This post was most recently updated on September 23rd, 2019
Source: Houzz, referenced as spaces design by atlanta media and blogs simple thoughts
We all have them. You know, those pesky piles of paper that accumulate over the school year, filled with your child’s art.
But they put their heart and soul into everything they make, so it’s just so hard to weed it down, and toss it out.
And if your own internal turmoil isn’t enough to stop you from trashing the ‘art’ pile, the guilt trip you’ll get from your child certainly is.
If you throw it in the garbage, you can be sure that they will find it. You can be sure that the painted macaroni man, folded twice and stuffed into a milk carton, then placed under a day’s worth of food scraps WILL be discovered by your 7-year old. Sound familiar?
Eventually, that poor milk-stained macaroni man is held up as evidence, and then you’re hit with a knife to the heart “But Mommy, how could you? I made this macaroni man especially for you!”
As Picasso said: “Every child’s an artist”. And a sensitive one at that 🙂
For a long time, I wanted a space where I could proudly display the macaroni man, and some of the other little masterpieces that my daughter brings home. There’s no way I’d ever be able to display everything, but my thought is that if we had a special place to show off her favorite pieces, she might not be as crazed when I toss out a few of the ‘fillers’.
Painted by my daughter when she was 5, and we were expecting twins!
Unfortunately, with an open concept main floor, it left very few walls for this kind of gallery. But, now that our basement is almost complete, I finally have the ideal space to create this kind of display. So I went searching for inspiring galleries of kids’ art, and here are some of the fabulous ideas I came up with.
I love how the uniformity of these rectangular white frames tames down the eclectic mix of kids’ art, and makes it feel like a collection, rather than clutter.
Source: spearmintbaby.com via Sue on Pinterest
This one does the same kind of thing…
Source: flickr.com via Ashley on Pinterest
These fun yellow frames also bring uniformity, but in a more whimsical way. Great for a playroom or craft room!
This collection of different frames (in colour and style) feels more weighty, like a serious art collection or gallery wall. This is a great way to display kids art in a main area of your home.
This more modern display uses an IKEA hanging system (I think it is, anyway); and it provides an easy way to change out artwork over time. It’s also a fabulous way to incorporate 3D pieces.
Source: style-files.com via Amy on Pinterest
I love the wall quote in this one, and the juxtaposition of the ‘fine art’ frames with the kids’ art.
This one takes an old standard, the bulletin board, and makes it fresh with these delicious colours! So fun and whimsical.
This system uses clips so that art can be changed up quickly and easily.
Saving the best for last! This stunning wall created by Kimba at A Soft Place to Land is perfection.
Hope you enjoyed this inspiration as much as I did.
I’ll be working in my own kids’ art wall next week. Stay tuned :-).
Until then, happy decorating!
Kerri