Cheap decor
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
Buy standard-size frames and get custom mats made at hobby stores like Hobby Lobby using coupons.
It is much cheaper to buy a custom mat to put in a prefab frame.
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Frame sheets of postage stamps for decorative wall art.
Some sheets feature high-quality art and printing.
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Cut up gift bags and frame them to create inexpensive wall art.
The resulting art is difficult to distinguish from more expensive pieces.
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Attend university or art school faculty and student auctions to buy original art cheaply.
You might find really cool art through these events.
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Replace the background of a cheap plastic wall clock with a custom design if you can disassemble it.
It is difficult to access nice objects in some countries where everything must be imported.
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Add rigidity to a large DIY mirror by attaching a plywood backing, having the hardware store cut it to size.
It gives the mirror more rigidity.
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Frame paper towels used to clean printer ink cartridges for colorful abstract art.
The bleeding ink creates a visually interesting multi-colored effect.
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Avoid using electrical tape for framing because it shrinks with temperature changes.
Electrical tape shrinks when temperatures change.
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