DIY Photo Cubes: A Meaningful Coffee Table Centerpiece You Can Customize

Sharing is caring!

One of my goals this year is to get more photos off my phone and actually displayed in our home — but without adding clutter or frames everywhere. These DIY photo cubes ended up being the perfect solution.

They’re simple, meaningful, and make such a fun coffee table centerpiece that you can customize to fit your space.

This project is beginner-friendly, low-pressure, and a great way to turn everyday memories into decor you’ll actually enjoy seeing.

This post is sponsored by Plaid Crafts and Walmart, thank you for supporting the brands we love!

Why I Love These DIY Photo Cubes

• They’re personal and sentimental without feeling cluttered
• You can customize the photos and the colors
• They work beautifully as coffee table decor, shelf styling, or gifts
• They’re simple enough for beginners (no special tools required)

Supplies Needed

All supplies are easy to find at Walmart:

• Unfinished wood blocks or wood cubes
• Printed photos (trimmed to fit each side)
• Mod Podge (for adhering and sealing photos)
• FolkArt metallic paint (for edges)
• Paint brush or foam brush
• Scissors or paper trimmer
• Optional: tray, books, or decor pieces for styling

I used metallic gold for the edges, but you can easily customize this with black, white, wood tones, or any color that fits your home.

Step-by-Step: How to Make DIY Photo Cubes

Step 1: Paint the Edges

Start with unfinished wood blocks. Using FolkArt metallic paint, paint just the edges of each cube. This small detail helps the cubes feel polished and finished without overpowering the photos.

Let the paint dry completely before moving on.

Step 2: Prep Your Photos

Print and trim your photos so they fit each side of the cube.
You can use:

• Color photos
• Black and white photos
• A mix of old and new memories

There’s no right or wrong here — choose what feels meaningful to you.

Step 3: Adhere the Photos

Brush a thin, even layer of Mod Podge onto the wood where the photo will go.
Carefully place the photo on top and smooth it out to remove bubbles or wrinkles.

Repeat for each side.

Step 4: Seal the Photos

Once the photos are in place, brush a thin coat of Mod Podge over the top of each photo.
This seals and protects them, making the cubes more durable and coffee-table friendly.

Let everything dry fully.

Step 5: Optional Extra Seal

If the cubes will be handled often, you can add a second seal coat of Mod Podge once the first layer is dry.

How to Style Your Photo Cubes

These cubes look great:

• Stacked on a coffee table tray
• Styled with books, beads, or a small plant
• Used on shelves or side tables
• Gifted to grandparents or family members

They’re versatile, simple, and easy to refresh with new photos over time.

Final Thoughts

This project is a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect to be meaningful. These photo cubes are one of my favorite ways to display memories in a way that feels intentional and personal — and they’re such a fun, low-pressure DIY to start the year with.

If you make these, I’d love to see them. Change up the colors, use different photo styles, or make a full set for different rooms — truly make them your own.

Ready to start another project? Browse here…