Guest Bedroom Guest Bedroom DIY Projects

Easy DIY Acrylic Artwork (Guest Bedroom Progress)

I needed some artwork to go on the TV wall in the bedroom, so naturally, I made my own. I kept it super simple, and this is something almost anyone can do.

This is the wall that needed the artwork…

diy tv frame for wall mount tv - 2

I didn’t want to take a lot of time or spend a lot of money on this, so I pretty much used what I had on hand, with the exception of one sample size of yellow paint. I already had four of my favorite white frames from Target on hand (you can find those frames here), so I decided to do four pieces of artwork so that I could hang two on each side of the TV.

I didn’t even bother to do this artwork on separate sheets of art paper. The backs of the frames are very thick and smooth cardboard, so I just painted right on them! šŸ˜€ I started by brushing on a couple of coats of water-based primer…

easy acrylic artwork - 1

And then I brushed on two coats of my background color. I used the same paint that I used as the background on the feature wall. I brushed each coat in opposite directions, letting the first dry completely before adding the second coat, so that it would create this crosshatch pattern with the brush strokes.

easy acrylic artwork - 2

When the second coat was completely dry, I used 220-grit sandpaper to sand until I got this linen texture look on the background.

easy acrylic artwork - 3

And then I used Fineline Applicator bottles to apply designs in contrasting colors. These bottles come in two sizes, and you can find them here and here. I used the 18-gauge bottles for this project. I bought a sample size of yellow Behr paint similar to my drapery fabric color, and then used white (Behr Polar Bear), and gold acrylic craft paint, letting each color dry completely before moving on to the next color.

easy acrylic artwork - 4

I did four random designs, and here’s how they turned out…

finished artwork 1
finished artwork 2
finished artwork 3
finished artwork 4
finished artwork 5

They were fun, easy, and fast to make (if you don’t count the waiting time for paint to dry).

finished artwork 6

I still need to finish the TV frame, and then I’ll get these hung. Hopefully that will be enough for this wall.

finished artwork 7

I’m actually considering painting the TV frame in the golden yellow color instead of white. What do you think? Will it add a much needed punch of contrast color to that wall? Or would that be too much?

diy tv frame for wall mount tv - 2

I also have a mirror project I’ll be working on this weekend, thanks to the suggestions of many of you. I had contemplated purchasing this mirror from Overstock, but I just couldn’t make myself click that Submit Order button. I mean, it’s a nice mirror, but $250 for a mirror (including shipping) just seemed like a lot when I have so many other projects I want to save money for.

So I ended up having a mirror cut to my specifications at a local glass and mirror company, and I’ll made my own frame for it. I had it cut to 60″ x 32″, and it’s a 1/4-inch mirror. It ended up costing $110, and I think the frame will cost next to nothing because I’m pretty sure I have everything on hand already — plywood for the backing, 1″ x 2″ lumber for the frame (which I’ll cut down much thinner on my table saw), and then either gold spray paint or gold leaf. I have all of those things leftover from previous projects, so I saved about $140.

mirror for guest bedroom

It’s looking like I probably won’t meet my goal of having the room done by the end of this weekend, but at least I’m making progress! The finish line is definitely in sight.

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51 Comments

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  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Bobbie
    October 9, 2020 at 11:03 am

    No, don’t paint tv frame. The nice clean white will look good with framed art.
    Any other needed pops of color can be in accessories.

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      Diane
      October 9, 2020 at 11:16 am

      Ditto!

      LOVE the artwork! And the tip of painting on the backing is genius!! You are a creative genius, Kristi!

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      Jan Cordia
      October 12, 2020 at 10:08 am

      I vote white tv frame.
      LOVE ur art.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Tracy
    October 9, 2020 at 11:13 am

    No yellow frame

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      Nick
      October 9, 2020 at 2:56 pm

      It’s all looking great! Maybe don’t paint the whole frame yellow, just have a little bit of accent yellow on it with the rest of the frame white.

      • Reply To This Comment ā†“
        Marianne in Mo.
        October 9, 2020 at 3:18 pm

        I agree with Nick, just maybe a band of yellow, a “hint” to tie it in. Solid yellow will be too much, especially when you are watching TV!

        • Reply To This Comment ā†“
          BobsGal
          October 9, 2020 at 4:10 pm

          Totally agree with Marianne….. the yellow will definitely be hard on the eyes while watching TV….

          • Reply To This Comment ā†“
            Karen
            October 9, 2020 at 4:58 pm

            Iā€™m with the others: Donā€™t Paint the TV frame. With the four adorable pictures your created soul hold off painting the TV frame. I mean after all wall hanging are up, like pictures and mirror ( which you said youā€™ve something working in your thoUghts for the mirror), you could always add a THIN line of yellow. Like others said, a totally yellow frame will definitely affect tv-watching.

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      MBK
      October 9, 2020 at 3:05 pm

      No yellow frame but gold maybe?

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Melanie
    October 9, 2020 at 11:14 am

    Love the artwork. Agree, leave TV frame white.. but… really need to see when frames are up

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      Maureen S. Donahue
      October 9, 2020 at 3:01 pm

      I love yellow, but you would probably find it distracting when watching tv.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Deb
    October 9, 2020 at 11:19 am

    Love this diy art! I also think you should leave the tv frame white.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Andy
    October 9, 2020 at 11:21 am

    Yes yes yes.!!!
    Paint it a cheerful yellow.
    Too much dreary navy blue.
    Ginger it up with jaunty bit of colour.
    The floor is a vision of loveliness, your abilities are magnificent, but, oh that blue……

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    elle
    October 9, 2020 at 11:22 am

    I think a yellow/gold frame on the TV would be distracting when watching TV. I would leave it white or paint it a dark color, perhaps blue to match the accent wall or black.

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      Debbie
      October 9, 2020 at 11:32 am

      I agree!

      • Reply To This Comment ā†“
        Fiona Y.
        October 9, 2020 at 3:16 pm

        I would leave the TV frame white so it’s not distracting.

        • Reply To This Comment ā†“
          Carol Harris
          October 10, 2020 at 11:21 am

          I actually think the white is distractingā€”to me it emphasizes the (IMO) unattractive TV. I would paint it black, or at least the dark blue color. Love your artwork and the whole room and how awesome you are!

          • Reply To This Comment ā†“
            Rebecca Neustel
            October 13, 2020 at 2:50 pm

            I also vote for a black frame. You donā€™t really have any other black, do you?

            • Rebecca Neustel
              October 13, 2020 at 2:53 pm

              Sorry, when I really think about it, the tv itself is black, so keep it white.

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      Krikit
      October 9, 2020 at 11:49 am

      Love easy-peasy DIY artwork.šŸ‘šŸ»

      And nix on the yellow TV frame, imo.šŸ˜Š

    • Reply To This Comment ā†“
      Darlene Faye Ray
      October 9, 2020 at 2:58 pm

      The room is beautiful and I love your art work. I like the white frame on the TV, but I don’t think I would paint it.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Eva B. Liland
    October 9, 2020 at 11:23 am

    Leave it white.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    El
    October 9, 2020 at 11:24 am

    I agree with others – no yellow TV frame, but maybe for the mirror? It could be a fun accent.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Luisa
    October 9, 2020 at 11:31 am

    If after you have the artwork up you still feel youā€™d like a little something more….
    I wonder if dry brushing some gold on the edges would do the trick?

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Em D
    October 9, 2020 at 11:32 am

    Clever idea for the artwork, Kristi! I love how it will pick up all the other colors, but have their own interest as well. Great job!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Lulu
    October 9, 2020 at 11:35 am

    Paint TV frame to match dresser. You are so talented! Love your new artwork!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    CathyR
    October 9, 2020 at 11:36 am

    Put art work up first, which by the way is totally FABULOUS!
    Then snap a pic and do your computer magic and color the frame in yellow. See what you think then. I canā€™t decide…I kinda like the yellow frame idea but not sure

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Betsy
    October 9, 2020 at 11:40 am

    Perhaps a yellow runner for the dresser instead of a yellow tv frame?

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Jackie
    October 9, 2020 at 12:05 pm

    Your artwork is wonderful and looks amazing.
    You have such a great ideas!!
    I think the frame around the TV will look modern and clean in the new white frame. I wouldnā€™t paint it yellow.
    Also, you might find the yellow distracting while watching TV.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Joan
    October 9, 2020 at 12:09 pm

    No on gold frame…….would be too much.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    DWF
    October 9, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    Thanks for always sharing your creative ideas for artwork. Some of your projects are way out of my league (resin, hundreds of spoons, etc.), but this one is so simple and beautiful.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Tara C
    October 9, 2020 at 12:17 pm

    You are so creative and so very talented! I would never have dreamed of making my own artwork.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Bonnie
    October 9, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    I don’t like the white frame and don’t think that yellow is the answer. How about black? We have a Samsung Frame tv and chose the black frame and it looks nice. Our frame is narrower than yours, however. Love your guest room!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Jannelle
    October 9, 2020 at 12:42 pm

    You did some picture frames previously that had gold leaf but just on the corners, not the entire frame. Maybe something similar (gold or yellow or navy) on the TV frame? But I agree with others, seeing it in context with the other frames would help. LOVE your vision!!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Sara Parriott
    October 9, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    If it were me, I’d keep it the same for trim (I draft and it matches how you’ve finished a lot of other features in the house). It’s paint, you can do the first coat in the yellow and see. If it doesn’t sing you finish up in white. If you are looking for a pop and want more yellow can you paint the lamps like you did the dishes?

    My overthinking side thinks frames are formal, so a neutral color on the frame with a fun mat. Since there’s a TV in this frame you can’t have a mat, but a little detail line in yellow or gold might be enough.

    On Amazon, you can set the tv screensaver slideshow to an album you have in your photos account. You (or even Matt…) can create an album of art that works in the room that is the screen saver on the TV. My retro gaming side would also note there’s some great yellow accents in pixel art from classic games…

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Donna Kimbell
    October 9, 2020 at 1:04 pm

    I love your artwork…so clever! And I also like your solution for the mirror, much as I suggested (smiling) including the gold leaf.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Chelle Ellis
    October 9, 2020 at 1:24 pm

    Love the artwork! Gorgeous work! šŸ™‚

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Carol Jean Polson
    October 9, 2020 at 2:03 pm

    No to the yellow frame. It will be vtoo matchy matchy.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Karen H
    October 9, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    I LOVE your artwork, Kristy! They look great! I simply can’t wait to see this room all finished! You just keep blowing me away with your talent and creativeness! And good for you for making your own mirror! I would never have expected you to do anything else! šŸ™‚

    If it were me, I would not paint the TV frame yellow. I think the pops of yellow you will have in other areas will be sufficient. But that is just me! And I know how you love your color! Whatever you do, I know it will all look amazing when you are finished!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Nell
    October 9, 2020 at 3:11 pm

    No to yellow tv frame

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Elaine Ness
    October 9, 2020 at 3:20 pm

    Nix to a yellow TV frame.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Marianne in Mo.
    October 9, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    Love how you did your art work. I knew you would come up with a great idea. I bet the hardest one was the squiggly lines!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Linda
    October 9, 2020 at 5:13 pm

    I’m also in the “no to yellow frame” column. I’m just afraid that when you hang the artwork, it’d be way too much yellow there. Love how it’s coming together.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Gina
    October 9, 2020 at 6:34 pm

    How about a yellow band like what you did on the quilt?

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Joanne B.
    October 10, 2020 at 6:52 pm

    I saw stick with the shite tv frame. It ties in with the white Target frames your fabulous artwork is in. Your eye needs a place to land and rest a second before taking in the next great touch. You just have such a great eye! I zoomed in on every piece in the artwork grouping and was so pleasantly surprised to see the addition the groups of 3 dots! So fun! Loved the crosshatch linen look background as well! You are SOOOO talented and so thoughtful and generous to share yourself with us. You are such an inspiration!

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Jana
    October 12, 2020 at 1:14 pm

    Fantastic artwork, Kristi! I really love it. I wish you would sell sets like that.
    Can you share where you got the chest/dresser?

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Danielle
    October 12, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    This artwork is a great idea! Iā€™m going to use it as inspiration for our bedroom and living room.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    Claire
    October 13, 2020 at 8:53 pm

    yes to gold tv frame!! it will look gorgeous!
    i LOVE gold accents and gold & blue are ah-mazing together.
    Whatever you decide i know it will look incredible.

  • Reply To This Comment ā†“
    KathyL
    October 15, 2020 at 11:30 am

    The TV, no to yellow, but I think it might look good the same color as your chest of drawers, with gold flaking ‘smattered’ on it???