You know that feeling when you receive a beautiful handpainted card and you don’t want to just shove it in a drawer? Whether it’s a birthday card with gorgeous watercolour florals or a thoughtful note from someone you love, some cards are too special to hide away.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently – partly because I’m planning to make handpainted cards myself, and partly because I’ve got a collection of lovely ones that deserve better than being stuck in a box somewhere. Beautiful handpainted cards deserve to be displayed properly. After all, physical mail still matters in our digital world.
So here’s what I’ve learned about displaying greeting cards without ruining them, plus some ideas that actually look good rather than just “blu-tacked to the fridge.”
Why Display Your Favourite Cards?
Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why. Greeting cards – especially handpainted or handmade ones – are little works of art. Someone took the time to create or choose something beautiful for you. Why not enjoy looking at it?
Plus, displaying cards:
- Reminds you of thoughtful people in your life
- Adds personality to your home without spending money on art
- Lets you rotate what’s on your walls seasonally
- Makes your space feel more personal and less generic
The trick is doing it in a way that doesn’t damage the cards and doesn’t look messy.
1. Proper Picture Frames (The Classic Approach)
This is the most obvious option, but it works brilliantly for cards you absolutely love. Pop a special handpainted card into a frame and display it on a shelf or wall.
What works:
- Standard photo frames from Ikea or anywhere similar
- Box frames if the card has texture or embellishments
- Clip frames for easy rotating
How to avoid damage:
- Use acid-free backing if you’re keeping it long-term
- Don’t tape the card directly – let it sit loose or use photo corners
- Keep it out of direct sunlight (watercolours fade)
I’ve got a couple of lovely birthday cards from friends displayed this way in my office. They make me smile every time I see them.
2. Washi Tape Gallery Wall
Right, this is one of my favourite methods because it’s temporary and doesn’t damage walls or cards.
What you need:
- Washi tape (the pretty decorative masking tape)
- Your favourite greeting cards
- A blank wall space
How to do it:
Create a grid or casual arrangement of cards on your wall, using small rolls of washi tape on the back corners. The tape is gentle enough that it won’t tear the card when you remove it, and it doesn’t damage paint on walls.
This works brilliantly for:
- Seasonal rotation (swap out for different cards throughout the year)
- Cards with beautiful illustrations you want to enjoy
- Creating a feature wall without committing to permanent art
The key is keeping the arrangement looking intentional rather than random. I’d suggest either a proper grid or grouping cards by colour or theme.
3. String and Pegs Display
This is quite popular on Instagram and it’s dead easy to set up.
What you need:
- Twine, string, or wire
- Small wooden pegs or clips
- Two hooks or nails for the wall
How it works:
String a line (or multiple lines) across a wall space, then use the pegs to clip cards along it. You can hang them at different heights or keep them uniform.
Why it’s good for handpainted cards:
- No damage to the cards themselves
- Easy to swap things in and out
- Creates a casual, relaxed look
- Works in any room (I’ve seen lovely ones in kitchens and home offices)
You could theme it seasonally – spring florals, winter scenes, whatever suits. The cards become part of your home’s personality without being permanent.
4. Plate Stand or Easel Display
Here’s something I didn’t think of until recently: those little plate stands or easels you can buy for displaying decorative plates work brilliantly for cards too.
Where to find them:
- Amazon has loads
- Charity shops often have them
- Homeware shops sell decorative easels
How to use them:
Pop a special greeting card onto the stand and display it on a shelf, mantelpiece, or desk. It looks intentional and keeps the card visible without taking up wall space.
This works particularly well for:
- Cards you’re currently enjoying (birthdays, Christmas, etc.)
- Handpainted cards with beautiful artwork
- Rotating seasonal displays on shelves
The card stays pristine because it’s not stuck to anything, and you can swap it out whenever you fancy.
5. Shadow Box or Deep Frame
If you’ve got a particularly special handpainted card – maybe from your wedding, a milestone birthday, or someone who’s passed away – a shadow box frame is worth considering.
What makes them different:
- They’re deeper than normal frames
- You can include other bits alongside the card (photos, dried flowers, etc.)
- Creates a proper keepsake display
Things to remember:
- Use acid-free materials for long-term preservation
- Keep out of direct sunlight
- Don’t overcrowd the box – let the card breathe
I’ve seen gorgeous shadow box displays that include the card, a photo from the event, and maybe a pressed flower or ribbon. It turns the card into a proper memory piece.
6. Clipboard Wall Gallery
This is a really affordable and flexible option that looks surprisingly good when done right.
What you need:
- Small clipboards (Ikea does cheap ones)
- Nails or command strips to hang them
- Your greeting cards
How to arrange them:
Hang the clipboards in a grid pattern and clip different cards to each one. The beauty of this method is you can swap cards out constantly without any fuss.
Why it works:
- Super affordable
- Very easy to change cards
- No damage to the cards
- Looks intentional and organised
You could do all matching clipboards for a cohesive look, or mix and match for something more eclectic. Either way, it’s a practical solution that keeps your favourite cards visible.
7. Decorative Card Holder or Ladder Display
For people who like having lots of cards on display at once (thinking Christmas cards, birthday season, etc.), a dedicated card holder is brilliant.
Options include:
- Wooden ladders with pegs or twine between rungs
- Wire card holders that sit on mantels
- Decorative stands specifically designed for cards
- Ribbon boards with slots for sliding cards in
These work well for:
- Displaying multiple cards at once
- Seasonal card collections
- Cards you want to enjoy for a few weeks then swap out
The key is choosing something that matches your home’s style. A rustic wooden ladder works in a cottage-style home, whilst a sleek wire holder suits something more modern.
How to Choose What to Display
Not every card deserves wall space, and that’s fine. Here’s how I decide what’s worth displaying:
Display these:
- Handpainted or handmade cards (they’re art!)
- Cards with particularly beautiful illustrations
- Cards from people you love
- Cards that mark important moments
- Anything that makes you properly smile when you look at it
Don’t bother with:
- Generic supermarket cards with no personal connection
- Cards that are only meaningful for the message inside
- Cards you’re keeping purely out of guilt
Be selective. A few beautiful cards displayed well look infinitely better than dozens of random ones stuck everywhere.
Wondering which cards are worth displaying? Check out the best occasions to send handpainted cards.
Caring for Displayed Cards
If you’re displaying handpainted watercolour cards, here’s how to keep them looking good:
Avoid direct sunlight: Watercolours fade in UV light. Display them somewhere that gets ambient light but not direct sun streaming through windows.
Keep them dry: Don’t display cards in bathrooms or anywhere damp. The paper can warp and colours can run.
Dust occasionally: If cards are out on display for months, give them a gentle dust with a soft brush.
Rotate them: Don’t feel you need to keep the same cards up forever. Swap them seasonally or whenever you fancy a change.
Store safely when not displayed: If you’re rotating cards in and out, keep the ones not on display in a box somewhere cool and dry.
For long-term preservation and care, read my detailed guide on how to care for and preserve watercolour artwork and cards.
My Current Setup
Right now, I’ve got three greeting cards on display in different spots:
- One in a simple frame on my desk (a beautiful handpainted floral from a friend)
- Two clipped to a string in my office with wooden pegs
- A birthday card on a little easel on the kitchen shelf
It’s enough to enjoy them without the house looking cluttered. When I get new special cards, I’ll swap something out.
The point isn’t to display every card you’ve ever received. It’s to showcase the ones that genuinely bring you joy or remind you of lovely people.
What About Cards You’re Not Displaying?
For cards you want to keep but not display, I’d suggest:
- A nice box or folder to store them flat
- Organising by year or occasion if you’re keeping loads
- Taking photos of cards before storing them (so you can enjoy the image even if the physical card goes away)
- Being ruthless about which ones you actually keep
I used to keep every single card anyone gave me, but honestly, most of them don’t mean anything years later. Now I only keep cards that are handmade, particularly beautiful, or from people I really care about.
Final Thoughts
Displaying greeting cards doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether you go for a simple frame, a washi tape gallery, or a string and pegs setup, the point is making sure those beautiful handpainted cards get enjoyed rather than hidden away.
The methods I’ve shared work for any type of card, but they’re particularly lovely for showcasing handpainted watercolour cards where someone’s put proper time and effort into creating something special for you.
Start with one or two cards that you absolutely love and display them somewhere you’ll see them daily. You can always add more or change your setup as you go.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some washi tape calling my name and a wall that needs a card gallery.
How do you display your favourite greeting cards? I’d love to hear what works in your home, especially if you’ve found clever ways to showcase handpainted ones!