I still haven’t found the perfect solution for the empty frames on my family room wall. But I got tired of waiting for perfect (and of explaining why I have empty frames on my wall). So I turned to one of my go-to frame fillers.
Maps.
They’re beautiful and easy to find. I found an entire book of maps on the clearance table at my local Borders. The book is huge and cost me $4.99. I could have pulled any pages out of it to frame.
I wish I could say that these are some wonderfully meaningful maps to me…maybe places we’ve visited or dream about visiting someday. The fact is they’re just the ones that I thought were the prettiest.
But this isn’t the final solution for this wall. Until then, I’m happy to have something pretty to look at.
If you’re on the hunt for some beautiful maps to frame, Amazon has a huge selection
Love this picture…complete with Star Wars sheets, Pillow Pet and underpants hanging out of the drawer. Cause that’s how we roll.
This isn’t the first time I’ve hung a map on the wall. I still love the huge US map that is framed in my son’s bedroom. Click here for exact DIY instructions.
I love Melissa’s sentimental take on decorating with maps. She likes to frame and display maps from places her family has traveled. LOVE!
Check out Martha Stewart for a brand new article all about decorating with maps. (TONS of pictures!!!)
More ideas for Filling Your Frames:
Real photography
Kid’s Artwork
Calendar Art
{ 25 comments }
That’s a lovely solution whether is temporary or permanent. I must go see what Martha shows now!
What a good idea. I have considered placing pictures or maps of mountains (Mt. Everest & other top climbing mtns.) in my boys’ room. I was going to decorate their room around the theme of outdoor activities – hiking, canoeing, hunting – some of their favorite outdoor things.
Are you wanting pictures of your children in your frames or do you have hobbies that maybe would fit your criteria? Maybe put a quote/saying/Scripture verse in the middle frame with some type of nature shots or family photos on each side of it?
I personally am paralyzed by indecision. I don’t want to make a mistake so I do nothing. Isn’t that ridiculous??
Have a wonderful day. I really enjoy your blog & love the design.
Elisabeth´s last blog ..Kiddopotamus Snuzzler Complete Head and Body Support Review
I love maps and have wanted to put a big map on the wall of our bedroom for years. My hubby frowns upon that idea, but I think it is great!
Marci@OvercomingBusy´s last blog ..Containing Kitchen Sink Clutter
That is a great idea! I have a couple of maps that I keep and record with little pushpins of places I have visited, maybe its time to put them in frames
Sam´s last blog ..Official Heartland Homes Press Release- Exclusive Sewickley Community
I keep meaning to buy some of those pins so my son can keep track of places we travel on his map.
Your framed maps look awesome … I may have to stop by Borders now! I just added map wallpaper to the back of a bookcase that I just painted … look forward to sharing it, soon. And, I’ve been on the hunt for a large world or U.S. map to add to my son’s playroom … I’m off to read your tutorial for the one in your kiddo’s cool bedroom! Thanks for sharing, Becca
I can’t wait to see your bookcase! I have one in my husband’s office and I’ve been wanting to spruce it up with a little something.
Wow, great reminder!!! I forgot that I bought a huge map for my son’s room a year ago.. I need to dig it out and get not a frame but the trim pieces from the hardware store that you showed.. what a GREAT idea!!! love it!!! Thanks!!!!
i have a stack of maps in my office waiting for the summer when my fiance and i move into our newlywed-nest…
another tip on where to find: your local university geography dept or the library. just ask if they’ve got anything they want to get rid of – they often do! that’s where i’ve found several maps (often of sentimental value) for FREE!
mbb.´s last blog ..going
That’s a fantastic tip! Thanks!
Your wall looks so pretty with the framed maps!! And I LOVE the huge one in your son’s room. I love decorating with maps too; I’ve even Mod Podged them onto styrofoam balls to make bowl fillers.
Cute idea Kimba! Thanks for sharing
Great idea for framing – maps. Thanks for sharing.
- Joy
Indy’s adventure/explorer room has maps all over it. He has a HUGE antique looking world map and several maps of Egypt (a place he hopes to go) as well as a beautiful one of Corsica (been there) and several FREE maps of cities we’ve been to (Paris, London, Rome). I love decorating with maps.
Mom in High Heels´s last blog ..Quit your whining you wussy American
I have loved maps forever!! I had no idea Martha jumped on the bandwagon! Thanks for the link!!
Here is a post with all of my map obsessions:
http://www.thecountrychiccottage.net/2010/11/maptastic-party.html
Would love for you to take a look!
And seriously I have vintage maps running outta my ears if you ever are looking for an etsy seller! 
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage´s last blog ..OMTWI Reminder and I WON A CONTEST!!
The maps are beautiful. And they remind me of the “olden days” when we’d have to actually unfold those big ole things in the passenger seat of the car in order to find our way to where we wanted to go. You know. Before the GPS that is always sighing, “Recalculating.”
deidra´s last blog ..What Glamour Really Looks Like
love me some maps. we are working on a pincushion world map for our boys’ room. great post.
-{darlene}
fieldstonehilldesign.com
My husband and kids love maps! We have a couple of vintage maps of Virginia and Tennessee framed around here somewhere. I need to pull it out again. And now I’m thinking of what other map framing projects we can do!
Malia´s last blog ..Theres no place like home
My best moment is the pillow pets on the bed. I have four beds and four pillow pets, plus a few extra friends on their beds too. Way to go!
How wonderful …. using maps. I love it! I may have to borrow that and use it in my home. Thanks for sharing.
Jessika´s last blog ..Fun with RED!
Love this idea! We’ll be doing this in my husband’s office.
Ashley White Design´s last blog ..Inspired by Ikat
I think it is a beautiful solution to your dilemma of no art work above your couch. I like how they look, I think I could live with those for a long while.
I love that you took a book that cost $4.99 and made it into beautiful artwork.
I love your maps, Kimba! They really look fab!! You can’t go wrong with maps, I say.
Thanks for mentioning my maps too!!
melissa @ the inspired room´s last blog ..Gallery Walls Inspiration Pictures & A Linky Party!
Just stumbled upon your blog via pure-and-lovely.com and am so glad I found it! Your decorating is lovely, but your wittiness makes you stand out from all the other home decor/design blog! Thanks!
Elise