Puzzles as an activity have soared during the pandemic. The problem is, what do you do with them after you finish? You put so much time and effort into putting it together, it seems like a waste to break it apart right after finishing it. Well, we got some ideas for how you can use puzzles in your home decor.
Many quality puzzles can be works of art on their own. Turning jigsaw puzzles into home decor can not only be cost-effective but also add playfulness to your living space.
There are two main ways to keep a puzzle together, with glue or without glue. Both work perfectly fine and it’s more of a personal preference. Just make sure that whatever you use is acid-free because with acid the puzzle will become discolored and fall apart.
How to Do it with Glue
Many people use Mod Podge for a variety of different crafting projects and it can be used here. Though there are specific puzzle glues or just plain glue you can use too.
Just make sure there isn’t any acid in it.
Step 1: Finish the Puzzle
Do not try to glue as you piece the puzzle together. You need to make sure that it’s complete and flat before you do anything. Some people will use a rolling pin to ensure all the pieces are flat.
Step 2: Put the Puzzle on a Safe Surface
Once the puzzle is complete, lay it down flat on wax or parchment paper that way you don’t ruin your furniture. Some people like to have the design facing up, some like it facing it down. This is another personal preference because the glue should dry clear.
Step 3: Glue
Pour glue on top of the puzzle and then use cardboard or a business card to smooth out the glue. Make sure to get it into all the nooks and crannies of the puzzle.
If you would rather use a brush, use a foam brush because other brushes could leave stroke marks, which no one wants.
Once you start gluing, do not stop! You want it to dry at the same time or else it could get lumpy or uneven.
Also, be careful with how much glue you use. You don’t want too little and have things fall apart, but you also don’t want too much because it could flood the puzzle and cause it to swell and peel.
Step 4: Wait
Wait until the puzzle is completely dry before moving it to mount it.
If you find glue to be too messy, you can use tape. Keep in mind tape will add to the thickness of the whole thing, so make sure your frame will still fit.
Step 1: Finish the Puzzle
As with using glue, make sure your puzzle is finished before using any tape.
Step 2: Flip the Puzzle Over
Carefully flip the puzzle over so that the design is face down.
Step 3: Tape
Put tape onto the back of the puzzle, you can use specific puzzle tape or regular packing tape. Just make sure it’s 2 inches wide and that you apply the tape thoroughly for extra security.
Now that your completed puzzle is glued or taped together, it’s time to get it up on the wall. Like any other piece of art, you have a couple of choices on how to display your hard work.
Some people prefer to not put their puzzles into a frame. Luckily there is a way you can display your hard work without a frame.
You’ll need a handful of materials: glue, wax paper, tape, a sharp knife, and a foam board.
Step 1: Prepping
Make sure you have your finished puzzle glued or taped together. Then place it onto a piece of foam board. Using a sharp knife, cut the foam board using the puzzle as a guide to make the perfect-sized backing.
Step 2: Putting Foam Board and Puzzle Together
Once the board is cut, put it to the side and bring your completed puzzle to the center. Put glue all over the back of the puzzle. It’s best to do it in stripes around an inch apart.
Then grab the foam board and carefully place the edges of the foam board with the edges of the puzzle. Then press the board down on the puzzle without losing the alignment.
Leave it to dry for about 24 hours. Feel free to use something heavy like books to keep the board and the puzzle pressed together.
Step 3: Hang It Up
You can use something like removable velcro hangers to hang up your finished work. You can also choose to poke holes into the foam (before the puzzle is on it) that way you can put thin wire through the holes and hang it up that way.
Frames are another great way to display completed puzzles. You can choose to get it professionally framed through a local craft store or do it yourself.
If you choose the craft store route, ask for a “Dry Mounting.” They’ll use a piece of backer board that has a heat-sensitive adhesive that will glue your puzzle to the board.
If you choose to do it yourself, get a piece of foam board or matting, a sharp knife, and some glue.
Step 1: Prepping
Just like before, make sure you have your finished puzzle stuck together with glue or tape. Then place it onto a piece of foam board or mat paper. Using a sharp knife, cut along the puzzle to make the backing.
Step 2: Double-Check
Once the backing of your choice is done, make sure to double-check that the measurements of the puzzle, the board/ paper, and the frame all lineup and fit together.
It’s important to do this because the dimensions of the puzzle on the box may not be the same as in real life. If the measurements are off, even a little, it won’t fit in the frame. Keep in mind that adding a backing will add to the overall thickness of the puzzle.
Regular frames will work if everything is measured correctly, but if you’re worried about the puzzle fitting correctly, look for a shadow box-styled frame instead. Shadow boxes have a deeper depth than the average frame.
Step 3: Putting the Board/ Paper and Puzzle Together
Once the board or paper is cut, put it to the side and bring your completed puzzle to the center. Just like before, put glue all over the back of the puzzle. It’s best to do it in stripes around an inch apart.
Then grab the board/ paper and carefully place the edges of the foam board with the puzzle. Then press the board down on the puzzle without losing the alignment.
Leave it to dry for about 24 hours. Feel free to use something heavy like books to keep the board and the puzzle pressed together.
Step 4: Frame It
Once everything is dried, carefully put the completed puzzle into the frame and hang it. You will want to make sure that wherever you put it, it’s not in direct sunlight because that will cause the puzzle to fade.
There are other ways you can use puzzles in decorating your home. These are fun for kids and adults alike.
Maybe you only like a certain part of the puzzle but it would look weird framed. There are other puzzle home decor options for sections of finished puzzles.
Make some custom magnets for your fridge or any other metal surface in your home. All you need is some puzzle pieces, glue, and small magnets.
All you have to do is flip the puzzle pieces over, add a little bit of glue, and press a magnet down onto the glue. Once dry, you can put them up on the fridge for some playful interactions with others.
Coasters
Make some fun coasters for when guests come over. All you need is the puzzle pieces, a piece of cardboard, an old coaster, or cork, and glue. You take whatever you choose as the base and then glue the pieces on top of it.
Add a bit of varnish to waterproof and heatproof it.
This makes for a fun and functional addition to your home or as a gift.
Do you have an old frame or mirror that needs an upgrade? Use puzzle pieces to give them a new look!
All you need are puzzle pieces, paint (if you want it), and a glue gun. The paint is for if you don’t like what is on the puzzle pieces or want it to be a single color.
Using the glue gun, start piecing together the first layer of puzzle pieces, and then continue to layer the pieces until it looks the way you want.
Here’s a great example of what this DIY decoration can look like from Home, Garden and Homestead’s blog about decorating your home with puzzle pieces.
If you like to draw or paint, you can add individual puzzle pieces to it to add layers and interest to them.
This is also a great craft project idea for kids who may be getting bored of being stuck inside due to the pandemic.
Make a personal gift for loved ones by spelling out their name or initials in puzzle pieces. All you need is some hot glue, a canvas, and time.
You can sketch out how you’d like the name or letter to look and then start gluing pieces. You can stick to your loved one’s favorite color or go all out with colors and textures.
So maybe you have a bunch of random pieces from puzzles you no longer own. Or, maybe you like the colors on individual pieces. Either way, you can grab a canvas of any size, some hot glue, and create a collage out of these pieces. You can alter colors, shapes, designs to create anything you want. Just have fun with it.
If you’re eager to sell puzzles and notice they aren’t selling, don’t be afraid to share these ideas with your customers. Make this product more appealing by pointing out how many ways a puzzle can be used. Not only is it a soothing activity for one or a bonding experience for families, but it also can enhance a home’s design.
Also, make sure that your puzzle designs are perfect and that you don’t make these puzzle design mistakes.
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