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How to create nostalgic wall art

Nostalgic wall art featuring a road map with houses and trees
Pinterest predicts 2026 trend throwback kid writing on a blue background.

Overview

Create a bold piece of wall art inspired by the classic 90s road play mats. Using a spare canvas, simple shapes and block colours, this project adds a playful, nostalgic touch to a room. The road layout is just one idea – the design can be adapted to suit different colours, themes or personal style, making it a versatile canvas wall art project.

Tools and materials

    Steps

    1Choose and prep your canvas

    Grab a canvas already at home that no longer suits the space or pick one up from an op shop. This project is a great way to refresh something that might otherwise be thrown out while creating stylish budget wall decor . A larger canvas works best for impact and gives the design room to stand out. Make sure the surface is clean and free from dust.
    : A person is gently wiping a canvas surface using a soft microfibre cloth to remove dust.

    2Paint the base colour

    Apply a base coat across the entire canvas – we’ve chosen green to create the grassy background. Use a paint roller or wide brush for even coverage, working in smooth strokes. Allow the first coat to dry fully before applying a second coat if needed.
    A person is using a paint roller to apply green base coat across the canvas to make a grassy background.

    3Sketch the road layout

    Once the base is dry, lightly sketch the road design using a pencil. Create a mix of curved and straight roads that loop around the canvas, leaving space for simple buildings, car parks and open areas. Keep the layout balanced but not overly precise to maintain a playful feel.
    A person is drawing road outlines with a pencil and leaving space for buildings and open areas.

    4Paint the roads

    Using a very narrow roller, paint the roads in a mid-grey colour, following the pencil lines. The narrow roller helps keep the road width consistent. Work steadily and allow the paint to dry before adding more details.
    A person is applying grey paint on the roads along the pencil lines with a narrow roller.

    5Add road markings

    When the grey paint is dry, use white paint pens to draw lane markings and dashed centre lines. Keep the lines simple and evenly spaced. Paint pens make it easier to achieve clean detail without needing a fine brush.
    A person is drawing dashed centre lines using a white paint pen for the road markings.

    6Add buildings and details

    Sketch simple shapes for buildings such as a school, shop or café. Paint these in bright block colours to capture the nostalgic 90s feel. Once dry, use small paint brushes or paint pens to outline the buildings and add details like windows, signs and parking areas.
    A person is using a paintbrush to fill in key features between the lines to complete the artwork.

    7Fill in and finish

    To complete the wall artwork, use a small paint brush and some sample pots of colour to fill in the key features. This helps define the design and tie everything together. Allow the canvas to dry fully before hanging it in place.
    A person is drawing simple building shapes like a school, shop or café with a paint pen
    Health & Safety

    Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

    When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.