Affordable Wall Art for a First Apartment
A first apartment's walls are usually bare and the budget is tight. The good news is that a few well-chosen pieces make a bigger difference than a lot of cheap ones. Here is how to get there without overspending.
Start with one piece that means something
Art that looks generic is easy to find. Art that says something about you takes a little more thought: the town you grew up in, the beach you love, a national park you hiked, or the night sky on your birthday. Our prints of real places start at $14.99, and many can be personalized with your own words at no extra cost. See the hometown poster guide or the US state posters.
Spend on one larger piece, save on the rest
- Above the couch or bed: one larger print, 18x24 or 24x36 inches, does more than several small ones. See our large wall art guide.
- Everywhere else: smaller prints, 8x10 to 11x14, grouped in matching frames.
Framing on a budget
Unframed prints cost the least. Our Print Only sizes, such as 8x10, 11x14, 16x20 and 18x24, fit standard ready-made frames, so you can frame them yourself and upgrade later. If you would rather skip that step, our framed prints arrive ready to hang with a lightweight Acrylite front instead of glass. See framed print vs canvas.
Build a gallery wall over time
Pick a theme, such as places you have lived, trips you have taken or a single color palette, and add a print every few months in the same frame color. Our gallery wall guide covers layout and spacing.
What fits the budget
Unframed prints run from $14.99 for a 5x7 to $48.99 for a 12x16, and shipping is free on orders of 3 or more items. See art under $50 for ideas.