’s first moments in life and cover your letters in memories. Add a splash of paint to the sides for a nice pop of color.
GLUE IT
CORKS
{ LIVING SAVVY }
Yahoo for wine! Spell out drink themed words and cover them in corks or bottle caps for a fun decoration near a bar or on a mantle. Great housewarming gift idea!
FLOWERS
{ THE DOMESTIC DOOZIE }
This might be one of my favorites. Using foam blocks and fake flowers, you can make a beautiful arrangement in the shape of your baby’s initials, a couple’s initials, or a number for birthday party. It’s a great way to add some spring joy to your house!
GLITTER
{ CLASSY CLUTTER }
If you can handle the mess that comes with anything glitter, then go for it. Maybe do this one outside while wearing a full body suit?
STICKS
{ HELLO LITTLE HOUSE }
I love this idea as a craft for kids. Go forage through your backyard and have the kids pick up sticks to make a simple piece of artwork for their room or anywhere else in your house. This is kid art you’ll keep for longer than a week.
Phew! Are you ready now? Love these ideas, but not sure what to spell? Here are some popular words you could try:
- EAT
- HOME
- FAMILY
- LOVE
- LIFE
- LAUGH
- PEACE
- READ
- DREAM
- HOPE
- EXPLORE
- SMILE
- PLAY
- DRINK
- SIP
- SAVOR
- COOK
- A to Z
- &
Or you could spell out a first name, last name, initials or an important date.
I’ll share my own work of art in the coming weeks as we get going on the nursery. I’m getting huge and it’s all starting to get real! No more naps. Time to craft.
There you have it, 14 ways to decorate cardboard letters. Any other ideas?
