Summer is the season of fresh starts, sun-soaked creativity, and long weekends perfect for trying something new. If you’re looking to channel your inner crafter or give your space a seasonal refresh, we’ve got you covered. This isn’t just any DIY guide—it’s your ArtToFrame-approved playbook for turning summer memories and moments into beautiful, personalized decor.

Whether you’re upcycling, organizing, or turning photos into works of art, here are some easy, stylish, and totally frame-worthy DIY projects to make this your most creative summer yet.

📸 1. Create a Summer Memory Wall

Nothing says "endless summer" like a gallery wall filled with beach days, road trips, and backyard barbecues. Print out your favorite snapshots—sunset selfies, sandcastle masterpieces, and that perfectly timed cannonball shot—and pair them with coastal-inspired frames for a light and airy look. Mix light woods, soft whites, and muted blues to bring that breezy, beach house vibe indoors.

Pro Tip: Use our custom sizing tool to frame those oddly sized Polaroids or vintage postcard finds. No glue sticks or poster putty necessary.

🧩 2. Frame a Finished Puzzle (or Start One!)

Rainy summer afternoon? It's the perfect excuse to tackle a jigsaw puzzle—and when you're done, you don’t have to break it down! Our puzzle frames are made just for this purpose. They’re easy to use, glue-free, and let you show off your accomplishment in a clean, modern way.

Choose a puzzle with a summery theme (think sea turtles or lemon groves) and you’ve got yourself an instant art piece and a conversation starter.

🖼️ 3. Create a Summer Shadow Box

Shadow boxes are one of the most fun and personal ways to preserve your summer memories. Think ticket stubs from concerts, shells from the beach, handwritten notes, or even your kid’s tiny flip-flops from their first time in the sand. Our custom shadow box frames make it easy to display those keepsakes in a polished, gallery-worthy way.

Use them to tell a story—whether it’s your family’s beach vacation or a spontaneous weekend adventure. These deep frames give your memories dimension and texture, turning small moments into big-impact decor.

📌 4. Organize Your Summer with a Custom Bulletin Board

Summer can feel like chaos in the best way—vacation plans, camp schedules, grocery lists for BBQs, and all the little ideas that pop up out of nowhere. Keep it all together (and stylish) with one of our custom framed bulletin boards. You can choose the size, frame style, and layout to match your vibe—whether it’s laid-back farmhouse or crisp coastal.

Hang one by the kitchen, in a home office, or near your entryway for the ultimate summer command center. Pin up invites, to-dos, or even a rotating collection of your kids’ latest drawings. Functional and fabulous.

🎨 5. DIY Watercolor or Pressed Flower Art

Grab a brush, a few paints, or a stack of leaves and flowers from your garden or a sunny walk around the neighborhood. Watercolor swashes and pressed flower art are two of the easiest (and prettiest!) ways to create one-of-a-kind wall decor that captures the feeling of summer.

Frame your masterpiece in a floating frame for an elegant, airy look. It’s perfect for showing off translucent petals, delicate brushwork, or even handwritten quotes.

🔄 6. Upcycle Old Prints with a Summer Twist

Got prints, posters, or artwork you’ve had tucked away forever? Give them new life by reframing them with a lighter, brighter touch. Try swapping out heavy frames for natural woods or white finishes, or even cut larger pieces into smaller sections to create a mini gallery set.

You’ll be surprised how much a frame can change the entire feel of a space—especially with a fresh seasonal color palette in play.

💡 Get Framing, Get Inspired

No matter your skill level, summer is a great time to slow down, try something creative, and make your space feel just a little more you. Whether you're framing a puzzle, building a beach-themed shadow box, organizing your summer plans on a bulletin board, or crafting your own art, we’ve got the perfect frame to bring your project to life.