Today I'm sharing an easy idea for turning favorite family memories into a budget-friendly photo wall with dollar store wood artist's panels. For a fraction of the cost of ordering family photos printed onto wood canvases, you can make your own. I had all four finished and the black & white family photo gallery hung the same day, that's how easy they are to make.

Cheap Photo Wall Idea With Dollar Store Wood Canvas Frames

Instead of paying around $45 to have a photo printed onto a wood canvas, my DIY version cost under $10. The photo gallery wall I created at the end of our hallway would have cost around $200 but I paid just under $40 to make mine. What's not to love about that!

The wood artist's panels cost only $2.50 each and to have black & white prints enlarged to 8"x10" cost just under $6. The rest of the supplies I had on hand but if you don't have them, the dollar store will, making them a super cheap wall art project.


I bought two extra wood panels because I've learned the hard way that if you don't grab 'em while they have 'em you may be SOL. The plan is to have family photos taken in the Spring AND I'm waiting with bated breath for my son and DIL to expand our family so I have a canvas reserved for future grandbabies. 😏 😉

In the meantime, I cut some vinyl graphics with my Cricut Maker that can easily be removed when I'm ready to add more black & white photos to the gallery photo wall.

Here's What You'll Need

Like I mentioned earlier, you should be able to find all the supplies you need to make these at the dollar store, minus the photo prints of course.

These are the wood artist's panels I used found at Dollarama, a Candian dollar store chain. If you can't find them at your local dollar store, I've included affiliate links to some that I found online. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.


For the fun of it let's take a look at the wall we plan on hanging the new photo gallery before, with the Sundried Tomato paint color and our former hallway gallery art.


And the wall now painted with Behr Premium Plus latex Mined Coal (PPU-18-18) and the new photo wall gallery. The stool has a story too and you can read about that in my Mom's Stool Got A Makeover post.

Supply List

Wood Artist's Panels (alternatives)
Black and White Photo Prints
White Chalk or Acrylic Paint
Semi-Gloss Clear Coat
Matte Mod Podge
Scraper or Brayer Tool
Small Retractable Craft Knife
Sawtooth Picture Hangers

Here's How I Did It In Just Five Easy Steps

Step 1 - Order Black & White Prints

Before you get started first you'll need to order 8"x10" black & white prints of your favorite family photos. I order mine online at a local photo lab and they are usually ready the same day.

Step 2 - Paint The Wood Panels

Sand the wood artist's panels nice and smooth with 150-grit sandpaper and remove the dust particles with a damp lint-free rag. Next paint the wood panels with either white chalky paint or acrylic craft paint. I painted mine with two coats of Tin White Behr Chalk Decorative Paint that I had on hand.


Once the paint is dry brush a semi-gloss or high gloss non-yellowing clear coat on the sides ONLY of the painted wood canvas. You don't have to do this step but I found the gloss sheen adds a professional finish. Plus because my photo collage is against a dark grey wall in our hallway, it offers high contrast and reflects light.

Step 3 - Attach The Photos

Before we decoupage the photographs onto the wood canvas panels it's important that you give the panels a wipe with a lint-free rag to remove any small particles that may be resting on top.

Brush a generous layer of matte Mod Podge on the top of the wood canvas, especially in the corners. Set the photo down (good side facing you) and align it to the canvas. No worries if the photo is slightly larger, we'll deal with that later.

Either with a scraper tool or your fingers, set inside a plastic baggie to protect the photo, rub along the photo to remove any air bubbles. Wipe any oozing Mod Podge along the edges with a damp cloth.

Step 4 - Clear Protective Finish

This step is completely optional but you may want to protect the photo so it doesn't get damaged over time when dusting and cleaning the gallery wall. You can do this in one of three ways.

1. Use Mod Podge thinned a little with water and well stirred so there are no lumps. Brush it on in two thin coats with a foam brush.
2. You can use the same non-yellowing clear coat used to protect the sides of the canvas, also applied in two thin coats with a foam brush. 
3. Or you can do what I did using the go-to sealer that I had on hand, applied with a slightly damp car detailing sponge. I prefer a detailing sponge over a foam brush because it eliminates any brush strokes. 

Check for any drips down the sides of the canvas and wipe with a clean damp cloth.

Step 5 - Trim The Photos

Once the clear coat is completely dry, use a sharp retractable craft knife to trim the photos if necessary.

Nail a sawtooth picture hanger on the back of each canvas and they are ready to hang on the wall.

I told you it was easy!