Keep the Best Memories With These 15 Shadow Box Ideas (2024)

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Whether you’re displaying a couple of special photographs, a meaningful piece of artwork, or keepsakes from a significant memory, a shadow box can be a creative and beautiful solution. Oftentimes you can repurpose old picture frames into shadow boxes and even exchange their contents with the season or holiday. Or, try constructing your own frame from scrap wood and a bit of hardware, then decorate to your tastes. No matter the size and shape of the shadow box, it remains an excellent way to display your treasured belongings. Skim the list below for ideas on how to get started creating your own personal, unique shadow box artwork.

• 01 of 15

  Succulent Shadow Box

  

  Why not combine your wall art with your house plants for a trendy, fresh, take on the shadow box? Gather a variety of succulents for this project—more diverse leaf shapes and colors add depth and visual interest. Because succulents require such little maintenance, you can even create this craft with live plants, just hang on a sunny wall and spritz with water every now and then.

  Succulent Shadow Box from Pretty Providence

• 02 of 15

  Color Block Heart Shadow Box

  

  For those painterly types, coat a simple balsa wood decoration with a few selected hues, and pop into a deep frame for a lovely piece of DIYed art. This craft is perfect for kids: it’s simple to put together, is doable in an afternoon, and the shadow box displays your little one’s painting beautifully.

  Color Block Heart Shadow Box from Crafts by Courtney

• 03 of 15

  Ampersand Shadow Box

  

  Commemorate a significant union with a stylish, knitted and framed ampersand. Fully customize this piece’s colors to match a couple's color story for a unique, homemade wedding shower or housewarming gift.

  Ampersand Shadow Box from Julie Measures

• 04 of 15

  Rainbow Thread Shadow Box

  

  If you have a sewing room, art studio, or playroom to decorate, consider a trio of shadow boxes filled with rainbow-hued media. Be sure to hot glue everything down to a sturdy cardboard background to ensure a lasting project.

  Rainbow Thread Shadow Box from Craftily My Love

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• 05 of 15

  Floral Shadow Box

  

  Add a little life to your shelves with a set of floral-filled shadow boxes. Faux blooms work best here, so hit the craft store to select your favorite silk flowers—no regular watering or pruning required.

  Floral Shadow Box from A Beautiful Mess

• 06 of 15

  Summer Shadow Box

  

  Removable vinyl decals make quick work of this project, although you can easily stencil on your own lettering too. Add another layer of interest by inserting a tchotchke or two between the shadow box’s colorful background and the lettered glass.

  Summer Shadow Box from Casa Moncada

• 07 of 15

  Rosette Shadow Box

  

  This cute shadow box allows you to easily introduce a few pretty colors into a space. Try folding your own paper flowers (a great use for those small scraps of card stock you weren’t sure what to do with) instead of purchasing them for a totally homemade craft.

  Rosette Shadow Box from Crafts Unleashed

• 08 of 15

  Initial Shadow Box

  

  Perfect for an entryway or covered front porch, this bold initial artwork welcomes guests to your home. Consider making them for friends as personalized moving presents, too, and tailor the embellishments and color schemes to coordinate with each family's home.

  Initial Shadow Box from Ideas for the Home by Kenarry

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• 09 of 15

  Map Shadow Box

  

  Cut away a section of a vintage map (bonus points for sourcing a map of a meaningful location), and combine with a favorite quote and a few small souvenirs to commemorate a special vacation or road trip. Not sure where to find a paper map these days? Pick up an atlas from your local thrift store or pop by a gas station for a freebie while you’re on the road.

  Map Shadow Box from Making Manzanita

• 10 of 15

  Ocean Shadow Box

  

  There’s nothing like being transported to the beach through your house’s decor, so bring a bit of the sand and sea home by incorporating it into a tactile piece of artwork. In fact, collect sand, shells, and photos from each and every vacation to create an entire wall of personal seascape shadow box displays.

  Ocean Shadow Box from Southern Couture

• 11 of 15

  Collage Shadow Box

  

  Gather a few special bits of paper (think: movie tickets, greeting cards, or photo strips) into one neatly arranged collage, then place into a painted wooden shadow box. Add a patterned background (scrapbook paper works well) for an eye-catching wall display.

  Collage Shadow Box from A Beautiful Mess

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  Paper Flower Shadow Box

  

  Fold a dense garden of paper roses to display in a rustic shadow box for a lovely piece of homemade art. A set of monochromatic roses creates the perfect base for a pretty quote scrawled across the top glass. Not sure what to quote to select? Pop open a favorite novel and flip to a memorable passage for a meaningful, non-cliche line.

  Paper Flower Shadow Box from Creative Ramblings

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• 13 of 15

  Nursery Shadow Box

  

  While your newborn’s photo looks plenty cute framed and hung on a wall on its own, try assembling a shadow box with a couple of pictures, a name banner, a set of baby footprints, and a hospital bracelet for a physical remembrance of a very special birthday.

  Nursery Shadow Box from Mama Say What

• 14 of 15

  Light-Up Holiday Shadow Box

  

  Add a little polish to your seasonal decorations with this LED-powered display. Start with a holiday photo, string lights carefully around the frame, and finally fill with fluffy white snow. Can’t find faux snow at your local craft store? Try sub-textured salt instead; it’ll give a similar effect at a fraction of the cost and effort.

  Light-Up Holiday Shadow Box from The Latina Next Door

• 15 of 15

  Memory Shadow Box

  

  It can be tricky to preserve and cherish three-dimensional items: a scrapbook can’t contain them neatly and a shoebox tucks them away out of sight. Cue the shadow box! Fill it with outgrown toys, trinkets, and photos, and display it in a place of honor (like your fireplace mantel).

  Memory Shadow Box from Emily Henderson