Today, I’m sharing how to hang unframed canvas painting on the cheap using my new quirky pig wall art. Turning your canvas into scroll art is a great alternative to expensive framing for your favorite art pieces.
Check Out My Rolled Canvas with Custom Pig Wall Art
Recently, I made a spontaneous purchase of the cutest spectacled and bow-tie clad pig you ever did see. I saw the pigs wall art on a sponsored Facebook post and knew this little piggie would add just the splash of quirky and playful art that our playroom/bonus room needed.
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Our upstairs bonus room is a hardworking room with multiple uses: playroom, blogging office, second guest area, and TV area. It is also the only room left in the house that I am not at least 75% happy with as far as decor. It’s hard piecing it together since it is a large room with so many uses. Also, the girls’ toys – no matter how organized – never lend this playroom to look anything like the Pinterest playrooms or the HGTV playrooms on TV.
However, with summer break here and some extra time on my hands, I feel a bit more encouraged to mess around up there on a smaller level – even chalk painting one of the bookcases.
But the pig wall art was total happenstance.
It’s not the farmhouse style of pig that you see all over these days. This pig is more modern and loud and punchy which is a perfect fit for my house.
Confession…the Hubs hates him. Apparently, the man doesn’t appreciate a good quirky animal wall art.
Second confession…I really don’t care.
This little piggy stays home.
Where to Buy this Quirky Pig Wall Art
I ordered my pig from an online website website. The oil-painted pig cost about $150. It seemed a fair price given the large size (around 40 inches by 40 inches) and the fact that each piece is custom painted when ordered. I even requested certain colors.
Update 2021: Recently, I have discovered the same pigs wall art in stretched canvas versions on Amazon for a lower price. If I had it to do again, I would order this 40 x 40 version that comes ready to hang. You can still request certain colors and customizations though your wait time will be longer.
What is Unframed Canvas Art?
On the ordering details of my rolled canvas print, the website stated “frame not included.” However, from this wording, I pictured an actual decorative frame. It made perfect sense to me that a decorative frame was not included. When my canvas art arrived two weeks later, I was surprised to receive a long tube. The painting was actually on an unstretched canvas which was rolled up in the tube. There was no wooden backing on the painting. So I learned that is what unframed canvas art is.
But…this pig wall art meets all my requirements.
Colorful? Check.
Stylish? Check.
Fun? Quirky? Check and check.
Ideas for How to Hang Unframed Canvas
I called the framing department at Hobby Lobby. Due to the large size, a wood backing – custom ordered – would cost around $150. This price did not include the labor fee from Hobby Lobby.
Seriously, I almost snorted like a pig right into the phone. Another $150 plus?
There are some great solutions out there to hang rolled canvas like this poster frame hanger with great reviews. However, the sizes appear to go up to 24×36. My art piece is 40×40 so I had to keep thinking.
I eyeballed the rolled unstretched canvas for a good 10 minutes, considering some possibilities. It is possible to hang a canvas from a drapery rod and clips – kind of like a tapestry art. I could try to frame it myself, maybe adhering it to foam board. Or could I hang unframed canvas with some sort of rods or sticks – making some kind of of canvas scroll art?
My DIY Solution for How to Hang Rolled Canvas
Finally, I decided to attempt to make a canvas scroll art hanging since it seemed like a pretty simple effort. If this didn’t work, I would go with the draper rod and clips option.
I measured my canvas so I would know how long the sticks or rods should be.
I picked up two 48-inch dowel rods for less than $5. If you get a larger pack, you will find they come in handy for all sorts of projects and hacks around the house.
Back at home, I heated up my hot glue gun and found my jute rope. By the way, if you aren’t using a cordless hot glue gun in your life, you aren’t living right!
In about 15 minutes, I turned the art into a scroll canvas by simply turning the top and bottom edges in about 1.5 inches and hot gluing them down to form little rod pockets. I lost a bit of the canvas, of course, by making these pocket hems. I eyeballed the art to make sure I wasn’t going to lose any of the art when I folded back the canvas.
This isn’t pictured, but I placed pieces of Scotch tape down along the hem before coming along with the hot glue – just to help keep the fold in place.
Once the rods were in, I wound one long piece of string around each side of the top dowel.
Who knew I would wake up on this day and figure out how to hang unframed canvas all on my own?
Should You Show the Rods When You Hang a Canvas Print?
This is how I first hung it up.
I liked it okay. The rods could have been stained a darker color or painted a bright color. My husband pointed out the rods could be trimmed to where they don’t show at all, making it look truly scroll like. Also, I could insert small hooks – into the ends of the top rod and tie the string that way rather than just winding it around the rod like I have done.
After a few minor adjustments, I decided I like this look best – with the bottom rod trimmed just a few inches to make it flush with the canvas. It doesn’t show now and just seems a bit more polished this way. The only purpose of the bottom rod is to weigh down the canvas to help keep it flat to the wall.
The top rod was trimmed only a bit but we decided to not use eye hooks as the Hubs was afraid the thin wood might split. So the jute string is tightly wound on both edges of the top rod to make the hanger.
It wasn’t my plan to make a canvas scroll art hanging to hang unframed canvas, but it works in this space. This room is extra cozy now for play time, work time, guest time…and nap time!
And this pig really does add to the playful and casual vibe of the room.
Update: this pig has moved around all over the house and is so much fun wherever it lands!
I hope you feel inspired from my idea on how to hang rolled canvas art. Do you have any other ideas for how to hang unframed canvas art?
If you like DIY, be sure to check out some of my other home decor ideas – such as the turquoise and white kitchen table and turquoise front door.
Tomi
I did the same thing with a very large Christmas canvas. Fell in love with it, waited two months from China. Then once I had it I didn’t know how to hang it. Asked my husband a few times. I’m still waiting for him. I’m just going to do this because THIS is a fantastic idea! Thank you!!!
The Gifted Gabber
Isn’t it so frustrating!? Waiting anxiously for something so fabulous for the walls and then no way to put it up! I hope this method works for you, Tomi!
Stella Harding
Great concept. Thank you
Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms
This is so cute! I will have to try this!
Audria
Love the DIY part of this blog post. 🙂 I really like seeing the step by step process.
The Gifted Gabber
Thanks so much, Audria! I hate I missed your comment earlier!
RM
This is a cute idea!!!
The Brainy Mama
That is sooo cute! I cracked up when you said you almost snorted like a pig when you were informed of the price. ?