This creative project was inspired by a beautiful newspaper-decoupaged item I admired at Anthropologie. It’s an ideal solution for filling a small gap in a gallery wall while adding a touch of whimsy and personalization to your decor.
In my kitchen, our gallery wall had a single empty spot that begged for something unique and creative. After months of procrastination, I finally got to work and completed this delightful project. It turned out to be an enjoyable and straightforward way to enhance the space.
The centerpiece of this project is a decoupaged number. It’s incredibly fun and surprisingly easy to make! To start, I picked up an unfinished wooden number “5” from Michaels. I gave it a quick coat of Kilz spray primer to create a smooth and adhesive-ready surface. Once the primer dried, I used Mod Podge to adhere strips of newspaper to the number.
To give the project a personal touch, I intentionally selected newspaper sections with positive and uplifting content. I avoided negative words like “gangs,” “gun,” or “robbery” because I wanted the decor to exude warmth and positivity. The community and travel sections of the paper proved to be especially helpful in finding cheerful phrases and intriguing articles for my design.
I cut the newspaper into manageable strips, coated each strip with Mod Podge, and carefully wrapped them around the number. This process ensured that the entire surface was evenly covered. Once the base was complete, I sifted through the remaining newspaper to find bold, happy words and phrases that would stand out. It was especially serendipitous that I worked on this project during Valentine’s week because I found plenty of love-themed phrases. Admittedly, I may have gone a little overboard with the word “love,” which appears four times on the number, but it added a charming, heartfelt touch.
To make the piece even more special, I incorporated a personal photo—a sign marking my dad’s village in Mayo, Ireland. This photo holds deep sentimental value for me, and its addition ties the piece to my heritage and family memories. I’ve always had a fascination with words, letters, and numbers, and this project allowed me to indulge that passion while creating something truly meaningful.
Completing this project felt like a triumphant moment, especially considering it had been on my to-do list for over four months. The finished number “5” is playful, distinctive, and brings a touch of whimsy to our family gallery wall. Its presence feels both intentional and unique, adding a layer of personality to the space.
This project also brought a pop of color and texture to our otherwise neutral kitchen. The gallery wall, which features a mix of art, photos, and now the decoupaged number, has become a vibrant focal point that brightens the room and sparks conversation. Each piece on the wall tells a story, and the number “5” holds a special place as a representation of creativity and family connection.
If you’re looking to try something similar, it’s a fantastic way to repurpose old newspapers and bring a bit of personality into your home decor. You can easily tailor the project to reflect your unique style by selecting meaningful words, phrases, or even images that resonate with you. Whether you’re creating a number, letter, or any other shape, the process is enjoyable and rewarding.
One of the aspects I love most about this project is how versatile it is. You could adapt this idea to create custom gifts for friends or family or even expand it to other decor items like trays, frames, or ornaments. The possibilities are endless, and the result is always a one-of-a-kind piece with a story behind it.
In the end, this decoupaged number became more than just a space-filler—it turned into a meaningful piece of art that reflects my personal style and memories. The gallery wall feels complete now, with the perfect balance of color, texture, and personality. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of the joy and satisfaction that comes from finishing a long-overdue project.
So, here’s to celebrating completed projects and finding beauty in simple, creative endeavors. The number “5” now serves as a cheerful reminder of family, creativity, and the power of words to bring positivity into our homes. And let’s not forget, it’s also a fun and engaging way to repurpose something as ordinary as a newspaper into something extraordinary.
