Easy European Wall Art with Thrift Store Frames

Create easy European wall art with thrift store frames using affordable canvas prints for a quick dining room makeover.

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Thrift Store Makeover Day

There is just something so satisfying about a quick thrift store project with major payoff. Honestly, those are my favorite kinds of makeovers these days! This simple wall art refresh took maybe five minutes per frame, completely transformed the look of our dining room, and cost very little thanks to inexpensive canvas prints from Amazon.

The best part? I already had the frames.

I purchased this art back in 2013 from the thrift store. After a while, I just hung them as I bought them knowng that I would eventually do something different. I'd say it took a while change them!! I loved them for many years, but lately they just felt a bit too busy and formal for the direction our dining room is taking. Plus the art was just too small to make notice.

Here is a very old photo before when we had our previous dining room set. We rescued the antique armoire from my husband's grandparent's home that was being torn down. That's why the sconces look a bit more crowded with the art. The armoire is massive! We are lucky it even fit between the sconces. You can read a bit about the story HERE.

I wanted something softer, moodier, and a little more collected looking.

The answer ended up being these affordable European landscape canvas prints that look remarkably like vintage oil paintings.

The Before

I still think the original frames are gorgeous. The gold detailing and classic shape feel timeless and collected which is exactly why I held onto them for so long.

But the old artwork just wasn’t working with the room anymore. Sometimes it’s not that something is “bad.” Your style simply evolves over time.

And honestly? That is one reason I love decorating with thrift store finds. They give you the freedom to experiment and change things up without guilt.

The original prints had a very ornate European café vibe with lots of movement and color. While beautiful, they started feeling visually lost in the room.

The new landscapes feel quieter, moodier, and much more in line with the relaxed European-inspired look I’ve been gravitating toward lately.

Supplies Used

• Landscape Print with Lake
• Landscape Print with cows
• Landscape Print
• xacto knife
• mini-hammer
• Frames

How-To: The Secret to This 5-Minute Makeover

This project could not have been easier.
The original framed prints had paper backs secured with staples. I simply used a craft knife to carefully cut through the backing paper and remove the old artwork.

Once the frames were open, I slipped in the new canvas landscape prints.

I left the original art and glass behind the new canvas art so that it would give it heft and fill up the space. Otherwise, I would have to mount them to some sort of board. So the original art piece with matting is still usable.

I taped the backing back into place.

That’s it.

No paint. No sanding. No complicated DIY steps.

Just a quick art swap with a huge visual impact.

Why Canvas Prints Make Such a Difference

One thing that really elevated this project was using canvas-style prints instead of standard paper prints. You will flip when you see how inexpensive this art is!!!

The texture gives them the appearance of vintage oil paintings which instantly makes the art feel more expensive and collected. The soft landscapes work beautifully with the warm wood tones in our dining room and pair so well with the antique-inspired gold frames.

It is amazing how much the right artwork can completely shift the feeling of a space.

These landscapes immediately brought a calmer, more refined look to the room.

Affordable European-Inspired Art from Amazon

You all know I love a high-end look without the high-end price tag.

The landscape prints were incredibly affordable (actually cheap!!) from Amazon, and I was honestly shocked by how beautiful they looked in person. The colors are soft and muted with that vintage European feel I’m always drawn to.

Because they are printed on canvas, they already have that rich texture that helps them resemble original artwork.

This is one of my favorite tricks for creating a collected home without spending a fortune.

A Little Dining Room Sneak Peek

You may also notice a few glimpses of our dining room in these photos including our “new to us” dining table!

I am currently working on a full dining room tour post where I’ll share all of the details, sources, and updates throughout the room. This little art makeover ended up being the finishing touch that tied everything together.

And of course, Cleo insisted on supervising the entire photo session. She clearly believes every decorating project requires feline approval.

Exact Decor Pictured: Chinoiserie Vase | Faux Peonies | Flameless Candles

Final Thoughts

I truly believe small changes can completely refresh a room.

This easy thrift store frame makeover only took a few minutes, but the new artwork completely transformed the feel of our dining room. The updated landscapes feel timeless, cozy, and perfectly layered with the traditional collected style I love most.

Never overlook old frames at thrift stores. Sometimes all they need is a fresh piece of art to feel brand new again.

And if you already have frames at home that no longer fit your style, consider giving them a second—or even third—life with new artwork. It is such an easy and affordable way to update your home.

Check out the projects from the team!

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