As July comes to a close, it’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed – especially when you’re growing a tiny human inside! I’m currently on Week 22 of my pregnancy journey and Baby R is now the size of a coconut, making every moment feel like a countdown. The Arizona heat hasn’t slowed me down, though; in fact, it’s been the perfect excuse to stay indoors and focus on nursery planning.
Our little boy’s room will feature an adventure theme, which I think will be easily adaptable if we welcome a girl into our family in the future. The past few weeks have seen significant progress in our nursery preparations, including a fun DIY project that added a pop of color and didn’t break the bank. Inspired by a pin I stumbled upon, we created a set of chevron arrows that are both easy to make and budget-friendly – all for under $20!
This project not only brought us one step closer to completing our nursery but also allowed me to share my creativity with fellow parents-to-be.
Materials for DIY Chevron Arrows
To create our DIY picture frame, we gathered a range of materials. We started with a basic foundation: 87 inches of 1-inch by 6-inch wood board, which we purchased in a single 14-foot piece from Home Depot for just $6.92. For cutting the wood to size, we used either a hand saw or a circular saw, depending on our personal preference and the complexity of the cut required. To ensure a smooth finish, we also had wood filler and a putty knife at our disposal.
In addition to these primary materials, we prepared for finishing by having 220-grit sandpaper ready to go. If desired, primer can be applied before painting to create an ideal surface. We opted to use three different colors of paint – the specific shades are detailed further down in this post. Since we only needed a small amount of each color, we used sample sizes and consumed less than one-quarter of each container. To apply the paint, we relied on a standard paintbrush.
Finally, we assembled the frame using sawtooth hangers for hanging purposes, six two-inch flat corner braces to provide structural support, and finishing nails driven home with a screwdriver.
Step 1: Cutting the Wood
To create each chevron arrow, we’ll need six wooden pieces that are jointed together. To determine the size and shape of these pieces, we drew a diagram on a box to visualize the cuts. All six arrows require identical 45-degree angled cuts. Once we had a better understanding of the required piece sizes – 13 inches long with 9-inch short sides – we created a rough sketch of how to cut them from a longer board.
Since each arrow requires a similar length, we calculated that our final board will need to be approximately 87 inches long.
Step 2: Assembling the Chevrons
Once the wood was cut to our liking, we moved on to assembly. We employed two 2-inch flat corner braces per arrow and secured them using appropriate fasteners. This ensured each piece remained firmly attached to the wall when hung with sawtooth hangers. Following this step, we flipped the chevron over and applied wood filler to the central crack as well as any imperfections in the wood’s surface. After the filler dried completely, we refined it using 220 grit sandpaper.
While some slight evidence of the joint remained, the seam was significantly reduced.
Step 3: Painting & Priming
Before applying the paint, we took the precautionary step of priming each chevron arrow. This ensured that a single coat would suffice, saving us time and materials in the long run. In fact, had we not primed the arrows initially, we may have required two coats of paint to achieve the desired finish.
To make the color selection process even more efficient, I visited Home Depot and opted for sample sizes of the paints, which offered a much wider range of options than craft paint and yielded an impressive amount of leftover material – over 75% of each container, in fact.
Paint Colors
The palette of paints used for this project features a harmonious blend of whites, blues, and mints. The primary color, Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, was matched in Behr Marquee to achieve the desired shade. For contrast, Behr’s Mirador adds a touch of fresh mint green to the space. Meanwhile, Behr’s Infinite Deep Sea provides a deep navy hue that adds depth and sophistication. All paint colors were applied in an eggshell finish for a smooth, matte appearance.
Step 4: Hanging the Chevron Arrows
With the wood strips now dry, we moved them to their final installation spot. The sawtooth hangers made it easy to secure the pieces by simply adding a small finishing nail to the wall for support. To achieve the desired spacing and centering of the DIY chevron arrows, we measured meticulously, placing each strip about 4 inches apart and hanging them one at a time in a sequential order. The process was surprisingly straightforward and stress-free.
Pin it for later…
With the wood strips now dry, we moved them to their final installation spot. The sawtooth hangers made it easy to secure the pieces by simply adding a small finishing nail to the wall for support. To achieve the desired spacing and centering of the DIY chevron arrows, we measured meticulously, placing each strip about 4 inches apart and hanging them one at a time in a sequential order. The process was surprisingly straightforward and stress-free.
Not just for the nursery…
These DIY chevron arrows can be used to create a beautiful piece of decor that’s not limited to nurseries. In fact, they’d look great in many other spaces too! For instance, you could use them to add some visual interest to a living room or bedroom by creating a gradient effect with different colors. Alternatively, you could incorporate smaller versions of these arrows into a wall collage and pair them with signs, picture frames, or other knick-knacks.
This would make for a unique and eye-catching feature in any room. You could also use them to point the way in an office, restaurant, or other business setting – just think about how handy it would be to have arrows pointing to the bathroom or another important location! The possibilities are endless! So don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box. If you have any questions or need some inspiration, just leave a comment below.