DIY Father’s Day Photo Display Made from a Repurposed Barbecue Grill
Father’s Day is coming up, and instead of another tie or mug, consider a thoughtful, handmade gift: a personalized photo display made from repurposed grill parts. This easy DIY turns two round metal grill racks into a rustic wall display that showcases family photos and memories—perfect for a dad who already has plenty of “stuff” but will appreciate something meaningful and unique.
I had found an old barbecue grill in the basement and salvaged parts from it. After using some pieces for a planter project, I still had two round metal rack sections left. These made the perfect base for a photo display. The process is simple and rewarding: clean the metal, spray paint for a finished look, wrap with twine for texture, and attach photos with mini clothespins.
Start by preparing the grill racks. If they’re rusty or dirty, wipe them down and sand lightly where needed. I chose black spray paint to give the metal a uniform, modern look that complements the natural twine.
Once the paint dried, I wrapped each rack in twine. This adds a warm, rustic feel and also softens the metal edges. Wrapping is forgiving—use a hot glue gun or small knots on the back side to secure the twine as you go. The twine creates a great backdrop for hanging photos and gives the piece a handmade character.
After wrapping, the two round racks were joined together to form one display. You can fasten them with wire, small screws, or heavy-duty zip ties—whatever works best for the materials you have. Joining the pieces gives the display more presence and offers multiple rows for photos.
A small chalkboard sign adds a personalized finishing touch—write “Dad’s Favorites,” “Family,” or a short message. The chalkboard is removable, so you can change the sentiment for different occasions.
With the structure complete, the magic happens when you add photos. Clip family snapshots, candid moments, and favorite memories along the twine with mini clothespins—this makes it easy to swap images whenever you like. A photo display like this becomes deeply personal and meaningful, especially for Father’s Day.
Below are a few close-ups showing how the photos and clothespins look once arranged. The mini clothespins contribute to the rustic, farmhouse aesthetic and make it simple to change photos without damaging them.
These photos are what make the piece special. In my display you’ll even find “The Twine Lady” at age four. Including personal images ensures the gift is sentimental, not just decorative.
Practical benefits: the display is lightweight, easy to hang, and simple to update—no need for frames or nails for each picture. Dad can display his favorite faces, rotate photos when he wants, or remove one if he’s in a mischievous mood. The combination of painted metal, wrapped twine, and tiny clothespins creates a charming, handmade piece that looks great on any wall.
That’s how I’m wrapping it up for Father’s Day: an easy, character-filled DIY photo display made from repurposed grill racks. If you have access to old grill parts, this project is a great way to recycle vintage hardware into a meaningful, personalized gift with lots of charm.
The Repurposed Barbecue Grill Series:
