Creating framed block art from a photo is a fantastic way to add a personal and artistic touch to any space. Whether for a kid’s room, playroom, or a family room, this project works beautifully with a striking black-and-white image or a vibrant landscape photo from your travels. It’s a fun, creative way to highlight memories while adding style to your decor.
Last fall, I embarked on a project for my 17-year-old son Peter’s room as part of the One Room Challenge. My main goal was to make his space reflect his personality and passions. Among several DIY projects, the standout feature—and Peter’s favorite—was a grid-style framed photo of him and his football co-captains. Football is his greatest love, and the camaraderie among his teammates holds a special place in his heart.
From a design standpoint, the vivid colors of the sky, field, and uniforms added an eye-catching burst of brightness against the black chalk-washed wall. The glass framing amplified the natural light in the room, making the space feel vibrant and alive.
SOME TIPS FOR CREATING THIS BLOCK-STYLE LARGE SCALE ART
If you’re inspired to create block-style art like this, here are some practical steps and tips to guide you through the process.
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1. Blowing Up the Photo
A fantastic tool for enlarging photos is the free website Block Posters, which allows you to upload an image and choose how many pages to divide it into for printing. I’ve used this site for various projects, from graphic signs to custom furniture pieces like the Art’s Market coffee table and Mark The Shark deck cart.
When selecting an image, opt for a high-resolution photo to achieve the best clarity and reproduction quality. However, don’t shy away from using a less-than-perfect photo. For this project, I chose an image that wasn’t high-res, resulting in a slightly pixelated look once enlarged. Surprisingly, this effect added a unique, artistic flair that suited the project perfectly.
After uploading your photo, experiment with the layout options, such as portrait or landscape orientation, and adjust the size. Keep in mind that Block Posters supports only two paper sizes: A4 (8.27″x11.69″) and standard letter size (8.5″x11″). Plan your art dimensions accordingly.
To ensure the proportions were right, I taped printer paper to the wall to visualize the final size. For this project, I cropped the photo in Picasa to fit a 4×4 grid layout, resulting in an overall size of approximately 34×44 inches.
Once satisfied with your layout, the website generates a downloadable PDF of your poster.
2. Printing the Poster
While you can print the poster at home, I recommend using a professional printing service for better quality. For my project, I opted to have the block poster printed at Staples on heavy paper. Their color printer produced sharper, more vibrant results than my home setup could achieve. Plus, the cost was minimal—less than $5—and the convenience of ordering online and picking it up during errands made it an easy choice.
Whether printing at home or professionally, ensure your paper choice and printer settings enhance the quality of your enlarged image. The final product will set the stage for your framed block art and bring your vision to life.
3. Framing the Enlarged Photo
Finding the perfect frames for your project can be a bit of a challenge. Since Block Posters only supports A4 or standard letter-sized paper (8.5″x11″), securing a set of matching frames in this exact size requires some effort. While 8″x10″ frames are widely available, 8.5″x11″ frames are less common. For this project, I opted for minimal snap frames with a thin moulding. These were ideal for a teen’s room because they were budget-friendly, lightweight, and understated.
The snap frames I used have plastic moulding and a simple mechanism where the glass snaps in and out. Prices for these frames can range anywhere from $2 to $20 each, so I shopped around extensively to get the best deal since I needed 16 frames for the grid. If you’re planning a similar project for a more sophisticated space, you might consider glass clip frames without moulding for a sleek, modern look. You could even elevate the design by adding touches of brushed brass using Rub’n’Buff or a gold Sharpie paint pen.
For a budget-friendly option, especially for kids’ rooms or playrooms, check your local Dollar Store for document frames. These often feature plastic instead of glass and cost just a dollar each—a great option for creating an affordable version of this project.
Pro Tip for Snap Frames
If you’re using snap frames, ensure the paper lies perfectly flat inside the plastic frame. If the paper doesn’t fit snugly, trim it to size to avoid a rippled or wavy appearance when the glass is snapped into place.
4. Hanging the Frames
Hanging the frames was the trickiest part of the project. I originally spent a lot of time meticulously measuring and positioning nails for the frames, but things didn’t go as smoothly as planned. To save yourself frustration, here’s an easier approach that worked well:
- Use 3M Mounting Tape: The frames are lightweight, even with the glass, so I applied 3M mounting tape to the back edges of each frame (all four sides). This provided secure and reliable adhesion without the need for nails.
- Mark Your Placement: Using a pencil and a level, mark the top edge and one side of where you want each frame to go. Start in the top corner and work row by row, ensuring alignment with your markings.
- Set Each Row in Place: Begin with the top row and move to the second row, and so on. Press each frame firmly against the wall for about 30 seconds to ensure it adheres properly.
- Secure for Extra Stability: To reinforce the frames, I inserted small nails around the perimeter at the intersection of frames. I colored the nailheads black with a Sharpie to make them blend seamlessly.
Quick Tip: Choose Quality Mounting Tape
Not all mounting tapes are created equal! A no-name brand I initially tried failed spectacularly—some frames fell off the wall in the middle of the night, startling everyone in the house. I replaced the faulty tape with trusted 3M mounting tape, which has never let me down. Moral of the story? Invest in quality materials, especially for something that will hang on the wall.
Finishing Touches
With the frames securely mounted, you’ll have a stunning custom art installation that creates a bold statement on a budget. This block-style art project is the perfect way to showcase meaningful photos or cherished memories.
- Cost-effective: Huge wall art at a fraction of the cost of store-bought options.
- Personalized: A project that reflects your family, travels, or favorite hobbies.
- Impactful: The finished piece is a conversation starter and adds personality to any space.
If you’re curious about the other projects that made Peter’s room transformation so unique, here’s a quick rundown:
- Ikea Hack Bookcase: Wood and metal shelves created with Ikea utility frames and stained wood boards.
- Simple Rustic Photo Ledges: DIY photo ledges for displaying favorite pictures or artwork.
- Floating Desk: A wall-mounted desk made with stained wood and sturdy shelf brackets.
- How to Hang a Snowboard on the Wall: Creative storage for sports gear.
Save this post for future inspiration and bring your ideas to life with easy, affordable DIY solutions.
Happy crafting, friends!
