3 Tips and Tricks for Making Your Own Clever Signs
March 23, 2017How many times have you been tempted by the cute or clever signs and other home decor items that you see lining the shelves of your favorite craft store? However, there’s always that little debate that you could just as easily make these signs at home, so perhaps you end up putting the signs down and walking away.
With that being said, why not give it a try and make something at home? A little paint and sandpaper can transform some old wood into something truly unique and beautiful. So, if you’re looking for some tips and tricks to make your own clever signs at home, here are a few to get you started:
1. Pick the Right Display
Knowing how you want your sign to be displayed is the first step in deciding how you want to go about making it. If you’re making a sign for outside your home, you might want to consider doing a signpost style sign. Not only are these fairly straightforward to make but you can also have fun playing with different styles and even different directions for the sign.
One of the popular styles is the tiered hanging sign. This consists of separate planks which are connected to the one above it. Not only are these easy to make, but you can also make some really interesting designs. One idea is “IN”, “OUT”, and “Gone FISHING”, which is perfect if you’re an avid fisher or really just don’t want to be pestered by the door to door solicitors.
2. Choose Your Materials
Once you’ve figured out what style of sign you want to make, and chosen your favorite phrase or slogan, it’s time to choose your materials. Here you have a choice – you can go out and by some fresh planks from your local hardware store or you can upcycle pieces from somewhere else.
If you want to do a bit of environmental goodness or just save some money, upcycling or repurposing wood can be a great option. Plus, it often already has that rustic farmhouse look! Wooden pallets are a great place to start as they offer some good pieces of wood that are the right shape and size.
With a little sanding, you can have them feeling smooth and looking good. Not only are pallets incredibly cheap, in a lot of cases you can get them for free, but recycling them also gives them a better purpose than just being used for firewood.
3. Add the Finishing Touches
So, you have your sign assembled and you have your clever phrase painted. Now what? Part of the charm that the pre-made signs have is that they have a rustic, almost antiqued look to them. This is part of the reason why people end up buying them.
However, you can get the same effect by taking a light grit sandpaper and gently sanding around the edges. Just be careful not to go too hard otherwise you might make your sign unreadable. The good news is, if that happens, you can just repaint the sign and try again once it dries.
Your finished clever signs can be used in several ways; even as window treatments. They can be hung on the wall, featured in spring centerpieces, or hung outside as one of your spring outdoor decor ideas. If your sign is going to live outdoors, make sure you treat it with a sealant to keep it from growing mildew or any other unpleasantness. Then, all that’s left is to enjoy your new DIY sign!