Bring the freshness of spring into your home in just a few minutes with a simple, budget-friendly DIY: replace photos in a multi-opening frame with floral wrapping paper. It’s a fast, affordable way to create spring artwork that brightens any room and can be swapped out seasonally in under five minutes.
Every tenth of the month I join friends for “Ten on the Tenth,” a creative challenge where each of us shares a project that costs less than ten dollars. This month I wanted to look ahead to spring and create something cheerful and easy: spring artwork using a five-opening picture frame and pretty wrapping paper.
I found the perfect long picture frame at a yard sale shortly after moving. It holds five small photos side-by-side. The frame arrived painted gold, so I refreshed it with chalky finish paint and added a subtle metallic sheen with a white frost metallic lustre for a neutral frame that still looks special.
Disclosure: I was compensated with product for this post. All opinions are my own; I only recommend products I use and trust.
Materials Needed to Make this Spring Artwork
This project is easy and inexpensive. You can source most items locally or reuse things you already have.
- Five-opening picture frame (long frame with multiple mats)
- Chalky finish paint for the frame
- Metallic lustre or glaze in a soft frost tone (optional)
- Small paint brush
- Floral gift wrapping paper or patterned paper in spring colors
Below you can see the mat and backing from the frame once it’s disassembled — those openings are where the floral paper will go.
How To Make Spring Artwork
I experimented with a few ideas before settling on wrapping paper art. At one point I considered sheet music with star cutouts layered on top, which would make a charming vintage look. Ultimately I wanted bold, bright florals to welcome spring.
One option I tried combined small musical stars with brown kraft paper for a neutral, textured backdrop. That look is great if you want muted tones and a handmade feel. But for a lively spring display I chose wrapping paper with larger, bolder blooms.
The frame had previously been used as part of a holiday vignette and looked lovely with the frosty metallic finish. For spring, I removed the backing and mats, trimmed the wrapping paper to fit each opening, and slid the floral panels into place. That’s it — just a few straight cuts and the paper slips in like a photo.
For this project I visited a few local stores. The Dollar Tree had a delicate floral print that was pretty, but a nearby drugstore offered a bolder floral wrapping paper for about five dollars. I chose the larger-scale yellow and pink flowers because the color and scale read well behind glass and make an immediate spring statement.
Installing the paper took less than two minutes. Trim each paper panel to the size of the mat opening, place it behind the mat, and secure the backing. Because the pattern repeats across panels, the overall effect feels cohesive and polished.
The final display is bright and cheerful: bold yellows and pinks pop against the soft white frame, delivering instant spring decor without the cost or permanence of new artwork. You can easily change the inserts to match any season or mood — try botanical prints, scrapbook paper, wallpaper samples, or colorful maps for different effects.
Because the idea is so simple, it’s flexible: swap in holiday patterns, seasonal prints, or fabric swatches. This approach is perfect for renters, seasonal decorators, or anyone who wants a fresh look without a big investment.
Which version do you prefer — the large yellow and pink blooms or the smaller, more delicate floral paper? Either way, this quick DIY transforms a thrifted or inexpensive frame into seasonal artwork that looks custom-made.
I encourage you to try this easy spring art project and to visit the other creatives who share budget-friendly ideas each month as part of Ten on the Tenth. It’s a fun way to gather inspiration for seasonal decorating and DIY home decor.
Featured contributors this month include: The Purple Hydrangea, At Home With Jemma, The Boondocks Blog, Exquisitely Unremarkable, Pandora’s Box, White Spray Paint, Patina and Paint, Poofing the Pillows, Cottage at the Crossroads, and Let’s Add Sprinkles.
More Picture Frame Ideas:
