Instead of Buying Wall Art, She Turned Leftover Paint Into a Gallery Wall
After finishing several painting projects around her home, Brittney Smart found herself with a collection of leftover paint colors that no longer had a purpose. Instead of storing the cans in a garage or purchasing artwork for a blank wall, she used those leftover paints to create a custom gallery wall.
Using poster board, foam brushes, and simple geometric shapes, she designed three coordinating abstract prints that work together as a single display. The project relied almost entirely on materials she already owned and required no artistic training or specialized tools.
Matching black frames elevated the painted boards from a DIY experiment to a finished wall feature. What began as a few leftover paint colors became a large-scale art installation that proves custom wall décor does not have to come from a store.
Poster Board Became the Canvas
Poster board formed the foundation of the project. Large sheets provided enough surface area to create oversized artwork without the cost associated with stretched canvas.
Different board sizes also allowed the final display to feel layered rather than repetitive.
Layout Lines Established the Design
Light guide marks divided the poster board into sections before paint was applied.
Those simple reference lines helped create balanced compositions while keeping the geometric shapes clean and consistent.
Paint Replaced Traditional Art Supplies
Leftover wall paint became the primary material for the artwork. Colors originally chosen for home projects found a second purpose on the poster boards.
Using existing paint also helped the finished pieces coordinate with the surrounding room.
Geometric Shapes Started Taking Form
Large color blocks established the foundation of each composition. Rectangles and intersecting shapes created visual structure without requiring detailed drawing.
Simple forms often have a stronger impact at a large scale than complicated artwork.
Paint Started Turning Blank Boards Into Artwork
Blank poster boards began taking on shape as the first color blocks were applied. Large rectangles established the foundation of each design and provided a starting point for the remaining colors.
Rather than following a detailed pattern, the project developed through simple geometric forms placed across different-sized boards. Even at this stage, the pieces already hinted at the modern abstract artwork they would become.
More Paint Colors Filled Out the Composition
Additional color blocks began filling the empty areas between the larger shapes. Different tones created separation and prevented the artwork from relying on a single dominant color.
As more colors were added, the individual boards started looking less like paint samples and more like finished abstract artwork designed to work together as a set.
Color Combinations Started Taking Shape
Additional colors expanded each composition beyond the original red and peach shapes. Blue, teal, green, cream, and navy paint introduced contrast while helping the three boards develop their own identities.
Instead of following a template, Brittney adjusted the arrangement as she worked. Some boards used stacked horizontal bands, while others combined squares, rectangles, and geometric forms. By this stage, the project had shifted from painted poster board to a coordinated collection of abstract artwork.
Framing Turned the Paintings Into Wall Art
Adding black frames changed how the artwork was perceived. Poster boards that had been sitting on a work surface immediately looked more intentional once enclosed behind glass.
Framing also unified the three pieces. Despite using different layouts and dimensions, the matching frames tied everything together and established a consistent visual identity across the collection.
Placed side by side, the framed pieces began functioning as a single display rather than individual paintings. Shared colors connected the compositions while the different sizes created variation.
The arrangement occupied far more wall space than a single print and gave the collection a custom-built appearance.
Three Leftover Paint Projects Became One Feature Wall
Installation transformed a blank wall into a focal point. The largest frame anchors the arrangement while the two smaller pieces create balance on the opposite side.
Spacing between the frames allows each composition to remain visible while contributing to the overall display.
Viewed from the front, the collection reads as one coordinated installation. Repeated colors appear throughout the three panels, creating continuity without repeating the same pattern.
What started as leftover paint from previous home projects became a custom gallery wall made specifically for the space. Instead of storing unused paint in a garage or closet, Brittney transformed those colors into artwork that now serves as a permanent design feature. Could a few forgotten paint cans create your next wall display?