One of the easiest and most effective ways to stamp your own individuality and personality in your home is with some map decor crafts.
Maps look awesome, they are easy to get hold of and by using maps of special places they can personalize and add the wow factor to an otherwise mundane object.
Having traveled a lot and lived in several different countries I have wanderlust. I love travel themed decor. One of the easiest ways to do this is by using map decor crafts.
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What Maps To Craft With & Where To Get Them
I keep maps from all my trips and holidays for crafting. I have a draw full of tourist maps of cities I’ve visited, out of date road maps and even piste maps from previous ski holidays.
Now that most people use satnavs it is easy to pick up old road maps in thrift and junk stores very cheaply. Maps do go out of date as roads get updated.
Another good resource for vintage road maps is older relatives. I often find that they are more than willing to part with their old road maps especially when they know they are going to be repurposed. My dad is always passing on his old maps to me.
If you want a map of a particular continent, country or city, Pictureboxblue is a great site for free printable maps. There are some particularly amazing vintage world maps on the site.
There is also a selection of free maps for crafting on this site you can download.
Cavallini also produces a wonderful collection of map themed gift wrap which is great for decoupaging furniture. They have world maps, maps of countries such as the USA, Great Britain and Canada to name a few.
Cavallini even has gift wrap of vintage maps of the world’s major cities. Such as London, New York and Paris, plus many more.
Map Decor Crafts: Fantastic ideas to Personalize Your Home
There are many ways you can use map decor crafts in your home DIYs. From decoupage with paper maps to sewing with map fabric. Decoupaging old furniture with maps is one of the easiest ways to give it an instant update.
This collection of map crafts includes maps printed onto paper, wood and fabric. One world map pillow is even made out of denim scraps.
How to Make a Map Table an IKEA Hack
Transfer a boring IKEA side table with a world map to make a unique piece of furniture. A great IKEA hack for those with wanderlust.
Map Personalized Placemats
Use city maps from your travels to make unique upcycled personalized placemats for your table. They are also great conversation starters around the diner table as you reminisce about previous vacations.
Turn a Dated Globe Into a Pair of Pendant Lights
A great fun way to repurpose an old globe for another world map themed decor.
The Best Ikea Lamp Hack - Rismon Map Lampshade
Another IKEA hack this time a Rismon lampshade. However, you can use any pendant lamp kit to make this fun but subtle map decor. I have one of these lamps hanging above my bed. I love looking up at the map when I look up. I'm sure I have more dreams about far-flung places because of it.
How To Make A Unique World Map Desk
This tutorial is for the whole desk and not just the gorgeous world map top. It also includes a free printable world map.
How To Make A Personalized DIY Map Cork Board
This map cork board would look fabulous above the map desk. The best thing is you get to choose which maps to use.
How to Make Personalised Map Chairs
How about a map chair to sit on while you are working at your map desk. It's a fun way to upcycle an old wooden school chair with a map of your choice, from city maps, road maps to even a London Underground map.
Upcycled Map Magnetic Board & Pins
This is a fun magnetic pinboard for your home office or a teen bedroom. There is also a tutorial for some quirky travel label magnetic pins to go with it.
How To Design And Print A Vintage Map Pillow
This tutorial shows you how to get any map of your choice printed onto a pillow. These would make a fabulous personalized gift. There are also loads of free vintage maps on this site that you can use for your pillow design.
Brilliant Vintage Map Suitcase Tutorial
A fun way to revamp an old unloved suitcase. As the case looks fabulous I use this map suitcase for storage in my craft room as I don't mind having it on display.
How To Reupholster A Footstool With A Tea Towel
It only took 15 minutes to reupholster this footstool with a map tea towel. Great way to use up a souvenir tea towel from a favorite vacation.
Curbside Bookshelf Makeover
A great curbside upcycle using a map to give an old bookcase a new lease of life.
How To Make A Unique Denim And Vintage Map Lampshade
Another lamp, this time a tutorial on how to make a wonderful lampshade from an old road map.
DIY Map Project: Window to the World
This is such a fun way to display a vintage map in an old window frame.
Map Leaf Wreath For Fall
This gorgeous wreath is made with old road maps and brown paper. It would look fabulous on any front door for autumn.
How To Use Mapbox for An Amazing IKEA kids table hack
Another IKEA map table hack, this time the map is printed onto the top rather than decoupage.
Make IKEA Moppe Map Drawers
This was an upcycle of some unfinished min wooden drawer chest from IKEA called Moppe. However, this tutorial can be used for any mini drawer set any size not just the IKEA Moppe. The methodology is the same.
Luggage Tag Burlap Map Pillows (Hessian Pillows)
These handmade unique pillows are made to look like luggage tags just to add to the travel theme. They would also make a great gift. The tags can be personalized by adding the gift recipient's name and favorite place to the tag.
How To Make A Cool World Map Denim Floor Cushion
This giant floor pillow the map is made from upcycled denim scraps. The red felt hearts mark special places.
How to Make a Stunning Printed Map Picture Frame
Another map printed onto wood. This time pallet wood to create a special photo frame for those vacation snaps.
How To Make Unique Repurposed Wood Map Ornaments
Upcycle scraps of wood with maps of your favorite places for a unique ornament for the mantle. Some people think they look like Christmas trees, to me they look like map mountains.
Fun And Easy IKEA Clock Hack With A World Map
Yet another IKEA hack. This time tattoo paper is used to create a vintage looking world map clock.
Chest of Drawers with 1965 Map as Accents
I love the color of this map upcycled chest they really match the color of the maps.
Tweaking the Entry Hall with DIY Faux Map Wallpaper
This would look great if you used maps of your favorite places.
Washi and decoupage makeover for Bekväm stool
Give an IKEA Bekvam stool a makeover with maps.
Map Art How to Make a Unique Pet Portrait
Create some unique wall art with a personalized portrait of your pet in maps. A great step by step tutorial it's easier than you think.
DIY Tea Towel Dining Chair Upcycle
Re-upholster a dining chair with a map tea towel to create a unique piece of furniture for your home.
Make Repurposed Map Empty Cookie Tins
Upcycle your empty cookie tins leftover from Christmas with old maps. Add leather handles for a more sophisticated travel themed look. These make stylish storage for your home office or craft room
How To Make Map Paper Angel Wings Wall Decor
Another great piece of map wall decor with these giant map feather angel wings.
DIY Map Art With Repurposed Road Maps
Repurpose your old road map into some cool personalized map art.
Upcycled Map Shelf Decor
Add unique touches to your decor by decoupaging old road maps, like with these cool upcycled plant shelves.
Easy DIY Magazine Holders From Old Cereal Boxes That Look Stylish
These are so easy to make, and the old road maps make them look smart.
DIY Butterfly Wall Decoration
Old road maps make a great background when creating all art, like with this faux butterfly specimen art.
So many good map decor crafts to choose from it’s hard to pick a favourite. I know I have some in my home already but I would love them all, especially that chest of draws.
If you want more ideas I have a really good Map Crafts and DIY Pinterest board.
For more fun ideas check out these paper doily crafts.
