Easy DIY Shadow Box from a Picture Frame

Have an old picture frame tucked away? Turn it into a shadow box for your favorite little finds. I used thin plywood and a scrap of beadboard to add depth. The front stays open, so you can easily change the display whenever the mood strikes.

Picture frames are everywhere at thrift stores, and they give your project a finished look right away. Adding depth creates space for memories, not just photos. It’s an inexpensive way to turn everyday items into personal décor that people actually notice.

Choose a Frame for Your DIY Shadow Box

You may not know this, but picture frames are among my top 5 items to look for while junking! Painting a lot of picture frames at once is so satisfying. The frame I’m using for this project is in the upper right corner, with a smaller frame resting inside it.

Helpful Materials and Supplies to Make an Easy Shadow Box

• A thrift store wooden frame
• Thin plywood, reclaimed
• Wood glue
• Clamps or painter’s tape
• Paint

Cut Thin Plywood for the Sides

I grabbed a large frame from my stash of thrifted frames and cut some thin plywood to size. On large frames like this, a lip around offers the perfect ledge to hold the thin plywood. The easy shadow box is already on its way!

It’s difficult to give you exact measurements because your frame will be a different size. When building a wooden box, which is basically what you will be doing, have the top and bottom boards rest inside the side panels.

Unwanted drawers are perfect for collecting wood panels for a project like this Open Concept Shadow Box.

Related content: Using reclaimed wood from drawers.

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Glue the Sides to the Picture Frame

To make the display case, I added Gorilla Wood Glue around all the edges (lip) of the frame. Baby wipes come in real handy for any wood glue mishaps you may have while woodworking.

Related Content: More Shadow Box Ideas

Then, I added the wood glue to the edges where the thin plywood meets.

Clamp the Shadow Box While the Glue Dries

I clamped and braced the boards until the wood glue had time to set up on the easy shadow box. This is a good time to wipe away any messy glue drips.

The boards in the middle of the “box” are placeholders to keep everything squared while the glue sets.

The thin plywood looks much nicer in the frame’s little lip than a thicker piece of wood, such as a 1×4 or 1×6.

Add a Beadboard Back

I used a scrap piece of beadboard for the shadow box back. Of course, I used more Gorilla Wood Glue and weighted the back until the glue was set.

Securing the back makes the entire project stronger.

To give the project a clean finish, I applied painter’s caulk around the seams.

Add Wood Supports for Hanging Hardware

Because the plywood is very thin, I didn’t have enough thickness to attach my favorite D-rings for hanging. I used scrap wood and Gorilla Glue Construction Adhesive to secure two thin pieces of wood to the back of the plywood. The top piece provides a thicker surface for attaching the D-rings. The bottom piece acts as a spacer, helping the shadow box hang evenly against the wall.

In this image, you can see I started painting one of the spacers before I remembered to take the picture.

Finished Shadow Box: DIY Wall Art

What would you put inside yours? A small collection would be right at home here, or you could change it with the seasons. Try arranging your pieces before hanging the box so you can see what fits.

This shadow box has an open front with no glass, so you can easily arrange your favorite finds and swap them out for the seasons.

An old frame adds a decorative edge without having to build one from scratch. Choose a frame you love, then let the items inside make it your own.

I love projects like this because they remind me that creativity doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a frame and a few scraps of wood, you can create a display piece that tells your story. If you try this shadow box, I hope it inspires you to look at old frames in a whole new way.

Now I’m wondering what’s hiding in your frame stash! Would you keep your shadow box the same year-round or switch it out for the seasons? Tell me what you would display in the comments.

For more projects, browse my repurposed picture frame ideas. You might already have what you need.

Rustic Shadow Box

Picture Frame Shadow Box

Related Content: Picture Frame Ideas For Home Decor and More More Shadow Box Ideas

Easy Reclaimed Wood Beachy Frame

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