Magnetic Refrigerator Art Frames - Positively Splendid {Crafts, Sewing, Recipes and Home Decor} (2024)

March 6, 2012 By Amy @ Positively Splendid

Do you ever find yourself bitten by the organizing bug? Now that things are cruising along beautifully with my new hallway “mudroom” command center, I am finding myself wanting to reclaim more and more of our home from the clutter.
With the magnetic board I created for my hallway project, I no longer have to count on my refrigerator to house the forms and notes that come home from school. So, the fridge can now be 100% devoted to showcasing the handiwork of my little Picassos. Let’s face it, though: even the most beloved works of art have a way of making a refrigerator looks a bit, ahem, unsightly.
Case in point:

That’s a before picture of my refrigerator, taken yesterday afternoon.
And this is it today!

What a difference a day and a DIY project can make!
Instead of hanging each child’s art with the typical magnets, I swapped those out for some brightly colored magnetic frames. Now I can choose one special piece from each of them to display at a time, tidily tucking away the other items in my box of keepsakes.
This really is the simplest of projects! Let me show you how I did it.
For each frame, you will need…Lightweight document-sized* frame (I found mine at Walmart for $3)Spray primer and paint2 heavy-duty magnetsHeavy-duty adhesive (I used E6000)
*Be sure to look for a document-sized frame and not an 8×10, as the document frame will accommodate a standard 8.5×11″ sheet of paper without trimming.
To begin, remove the glass from your frame, and dispose of it carefully or set it aside for later use. Now, spray your frame with a coat of primer and allow it to dry before evenly applying 2-3 coats of spray paint to your frame. Allow your frame to dry completely.
Use your adhesive to adhere the magnets to the middle of each of the short edges on on the back of your frame. Allow your glue to dry completely (overnight is best).

Important: Make sure to leave the back portion of your frame (the little “door” that opens and closes to hold your document in place) intact, as this will prevent the artwork from slipping out of the frame once it is mounted on the refrigerator.

Now, slip your child’s latest handiwork into the frame and mount it on the fridge to display proudly!

I love how polished this looks now! And the way the magnets are mounted will make it possible to display landscape-oriented pieces of work in these frames, too.

This project is 100% leprechaun approved. 😉

It feels so good to be able to see the front of my refrigerator again! Of course, now that I can actually see the stainless steel, I’ll have to be more diligent about keeping those pint-sized fingerprints at bay. Nuts. 😉
Did you enjoy this post? I would love for you to add it to Pinterest! Do so easily by clicking on the link below.
Pin ItLooking for more creative ideas for displaying your children’s artwork? Be sure to check out my Cable Art Display tutorial!
Thanks for stopping in!

Magnetic Refrigerator Art Frames - Positively Splendid {Crafts, Sewing, Recipes and Home Decor} (9)

Linking this to…Oopsey DaisyCreations by KaraEvery Creative EndeavorLil LunaLolly JaneTatertots and JelloSerenity Now

Amy @ Positively Splendid

Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

{northern cottage} says
March 6, 2012 at 8:36 pm

what a wonderful idea! to still have STUFF on the fridge & yet have it seem organized still – great plan! xo
http://www.NorthernCottage.net
Crystal says
March 6, 2012 at 8:37 pm

Oh my goodness, I totally love this!!! Thanks for sharing!
Jessica Kielman says
March 6, 2012 at 8:52 pm

You always amaze me! I love this project, because I hate the clutter and things just hanging randomly on the fridge! Can’t wait to make my own!
Jessica @ Mom 4 Real
Susan Westberg says
March 6, 2012 at 9:26 pm

Where did you get the heavy duty magnets like that?
Amy @ Positively Splendid says
March 6, 2012 at 9:28 pm

@Susan, I purchased my magnets at Lowe’s, in the aisle with the other fasteners (screws, nails, etc.). Thanks for stopping in!
Jess says
March 6, 2012 at 9:32 pm

What a fantastic idea!!! Looks awesome! And was more appealing to look at instead of just a ton of paper stuck all over it with no rhyme or reason {like ours haha}
x0 Jess
{www.CraftyNonsenseNoted.com}
Delle says
March 6, 2012 at 9:41 pm

Fantastic idea – I’ll be copying really soon!!! And I pinned you!
Angie@Echoes of Laughter says
March 6, 2012 at 9:44 pm

I love it Amy! It looks terrific! Great project! Angie xo
Kristi says
March 6, 2012 at 9:45 pm

I love this. It looks so nice and neat. I should try it so that I am forced to pare down what I all keep on my fridge.
Emmy says
March 7, 2012 at 12:40 am

So so cute!! Totally love this! Great idea
Ashley W. says
March 7, 2012 at 12:49 am

I’ve made magnet frames using sheets of magnet paper that I mod podged scrapbook paper to, but this takes it to a whole new level. I love it!
Alison @ Oopsey Daisy says
March 7, 2012 at 5:11 am

This is SUCH a smart idea, Amy! XO
Lolly Jane says
March 7, 2012 at 5:39 am

So cute! What a difference!
nest of posies says
March 7, 2012 at 3:34 pm

you are so smart!
everything is so streamlined & beautiful.
clever clever girl!
xo
kellie
Jill ~ Jillify It says
March 7, 2012 at 3:48 pm

Oh my stinkin’ goodness!!! I LOVE it… Frames for the fridge… GENIUS! I would love for you to link up at my party going on now at Jillify It!
Jill
http://www.jillifyit.com
Jennifer @ The Brilliant Crafty Type says
March 7, 2012 at 5:49 pm

Love this idea. The fridge is always a little chaotic looking {inside and out!}.
ginger @ literally inspired says
March 8, 2012 at 4:01 pm

This is fantastic Amy!! I have pinned and shared. I may even tackle this project over the weekend!
Mandy says
March 8, 2012 at 5:42 pm

Great idea Amy! What a difference!
Kellie says
March 8, 2012 at 6:06 pm

Terrific Idea~ 🙂
Sally from Frills and Fun says
March 10, 2012 at 2:02 am

Love, love, llloooovvvvvve…!!!
What a smart idea 🙂
Gwen @ The Bold Abode says
March 10, 2012 at 2:15 am

Beautiful. Amen.
Tricia says
March 10, 2012 at 3:37 am

These are lovely! Makes each piece of artwork look like a masterpiece!
makingitfeellikehome.blogspot.com
Vanessa @ See Vanessa Craft says
March 10, 2012 at 4:19 am

I love this idea! I would love for you to link up to Do Something Crafty Friday: http://seevanessacraft.com/2012/03/do-something-crafty-30/
Annette says
March 21, 2012 at 12:30 pm

Will this stick to a stainless steel fridge? I can never get any magnets to stay put!
Annette says
March 21, 2012 at 12:30 pm

Will this stick to a stainless steel fridge? I can never get any magnets to stay put!
Annette says
March 21, 2012 at 12:31 pm

Will this stick to a stainless steel fridge? I can never get any magnets to stay put!
Helen Graham says
September 14, 2012 at 10:15 pm

Hi Amy, thank you so much for this post! I just wanted to let you know that I’ve featured this in my top 10 list of projects with frames. Hope you can stop by 😉
Tara says
December 3, 2012 at 11:09 am

Brilliant!! I wish I could do this. We just got a new Fridge and Freezer and we can’t use magnets. 🙁 But you inspired me to make an art wall! Thank you. I will be pinning and sharing this fun idea!
Tara
TrendyTreehouse
thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com
- Amy @ Positively Splendid says
  December 3, 2012 at 11:17 am
  
  Thanks so much, Tara!
Darcie says
January 8, 2014 at 4:04 pm

I saw your post a long time ago, and remembered it. I tried this at home, but I guess my magnets weren’t powerful enough or my frames were too heavy, so I’m going to have to change it up a bit. Just googled to find you again, because that vision of your organized fridge was still stuck in my head. Can’t wait to make mine work!
- Amy @ Positively Splendid says
  February 6, 2014 at 1:31 pm
  
  Hi, Darcie! The only magnets I could find that were strong enough were the very heavy-duty bar magnets at Lowe’s. I hope this helps!