The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Maps can do far more at home than fill a frame. You can turn them into a coordinated gallery, a pinboard for future trips, layered artwork, a room plan, or a highly personal record of places that matter to you. The best project depends on the map’s scale, readability, age, materials and the job you want it to perform.
These nine approaches cover reversible decorating, hands-on art, planning and dimensional accents. Start by choosing a map deliberately, then match its paper, detail and point of view to the project instead of treating every map as interchangeable craft material.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesChoose the right map before you choose the project
A map carries information as well as color and line. The Library of Congress recommends considering the place, theme and time period represented, along with lettering, color, legend, language, cartographer or publisher perspective, data selection, projection and scale. Its guidance explains that every projection preserves some geographic properties at the expense of others: a commonly used Mercator projection, for example, makes Greenland appear very large. Read the map as an interpretation, not a perfectly neutral picture. See the Library of Congress map-selection guide.
Decide what you need the map to do:
- Decoration: A broad world map or a map with striking color blocks can work as a visual statement even when small labels are unreadable.
- Reference or planning: A detailed local or regional map needs a scale and lettering you can actually read from the distance where it will hang.
- Personal meaning: Select a hometown, a first-trip destination, a family migration route or another place with a story.
- Historical atmosphere: Check both the date depicted and the date the map was produced. A map showing an earlier period may have been printed much later.
- Craft material: Look for paper that can be cut, layered or marked without losing the lines you want to keep.
Use the map’s geographic scale to guide the format. A street-level sheet is useful for a pinboard or a floor-plan exercise; a continent or world map is better for a broad pattern, gallery grouping or abstract collage. If the map’s language, omissions or historical viewpoint matter to you, let that influence placement and labeling rather than cropping away context.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
- ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
- INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
- FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
- TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.
| Project | Main purpose | Typical materials | Commitment | Best map scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallery wall | Decoration and storytelling | Frames, hanging hardware | Reversible | Several regions or eras |
| Repeated pattern | Graphic accent | Repeated prints or map-patterned paper | Reversible if framed; more permanent if adhered | Any map with strong lines |
| Pinned planner | Trip and local planning | Large map, cork backing, pins | Changeable | City, region or route map |
| Canvas wrap | Lightweight display | Map print, artist canvas | Moderate; depends on attachment | Large-area map |
| Mixed-media collage | Hands-on art | Map paper, drawing tools, tape and found materials | Permanent artwork | Any; fragments can be combined |
| Treasure map | Personalization and play | Paper, black ink, staining materials | Permanent artwork | Neighborhood or imagined world |
| Fragment collage | Abstract or reconstructed map art | Cut map sections, adhesive, backing | Permanent artwork | Multiple scales can coexist |
| Room or house plan | Space planning | Graph paper, pencil, ruler | Easy to revise | One room or building |
| Furniture or shadow-box accent | Dimensional décor | Map fragments, flat surface or shadow box | Potentially permanent | Details that reward close viewing |
1. Build a map gallery wall with one unifying rule
Dedicate a wall or a defined area to maps, then make the collection feel intentional by repeating one element. Houzz’s map-decorating ideas suggest grouping pieces by a shared color, region or theme and carrying that element through the arrangement. You might combine a transit diagram, a coastline chart and a historic street plan if all use blue-green tones, or keep every frame the same while letting the places vary. Read the original styling examples at Houzz UK.
Lay the frames on the floor before drilling. Balance large and small pieces, keep enough spacing for each legend and title to remain legible, and decide whether the wall is telling a geographic story (one journey or region) or a visual story (color and shape). A meaningful map can be the focal point; less personal maps can provide rhythm around it.
2. Repeat one map image as a wallpaper-like pattern
A single map design repeated across several panels, prints or pieces of map-patterned paper can create the effect of wallpaper without requiring one oversized sheet. Houzz describes repeating a map image, including map-patterned wrapping paper, to obtain a repeated-pattern look. The repetition works best when the map has a clear motif—coastlines, contour lines, route symbols or a limited palette—rather than dense labels that become visual noise.
Treat this as a styling concept, not as tested wallpaper installation advice. If you adhere paper to a wall, first verify that the paper, wall surface, adhesive and removal method are compatible; the cited styling source does not establish a universal paste, finish or damage-free technique. Framing repeated panels is the most reversible version.
Rank #2
- Great Value Pack Artist Paint Brushes: Soucolor 20 brushes in 10 sizes professional paintbrushes set — no shedding, holds paint well, cleans easily, Acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache, Halloween pumpkin decoration & face painting, rock painting, ceramics. Fantastic high quality gifts for creative, artistic siblings to share!
- Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
- Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
- Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
- Halloween Pumpkin Ceramic Crafts Supplies: A Great painting gift for family, friends, kids, girls, women, student, classmate, teacher. For using in school, travel or used in the home and office.
3. Turn a local map into a pinboard planner
Make a large local or regional map interactive by mounting it over cork and adding pins. Use one pin color for places you have visited, another for places you want to explore and a third for practical markers such as relatives, museums or trailheads. Houzz presents this combination of cork backing and pins as a way to mark favorite destinations or future visits.
Choose a map whose labels remain readable at arm’s length. Protect crowded areas from becoming a thicket of pins by adding a small key beside the map, and leave room for new markers. If the map is valuable or fragile, place a clear protective layer over it only after confirming that the layer will not create glare or interfere with pin placement; a removable copy may be safer than altering an original.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
4. Wrap a map print around an artist canvas
A map print wrapped around an artist canvas gives you a large display with less visual bulk than a conventional frame. Houzz describes the approach as a lightweight alternative for oversized map art. Select the canvas first, then order or trim the print: you need enough extra paper on every edge to fold around the stretcher bars and secure on the back.
Measure the visible face and the wrap allowance separately. Keep important labels, a compass rose or a coastline away from the fold line, and test the paper’s opacity against the canvas before committing. The attachment method determines whether the result can later be removed, so follow the material manufacturer’s directions rather than assuming every paper or adhesive behaves alike.
Rank #3
- 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
- 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
- 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
- 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
- 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.
5. Make layered mixed-media art from a map
Use the map as found paper instead of treating it as a finished picture. In LACMA’s “Make Art @ Home—Lines and Layers” activity, Alicia Vogl Saenz encourages layering a map with drawings, shapes, colored tape and other materials, while looking around the house for supplies already available. The activity’s exact spirit is captured in her instruction: “No need to buy anything!” Read the activity at LACMA.
Begin with a backing sheet and place the map so a route, border or cluster of place names remains visible. Add opaque and transparent layers in stages, pausing to check whether the original geography still anchors the composition. Draw directly over low-value copies, or preserve an original by scanning it and printing working sheets. Household paper, scraps of colored tape and existing pens can supply contrast without forcing the result into a literal landscape.
6. Draw a neighborhood or imaginary treasure map
Create a map that records a personal world rather than reproducing an official one. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art suggests making a neighborhood treasure map with black ink and stained paper, and also invites an imagined-world map. Its “Mapping Makeover” activity can guide the exercise.
For a real neighborhood, sketch streets, landmarks, shortcuts and a destination that matters to you, then add a legend for symbols you invent. For an imaginary map, decide what counts as a boundary, route or danger before drawing; consistency makes even fantastical geography readable. Stain or tone the paper only after testing the medium on a scrap, because moisture can buckle thin sheets and blur ink. The finished piece can be framed as art rather than judged by surveying accuracy.
Rank #4
- Bates paint brushes come in a convenient 6 pieces with 3 flat and 3 angled bristle styles, including (1”, 1.5”, 2”) flat and (1.5”, 2”, 2.5”) angled bristles, perfect for tackling any surface painting or staining job.
- The sturdy natural bristles of each brush are designed to hold more paint, creating a smoother finish with fewer streaks and saving you time on the job.
- The lightweight wooden handles provide extra comfort and ease during long painting processes like walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.
- These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
- Bates paint brushes can be used for both oil-based paints as well as latex stains and are ideal for home or commercial projects such as decks, fences or DIY painting jobs.
7. Assemble map fragments into a larger artwork
Cut or tear sections from maps and rebuild them into a new, larger composition. The Eric Carle Museum describes collaging map sections into a larger map and using maps as a surface for drawing and collage. Keep fragments from one location aligned to create a recognizable coastline, or deliberately combine incompatible scales to make an abstract field of routes and labels.
Sort pieces by color, line direction or geographic feature before attaching them. Leave seams visible if you want the construction to read as part of the artwork; overlap them if you want a continuous surface. Mount the collage on a rigid backing, and photograph the arrangement before gluing so you can recover the intended layout if pieces shift.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall8. Map a room or house as a floor plan
A floor plan is a literal map of your home and can become both a planning tool and a finished drawing. The American Museum of Natural History’s “Map Your World” activity recommends drawing from an overhead perspective, marking openings, adding furniture, labeling the plan and keeping a consistent scale.
- Measure the space. Record wall lengths, doors, windows and fixed features such as stairs or built-in cabinets.
- Choose a scale. AMNH’s example uses two graph-paper squares per foot. You may choose another ratio, but write it on the plan and use it everywhere.
- Draw the outline from above. Mark each opening in the correct wall and distinguish doors from windows.
- Add furniture. Measure large pieces, convert each dimension to the same scale and place them with clearances in mind.
- Label and revise. Add room names, the date and a north arrow if orientation matters. Use a fresh sheet for alternatives instead of erasing until the paper weakens.
Display the final plan in a hallway, office or renovation notebook. Because it is based on your measurements, it can also reveal circulation problems that a decorative map would hide.
Best Value
- 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush for Precision Cutting-In – Designed for clean, sharp lines around trim, baseboards, ceilings, corners, and detailed edge work. The perfect size for control and coverage.
- Value 3-Pack for Pros & DIY Projects – Includes three professional 2-inch angled sash brushes — ideal for contractors, remodelers, and homeowners tackling multiple rooms or repeat paint jobs.
- Smooth Results on Walls, Trim & Cabinets – Great for interior wall painting, cabinet edges, furniture projects, and trim work where a smooth finish and crisp control matter most.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
9. Use map details on furniture or in a shadow box
Small map fragments can become a focused dimensional accent rather than a wall-sized display. Map Library describes map decoupage on flat furniture surfaces and layered map art or shadow boxes; see its project overview at Map Library. A drawer front, the flat top of a side table or the back panel of a shadow box can frame one meaningful street grid, coastline or route.
Keep this idea at the level of a project concept, not a promise of durability. The reviewed source does not establish that every map paper, adhesive, clear coat or furniture finish will resist abrasion, moisture or sunlight. It also does not establish safe construction for heat-producing surfaces, food-contact areas or lamps. For those conditions, use material-specific instructions and safety guidance, choose a non-original print and avoid covering vents, switches or electrical components. A shadow box is the more controlled option: it keeps layers behind glass and lets you change the arrangement without permanently coating furniture.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
How to choose among the nine ideas
Use the project that matches both your practical goal and your tolerance for change. A gallery wall, framed repeated panels or a floor plan are easy to rearrange. Cork-backed planning maps are interactive but need room around them. Canvas wraps and furniture accents make a stronger visual commitment. Collages, treasure maps and mixed-media pieces offer the most authorship because you alter the map itself.
- Want the least commitment? Start with frames or a shadow box.
- Need an everyday tool? Choose a readable local map and add cork, pins or a measured floor plan.
- Want a one-of-a-kind artwork? Draw on a copy, layer household materials or rebuild fragments.
- Have a historic or sentimental original? Display it reversibly and make working copies before cutting, pinning or applying adhesive.
- Unsure about scale? Use a detailed map close to the viewer and a broad map where it will be seen from across the room.
Maps earn their place in a home when the geography, design and use agree. A route can become a memory wall, a street plan can organize a renovation, and a discarded sheet can supply the lines for an entirely new artwork. Choose the map for its meaning and physical limits first; the decorating technique follows from there.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
