We've developed a fierce craving for the new, whatever it may be. We're trying to make more regenerative purchases for our home spaces, and occasional novel pleasures, like the 2 Chainz-validated dog treadmill. Case in point: the DIY activities that transform our messy lives into aesthetic clout (see: spray foam mirrors). This is tempered by happy submission to reimagining our living spaces as places worthy of functional adults and joining the cult of luxury hand soap. But next comes the step we've been dreading: wall art. Not because there's not much on the market, but because it's usually a more expensive investment than a new beanie. And unlike a beanie, you can't shove it in a drawer with a good conscience when you get tired of it. And when you hang it on the wall, you can't run away, because every inch of wall space is front and center somewhere. Enough is enough! I swear to Michael Shannon, when will I stop framing my Out of Step record covers or buying vintage textbook-inspired botany posters that Gen Z TikToks will swear by today's “keep calm and stay positive” posters? It's time to fill them in, along with the triangle tattoos and paper-mache deer heads of 2013. To avoid being blinded by the same old stuff all the time, I've found a ton of atmospheric and cheap wall art that doesn't cost hundreds of dollars (Society6, for example, is currently on a massive sale) and that your friends won't even notice. If you're looking for Western-themed art, don't worry. Instead of Scarface posters soaked in bong water, we have movie-centric pieces for you, too. Op art lithographs for grown-up Deadheads, and artisan mirrors cool enough to accentuate and distract from our faces and beyond! Here are our favorite tips, tricks, and finds for jazzing up your hamster's cage.
You're a straight male skater with one painted finger
…and it'd be a pain to frame. (Honestly, it's the same.) Not only does this smiley by Jimmy Raines come pre-matted and framed, making it the perfect bedside display, but its awkward face says a lot about how tired our brains are right now, without saying a word.
Jimmy Raines
Irregular smiley face print
$60.51 on Society6
Something that screams “rare edition”
Well, I never thought Amazon would do something like this, but here we have Taxi Driver, Stand by Me, A Fistful of Dollars, RoboCop 2, and of course, many more. Row after row of old Japanese movie posters, originals and reproductions. Our end goal, of course, is to find Zardoz or Baby Boss, in no particular order, which is the catalyst for spending hundreds of dollars on a custom hand-painted Ghanaian movie poster.
Movie Posters
Taxi Driver Japanese poster
$17.99 on Amazon
One for my straight edge hardcore vegan buddies.
Tip: A classic flash tattoo you can get on your arm and keep on your wall forever (until you find out if you'll forever be a horseshoe or a skull wrapped around a snake). A lot of thought went into this print and it's made from eco-friendly 100% cotton scraps and archival paper.
Victory Tattoo
Old Times Framed Art Print
55 $46.75 on Society6
You identify with more than one of the characters in Rocko's Modern Life
Mirrors add visual interest to your walls without being too intellectual. This '90s-inspired mirror will give you energy on those days when you're feeling unmotivated. And because it's handcrafted from hemp, foam, and other materials we would have packed into a bottle rocket in our early teens, it won't be too heavy to hang on your wall.
Unique cat mirror
Blue Splash Wiggly Wall Mirror
$220 on Etsy
You once made a magazine, and no one will ever forget it.
You made better collages than anyone at the Anarchist Food Co-op back in the day, but now you're ready to hand over the cutting duties to a pro like Mitch Meseke, who knows how to drape artistic nudes onto a mountain. Bonus: his section is currently 15% off on Society6.
Mitch Meseke
Surrealism Pass Art Print
$21$17.85 on Society6
A mirror for understatement
This is for anyone looking to fill a void without cluttering up their space. In the mountains of goodies that make us want to live, laugh, and love, Wayfair has some truly amazing items at prices far less than you'd find in high-end stores, and they're ready to display right out of the box.
Forging Studio
Claudia Frameless Asymmetric Wall Mirror
$105 at Wayfair
Large, impactful wall art
If you have plenty of wall space and don't want to go to the trouble of painting or wallpapering, choose a prominent wall and place one large statement piece there for a purposeful, no-frills look (so you don't come across as “poorly-off”).
West Elm
Geode fiber natural 3D wall art
$499 at West Elm
Urban Outfitters
Sun Gradient Tufted Wall Hanging
$129 at Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters
Andy Blank Trump Cutout Wall Hanging
$225 at Urban Outfitters
If you like starting alien conspiracy theories on Reddit
The great thing about eBay is that it's like online shopping at the biggest thrift store on the planet, and among the trash you'll find countless treasures at all price points. This piece is a small piece of op art for sale on the web, highly trendy, and a timeless key to our sativa hearts. Case in point: the only way we want to start our day is to wake up and get punched in the face by the 1979 pyramid into the sun. This lithograph embodies our favorite end of the retro color spectrum: browns, golds, honey, and earthy dreams. It's also signed by the artist, Grace Alhades Sherman.
Ebay
Vintage Grace Alhades Sherman OP Art Lithograph “The Power” Signed 1979
$124.95 on eBay
Give your movies some TLC
The year is 2030. Siri has a face, and the Super Bowl is sponsored by SpaceX. “What simpler times were,” say your friends as they saunter into the party, admiring the stylishly framed photo sitting atop a tattered nugget. Little do they know, you've just given one of your digital photos a 35mm-style finish, enlarged it to 16×20 inches with Shutterfly, and stuck it on the wall. I mean, who can't be an artist?
Shutterfly
Modern Gallery Art Prints
$29.99 $17.99 at Shutterfly $29.99 $17.99 at Shutterfly
I listen to Fela Kuti on repeat
We're wary of buying posters (what if they're pixelated?), but this one from black-owned shop Don't Sleep Interiors is museum quality. Most importantly, it serves multiple great functions: Not only does it pay tribute to Afrobeat king Fela Kuti (a graphic profile is framed with his quotes), but it also evokes a traditional Nigerian barbershop.
The interior that never sleeps
24″ x 36″ Modern African Barber Shop Sign Poster
$52 on Etsy
Do you like Scandinavian design?
Round mirrors are nice, too. But a mirror recessed into a concave piece of wood is the perfect upgrade from the *chef's kiss* IKEA mirror. No offense, it's served me well for a long time. But it doesn't quite say “Want to relax with a look at the Criterion Collection?”
A-rated transactions
Round Bamboo Mirror – 20 inch
$77.75 on Amazon
West Elm knows what they're doing.
We'd kick our oldest son to Rumpelstiltskin for a West Elm gift card, because this home decor brand's designers know what's in style. Their mirrors and wall art may be on the pricier side, but you can be sure you're getting great quality and design in everything from mirrors to prints to tapestries.
West Elm
Colorblock Lacquer Square Dimensional Wall Art by Margo Selby (Set of 4)
$396 $336.60 at West Elm
Casting for West Elm
Limited Edition “Eichler” Framed Art
$94 at West Elm
West Elm
Southwest Creations Tapestry
$170 at West Elm. After you've got art on your walls, why not put some on your coffee table too? The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the pieces featured in this article.
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