How to Reuse Old Calendars to Make Cute Framed Art on the Cheap

Inside: Walls looking bare? Discover a fun way to reuse old calendars and make wall art to decorate your home.

When I was in college, my university hosted a huge poster sale in the union every August.

Excited freshman would pore over tables filled with posters of witty sayings, iconic images and attractive dead celebrities. (Marilyn Monroe, anyone?)

We’d turn to each other and ask, “Do you think this Eiffel Tower is more ‘me’? Or, Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s?”

Little did I know, so many better do-it-yourself options existed to cover the grimy cinder block walls in my dorm room than posters. Options that were more ‘me.’

But I was still a decorating newbie. Thinking I needed to buy in-style posters (Were they ever, really?) like everyone else to decorate my space.

Now, I know better.

Truth is, I didn’t need to buy anything at all.

Now, I nearly always look for a do-it-yourself solution before buying new. Whether I want to spruce up a bare wall in a hallway or add some artwork to a shelf display.

Because when you create your own art, do a DIY project, or repurpose something in a new way, it feels good.

Why make your own art:

Create something unique
It’s more rewarding
Save money
Keep supplies out of the landfill

Finding ways to DIY always sticks in the back of my mind. Like the remnants of years of college posters on dorm room walls.

It’s how I came up with this craft project to reuse old calendars.

Every Christmas, my mom buys me a hanging wall calendar.

I love flipping the calendar every month. It may be old school. But a calendar on my phone can’t compete with the sweet surprise of discovering a new image each month on my hanging calendar.

And every January, I hate to toss the calendar in the recycling bin.

It feels so wasteful.

So, I’m also always wondering what to do with old calendars. Can I use them for a craft project? Make them into home décor? Repurpose them in some way?

Last year, I turned old calendars into bookmarks. This year, I came up with one better.

A way to reuse old calendars and make framed art.

Here’s a Fun Way to Reuse Old Calendars to Make Home Décor

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to frame images from calendars to make your own art. You’ll keep those pretty calendar images out of the landfill and make useful décor for yourself.

You only need a few supplies to make your DIY framed calendar prints.

Supplies you’ll need:

Old calendar
Picture frames
Pen
Scissors
Staple remover

Don’t have old calendars? Ask around. Your friends and family, or your co-workers, likely have last year’s calendar they want to get rid of.

Step 1: Take out the staples

Dust off your staple remover. I can’t believe I even had one of these in my office supplies. I doubt I’ve used it in 10 years.

Gently pull out the staples in your calendar to disassemble the pages.

You don’t technically need a staple remover, but it makes the process a lot easier.

Step 2: Cut the pages

Cut along the natural fold of the calendar to separate all the calendar pages.

You’ll have 12 pages (for 12 months) when you’re done.

Step 3: Take the frame apart

Remove the back from your picture frame. Take out the photo, cardboard or paper insert inside.

The size of your calendar pages likely won’t match up with any standard picture frame size (11X14, 8X10, 5X7). So, you’ll need the cardboard or paper insert inside to use as an outline.

That way you can trim your calendar picture to the right size to put in the frame.

Step 4: Trace the outline

Using a pen or marker, trace the outline of the cardboard or paper insert onto your calendar picture. (If you don’t have the cardboard or paper insert, use the glass.)

The whole picture on the calendar page likely won’t fit. So, line it up wherever you think looks good. Part of the picture will get cut off, but don’t worry. However, you trim it will turn out fine.

Step 5: Cut it out

Cut out the outline you traced so your image will fit in the picture frame.

See how I had to cut off part of the top of the original picture for it to fit? I still think it looks good, though.

Step 6: Reassemble

Stick the glass back in the picture frame. Place your newly cutout calendar image on top. And then fasten the back of the picture frame.

(In case you needed me to tell you how to put a picture frame back together.)

What a great way to reuse old calendars. I made one and then I liked it so much, I scavenged in the garage for whatever old picture frames I could find.

Then, I made two more.

I love the vintage style of the National Parks calendar I used. It goes well with the rustic picture frames.

This gray picture frame was missing the glass but you can’t even tell.

When I started, this frame was plain wood. But a quick swipe of gray milk paint and now it looks rustic-chic.

But, How Do I Find Cheap Picture Frames?

Don’t spend big bucks on picture frames for your framed calendar art.

You can easily find picture frames and redo them to fit your style for cheap.

You can even use frames missing the glass. (Because you don’t really need it.)

Look for cheap picture frames at:

Thrift stores
Antique malls
Secondhand stores (Goodwill, DAV)
Garage sales (Sometimes people even give them away)

Then, give your newly-found picture frames an all-new look with a fresh coat of paint.

Download a free printable of the best ways to redo picture frames

How to Decorate with Your New Framed Calendar Prints

The beauty of these framed calendar prints is that they’re inexpensive. They can add a fresh look to your home for a time, but you don’t have to keep them forever. And, you can even switch out the images every year if you have calendar images you like better.

But for now, they can make a cute addition to your home.

Ways to decorate with your framed calendar prints:

Hang several of them on the wall in a line or grouping
Lean them on picture shelves or bookshelves
Add them to a gallery wall

These are way better than a poster, huh?

What ideas do you have to reuse old calendars? I’d love to know. Please share your ideas in the comments.

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