Why not fuel your interest in Pinterest and add to its world of hip images with your own Instagram snaps? Better yet, you can create real-world artwork from your own digital images.
You may already use Instagram to snap, filter and share photos, but did you know it’s also a great tool to create personalized apartment decor?
Instagram saves your pics to your smartphone’s camera roll, so it’s easy to download the images for a do-it-yourself art project.
For instant personalized decorating, turn to your Instagram efforts for inspiration (and check out what others are sharing on Pinterest!)
Here are some cool ways to capture the right images and clever methods to frame your memories.
When you set up your own special photo shoot, you can digitally capture the apartment decor you desire. Pick an afternoon to roam around your favorite local spots and let your city inspire your decorating project. Plan a photo session to capture subjects that fit into a personal theme of your choice. Find your favorite things, such as dogs, flowers, bicycles, historical sites, coffee, craft beer or whatever you fancy. If you don’t capture it all the first time around, book some more time. The more images you have to choose from, the better your decorating project.
More design inspiration from the AG Blog:
Heavy-duty Instagrammers may already have an arsenal of awesome photos on their roll. Now your challenge is to categorize images that suit your personal decorating style. Pull together groups of snaps from a specific occasion or trip. Create broad categories like “best friends,” funny family photos or cool close-ups.
Once you’ve made your selections, it’s time to get crazy with Instagram’s awesome filters. These will make your photo display look like it was shot by a pro. There are a lot of filters to choose from, and new ones are being added every day. Play around and see which filter styles you like most. 1970s Polaroid? Solar flare? Sunset lighting? And you don’t have to pick just one: your art projects can each sport a different style.
You can also look for inspiration from other Instagram artists on lifestyle sharing sites like Pinterest.
So far, go good. You’ve got your most gorgeous images arranged into artful themes. Now, how do you print them? You can go DIY and pick up some fancy paper from the office supply store and print at home or get them professionally printed by uploading your images to an online printing company.
Persnickety Prints does a great job with small prints that are perfect for framing or hanging with clothespins from a line. Printstagram gives you even more options like organizing a whole raft of images to create a poster. CanvasPop is another neat print vendor that will print your images on an actual canvas. It’s like having a personal art gallery in your own home.
When you go this route, why not host an art opening to show off your decorating project to your pals?
Once you are out of wall space, spread your Instragram art around on other surfaces via these nifty coasters. Coastermatic prints your photos on round stone coasters, while Coastergram whips up a square version with cork backing. Heck, you don’t have to limit your personalized decor to your own apartment; you can give these as gifts and share your Instagram images with your friends face-to-face.
Photo credit: Shutterstock / nito