If you’re like most people, you probably have some empty walls. If your kids (or grandkids) are like most school-aged children, they probably bring reams of artwork home from school or camp. Why not incorporate some of those pieces around your home? It sparks memories for you and pride for them. Here are some ways to successfully mix it in.

Tie in with Color

In this dining room, a single collage by the homeowner’s son brings a bright spot to the room, and connects to the colors in the drapery, chairs, and heritage china, while also introducing sunny yellow.

Frame a Series

There is strength in numbers. If your kids get the same art assignment or make multiple versions of something, like these “monster collages,” hang them together. (There are four in a row on this lower stair landing!) The fact that they are the same material and similar subject is unifying and makes a great statement.

Populate lesser-seen walls

I love hanging kid art in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mudrooms. These are private “back of house” spaces that are often the last walls to be dressed. You can easily fill those walls and make your kids feel proud. In my own house, I have a pair of oil pastel landscapes in the primary bath, screenprints from a Monarch festival in the kids bath, and this painting of a vase and flowers in the laundry room.

Incorporate into a Gallery Wall

It’s no secret that I love a gallery wall—and they are not going anywhere anytime soon! They are a great opportunity to mix in your kids work with more serious art (or just a round up of personal pieces.)

In my own bedroom, I included a large silhouette that Clio made in Kindergarten. It works pefectly with the mostly black and white pieces, and brings me back to our year in Boulder, CO.

In a client’s stair hall in Minneapolis, we mixed the kids’ art in with family photos for another dimension to the typical family portrait wall.

Lean a Frame

A super easy, low commitment way to put their work on display. Consider changing it up when they bring new work home, or at the end of each semester. I love this little bird collage made by Eleri!

Tape it Up

In this client’s kitchen, the plan was to eventually place a large painting over the banquette. In the meantime, they have used this space as a temporary gallery wall—no frames required.

In a girl’s room in California, washi tape and polaroid instax led to a sort of bulletin board without the board!

Commission Useful Objects

My kids spent a couple of weeks at Clay Camp when they were younger, resulting in a cabinet full of charming bowls and small vases. It’s fun to pull them out when we have flowers in the house. I also have a coaster on my bedside table that one of the kids made at an art event at a sculpture park.

Let us know how you incorporate kids art around the house!

Kid Art