Decorating With Botanical Prints (Plus Free Printables!)

Nature art | redleafstyle.com

Maybe it’s the spring season, but I’ve been noticeably obsessed with botanical and nature art prints lately.

I think my nature art kick actually started about a year ago. I was on vacation in Stockholm, Sweden. While shopping at a local outdoor store called Natur Kompaniet, I bought two small scientific posters of mushrooms and flowers. The posters are actually meant to help you identify poisonous and safe varieties. But when I spotted them, I knew I’d use them for decorating. (They wouldn’t do me much good anyway since I can’t read Swedish.)

Swedish mushroom poster | redleafstyle.com

The combination of the vintage science poster look and the Swedish language makes them even more endearing to me. I’m obsessed!

If you like the look of botanical prints, they’ll make a great addition to the art on your walls. Here are a few easy ways to score some of your own.

1. Scope out thrift stores

It may take longer to find exactly what you’re looking for, but castoff art at secondhand stores and thrift shops is an inexpensive way to find botanical prints. Just look for a print you like. You can change the frames and matting later.

2. Search on Etsy

A simple search on Etsy will bring up just about any type of botanical art print you could imagine. You’ll find vintage ones and modern designs. You’ll find prints of flowers and apples and carrots—oh my! These prints tend to be a little more expensive, but Etsy is a good option if you have something specific in mind.

3. Print your own—for free!

I saved the best for last! Why this idea didn’t occur to me before, I have no idea. You can print your own botanical artwork for free! The Internet is filled with free printables. But I have a favorite. Check out the free vintage printables on vintageprintable.com. This site collects vintage scientific, naturalist and botanical prints, plus many other types of vintage art.

So far I’ve used prints from vintageprintable.com in my bathroom and above the desk by my front door. Here are a few more I’ve printed out:

Vintage lobster scientific print | redleafstyle.com

Another great thing about printing your own art is that you don’t need to feel bad about cutting it up to fit in frames. And if you mess up, just print a new one! It’s seriously the best idea ever. Ever.


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4 Comments

  1. Mollie
    April 3, 2014

    Oh gosh, I love this idea! Right now I’m decorating our bedroom with a garden/botanical theme in my mind so one of these would fit in perfectly.

    While it’s not botanical I also really like decorating stuff with anatomical drawings from old medical dictionaries. You can find them all the time at flea markets/thrift stores/etc. 🙂

    1. Red Leaf Style
      April 4, 2014

      Ooh I love the anatomical drawings idea. Great tip on finding them in medical dictionaries, Mollie! Thank you! That makes me think that I could probably find botanical prints in vintage nature books. I’ll have to keep my eye out!

  2. Rachel
    April 5, 2014

    I can’t wait to check out that vintage printables site.

    1. Red Leaf Style
      April 6, 2014

      Check it out Rachel! It’s awesome!

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