You won’t believe this: I started this crazy simple, easy, inexpensive DIY football decor project about five years ago! The funniest part? The longest step in this project is waiting for the paint to dry.
The downside of waiting five years? A 6th grader finds this much cooler for their bedroom than a 10th grader does!
Where Can I Put This Football DIY?
This project isn’t just for a bedroom—it can fit anywhere you’d like to add a football theme. Think man cave, garage, workshop, game room, or even a space for football viewing parties! You could replace an existing piece of art with this DIY or lean it on a backsplash where you’re serving food. It also works great as graduation party decor!
DIY Football Decor Supplies
Of course, no DIY project is complete without a bit of thrifting for supplies! I held onto two canvases I’d already painted black—even through a move. Finishing this project last night took only two minutes, and writing this tutorial today reminds me how frustrated I am with myself for not completing it years ago.
Canvas
I’m not really sure why I chose canvas as the base for my football DIY. Because this week I also thrifted two more canvases so that I could take step by step photos. While hunting for two inexpensive, smooth surfaced canvases the same size, I realized that there were a lot more options at the thrift stores!
So, if you do choose a canvas, consider the size, texture, and price. Out of 5 thrift stores, all of them had their smaller canvases priced around $3.50 each. You could do one giant piece of football art, 2 or 3 or 6 smaller pieces. It really just depends on how you envision hanging them. But, the biggest thing to remember when picking a canvas is the texture. Some have 3 dimensions to them. Some will actually have paint on them. For this project you want to make sure you pick something that is smooth.
Other Base Options
While recently searching I realized that there are a ton of hard surface pieces you could repurpose. Think about all of the box signs. The signs made with little pieces of wood for a farmhouse sign. Even a common frame with a piece of glass in it. All of these would work fine for a project like this.
The process would be the same except, barn wood signs will be harder to write on because of the seams and texture. However, it would still be possible to do. The glass frames would require a solid color background AND when you make your x’s and o’s they would easily rub off if touched.
But, that could also be a good thing because you could change things up as your decor changed. You can easily erase errors until you get everything right. You could even let your kid draw up the “play.”
Spray Paint
I like using spray paint because it’s so quick and doesn’t require locating and washing a brush or roller! It’s also something I seem to always have on hand!
If you have a can of black paint and want to bust out the roller, then save yourself the cost of paint and use what you have on hand.
I needed to paint the canvases I just picked up and it’s in the teens right now in Iowa. So, I got the spray paint shook up. I put a huge trash bag over my arm. Then, I grabbed the canvas from the support beam on the back of the canvas. I walked outside and spray painted the edges first(don’t forget the edges!) and then the top. I walked back into the house and set the canvas on a box to dry in my bedroom. Grabbed the other canvas and repeated the process. I turned the ceiling fan on and the bathroom fan that it is close to and a shut the door!
Sometimes the canvas will need a second coat of paint, but you can’t really tell until the piece has dried. I will check later today and repeat the process if necessary.
Chalk Pen
I always have a few chalk markers on hand for projects. I had a really fat one, and a more normal size.
I opted to use the normal sized one and just go over my markings a few times to make them wider and more visible.
You could even paint your background white and use a black sharpie!!
Remember chalk pens will erase if you use them on a slick surface like glass or metal!
How Do I Make Football Decor
What you do next really depends on your artistic ability and confidence level. Remember, if it looks terrible, you can always repaint it black and start over!
I am pretty artistic and pretty confident, but I still like to start with a sketch. So, I started with a pencil and Google.
On Google I searched “football x’s and o’s artwork.” You can search anything close to that. I have a general idea of football, but I would still rather look at someone’s playbook and copy it versus come up with my own play! So with some schemes pulled up I take my pencil and lightly sketch out what I see.
I may then look at my sketch and think this O is way to high or this X needs to be to the right about.
I get my chalk marker ready by first shaking and then, pressing down the tip until paint starts flowing out. I just pressed the tip down on the back side of one of my canvas frames.
Then I started going over my pencil sketches remembering if I needed to slightly reposition something. Once I was confident in the shape and placement of my X’s and O’s. I went over them a second or 3rd time to make them a little thicker.
If there is visible pencil markings, you can gently take an eraser to it. Make sure the chalk is dry and I still would be cautious not to erase over the chalk, just go beside it.
And that’s it! We are done and the pieces are ready to hang!
Watch Me On YouTube
Hello Iowa
I shared this project with Megan Reuther on Hello Iowa! Watch it HERE! Megan completed one during our segment! Proof that it’s a quick and easy DIY project!
Don’t Forget!
One thing I would try to remember as you are doing your art is the hanging part. If your canvas or backdrop has a sawtooth hanger on it, then make sure when you are doing your sketches that your “play” is facing where you want it to.
If you mess up like I did, it’s not that big of deal! You have a couple remedies. One, canvases have a frame. Simply hang the canvas from the frame instead of from the sawtooth hanger. This just impacts your nail placement on the wall. Another remedy is to pry off the sawtooth hanger and move it to the desired position.
Conclusion
There you have it! A simple DIY football decor that you can use in a football themed bedroom, man cave, garage, workshop, game room, or even just as party decor!!
Looking for a fun way to display your Valentines? Try THIS!
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