Fridge Art Gets Framed

If you are like me, then you are probably inspired by the many quotes and free printables that you see and pin on Pinterest that are frame-worthy. I even have a board filled with them on Pinterest. (You can follow it here.)

I don’t have a lot of wall space around my house to frame and hang the quotes and printables so most of what I pin stays on my Pinterest board. I never end up doing anything with them… until now.

I have been trying to come up with an easy, but decorative way to not only display some of my favorites, but to easily change them on a whim. I finally came up with an idea that is quite easy to do. I am calling it the “Fridge Art Hanging Trick”

I bought a frame at Michaels in the clearance bin to hang on my refrigerator and tweaked it to meet my needs.

Kitchen-art-ideas

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Now I can simply print the printables I like and change up the quote or art from time to time to keep me inspired.

Free-printable-peonies

From week to week, seasonally, your WIFI password, or for a special occasion – changing the image is easy.

Be-the-type-of-person-you-want-to-meet-Free-printable-quote

How to Mount a Photo Frame to a Refrigerator

How-to-hang-a-picture-frame-on-a-refridgerator

supplies needed:

  • Photo frame with an easy-to-remove back
  • Magnetic tape  – I bought mine at the craft store
  • E6000 Adhesive glue or any good glue
  • Scissors

Optional:  DIY chalk paint, paint brush, soft wax, 160 grit sandpaper, buffing cloth/old t-shirt

Frames-for-refridgerators

A frame with an easy-to-remove back will make changing your images fast and easy.

Displaying-refridgerator-art-ideas

1. Paint two coats of DIY chalk paint on frame. Let first coat dry before applying the second.

How-to-distress-chalk-paint

2. Once throughly dry, run sandpaper over the finish and edges to distress.  If you distress too much or don’t like how a certain area looks on the frame, simply repaint the area, let dry, and distress again. 

How-to-wax-over-chalk-paint
Use-for-magnetic-tape

3. Apply a thin coat of soft wax over frame and buff to a shine with a soft-lint free cloth.  If you would like to know more details about making and painting with DIY chalk painting, you can find my post where I answer all your chalk painting questions.

4. Make sure the back of the frame is free of any dirt and oils.  Clean if necessary and let dry.  The magnetic tape won’t stick to dirty surfaces. Unroll the tape and let it sit unrolled for a while so it lays flat.  Once it is not curling, cut long sections to fit each side on the back of the frame.  Peel off backing on tape and place on frame.

The ends of my tape kept curling up on my frame, so I used E6000 glue under the ends. I placed a few heavy objects (paint and wax cans I had on my worktable) over the ends to hold them down while the glue dried.

Paper-cutter-for-crafting

5. The opening of my frame was 8″ x 10″. Since the quotes and images I print are on standard 8 1/2″ x 11″ printer paper, I had to cut my printables down to size.

Info-Diet-quote-free-printable-on-black

6. Once cut, I put it into the frame and stuck the frame onto the fridge door.

Now when I want to change the image or quote all I have to do is pull the frame from the door, lift off the back and make the switch.  Super simple.

To save ink, I try to find printables with a white background, no reason to use up lots of ink.

I only hung one frame on my refrigerator door, but you can hang more than one and make a decorative art gallery of fridge art for the door.

Blogger of DIY Decorating blog Diane Henkler of In My Own Style

Helpful Tips:

  • If you have an ugly fridge, put a lot of the frames together like puzzle pieces on the door.  No more ugly refrigerator, just color and inspiration.
  • When printing color images from a computer, depending on your printer and ink, just remember the colors might not render the same as they look on your computer screen.
How-to-hang-art-in-a-decorative-way-on-a-refridgerator

The magnetic photo pocket above is an even simpler way to hang art, inspirational quotes, and printables. It is not as decorative, but will allow you to hang art on your fridge neatly.  I found this magnetic photo pocket at Michaels.  They come in many sizes, this 8″ x 10″ is the largest size.

I have included .pdf’s of the quotes I used in this post for you to download and print below.  See all my Free Printables.

Be-the-person-you-wnat-to-meet-quote-free-printable
Info-Diet-Quote-on-black-background-1
Go-on-an-info-diet-quote

Download: Be The Type Person Quote | Gourmet Info black background | Gourmet Info white background

Fridge-art-frame-hanging-trick

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31 Comments

  1. Rachel Perry says:

    I’m definitely working on this one! I love the “Be the person you want to meet” quote. I think it’s a good thing to have up to remind everyone to be kind (especially setting good examples for our toddler twins:)).
    Thanks,
    Rachel

    http://www.homesweethomestore.com

  2. Linda Weeks says:

    You must have something ‘magnetic’ in your brain, Diane, to come up with all the clever ideas you post! Love it!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Linda – Thanks :-)

  3. Hi!!

    Thank you for this post. I made several different color chalk paint containers and they all look great. My only issue is that I can’t find soft wax anywhere. Where do you get your wax?

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Esther – I use Johnsons Paste Wax in the yellow can. It is sold at Lowes in the cleaning product aisle. You might also find it at your supermarket in the cleaning aisle. I buy Fiddes and Sons clear wax on Amazon.

  4. Sheryll & Critters. says:

    Clever idea and your frame sure turned out great too. I normally don’t want to distress, but again you have changed my mind. You do such a good job when you use it. Just enough to look classy.

  5. home decorating blog says:

    Wonderful, my friend used to order his furniture and home decors on BLTD. I like their designs because its unique and stylish.

  6. I love this idea and I’m going to do this project. Thanks for the printables. What would I do without your fab blog???

  7. Allison T says:

    Wish I had a fridge that was magnetic! Such a cute idea. I miss being able to hang things :(

  8. Linda Warner says:

    Did u know that u can get looonnng magnet strips from old refrigerators that are but out for trash? Cut open the rubber that goes around the inside of the door and there is a flat strip of magnet in it that holds the door shut. Just pull on it and it comes right out. Then you can glue it to the picture frames or any thing else tha u want. And it’s my favorite thing…free!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Linda – Thanks for sharing your tip…my favorite kind…a freebie :-) I bet they are super strong, too!

  9. Christina Rodriguez says:

    What a cute idea! Makes me wish I had a fridge that was magnetic! I had to hang a corkboard on the wall just outside my kitchen to put things from my kids that would normally go on the refrigerator door. Makes it neater, but this looks nice too.

  10. I love how clean this looks and that the image can be changes as the mood strikes. Wish I could come up with an idea to adhere a frame temporarily to my stainless steel refrigerator.

  11. Hi Diane,
    I like this idea and have some collage frames that I would like to use for all the smaller items that find their way onto our fridge – cartoons, small photos, etc. I have two questions: 1) Do you leave glass in the frame or does that make it too heavy for magnet strips to hold? 2) Are magnet strips available in different strengths? I bought magnet tape in the past and found it to be very weak magnetic hold and was disappointed. Thanks for advising.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Marilyn –

      I keep the glass in the frame. I have used other magnetic tapes in the past and agree that some don’t hold. The Pro Mag tape I bought at Michaels (shown in the photo in the post) is holding the frame on very well. It does not move or slide when the door is open. I covered each side with the tape so the back is fully covered which I think helps get just the right amount of grip.

      1. Thanks! I’ll look for the Pro Mag tape! I look forward to trying this.

  12. Michelle James says:

    I love this idea. I like to have a clean look on my fridge. This perfect for jazzing up the space while still remaining clean and simple. I love the color you chose. It really pops on the white.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Michelle – thanks. I like the clean look on a fridge, too. When my daughter’s were little I had a collection of flat acrylic frames on the fridge that I put their art masterpieces in. It kept the fridge nice and neat and protected their art, too. I had a few colors in mind to paint the frame, but I chose the turquoise since I have a sideboard in my family room that is the same color.

  13. Erin@IndigoHouse says:

    This is great. Your fridge is so clear of clutter. Try as I might my little Picasos hang their treasures on the fridge constantly. What a great way to show it off in a pretty and streamlined way!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Erin – When my daughter’s were little I had a collection of 8 x 10 flat clear acrylic frames with magnets on the back on the fridge. The kind with no actual frame around them. They sell them at craft stores and Walmart. Photos and art work are placed in by spreading out the top. These allowed my girls to put their newest masterpieces on the fridge and keep them protected while on display. It also made me happy since it looked orderly and neat. :-)

    2. Erin@IndigoHouse says:

      Thanks, Diane. I may be spending the next snow day doing this ; )

  14. Love the idea….and, to Pam Clark : The message did say “an info,” not “a info.”

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Teresa – Thanks XO Pam was right. With the help of Photoshop, I just finished changing it :-)

  15. Pam Clark says:

    Fun idea! Btw, it should be an info diet, not a info diet.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Thanks Pam. With the help of Photoshop I was able to add an “N” to the printables and images. :-)

    2. I was going to say the same thing :-)

      1. Diane Henkler says:

        I have used other magnetic tapes in the past and agree that some don’t hold. The Pro Mag tape I bought at Michaels (shown in the photo in the post) is holding the frame on very well. It does not move or slide when the door is open. I covered each side with the tape so the back is fully covered which I think helps get just the right amount of grip.

  16. Julia@Cuckoo4Design says:

    It’s perfect, I should do that for my daughter’s artwork

  17. Stephanie @ Casa Watkins says:

    Great idea Diane. I love the interchangeable aspect. My fridge is so crowded that I’m looking to working on placing things in frames. I just used a clipboard and velcro to make an interchangeable frame for the wall. If you have time, I welcome you to stop by and let me know your thoughts. :)

  18. Love the idea of doing a mini gallery wall on my fridge. I have an “ugly fridge” so I definitely could use some color and personality in the space. Love the flower print!