Jody Minns's Stories: 8 Puzzles You Can Do While Staying at Home

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

8 Puzzles You Can Do While Staying at Home—That Also Double as Delightful Decor

puzzle decor — Gerasimov174/Getty Images

Lockdown restrictions may be lifting across much of the country, but many states are still encouraging residents to stay at home whenever possible—which means that puzzles and games are still one of the best ways to keep busy.

But rather than fill your living room with one more fugly (fun, but ugly) puzzle, we thought it’d be better to give you a few that actually look good—and that you can repurpose afterward into some delightful wall art.

So if your days are still dragging by and you’re looking for something fun to switch them up, check out one of these eight puzzles that will double as delightful decor.

1. La Henri Catisse

This Mudpuppy Henri Catisse puzzle from Amazon isn’t quite as French as it sounds, but it sure is cute. Featuring a lounging pink cat on a colorful modern background, this 100-piece, 12-by-12-inch puzzle is an easy hour-or-less project you can complete with the whole family.

Not feeling el gato rosado? Check out its sister puzzle, the Frida Catlo, which is similarly priced at just $15.

2. Agate geode

Geode designs are hot this season, which is one of the reasons we love this Agate Puzzle No. 100 from Nervous System. The other reason? Coming in at only 8 inches in diameter, this round little gem is actually still pretty challenging—especially for a 180-piece puzzle. Made from thin birch plywood and cut in a “dense, maze-like” pattern, there’s much more to this $65 geode puzzle than meets the eye.

3. White Heaven (or hell)

Depending on your definition of heaven, this Adeeing 1,000-piece mini jigsaw puzzle in White Heaven ($23 from Amazon) might just be it. (This is the insanely challenging 1,000-piece, all-white puzzle that people have been talking about for months.)

And while it might seem weird to hang an all-white puzzle on the wall, rest assured it can be colored to your liking once—or shall we say if—you ever end up finishing it.

4. Birds ‘n’ bees

Simply put, this Michelle Morin hummingbirds wooden jigsaw puzzle ($77 from Artifact Puzzles) is a work of art—full stop. And it isn’t just the whimsy of these pastel-painted hummingbirds we’re talking about; it’s also the fact that each individual puzzle piece has been laser cut into tiny birds and bees.

Would this 287-piece wooden jigsaw puzzle make for a great gift? Absolutely. But it would also look pretty damn good on your wall.

5. Tropical greenery

We’re all dreaming about exotic destinations right now, which is why it helps to have a bit of fresh greenery around. And if you’re not the houseplant-keeping type, no worries. This 252-piece Monstera tropical leaf jigsaw puzzle ($20 from Zazzle) will look great in your living room—no watering required.

6. Colors of Venice

And speaking of the vacation we didn’t get to take this year, this 1,000-piece colorful Venice jigsaw puzzle ($20 from Amazon) is perfect for any armchair traveler. Filled with the brightly colored houses of Venice, just completing this 20-by-27-inch puzzle will lift your spirits out of quarantine, and it makes for a great bit of colorful wall art once done.

7. Sunny flowers

We’re all in need of a bit more sunshine, which is why this 1,000-piece “Twelve Sunflowers” puzzle ($18 from Puzzle Warehouse) inspired by Van Gogh’s famous painting is such a great one to work on while staying at home. Showcasing the details of one sunflower from the famous painting, this is a challenging puzzle with a big payoff, bringing all those sunshine vibes back into your place.

8. Puzzles are for lovers

Ridley's Games Gin Lover's 500-piece puzzle — Ridley’s Games gin lover’s 500-piece puzzle
Walmart

Gin lovers, that is. If the whole staying-at-home thing has you feeling like you need a stiff drink more than anything else, this Ridley’s Games gin lover’s 500-piece jigsaw puzzle ($22 from Walmart) cuts straight to the chase. Besides reminding you of all the cocktails you’ll order once bars reopen, it’ll also look great next to your home bar.

How to hang a puzzle

Once your puzzle is completed, it’s time to hang that baby up. In order to make it sturdy enough to hang, you’ll want to start by investing in some puzzle adhesive.

With that done, take the time to measure your puzzle and order a frame for it. A word to the wise: Don’t just use the box measurements. Puzzles can vary from product to product, so it’s better to just measure it yourself.

Keep in mind that some puzzles (like the wooden ones listed here) are thicker than your standard cardboard puzzle. For this, consider getting a heavy-weight frame that can better support it.

Looking for more details on adorning your walls with a finished puzzle project? Check out this tutorial from Puzzle Warehouse.

The post 8 Puzzles You Can Do While Staying at Home—That Also Double as Delightful Decor appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Jody Minns's Stories