Are Framed Posters Cool Again? (Asking for the Poplar Cottage)
THE POPLAR COTTAGE
It’s been 20 years since I last thought hanging posters was cool. Back then, it was a slightly wrinkled concert poster hanging in my college dorm door. Fast forward a couple decades, three kids, and a whole lot of renovation dust later, and here I am… hanging posters again! But this time, it’s not Counting Crows or Dave Matthews (though I still love both), it’s our local county fair and rodeo posters in the kids’ bedroom at the Poplar Cottage. And honestly? I think they might just be cooler.
dresser: IKEA, paint: F&B light blue color matched, posters, frames
Why Posters (Again)?
Affordable art ideas are everywhere, but framed posters are at the top of my list. They’re inexpensive, personal, and when done right, they can look every bit as stylish as traditional artwork — maybe even better, since you can make them local.
The idea came after staying in a sweet little house on Catalina Island where the walls were covered in historic photos and old newspaper clippings. I loved how it gave the home a sense of history and place. So why not do the same at the Poplar Cottage? Our local rodeo and county fair have been a big deal in Ellensburg for decades (Labor Day weekend is basically the highlight of the year here), and the posters celebrating them are colorful, nostalgic, and cost ten dollars or less. Some even feature artwork that nods to our town’s history.
For example, the piece on the left is “Legends of the Lariat” by Jared Carter, and the right is “Teamwork” by John Clymer - a legendary Ellensburg artist. Not bad for “posters,” right?
How to Make Posters Look Grown-Up
Here’s the trick: frames. Posters taped to the wall? Dorm room. I mean I’m sure there are times that would work, but if you want the posters to look more polished, frames are a must. The posters tell a story, but the frames make them feel like actual artwork.
Here are the inexpensive frames I found on Amazon - I bought the 4 pack in 18x24.
Is It Cool Again?
So maybe framed posters never really stopped being cool - maybe they just grew up with us. Sure, the subject matter has shifted from bands to local rodeos, but the vibe is the same: personal, affordable art that feels fun and meaningful.
And honestly, if framed posters were good enough for 20-year-old me, they’re definitely good enough for 43-year-old me… especially when they double as Airbnb decor and local history all in one.
Try This at Home
If you’re looking for affordable art ideas that don’t feel cookie-cutter, dig into your town’s history:
Local fair posters (obviously)
Historic maps or photos
Theater playbills or sports programs (like this)
You can frame them simply or group them together and enjoy the instant personality they bring.
So, what do you think? Are framed posters officially cool again? Or is this just my inner college kid having a moment in the kids’ bedroom at the Poplar Cottage?
