There are lots of ways to make signs, but if you want a simple and inexpensive method, I’ve got a DIY wall art project today that can be customized with your own special quote or message!
You don’t need any special equipment, you just need a piece of wood for the sign, paint, stickers, glue and a paintbrush.
DIY Wall Art With Your Own Message
Here’s how I made it:
I picked a large cabinet door from my junk stash, but you can use any size piece of wood for your sign.
I wanted my sign to look a bit rustic, so I didn’t sand the door, but if your wood is too rough, you should sand it.
Paint the wood whatever color you want.
My poor trash cans have become my painting station.
I roll them away from the house to paint outdoors, then roll them back when I’m finished.
Trash cans are ugly no matter what, so I figured some paint on them can’t hurt!
I wanted large letters, so I bought black script letter stickers (affiliate link) and determined where each letter should go.
I didn’t adhere them all the way down – just enough to get them spaced properly.
The adhesive on the stickers isn’t strong enough to stick on wood that’s not totally smooth, so I used a mixture of school glue and water, and “painted” a light coat of glue under each letter, then adhered each one in place.
As long as you use a very light coat, the school glue dries clear and won’t show.
Once dry, use a sealer to keep all the letters firmly attached.
Attach hangers on the back, and it’s done!
I needed a large sign to go between the bed and old ladder in my guest room, and the cabinet door was just right!
You can lay down painter’s tape if you’re worried about getting the letters all straight, but the letters I picked are forgiving, so I just “eyeballed it”. 🙂
On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d rate this project a 7 for how easy it was, so I would definitely do it again.
Vaya con Dios,
Angie, great tip to use the medium under the adhesive letters, thank you! Wonderful makeover. 🙂
Thanks so much, Christina! 🙂
Hi Angie, Thanks for your lovely blog. I don’t normally comment … however, I love your sign and I LOVE your corrugated metal wall!
Thanks so much, Anne – I really appreciate your comment!
Once again an amazing use of repurposed items. This is beautiful and I will definately do it !!! Thanks for the awesome ideas.
Thank you, Holly! It was exactly what my wall needed. Have a great day!
There was no link to your letter source. Can you provide that?
Teddee, the link is there. Click on the bold print words that say Black Script Letter Stickers.
Thanks!
Angie
I love this! These are some of my favorite kinds of projects; they look like a million bucks, but because they are low cost I don’t feel bad when I eventually tire of it or just want something new! I also love the letter stickers, they are the perfect kind of purchase to add on for free shipping, haha!
I love this, and the door worked perfectly!
Love the sign but I have a question. The unpainted door looks solid but once painted it looks like grooved wood or is it just black lines painted lightly across? Thanks, I need to try this!
Elaine, the door is all once piece, but I guess each panel was made of connected pieces. The lines didn’t show up until I painted it, and I was so happy when I saw it, because I loved how it looked!
How clever and creative, Angie. Those stick-on letters sure look easy to use. I do have a preference for your stenciled pieces, though. And I have a question. I have a small, rectangular cutting board that was my grandmother’s and then my mother’s. I don’t want to use it as a cutting board anymore as I would like to preserve it and display it somehow. My tho’t was to stencil some words on it and hang it on my kitchen wall. My question is: how do you make your stencils? I’ve never made one, but I assume you cut out the design from the stencil material with something sharp like a utility knife. How do you avoid ruining the stencil material if you don’t cut the lines quite straight? I just don’t know if I could get the letters” edges clean. Maybe I”ll hire you to make it for me! Thanks for any advice or instructions you can give me!
Love the repurposed door idea and the sentiment on your wall art, Angie. I’m swooning over how it looks hung from that fabulous galvanized wall! Pinned 🙂
Thanks so much, Marie!! 🙂