Recently, it dawned on me that I've got a lot more free will than I'd first thought when it comes to decorating my home. And that extends to the rather unexpected things I've decided to frame as art.
It was a napkin that changed everything for me. I loved it, and it felt far too good to let it anywhere near my husband while eating. So instead, I framed it.
That's when the snowball effect kicked in. Here, I've rounded up all the slightly surprising items I've framed in my home to create art that truly speaks to me. Not only do they tell personal stories and look super chic, but it is way more affordable than traditional forms of decorating with art.
6 unexpected items to put in a frame
I used to think framing was reserved solely for fine art and sentimental photographs, but I have totally changed the way I look at wall decor ideas, and have spent quite some time looking for things to hang on my walls that aren't prints.
Now, I find myself constantly on the lookout for unexpected things to frame: a striking wallpaper offcut, a graphic postcard picked up on holiday, a handwritten note from a beloved family member, wedding vows – speaking of which, check out Kourtney Kardashian's wedding veil living room artwork – you name it, I've framed it.
If, like me, you’re craving a more playful and personal approach to wall decor, there’s never been a better time to reframe the way you think about art. Ahead, I’m sharing a few of my favorite unconventional ideas to frame.
1. Napkins and scarves
Framing unique items allows you to bring storytelling into your home in a tactile, visual way that celebrates details that might otherwise be overlooked – or stuffed into a closet.
Whether it’s a beautiful Liberty print silk scarf, a striking napkin, or a block-printed tea towel from a boutique, textiles add softness and color to a wall, especially when float-mounted. I took this idea from interior designer Alice Gaskell of Alice Grace Interiors, and was instantly inspired.
There are so many beautiful prints and patterns out there that feel too good to sit in a drawer or save for best, so why not consider putting them up on the wall instead? You could always use a brass hanging rail with this Cafe Drapery Rings Set from Rejuvenation that allows you to take it down to use or wear it as you please.
Fans of the Ralph Lauren aesthetic will love the idea of this equestrian motif silk Gucci scarf for the wall. Made in Italy from fluid silk, it'll shimmer and shine behind glass.
Sold as a set of four, this playful sea life illustrated napkin will make a great addition to coastal style spaces. I'd recommend just hanging one, but if you have a large space to fill, try mounting all four into a large shadow box frame for impact.
The napkin that started it all! I spotted this on Alice's Instagram and fell in love with the slubby ecru and slate blue cotton and screen-printed bird in flight motifs. I'd love to see this hung in a nursery, perhaps.
2. Matchbooks
Popular on TikTok right now, these miniature mementos from travels or special nights out can be grouped in one frame for a quirky, memory-filled display.
If you're a bit of a collector and love to hoard matchbooks from chic, viral restaurants, rather than keeping them in a trinket dish, might I suggest framing them instead? Often, each little book is like its own work of art and features super cool logos, colors, or sketch designs that deserve to be shown off.
This is such an easy DIY; all you need is your prized collection, a frame (something like this 8x8 Shadow Box Picture Frame from Amazon will work wonders), and either some glue or double-sided tape.
There are plenty of chic matchbook art paintings out there, like this design by young artist USA-based Larsen McDowell. You can choose from loads of different city designs with matchbooks from the most notable restaurants and hotels.
Snap up a piece on coastal history with this vintage shadowbox framed matchbook from the Oyster Harbors Club in Osterville, MA, on Cape Cod from the collection of Edward J. Maleski.
Made for West Elm by artist My Father's Daughter Designs, a boutique graphic design and fine art studio that specializes in watercolor illustrations, this maple wood-framed piece depicts matchbooks from L.A.
3. Postcards and travel mementos
Postcards are some of my favorite things to frame at home. Sure, it might not be the most unexpected on the list, but I like to elevate a postcard with an oversized frame with a fun mount. It creates a really chic, tiny art moment that comes with memories attached as a bonus.
Adding postcards to a gallery wall is also a great way to balance out bigger pieces of art to make a more dynamic composition with your more 'serious' wall art.
Vintage postcards often have charming illustrations, retro fonts, or handwritten messages that bring both color and nostalgia to a space, too. You can also add in some maps, travel ticket stubs (I've saved the ferry ticket from my crossing to Capri, Italy), or fridge magnets, too.
Designed by Shea McGee for her namesake brand, take inspiration from this carefully curated collage of artifacts and images from the Golden State, California. It creates the perfect time capsule of the era.
You might have your own collection of vintage or modern postcards from trips, but if there are some special vacations you've taken and you failed to pick up any mementos, I recommend looking on eBay for collections, like this one from 1900s Italy.
Deliberately textured and distressed for a rustic feel, this small landscape card has been mounted on a neutral linen fabric off-cut and framed in a classic wooden shadow box for a pretty nod to memories spent outdoors.
4. Swatches and off-cuts
If, like me, you're mid-renovation and are constantly surrounded by paint swatches and fabric samples that you love but have edited out of your scheme, find a way to make the most of them.
Paint swatch cards, wallpaper samples, and fabric offcuts might seem like throwaway items, but when placed behind glass and paired with the right frame, they bring so much texture and color to a room. Wallpaper scraps (particularly those luxe designer ones you couldn’t justify covering a whole wall with) are ideal for framing – a bold repeat pattern framed in isolation suddenly feels intentional and artful.
Framing a baby bonnet or piece of clothing, or a piece of vintage quilt or knitting made by a loved one are also lovely keepsake ideas for those items that you're holding onto and don't want to keep them out of sight and out of mind.
You can recreate your own version of this eye-catching framed fabric or pick up this one from The Home Depot, who have done all the hard work for you. The large mount surrounding the swatch provides a sense of balance and creates a gallery-like display.
The Painter's Box collection from Joanna Gaines' Magnolia is full of different colored watercolor studies reminiscent of antique paint swatches. I love the crafted wood frame and script notations that add further old-world charm.
This collection of textile print stamps is made up of four unique designs, which you can shop individually or all together as a set. They remind me of both my college days studying textiles and classic William Morris prints.
5. Handwritten notes, letters, and poems
A framed letter from a loved one, a handwritten recipe, or even a calligraphy sample can become a deeply personal art piece.
One of my favorite pieces I own is a framed embroidered note taken from my Grandad's handwriting from an old birthday card, it lives on a shelf in my living room, and makes me smile every time I pass it.
There’s a timeless beauty in ink on paper, especially when it's something that carries meaning or memory, but this kind of wall decor doesn’t need to be overly sentimental, either. You could also display pages from your favorite book, antique calligraphy samples, song lyrics, or pieces of poetry.
Another super sweet Magnolia find is this teeny tiny framed poem named Take Flight that has been encased in a curved, oak oval frame. I love how they have added a decorative mat to dial up the charm.
Printed using giclee on paper with a hand-applied crackle finish to make it feel more antique, this framed piece depicts the lyrics from 'Give Back The Dreams' in a vintage-style calligraphy.
I know I've covered framing the picture-perfect fronts of postcards, but if you have an old handwritten postcard that was mailed to you with love, there's nothing sweeter than seeing it framed like this sweet one from Anthropologie.
6. Menus and coasters
Menus and little cardboard coasters might not seem like the most obvious candidates for framing, but they’re some of the most charming and memory-rich pieces I’ve added to my walls.
I started collecting handwritten menus or ones with pretty typography after a few particularly special dinners, and they're prettier than most prints I’ve paid for. Framed simply, these pieces feel like little souvenirs, each one capturing the mood of the evening. Equally, I have started picking up a few coasters from bars and chic hotels from trips to create a similar vibe to the framed matchbook collections.
And it’s not just about what goes in the frame, either. I’ve also started to experiment with colorful mounting boards, layered textures, and float frames to give my walls more dimension and depth. The result feels like a curated gallery wall.
Designed by Shea McGee for Target, this simple yet design-led frame has been made with refinement in mind. Thanks to the small picture size and large mount, postcards, fabrics, wallpaper swatches, or vintage photos will all look elevated inside this frame.
Found over on Etsy, this artist makes reproduction prints from handwritten turn-of-the-century French brasserie menus that capture the cuisine at its finest. I'd love to see this hung in a dining room or breakfast nook to add a vintage feel.
To really make your framed pieces pop, try picking up some colorful mats or mounts. This multi-pack from Amazon is available in 8 different sizes. You get a set of 12 pre-cut bevelled mats that will elevate any picture, print, or postcard.
There’s something so satisfying about turning everyday objects into something worthy of display, especially when it reflects your travels, your taste, or just a moment you wanted to hold onto. Whether it’s a scrap of wallpaper you couldn’t part with or a postcard that makes you smile, it deserves a frame just as much as any piece of fine art.
