10 DIY collage craft ideas to get inspired and start creating

Word collage derivative of the French verb to stick on, Where to stick on. The term unique is powerful, encompassing an incredible range of crafts, DIY projects, and even art. By destroying, recycling and recombining, old materials are renewed; what you might call a beautiful metaphor for life is also an enduring hobby.

With a stack of old National Geographic magazines, used coloring books, or old wrapping paper, you can make art to cover the surfaces of your daily life. From notebook covers to inspirational boards, collages are an opportunity to unleash your creativity.

Want to try making your own collage? It’s easy to get started. Grab your materials and scroll down for some creative inspiration.

Read on to discover new DIY collage inspiration.

Be creative with your materials

Collages are extraordinary by their limitless nature. You can find materials in your own home to start crafting immediately. Thrift stores, Etsy, and old magazines discarded by your local library all offer rich resources.

The simplest gluing material is paper. Try using magazines, newspapers, book pages, found photos, and even old recycled coloring book sheets to create your own new pieces. Stickers, old book covers, and advertisements can add spice. Feel free to add three-dimensional touches, such as ribbons, beads or even pieces of mirror board.

Be messy and experimental

Collage can take several styles. Are you going to cut geometric shapes with scissors or tear up your materials by hand for a more daring vibe? Don’t be afraid of being messy or experimental. The beauty of a collage lies in the freedom.

The type of paste used to secure the materials will vary, but classic Elmer glue sticks and Tacky glue are great places to start. Modpodge or a diluted glue mix can also be used to coat a finished collage, as can sheets of laminate or carefully placed packing tape. Glitter glue can add extra sparkle, while the pressed florals add a touch of Victorian elegance.

Ideas for making creative juices flow

For kids

ROYGBIV is an essential part of any elementary education. Keep your kids entertained with a fun rainbow collage. Find pieces of fabric, paper and cotton balls in the appropriate colors and let their imaginations work. In the end, it might not be a perfect rainbow, but it could just be a budding abstract artist at work.

Inspirational paintings

Mood boards and inspiration boards are probably the most popular collage creations. Whether or not you believe in the power of visualization, the satisfaction of putting dreams down on paper cannot be denied. These collage boards can revolve around hopes, travels, or just what makes you happy in your life today. They can also serve as more than just fuel for positivity. Try attaching a notepad or even dry-erase tape so you can write yourself notes every day.

A palette of “pointilism”

A fascinating and modern approach to collage can be found in the work of artist Madeline Rector. A talented mosaic and collage artist, Rector’s “pointillism” approach creates stunning portraits and copies of masterpieces in art history. Check out her Instagram for videos that will make you ditch the images and focus on a solid color palette of papers.

Bonding walls

Collage walls may look like dorm room decor, but this affordable interior design has gotten very chic. The tips for making a collage of artwork and magazine images feel great in coordinating colors, keeping images, and neatness in the arrangement you choose. Check out these Apartment Therapy guidelines that will guide you through transforming your home space.

Portraits on tissue paper

Tissue paper offers translucent jewelry tones that can enhance any collage. These cute photo collage and tissue paper portraits of Alice and Lois make lovely gifts or keepsakes, especially if framed. Follow their simple instructions to create your own colorful keepsakes.

Lunatic Creatures Glued

These glued three dimensional creatures are too cute not to make them yourself. Kids will love creating their favorite beasts with these Mini Mad Things glued dinosaur instructions. (The website also offers pre-made craft kits in case you run out of materials.)

Recycle old books

Pages from old books are great for recycling, especially if you have something to do with the text. Instagram user Becki Silver is repurposing pages from the past to make cute gifts for today. His projects are just a few of the many uses for old books. Try a card stock greeting card with pasted pages of your romance as a special keepsake for your loved one.

Possibility of paint chips

The paint chip section of a hardware store is usually an exciting place for DIY enthusiasts. The uses for these free little tips are endless. For collages, you can try using shades of one color to create geometric patterns of fruit. With a little bit of cutting, gluing and riddling, you have the perfect framing kitchen decor.

Gradient portraits

Since collages are a flexible medium, you can create your own materials rather than tearing the pages of magazines. Taking a sheet of watercolor paper, paint the entire sheet with a gradient of one color using acrylic paints or watercolors. Once you’ve painted your gradient (and allowed it to dry), tear it into small pieces. You will end up with a variety of shades and oddly shaped pieces. Now challenge yourself to use these pieces to create a monochrome portrait. Tip: It is helpful to use a photograph to create a pencil outline of facial features and use it for your collage.

Found Surrealism Photography

Collage has left the physical world to become a digital art form. On eBay and Etsy, you will find many vintage “found” photographs. You can also find old photographs that are in the public domain online. With paste and glue, or Photoshop, mix and match people, animals, and vintage products to create surreal works of art.

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