How to Score Affordable Art for Your Picture-Perfect Place

A cozy bed. A fully stocked pantry. A bookcase that proudly displays your favorite reads. Whether we’re in Los Angeles or New York, Houston or Minneapolis, we all have different ideas about what transforms a house into a home. But most of us can agree that no apartment home has truly reached its apex without a few pieces of carefully selected art adorning its walls. The only challenge? Original paintings and prints can be expensive, especially if you’re looking for something larger than a postage stamp.

That’s why we’ve scoured the web for affordable — and free — works of art that will take your apartment from attractive to absolutely awe-inspiring. Prefer to DIY rather than buy? We’ve got you crafty types covered, too. Let’s get artsy!

1. Minted

You might know Minted for its customizable party and wedding invitations, but the stationer also boasts an impressive selection of gorgeous wall art. From nature-inspired pieces to amazing abstract prints, the options are as limitless as your imagination. Save yourself a trip by including a wooden or metal frame in your purchase.

2. Society6 

Put your passions on full display with a little help from this online shop. Prints feature adorable animal photos, out-of-this-world space scenes, inspirational quotes and charming illustrations that will brighten up even the dreariest day. If you’re looking for a large-scale piece but don’t want to spend half of your budget on a frame, opt for an unframed canvas instead of a print.

3. 20x200

Apartment-dwellers with a taste for the bold will fall in love with 20x200, offering unique pieces from a range of up-and-coming artists based in the U.S. and abroad.

4. Benson Walls

Benson Walls, a preferred Greystar partner, offers an array of murals, decals and canvases that allow renters to customize their space without damaging the walls of their apartment and violating lease terms. Dimensions and design options are completely flexible, and you can even use your own photos to create a truly personalized piece. Ready to order? Just visit the online shop – there’s no need to even check with your community manager beforehand!

5. Vintage NASA Posters

Futuristic imagery meets retro aesthetics in this spectacular series, developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. The full-size poster images are available for download at absolutely no cost to you! All you have to do is save the images you like to a flash drive and head to your local print shop for the hard copy. FedEx offers poster printing starting at just $7.25 per square foot.

6. DIY Potato-Stamp Canvas

If you’re under the impression that at-home art projects are overly complicated and expensive, this is a great way to overcome your fear of all things DIY. All you need are a few canvases, two brushes, some paint and – get this – a humble potato for creating a mesmerizing pattern that will have your friends thinking you’re the second coming of Picasso.

7. DIY Postcard Wall Art

The next time you’re at your local stationery store, pick up an extra box of postcards for this beautiful yet surprisingly simple DIY project. Literature lovers will love these charming Penguin Books cards, design geeks will adore this understated Pantone set, and comic book aficionados won’t be able to resist this colorful collection from DC Comics.

8. DIY Geometric Painting

Let this modern, minimalist DIY painting be the focal point of your dining room, living space or bedroom. Opt for a monochromatic tone for a truly bold statement, or use a host of hues to create a multicolored masterpiece. The secret to getting those lines so crisp and clean? Painter’s tape!

9. DIY Gallery Wall

Use photos, postcards and maps you already have to create a gallery wall that your friends and family members won’t be able to stop raving about. For an eclectic look, group together 10 or 15 mismatched frames that you have on hand, or make a trip to your local flea market for some one-of-a-kind finds. If your style if more buttoned-up, IKEA offers an impressive selection of budget-friendly frame sets in a variety of styles.

Time to get those creative juices flowing. We can’t wait to see how you deck out your Greystar apartment!