It’s all-things-homemaking this month at The Prairie Homestead!
We are talking about ways to make our homes more welcoming, relaxing, and cozy. Decor is a simple, yet very important way we can create atmosphere in our homes.
To some busy folks, it might seem silly to spend time thinking about what to put on the walls of your home. After all, a house can still serve it’s purpose, even if the walls are bare. Right?
Well, I beg to differ. Life is too short to live in an uncomfortable space. You definitely don’t need your house to look like it came out of the pages of a magazine, but I think it’s vitally important to surround yourself with things that make you relaxed and happy.
And guess what else? You DON’T have to shell out the big bucks to create a warm and welcoming home. Over the last year or so, I have redecorated a large portion of my house, and I’ve spent very little to do so.
I plan to share a few of my humble decorating ideas over the next few weeks. My little house is decorated in a mixture of styles: rustic, farmhouse, vintage, and shabby chic, just to name a few. It’s eclectic, but it’s ‘me’.
One of my absolute favorite ways to outfit my home is to scour yard sales and thrift stores for old pieces that I can re-purpose and give new life.
Today I want to share a simple idea for a wall hanging that anyone can create.
It can add homestead charm to any living space, no matter if you live in an apartment or out in the sticks.
And it’s how I turned this:
(no offense to anyone, but ugh…)
Into this:
There is just something about chicken wire. It’s so simple and primitive and rustic… I can’t get enough of it!
DIY Chicken Wire Frame
You will need:
- Scraps of old chicken wire (we had a lot hanging around in trash piles when we bought our homestead. Ask country friends and neighbors if they have extra, or you can also just buy a roll at the hardware store)
- Old wooden picture frame (any size will work- depending on your preference)
- Paint (optional)
- Sandpaper (optional)
- Staple gun and staples (You’ll need something slightly bigger than your average “office” stapler)
- Wire cutting tool
This is pretty self-explanatory…
Remove everything from the frame (glass, backing, picture, etc) except the, well, frame.
If you wish, paint your frame with a light coat of paint. Once it dries, you can lightly distress it with sandpaper to give it an aged look.
Cut a chunk of chicken wire that is roughly the size of your frame. Staple it to the back of the frame. Trim if needed.
So what do you do with it?
- Use it as a jewelry or earring organizer
- Use clothespins to clip notes to the wire for an instant message board.
- Use clothespins to arrange your favorite photos for a picture collage
- Leave it bare and hang it as a simple, rustic wall accent.
A Few Notes:
- Once you’ve painted and sanded your frame, try rubbing a small amount of wood stain over the top of the paint for an extra bit of “distressed” flair.
- Choose a wooden frame so you can staple the wire easily onto the back.
- The wider the frame, the easier time you will have with the stapling process.
- Be on the lookout at yard sales and thrift stores for old frames. Don’t be afraid to purchase a piece of undesirable ‘artwork’ just for the frame!
- This little craft project makes a great housewarming gift. (or Christmas, or birthday, or…)
There you have it! A custom piece of DIY decor that you can easily create in a very small amount of time. Call me crazy, but I would pick homespun decorations like this one over fancy showroom accessories any day of the week! 
This post is shared at: Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Women Living Well, We Are That Family, Raising Homemakers, Simple Lives Thursday, Your Green Resource, Proverbs 31 Linkup, Frugal Friday, Homemakers Challenge
Loved this little project.
I think my mom had that picture hanging in her home in the 80′s…ugh! that is over isn’t it?
I had a chuckle at your instructions. I can honestly say I’ve never heard the measurement called a “chunk of chicken wire”…{SMILE}
can’t wait to see what else you’ve done on the *cheap!
Love it!
Pat
Lol Pat! I guess I’m not the most precise person, but hopefully it’ll get the job done! hehe
Oh! Looking forward to seeing ideas I might steal for later when we move into our farmhouse! Thanks Jill
I have decorated with chicken wire before. Love this idea. I think I will make a couple for some friends for their birthdays.
Chicken wire is just what I need! Our new home lacks any rustic-ness the old one had, and although I love it here, I do miss that aspect. Still have many undecorated areas . . . just haven’t been quite sure what to do, and I think chicken wire is the answer! Thanks, Jill! ~Jill
Yes indeed. Chicken wire is always the answer! (At least for me, lol)
Who would’ve thought that such a cute frame had been hiding around such an awful picture? I did this (with some help from my husband) this fall with a huge frame I found at Goodwill. We hung it in the kitchen and it’s now where my herbs are drying. After I cut them, I bundled them with small, clear rubber bands and hung them on the frame with little “S” hooks. It’s functional decorating at it’s best. :0)
I’m looking forward to seeing what other wonderful ideas you have in store.
I LOVE the idea of using it for herbs. Good thinking!
What a wonderful makeover!! Congratulations!
I absolutely agree with you: we have to surround ourselves with things we love and things that recalls happy moments of our life or beloved ones.
I’ve really loved this post!
Francesca from Italy
Oh, I love it! I have some old frames I want to do this to! Thanks for sharing!
This is AWESOME!
You just made my day.
I just finished a re-purposed (trashed) window frame project (no glass panes)- and I think adding chicken wire to it will take it to an excellent new level! Thanks for the idea!
When I finish, I’ll post a link back to your post!
Oh yes, window frames are even better! You go girl!
Twitter: va_grown
says:
That’s adorable (and easy!). I think it would make a great photo wall using clothespins!
Twitter: CookingAtCafeD
says:
Oh, I love what you did.
And, yes, we are trying to simplify, too.
And, the more rustic, the better.
~
I enjoy anything farm house, or country. I have put chicken wire on top cabinets of a corner kitchen cabinet. THIS FRAME would also look great with a few chicks or a chicken painted behind it too.
Twitter: YrGardenFriend
says:
I LOVE IT!!
I’m hoping to finally start decorating our kitchen this year, and I think I just might have to make one of these!
(With you love for burlap, I’m surprised you didn’t incorporate it into this somehow.
. Actually… you could take strips of burlap and weave it in and out of the border, etc. Hmm…???) 
All I can say is… Love it!
- Abby Jo
Wow! What a total transformation of this frame! It looks great!
I love these! I made one for my bedroom. Yours looks awesome!
Stopping by from Frugal Friday
I love this idea! So cute!
Love this idea and I see myself buying chicken wire soon!
What a cute idea! I too love farmhouse and country themes.
Thank you for sharing. I have chickens and roosters in my kitchen this would go perfect in my house!
Very cute! I’ve been wanting to make one to hang my earrings off of
I WILL make this for my arts and crafts room! Love the idea and I already have everything I need to complete this project
))
I love this project. I think I have some frames that could be used in this way. Thanks for sharing your idea.
This is so cute!
Your frame really looks great and fantastic tutorial too, thanks! I’ve got this linked to my chicken wire post too today, well done!
Inspire Me Heather recently posted..project: chicken wire
Twitter: allenaim2
says:
WHAT a perfect makeover! I love it!
Amy Renea recently posted..BEAUTIFUL and USEFUL | A Thrifting Strategy for Cosmetics
I am wanting to get my husband to make me a pie safe. On the doors, I want the chicken wire, but behind that I want some screening to keep flies, if they get in the house, out of it. Thank you so much for sharing this with us! I am falling in love with your site!
Cute idea. This would be cute idea for a 4-H project too.
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