World Map Wall Art
I am so sorry… I don’t mean to tease, but I guess I did with my last post.Â
I showed you a picture of the chair that has a story to tell…
In the background there was a view of a big map hanging on the wall. Can you see it peeking from behind the chair?Â
It’s screaming, “Show me too”.
I had several of you asking about it, so I wanted to make sure to share all of the details about the map with you.Â
This really was an easy project, but I learned to be happy with the imperfect –
at least for awhile.
I wanted a particular look here and scoured the internet to find it.Â
What look was I going for?
A vintage world map with sepia tones. When I saw this map, there was no question,
this was the ONE!
It wasn’t vintage, but had the look that speaks vintage.
  There are many choices and options in sizes which give great flexibility for any interior. The map I chose was a 73x 48″ paper
(Affiliate link for your convenience)
Supplies Needed:
Map of your choosing
(4) 2×2 boards
Wire nails
Hammer
Eucaboard cut to size of map
Wood Glue
Wood Stain
Adhesive
Here is what we did.
We placed the map on top of the Eucaboard to make sure it was a perfect cut.Â
Do you like the Disney gang?Â
After placing it on the board we realized we would have a little edge showing around the map. That was okay because it gave a nice border and I was going to stain the edges.
Next we cut two 2×2’s to size and nailed them with wire nails vertically to the board.
Then we created a frame by measuring the other 2×2’s to fit snug in between
the vertical 2×2 boards.
Then nailed the boards in place.
After the border was secure we wanted to give more stability so we glued another 2×2 in the center of the Eucaboard.
Don’t you just love our Tagine giving the extra weight needed to adhere the glue properly?
After the frame was constructed, a dark stain was added to the 2×2’s and top border of the Eucaboard.
I really like this dark walnut stain.
Here is where it got a little tricky…Â
A little stressful…
and, well…
this is where the imperfect became a reality.
We placed down the map perfectly, making sure it was straight, and began to glue.
I decided to use Mod Podge because I have used it for several projects and love how it works. It leaves a great finish and gives extra durability. This is a large map and using Mod Podge didn’t work to my advantage here. I had to work quick and couldn’t work fast enough. I ended up with wrinkles and found myself in a huge panic.Â
OH NO! I ruined it!Â
That’s when my husband and I took a step back and figured we can still tackle this. The map will have character and a little 3-D effect. There will be no other map out there like it…
THIS will be one of a kind.
We kept gluing and braying and embraced every wrinkle we created.Â
(This still kills me, my perfectionist self is dying inside).
After it was glued down, wrinkles and all, I used Mod Podge to give it a durable finish. After 3 coats, it was ready to hang on the wall.Â
I do have to say, the wrinkles after using top coats of Mod Podge seemed to fade away. What a relief!
My son loves this huge map hanging in his room. It hangs proudly right next to my grandparent’s chair.Â
Do you have a large wall hanging project? Or one you would like to tackle?
Thanks for stopping by today!
Enjoy!
Angie
Your map is beautiful, Angie. Now, what in the world {ha!} is eucaboard, and where do you find it? I have an iffy relationship with mod podge- I never seem to get anything wrinkle-free when using it. So I try to avoid it as much as possible.
Ha! Ha! Eucaboard is a thin board we found at The Home Depot. I am laughing because I would have never known the name, but the sticker helped me out a little. It is a nice thin board, I wanted something that wouldn’t be too thick and bulky when looking at the frame from the side. I wasn’t sure if it would stain, but it took the stain too. Who knew? I like Mod Podge, I just think this was too big of a piece to avoid those wrinkles. I am happy with the end result though. 🙂
Angie, your map looks wonderful! I also love the chair! Wow, great finds! I’m with Sheila, on the Mod Podge, I try to avoid it because my wrinkles too! You did an awesome! Hope all is well! I’m counting down until Haven!
Thank you Betsy! I was happy I found the map in the colors I was searching for, I thought I would have to tea stain a map. The wrinkles give personality, right? That’s why I embrace all of them… even the ones on my face. Ha! Ha! I just wish mine would minimize like the maps did. 🙂
I am so excited for Haven! It’s going to be a great time – it will be here before we know it!
You’ve created a really beautiful piece of art!
Thank you, Jayne!
Love this map! Very cool.
Thanks, Erin!
I love the frame you made for it and I think the wrinkles give it some character. Perfect combo with the chair!
Wrinkles give us all character, don’t they? Ha! Thanks so much Miss Charming!
Hi Angie!
Love the piece. Looking to do something similar but was wondering, was the map you chose just paper? I want to make sure I’m not getting something too thin that will just get ruined with a wet-type glue. Thanks!
Hi Courtney! The map that I chose was poster quality in weight so it was thicker than paper. I hope this helps! 🙂
Hello! I’m just looking for a beautiful map wall when I found your page with this wonderfull thing♥. Thank you very much for give the link to shop them, now my room will look cool 🙂
Margarita, you are very welcome! That’s why I do the blog, to share what I have learned and found along the way. I would love to hear how your room turns out. 🙂
Hi, I am thinking about doing the same at home. I just wanted to know if at such big size the image quality of the map is good or not. Specifically if the letters have a pixeled effect or something like that. I am asking this because I am from argentina and the shipping is twice the value of the map, so I have to be sure before buying it.
Many thanks. Its a great work you did.
Regards
The quality of the map is great! It is a National Geographic map. In my opinion in doesn’t have any pixeled effect at all. Best of luck – let me know what you decide and if you have any further questions.
I have this same map, same size but laminated, hanging on my living room wall — we used baseboard to make a frame for it. It is so huge, it is impossible to get all of the air bubbles out from underneath it. I had a thought: What about wallpaper glue? It stays wetter longer, so you’d have time to peel up the paper and replace it if necessary. With something this big, I’d treat it like wallpaper and roll it up, wrong side out, then apply from the shortest side out, smoothing as I went. I feel your aggravation of fooling with a map of this size and not having it lay perfectly flat!
Hey Michele, What a great idea! Next time I try something of that size, I think I will try it. We’re talking about getting another one in different colors for my other son’s room. Don’t you just love the map? It really is a statement piece and I just love it. Thanks for the tip and I will give it a try.
Hi Angie,
I love this project! However, when I go to the link to the map shop, the picture of the map on the website looks a lot lighter (less rich and contrasted) then the photos of your project. Is the map on their website the same color as the one you posted? Thanks!!!
Hi Margo, Thanks so much. This is a very good question. I just went to the website, and you are right, the color looks lighter on the site. If you zoom into the map the colors seem more true. I also looked at the map in person and it indeed has more contrast than what you see on the site. I hope this helps. I don’t mind sending you more pic’s if it helps you to make a decision.
What a great idea! I have this exact same map, laminated, and have been trying to come up with an economical solution for hanging it. Question: Does the eucaboard have any odor? I have birds in the sun room adjacent to where I’d like to hang this, and must be extra careful with odors of any kind. Thanks!
Hi Lisa, As far as I can tell, the eucaboard does not have an odor. I don’t remember when I brought it home at first if it had an odor, but if it was something strong or out of the ordinary, I think I would remember. I would purchase a piece and explain your situation to those at Home Depot. I bet they would let you place it in the room and if it didn’t work out, you could possibly return it. Best of luck to you.
Do you remember how much you paid for the Eucaboard? I can’t find it on Home Depot’s website and I’m curious as to how budget friendly it is. Thanks!
Hi Lisa
I love this! I have the same map that is 40 x 30.5 and was desperate to find an inexpensive but nice way to hang. What did you use to hang on the wall. How heavy is the end product?
Thanks
Maureen
Hi Maureen, It is super light – not heavy at all. Very easy to lift. I could do it myself if it wasn’t so big. We used picture hanger hooks without wire and hung it from there. (If you would like pic’s, email me and I will send them to you). I hope this helps.
Nice. I bought this map last week (waiting for it to come in) but the smaller version. I wanted something bigger and couldn’t find it. It’s all good. The map I bought was less than $2.00 and is brand new with free shipping. I know exactly where the big one would go, but in the mean time, I’m trying to figure out what project to do near our door with it. We may do something in our 1/2 bath downstairs so I see it all the time. Ugh! Decisions, decisions! 🙂 Great job!
Yay, Patty! I love this map. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! You’ll have to let me know what you decide to do.
Hi! Would you mind telling me what wall color you used? It compliments the map so perfectly. Thanks!
Hi Erin, the color is Benjamin Moore Silver Lining. You can see the post about it with the Teen Room Reveal here —>https://angandjoey.com/2014/01/boys-teen-bedroom-reveal.html. I hope this helps.
Hi Angie,
How did you glue the map to the board? Did you put the Mod Podge in between the map and the board? Also, how much Mod Podge should I buy?
Hi Denise,
You are right, I did put Mod-Podge in between the map and the board. I also brayed it down as I went. Then I added a few top coats which gave it a very durable surface. This is a large map and, for me, it was difficult Mod-Podging the map to the board. The map would move on me and caused some wrinkles. The wrinkles did fade, but I can still find them. It might have gone better if I hadn’t panicked and rushed. It has been awhile since I did this project, but I believe I purchased a pretty big size. I used a coupon at the craft store and bought the bigger one thinking I would use the leftover for another project. I hope this helps.
Hi Angie I was just wondering what size your map that you used is? thanks!
Hi Hayley,
The map size is 73×48″ paper.