Learn how to make DIY designer-inspired textile wall art using an old rug and a shadow box in less than 10 minutes.
Nothing in the house is safe from becoming wall art anymore. If it can fit inside a frame, be mounted on a backing board, or stretched like a canvas, there is a very good chance it will end up hanging on our walls.
Over the years, we have repurposed all kinds of simple materials into affordable DIY art, including sheet music, book pages, shower curtains, calendar pages, pressed flowers, leaves, and plenty of other everyday pieces that were too pretty to throw away. Creating art from items you already own is one of the easiest ways to decorate your home with personality while saving money.
While browsing a few high-end home decor shops online, I started noticing a lot of framed textile art. The texture, the woven patterns, and the handmade look were beautiful, but the prices were not. Many of the pieces I saw were listed for hundreds of dollars, sometimes even close to $1,000. I loved the look, but I definitely did not love the price tag.
Then I remembered that we had a rug in our kitchen that we were planning to replace. Instead of tossing it or storing it away, I decided to cut a section from it and frame it. That was all it took to create an easy designer-inspired textile art piece for free.
In about 10 minutes, and without spending any extra money, I had a custom-looking piece of woven wall decor that added warmth, texture, and interest to our living room.
DIY Designer-Inspired Textile Wall Art
This simple DIY textile wall art project is a great way to reuse an old flatweave rug, accent rug, or rug sample. It works especially well if you love neutral decor, organic texture, and the look of high-end framed fabric art but want a budget-friendly version you can make yourself.
Supplies Used:
- A 20″ x 30″ shadow box or a shadow box in a similar size
- A flatweave cotton or wool rug, either an old rug, an accent rug, or a rug sample
- Tape measure
- Fabric scissors
- Fabric pen or marker
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue sticks
- Canvas drop cloth, optional
- Spray adhesive, optional
- Chalk paint, optional
The Steps:
1. I already had a shadow box from a previous project, so I reused it for this framed rug art. The frame had been painted white with a small amount of chalk paint, which helped give it a lighter, cleaner look. If you already have a shadow box in a color you like, you can skip this step completely.
2. For the backing board, I wanted a soft linen-style look. To create that effect, I cut a piece of canvas drop cloth to fit the backer board and attached it with spray adhesive. This step is optional, but it gives the finished textile art a more polished, custom appearance. It is also a budget-friendly way to brighten up a dark shadow box or add a neutral background behind the rug piece.
You do not have to paint the frame or cover the backing board, but both small upgrades can make a big difference if you want the final piece to look more like designer wall decor.
3. Measure the inside area of your shadow box, then decide how large you want the rug section to be. I used the frame measurements and subtracted about 3 inches from both the width and the length so the rug would sit nicely inside the frame with a visible border around it. Mark your measurements directly on the back of the rug using a fabric pen or marker.
4. Cut along the marked lines using sharp fabric scissors. A flatweave rug is easiest to work with because it is thinner and less bulky than a thick pile rug. I removed the tassels from my rug section for a cleaner look, but you can leave them on if you prefer a more casual or boho-style finish.
5. Once the rug piece is cut to size, position it on the shadow box backing board. When you are happy with the placement, use hot glue to secure the rug remnant to the board. Press it down carefully as you work so it stays flat and centered.
6. Place the backing board inside the shadow box, close the frame, and hang your new DIY textile wall art.
This might be one of the fastest and cheapest designer-inspired home decor projects ever. It is simple, but that is what makes it so useful. With one old rug and a frame, you can create a textured wall art piece that looks custom without paying a designer price.
I love the texture this piece adds to the little corner in our living room. The woven pattern brings in warmth and depth, and the shadow box makes the old rug remnant feel intentional instead of leftover.
If you want to create a similar look but do not have an old rug you can cut, look for a small accent rug, a rug sample, or a flatwoven mat with a pretty pattern. Neutral stripes, subtle geometric designs, and simple woven textures all work beautifully for framed textile art. Smaller rugs are usually easier to cut and frame, and you only need one attractive section to make the project work.
This project is also a great way to save a rug that has a stain, worn edge, or damaged section. As long as part of the rug still looks good, you can cut out the best area and turn it into art. It is a practical way to reuse something you already own while adding character to your home.
I am hoping to share more DIY designer-inspired decor ideas soon because projects like this are so much fun. There is something satisfying about spotting a high-end look, finding a simple way to recreate it, and making it fit your own space and budget.
If you enjoy affordable wall decor ideas, this DIY framed rug art is a quick project to try. It is beginner-friendly, inexpensive, and easy to customize with different rug colors, frame styles, and backing materials.
