8 Clip-It-Clever Ways to Display Your Children's Art
Make the most of their masterpieces with the creative use of clips and hangers that let you swap pictures in and out with ease
Elizabeth Dougherty
18 March 2015
Houzz Contributor
Forgotten what your fridge looks like under dusty layers of your child’s paintings and drawings? One way to cut through the clutter is to rotate art – in with the new, out with the old. In theory nothing could be easier using good old-fashioned fridge magnets. But in real life (or at least mine), that doesn’t actually happen. The resulting accumulation looks messy rather than giving a budding Picasso’s masterpieces the proud placement they deserve.
In search of an alternative, I discovered clips – found in office supply shops as well as hardware outlets. A gallery of clips makes it easy to swap art in and out, so new and special pieces get their moment in the spotlight. Plus you can locate a gallery in any room, wherever you have wall space. Here are some more perks of using clips, along with eight inspiring strategies for displaying your little one’s latest and greatest.
In search of an alternative, I discovered clips – found in office supply shops as well as hardware outlets. A gallery of clips makes it easy to swap art in and out, so new and special pieces get their moment in the spotlight. Plus you can locate a gallery in any room, wherever you have wall space. Here are some more perks of using clips, along with eight inspiring strategies for displaying your little one’s latest and greatest.
Like magnets, clips won’t damage beloved pieces, the way pins or tape can. There’s some up-front work installing a line or rod to attach the clips to, but that’s a one-time investment. In return, a clean line instantly creates an orderly look. Integrate your child’s art into the decor of more traditional kids’ areas, such as playrooms and bedrooms, or less expected places, like an entryway, where splashes of colour will brighten comings and goings.
1. Get wired
Ikea’s Dignitet curtain wire is a Houzz fan favourite for displaying kids’ art; it uses curtain hooks with clips. In this garage-turned-playroom, art hangs from four strands of wire. The stainless steel fixtures have the same industrial vibe as the garage hardware. A large-scale graphic anchors the centre of the gallery wall, balancing the overall look.
Ikea’s Dignitet curtain wire is a Houzz fan favourite for displaying kids’ art; it uses curtain hooks with clips. In this garage-turned-playroom, art hangs from four strands of wire. The stainless steel fixtures have the same industrial vibe as the garage hardware. A large-scale graphic anchors the centre of the gallery wall, balancing the overall look.
Double strands of Ikea’s Dignitet curtain wire display art above an activity table in this toddler boy’s bedroom.
2. Hang curtain rods
Rods give this art display a more substantial look than wires. Their darker metallic colour contrasts with the white wall and picks up the darker timber tones in this boys’ bedroom.
Rods give this art display a more substantial look than wires. Their darker metallic colour contrasts with the white wall and picks up the darker timber tones in this boys’ bedroom.
In this astronomy-themed child’s room, more substantial rods to support heavier buckets of supplies have been combined with thinner wires to display lightweight art.
The art and white pails stand out against the navy walls; the paint colour represents the night sky.
The art and white pails stand out against the navy walls; the paint colour represents the night sky.
3. Rethink picture rails
Clips attached to child-height boards are a new take on picture rails. Painting the boards the same colour as the wall and evenly spacing the clips give a display of different-size artworks a sense of order. The lower height also leaves room above for family photos and inspirational fine art.
Clips attached to child-height boards are a new take on picture rails. Painting the boards the same colour as the wall and evenly spacing the clips give a display of different-size artworks a sense of order. The lower height also leaves room above for family photos and inspirational fine art.
4. Stock up on office supplies
Attach binder clips to pegboard, nail them directly to a wall or pin them to a bulletin board to display art.
Attach binder clips to pegboard, nail them directly to a wall or pin them to a bulletin board to display art.
5. Group clipboards
Using same-sized clipboards gives art of different sizes a more uniform look in this gallery above a stairway. Clipboards work particularly well with vertical pieces, especially ones on standard-sized sheets of paper.
Try brightly coloured acrylic ones for some playful colour.
Using same-sized clipboards gives art of different sizes a more uniform look in this gallery above a stairway. Clipboards work particularly well with vertical pieces, especially ones on standard-sized sheets of paper.
Try brightly coloured acrylic ones for some playful colour.
6. Use clothes hangers
Group several together on a wall for a gallery effect, as in this bedroom, or hang one anywhere, even on a doorknob, for an unexpected artistic flourish.
Group several together on a wall for a gallery effect, as in this bedroom, or hang one anywhere, even on a doorknob, for an unexpected artistic flourish.
7. Go with classic clothespins
Wooden clothespins paired with twine make for an easy DIY art display in this playroom.
Wooden clothespins paired with twine make for an easy DIY art display in this playroom.
A jump rope with wooden handles holds art attached with clothespins. The rope, along with woven baskets and a plush rug, adds texture while staying true to this playroom’s neutral palette.
8. Personalise clothespins
These novelty clothespins with mini-blackboard slates spell out this budding artist’s name in her bedroom.
These novelty clothespins with mini-blackboard slates spell out this budding artist’s name in her bedroom.
Painted clothespins stencilled with numbers and letters pick up the learning-inspired theme in this boys’ bedroom.
Personally, I’m going to be better about rotating my son’s art in and out, so we can more easily see and appreciate new and special pieces. A clipped gallery looks like a great way to go.
In this cosy den, double wires make the gallery a family affair, with one strand purposefully set at eye level for kids and the other placed at a more traditional height for adults. Install a gallery in any room where you can hang out and admire your aspiring artist’s masterpiece – and then easily rotate in new ones.
SHOW US
Have you put your children’s artwork on display? Share a picture with us in the Comments.
MORE
What We Can Learn From Art Collectors
Curate Your Own Art Gallery at Home
Work of Art: How to Rustle Up a Masterpiece
SHOW US
Have you put your children’s artwork on display? Share a picture with us in the Comments.
MORE
What We Can Learn From Art Collectors
Curate Your Own Art Gallery at Home
Work of Art: How to Rustle Up a Masterpiece
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So great to see this article as it's a subject near and dear to me! I spent four years trying to come up with a solution to put my kids artwork on my wood front refrigerator (the kind to match my cabinets), and developed a solution I love!! Our Fodeez Frames are sold here on Houzz, and you'll find them cost effective and simple to use. I'd love to see your feedback!