How to decorate a blank wall
70 Best Wall Decor Ideas
It doesn’t matter whether you live in a small city apartment or a sprawling country estate—or whether your personal style skews minimalist or maximalist—everyone is eventually confronted with the difficult decision of what to do with that large, windowless wall. Admittedly, many people have a complicated relationship with blank walls. Sometimes, a bare wall can feel refreshing—especially when a room is filled with bold furniture, printed area rugs, and plenty of objets. But more often than not, a blank wall can appear neglected and, let’s face it, boring. So do you want to bring style to every square inch of your space, walls included? Check out these designer-approved ways to give all of your walls the attention they deserve. From statement-making artwork to whimsical wallpaper and everything in between, every idea here is packed with visual intrigue.
1
Turn Family Photos into Art
Haris Kenjar
No wallpaper? No problem! Memphis, Tennessee–based designer Sean Anderson used his collection of Polaroid photos taken on family vacations and events to cover the blank space surrounding the door frame.
2
Embrace Shapes
Francesco Dolfo
Paolo Castellarin and Didier Bonnin used two “portholes” in a dividing wall between the living room and dining room to open up the space in their Milan apartment. The vases on the piano are by Gaetano Pesce.
3
Paint a Mural
Alanna Hale
In the Palo Alto, California, home of Florie Hutchinson, designed by Atelier Davis, the family commissioned the artist Mariel Capanna to paint a wall mural in a narrow hallway. The mural includes depictions of the family and their day-to-day life.
4
Lacquer the Walls
Cerruti & Draime
Milanese designer Fabrizio Casiraghi used a custom green color to lacquer the walls throughout a Parisian loft. The artworks, which include paintings by H.
Craig Hanna and a 19th-century club from Fiji, add even more intrigue.
5
Go Crazy with Prints
Nicole Franzen
In the upstairs kitchen of designer Ramsey Lyons’s Pittsburgh home, patterned Schumacher wallcovering gives the garret a maximalist garden feel.
6
Add Texture
Kirsten Francis
In lieu of a flat paint, designer Augusta Hoffman covered the walls of her Manhattan bedroom with a tweed wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries.
7
Add Humor
Stephan Julliard
Designer Jacques Grange applied resin wall art by Jean-François Fourtou to otherwise blank walls in a home in Portugal.
8
Match the Furniture
Douglas Friedman
In a Sonoma County, California, home designed by Ken Fulk, the walls, shades, and ceiling were matched to the sofa and cushion fabric.
9
Go Bold
Nick Glimenakis
If the walls are blank, don’t be afraid to go bold. Designer Delia Kenza painted the blank walls and ceiling of a Brooklyn bedroom an inky black.
10
Mirror, Mirror
Stephen Kent Johnson
Mirrored wall panels not only enliven a blank space, but also enhance the natural light from windows. Gabriel Hendifar used bronze mirror panels in the dining room of his Manhattan apartment.
11
Try Some Color Theory
Emily Gilbert
Daun Curry brought some childish wonder to a girl’s bedroom in this home in the Hamptons with a painted mosaic, complete with varying shades of pink, purple, and blue. When paired with floating cubbies and pendants by Tom Dixon, this once-bare wall is transformed into an optical illusion.
12
Add the Midas Touch
Pascal Chevallier
Fancify your bare walls with opulent accents. When ELLE Decor A-List designer Jean-Louis Deniot restored this French manor, he festooned the walls with an ornate gold-framed mirror and matching bronze Empire sconces.
13
Stenciled Style
Simon Upton
If you want to add some visual interest to your bare walls—but don’t want to sacrifice that crisp, versatile look—consider a stenciled border. Let this Manhattan apartment by ELLE Decor A-List designer Stephen Sills show you how it’s done.
14
Embrace Embroidery
Miguel Flores-Vianna
Contrary to popular belief, embroidery isn’t solely reserved for throw pillows and upholstery.
In her London home and studio, textile designer Nathalie Farman-Farma adorned her walls with embroidery by Namay Samay. Rounding out the look is artwork by Léon Bakst and a Napoleon III slipper chair in a Décors Barbares linen.
15
Rediscover Old Roots
Francesco Dolfo
As in this Art Nouveau townhouse in Tbilisi, Georgia, a home’s foundation can often provide all the inspiration you need. The frescoes, which depict scenes of Venice, were uncovered during a restoration; while they make a good case for leaving the walls au naturel, the sleek brass sculptures seen at right add a measured dose of modernity.
16
Mix and Match
Mark Roper
When it comes to adding prints to your bare walls, more is always more. In this townhouse in London’s Belgravia neighborhood, designer Thomas Hamel juxtaposed the agate-inspired backsplash with de Gournay’s Coco Coromandel wallcovering.
17
The Textured Treatment
Julie Soefer
Marie Flanigan gave this Houston bathroom a hint of texture by affixing hand-molded plaster dogwood branches on the wall. The result? The feel of a plush tapestry combined with the subtlety of a dainty wallpaper repeat.
18
Build a Bar
Simon Upton
Remember that your walls don’t have to be impractical. If you’re willing to get a little crafty, you can convert your empty space into a home bar. The built-ins seen in this Pittsburgh study double as the room’s focal point.
19
Wow With Tiles
Christopher Stark
As Antonio Martins’s San Francisco home proves, your walls can be anything you want them to be. So he made a statement in his stairwell with enlarged reproductions of 18th-century Portuguese tiles, custom painted by Linda Horning and Katherine Jacobus.
20
Strategically Placed Sculpture
Christopher Stark
You can break up a negative space with a slim sculpture; the key, however, is where you choose to place it. The linked sculpture Antonio Martins added to his San Francisco kitchen is both effortless and edgy in equal measure.
21
Use Your Nooks and Crannies
Fabien Charuau
Make the most of your space by adding artful touches to every square inch of your home—literally. While the area above an archway often gets overlooked, the owners of this Mumbai home incorporated a botanical mural, hand-painted by Prashant Miranda, into their attic.
22
Play With Proportions
Simon Upton
Large frames, or small? Why not choose both? Designer Hubert Zandberg upped the visual interest on this wall in an opulent Tuscan villa by experimenting with frames of various sizes, a round mirror, and equestrian accoutrements.
23
Seeing Double
Francesco Dolfo
In the dining room of this Milan abode, the table is complemented by two oil portraits and antique plates. Though the matching configurations create the illusion of symmetry, the subtle difference offers the right amount of visual intrigue.
24
A Metallic Moment
Nina Poon
Want to make your bare walls shine? Take a cue from Samuel Amoia, who covered a girl’s Manhattan bedroom in a metallic wallcovering from Calico Wallpaper. He rounded out the room with eye-catching pendants from Tom Dixon and an iridescent rose plaster.
25
Add a Workspace
Jennifer Hughes
If you’re looking to make your WFH office a permanent fixture in your home, consider installing a wall-mounted desk.
In this Baltimore loft, designer Laura Hodges offset the crisp white walls with a sculptural floating workspace.
26
Aim for Three
Reid Rolls; Styling: Chelsea Fierst
Grouping artwork is a surefire way to make a big impact in a room. Here, three Andy Warhol pieces add personality to Hamptons dining room designed by Brigette Romanek.
27
A Black and White Photograph
Simon Upton
Sometimes less is more. A black and white photograph by Malick Sidibé serves as a focal point in Patricia Greene’s Upper East Side living room.
28
Hang it Low
Douglas Friedman
Hanging art low can make it even more impactful, especially in a high-traffic area like an entry. For a Miami Beach getaway, designer Lee F.
Mindel opted for a vibrant piece to complement a sleek console table.
29
Create a Statement Hallway
Pernille Loof
In addition to being sheathed in mattress ticking, event planner Bronson Van Wyck’s Manhattan hallway features a selection of black and white photographs that bring the space to life.
30
Incorporate Symmetry
Kerry Kirk
Looking for a way to experiment with the principle of symmetry? Hang a large-scale piece of artwork directly above your console, then set a pair of table lamps on top. It’s a failsafe approach to inject personality into your space.
31
Combine Ceramics with Prints
Jason Schmidt
Architect Peter Marino loves nothing more than putting his impressive French porcelain collection on full display.
His Southampton retreat features a floral print surrounded by Théodore Deck porcelain and earthenware.
32
Add Greenery
Courtesy of Wendy Haworth Design
A tall potted plant, as seen in this living room from Los Angeles-based interior designer Wendy Haworth, is one of the easiest ways to add interest to a wall area. Position your favorite type of greenery directly next to a piece of large-scale wall art for even more of an impact.
33
Consider a Cabinet
Mikkel Vang
A painted breakfront topped with Spanish terra-cotta pots from the 1930s adds interest to the entry of the Bedford, New York, home owned by Eric Hadar, a Manhattan real estate executive.
34
Complementary Artworks
Ricardo Labougle
In the living room of Kris Ghesquière and Eva Claessens’s house in southeastern Uruguay, a symphony of corresponding art works with yellow lamb sculptures by William Sweetlove and paintings and a feather sculpture by Claessens.
35
Frame All Your Art In Gold
William Abranowicz
Mix and match your favorite pieces of art, regardless of style or era, and display them using similarly gilded frames. In the master bedroom of a Los Angeles home, for example, the owners hung a wall of artworks from the couple’s collection above a decidedly feminine Italian giltwood settee.
36
Use a Picture Ledge
Courtesy Feather
A picture ledge is a simple—and inexpensive way—to display your art collection. Whether you opt for a single ledge or decide to group them, they're the perfect solution to fill a blank space.
37
Hang Dangling Frames
Douglas Friedman
In Steven Gambrel's Chicago apartment, a troika of framed artworks hang at varying lengths in a narrow wall niche, livening up the narrow recess between the chimney and the entrance.
38
Use A Sculptural Mirror To Catch The Light
Douglas Friedman
In this airy California living room, an antique mirror from India hangs over the fireplace, catching light to expand the room and illuminate the relaxed modern decor.
39
Cover Every Inch In Art
Eric Piasecki
In the living room of a PR maven's maximalist New York City apartment, a blank space is brought to life with an extensive gallery wall. Divide your stark wall into sections, including a small collage of art and mirrors and an array of larger paintings. The portraits shown here are by Kimberly Brooks.
40
Try A Statement Fireplace
Douglas Friedman
Andy Cohen’s Manhattan duplex doesn’t have many bare walls, but this one in his sitting room is dressed up with a statement-making fireplace.
A Roy Lichtenstein lithograph hangs above the Chesney’s mantel in Nero Bilbao marble, which is a piece of art in its own right.
41
Style It With Simple Antiques
James Merrell
For a rustic feel, take a cue from this historic Long Island farmhouse and hang up a few antique pieces that you adore, whether they match or not. These 19th-century mirrors were found in Antwerp and give the entryway an eclectic feel.
42
Flank Artwork With Sconces
Joshua McHugh
Designer Kimille Taylor's Upper West Side dining room makes white walls look chic with a gorgeous painting by Allen Anthony Hansen, framed perfectly by silver sculptural sconces.
43
Prop A Mirror on the Wall
Stephen Kent Johnson
Perhaps one of the easiest ways of dressing up a blank wall is by propping a mirror up against it.
Mirrors have the power to open up a space, and as shown in a guest room of Amanda Seyfried's Catskills retreat, opting out of hanging it gives the room a relaxed feel. The walls here are painted in White Dove by Benjamin Moore.
44
Hang Antique Plates
Richard Powers
Hang an array of antique plates on a blank wall for an unexpected collection for guests to admire. In a corner of a kitchen in a Connecticut country house, the walls are hung with Dutch plates purchased in Sri Lanka and turbans that the designer had made in India as gifts for friends.
45
Try Minimalist Bookshelves
Trevor Tondro
Install simple, minimalist shelving and display a few of your favorite books and objects to maintain a modern look. This Central Park apartment made use of an empty wall in the dining area by adding shelves that perfectly match the white walls.
46
Choose A Bright Wall Hanging
Ricardo Labougle
A wall hanging brings relaxed, seaside charm to this guest bedroom in a Portuguese home. The beds are topped with crocheted-cotton coverlets from Bulgaria and the tile floor is original to the house.
47
Statement Wall Sculpture
William Abranowicz
In a San Francisco home with art gallery sensibilities, a moon-shaped sculpture by Manuel Neri brings pops of color to a blank, white wall.
48
Celebrate Your Favorite Animal
Björn Wallander
In the bedroom of a Paris pied-à-terre, animal drawings cover the blank wall and include works by Paul Jouve, Georges Lucien Guyot and André Margat.
49
Incorporate Large-Scale Mirrors
Jon Call
These large, window-like mirrors will add depth to the living space, while reflecting off of bright, neutral walls for added light.
50
Set Up An Artsy Bookshelf
William Abranowicz
Inside a sophisticated New York apartment, a blank wall is given a museum-like quality with a bookshelf filled with reading material and collected treasures. Custom steel-and-oak stairs lead to the mini library.
51
Hang A Tapestry
Richard Powers
This Mexican treehouse has a living room with worldly charm, distinguished most notably by a tapestry created from a traditional Bhutanese man's robe and hung on the wall.
52
Split A Photo
Douglas Friedman
A painting of a 1970s plane split into three canvases makes a dramatic statement in retail guru Jeffrey Kalinsky's minimalist New York apartment. The painting is from Wyeth and the walls are sheathed in Venetian plaster.
53
Textile Wall Art
Trevor Tondro
Designer Kathryn M. Ireland adds a vintage hanging textile to her massive white living room wall to balance out the vibrant space.
54
Prop Up A Ladder
Gabriela Herman
In a serene Martha’s Vineyard vacation house, a ladder from Lostine propped up against a wall and paired with artwork bring instantly breezy personality to an otherwise drab wall.
55
Brick it Down
Courtesy of ELEVATE Design Collective
If you love the look of crisp white walls, consider adding a textural element to your space. This beautiful brick wall is a subtle pop, adding flair to the minimalist space.
56
Neatly Arrange Frames
Ricardo Labougle
This jewel-toned London townhouse turned blank walls into a cohesive gallery of artwork with numerous frames of the same size.
The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball's Borrowed Light and Elephant’s Breath, and the bronze lantern and marble floor are both original to the house.
57
Make It Reflective
Ricardo Labougle
One wall in this lively São Paulo duplex is covered with mirrors that reflect the room's vibrant pieces. The artwork on the mirrors is by John Grant, the 1940s sofa is upholstered in a Rubelli velvet and the Louis XV-style armchairs are antique.
58
Cover The Wall With A Collection
Simon Upton
Use a blank wall to showcase your collectibles, as in this morning room’s floral china collection by Royal Worcester in a historic English estate.
59
Hang A Massive Photograph
Francis Amiand
Two brass-and-alabaster pendants by Humbert & Poyet flank a photograph by Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre for added dimension in this Monaco apartment.
The artworks at left are by Alex Perweiler.
60
Add a Vintage Wall Covering
Simon Upton
Give your walls a romantic, antique feel with a high-impact wallpaper. This 19th century wall covering in this Milan apartment gives a traditional vintage space a cool wow-factor.
61
Branch Out
Jignesh Jhaveri
Displaying artwork isn’t your only option for livening up a blank white wall. This stunning home in India showcases a large branch for a natural, earthy aesthetic in the sitting room.
62
Room Dividers
Stephen Julliard
Even if you’re not literally dividing your rooms, a wall divider is a space-saving accent piece that easily covers a boring wall.
63
Select A Single, Eye-Catching Painting
William Abranowicz
In a San Francisco home, a single piece of artwork by Joan Mitchell is enough to make a statement on the blank walls painted in Benjamin Moore's Super White.
64
Book(less) Shelves
HomeGoods/Reid Rolls
A built-in bookshelf stocked with framed art is an easy way to simultaneously display your favorite pieces and cover a boring wall. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about eventually covering up nail holes from hanging art.
65
Create a Curtained Backdrop
HomeGoods/Reid Rolls
Add texture and comfort to your space by hanging a curtain over a dull wall. The draped look creates a cozy space and can easily be moved if you ever get bored.
66
Select An Experimental Piece Of Art
Laura Resen
In William Frawley’s SoHo apartment, the photograph of a rib cage is by an unknown artist and once belonged to a San Francisco museum.
67
Contrast Styles
Courtesy of Cullman & Kravis
In this rustic game room, a bold black and white painting contrasts the wood-inspired space, serving as a focal point on a neutral-toned wall.
68
Cover The Wall In An Iconic Wallpaper
Simon Upton
Brian Atwood and Nate Berkus brought a splash of Southern California to their former Milan home with a palm-print wallcovering. The solid-brass dining table is from the 1970s.
69
Combine Different Shapes
Courtesy of summerthorntondesign.com
Add a round piece of art to elevate your wall with atypical geometrics. As designer Summer Thornton puts it, “You can use plenty of traditional pieces as the core, but always intentionally do something that throws it off just a bit!”
70
Try Rustic Reclaimed Wood
Simon Upton
A wall in the living area of Hilary Swank’s Manhattan home is clad with planks of reclaimed barn wood; the photograph is by Jackie Nickerson, and the painting is by Carlos Vega.
Kelsey Mulvey Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, and ELLE Decor, among others.
18 wonderful ways to transform a blank wall |
(Image credit: Mary Wadsworth/Irene Gunter / Nina Campbell / Future/Emma Lee)
Wall decor ideas are so wide-ranging it can be hard to know where to start. So, we have created a room-by-room, technique-by-technique guide to help you narrow down your options, for you to discover the latest trends, and for you to discover brand new innovations.
No matter your decorating style, we've got the tricks that can give life to your walls and bring out your true personality. Keep reading to discover the best wall decor ideas that are sure to add character, interest and intrigue to your home – we are looking way beyond wallpaper ideas and paint ideas.
Wall decor ideas
Looking for wall decor ideas to refresh a tired or blank space in your home? Those empty walls are filled with endless possibilities – and a few stylish wall decorations can make a house feel like a home.
From accent wall ideas to whole room solutions, we bring you our favorite ideas.
1. Think practicality when considering wall decor
(Image credit: Future)
Wall decor ideas have to look pretty, inviting and alluring, of course, but they must also be practical, and this is never more true than in an entryway, which is a space that gets lots of wear and tear.
'Entryway wall decor ideas are best split between the upper and lower part of the wall,' advises Sarah Spiteri, Homes & Gardens' Editorial Director. 'This means considering very tough surfaces, such as wall paneling ideas for the lower part of the wall, and wallpaper or paint finishes from waist level upwards. Even then, I would ensure the paint or wallpaper chosen is wipeable as it will inevitably become scuffed, especially if you have children.'
2. Invent new architecture for living room walls
(Image credit: Nina Campbell)
Very plain architecture can mean that living room walls are very one dimensional, even with the addition of wallpaper. However, have a carpenter create wall panels that complement the age of your home and the style of your decor, and you can totally transform your space.
Here, the curves within the panels creates added interest, as does the wallpaper, however the important technique to note here is that the vertical panel shapes make this Nina Campbell -designed living room's ceilings look higher and the room bigger.
3. Work a TV into your wall decor plans
(Image credit: Kelling Designs)
Yes, you can combine TV wall ideas with attractive living room feature wall ideas, and while it can work when the TV is wall-mounted, the effect is far more impactful when the TV is incorporated into a storage and display unit, as in the apartment above.
'Kelling Designs has cleverly incorporated the TV into the wall decor system in this room, with contrasting paint colors used to help the TV blend away a little into the background, allowing the display of china to become the main focus,' says Jo Bailey, Deputy Editor, Homes & Gardens.
'With this kind of unit, doors could easily be integrated so that the TV is totally hidden when not in use, allowing the wall decor to take center stage.'
4. Choose color for the kitchen
(Image credit: Little Greene)
Color has never been more en vogue in kitchens than now, as we look to create cook spaces that are as highly decorated as your living spaces are. You can introduce this through kitchen wall decor ideas that are beyond what we might have used in the past.
'Case in point: this Little Greene wallpaper, which is perfect for anyone searching for farmhouse kitchen wall decor ideas,' says Andrea Childs, Editor, Country Homes & Interiors. 'Matching the main accent colors in the wallpaper with the kitchen cabinet color heightens the impact.'
5. Embrace the trend for nature-inspired murals
(Image credit: Polly Wreford / Kiera Buckley-Jones)
'Interior designers have enthusiastically embraced the trend for nature-inspired wall mural ideas, seen above in one of our decorating shoots and, perhaps more famously, in Gwyneth Paltrow's dining room created for her by interior designer Brigette Romanek ,' says Lucy Searle, Homes & Gardens' Editor in Chief.
'Dining room wall ideas are the perfect spot for murals, since they create a real moment when you are entertaining guests. Dining rooms also tend not to be used all the time, so if you are using a decorative element with huge impact, it needn't be diluted with daily views.'
There are ready-to-hang mural designs available, but you can commission wallpaper and murals.
‘Ask a mural artist to create a preliminary drawing, preferably to scale, so any alterations can be made at this stage,’ says Helen Barnes , Murals and Tromp L’oeil Specialist. ‘And remember that if you commission a design on a penal or a fabric canvas, it can be portable, too.’
6. Be bold in a bathroom
(Image credit: Caroline Brackett Studio of Design)
Interior designers generally urge their clients to be braver with powder room wall decor than they might be with other wall decor around the house, particularly bathroom walls, which generally need to be much more practical to cope with the damp conditions.
'Powder rooms are often featureless – sometimes without even a window – so why not?,' says Jen Ebert, Homes & Gardens' deputy editor. 'And because they are the one space you might like to decorate to surprise guests when they come to visit, you really ought to choose a more adventurous treatment. Since they tend to be small spaces, you might like to indulge in that beautiful wallpaper you can really only justify buying one roll of.'
7. Consider fabric walling for a bedroom
(Image credit: Kit Kemp Design Studio | Firmdale Hotels)
Installing fabric walling is once again becoming fashionable and is beloved of designers such as Kit Kemp , who decorated the bedroom above with a beautiful golden fabric.
'Bedroom wall decor ideas are perfectly suited to fabric walling,' explains Sarah Spiteri. 'It creates a very subtle texture and sheen that you want to reach out and touch, ideal for intimate spaces.'
8. Think above the bed, too
(Image credit: Mary Wadsworth)
One easy wall decor treatment for a bedroom is an expansive headboard idea.
However, there are more imaginative treatments that you can try, pretty simply.
Above the bed decor ideas such as the one above is the perfect example: the art is framed by the trim around the edge of the wall, while the use of different shades of pink adds further interest to the wall. The use of the lighter color above the dark helps to visually raise the ceiling, a trick to make a small bedroom look bigger, too.
9. Play with a room's proportions with wall decor
(Image credit: Katrin Cargill / Jon Day)
As we have said above, wall decor ideas can be used to correct or improve the proportions of a room. The office wall decor above does this as well as adding interest to a small, dark space.
'Shiplap wall ideas introduce vertical lines to a wall, which draws the eye upwards, creating a visual trick that makes a room feels taller,' says Jen Ebert. 'The higher up the wall the shiplap goes, the better the effect. However, putting a panel of bold wallpaper above the shiplap will add the color and character that shiplap can't.
'
10. Reflect light with mirrors
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)
Everyone knows that decorating with mirrors is a good way to visually 'double' the sense of space in a room – but we also love a mirror for how it magnifies light and adds a magical mood. ‘I always use mirrors with an antiqued effect, says Henriette Von Stockhausen, founder, VSP Interiors . ‘It softens everything that it reflects. Sadly, it is more expensive but it really is worth it as it makes the room feel immediately more settled.
‘Think carefully where mirrors are positioned, where they end and what will be reflected in them,’ she adds. ‘I don’t use them in a dining as people don’t like to see themselves reflected while eating or speaking. I wouldn’t place a full-length mirror opposite a shower and never one behind a loo.’
11. Opt for large-scale art
(Image credit: Studio Ashby)
If you are looking for wall decor that is easily changeable, then consider decorating with art.
Hanging a picture, such as an oversized painting, will command attention and set the tone – even in a relatively small space. Alternatively, opt for gallery wall ideas if you have a plethora of artwork to display.
'Bold and extrovert wall accessories look great against a contemporary background,' says Deborah Heath of Design By Deborah . 'But a wall of vivid color would swamp a watercolor and an oil painting may look dark and imposing on small delicately patterned wallpaper. It’s matter of trial and error –and personal taste.’
12. Arrange books for an attractive focal point
(Image credit: Future / David Lovati)
Wall decor ideas don’t have to be purely decorative, they can be functional, too.
‘Books can bring culture and intelligence to any room,' as Cicero said, ‘A room without books is like a body without a soul.’
One formal way of decorating with books is the classic library approach, that is by genre – fiction, non-fiction, history, art and so on.
‘It’s probably one of the most popular ways to organize a bookshelf in a domestic setting,’ says Philip Blackwell, founder, Ultimate Library .
‘Those looking for a more stylized result, which will have a greater impact on the overall look and feel of them too, will style a bookcase in blocks of color,’ he adds. ‘Some will go for one accent – we’ve done entire walls in Penguin paperbacks, from example – others will want a kaleidoscope effect with different pops of color.’
13. Take a world view with geographical wall decor
(Image credit: Future / Jody Stewart)
Whether vintage, wall sized or illustrative, a map can add interest and evoke happy memories of your favorite trips and destinations. Plus a map makes a perfect children's bedroom wallpaper idea.
This feature wall will have particular appeal for budding explorers, who can stick mementos on the map to show where they’ve been, or mark where they would like to go in the future.
14. Fashion a wall display with plates
(Image credit: Future / Emma Lee)
If your best china is too good to eat off, or perhaps you have decorative antique plates hidden away in a cupboard, make a gallery wall display with them.
Hanging plates on a wall is easy: simply select a few varying sizes and patterns and measure up the placement of each piece on the wall before you go in with a hammer and nails, to make sure you get the spacing right.
Once you’re happy, attach the plates to hanging wires – you can get ones especially designed for plates that will hold them firmly without damage – and hook onto the walls.
15. Dress your walls with decorate paneling
(Image credit: Future Owns)
Originally installed to protect walls and hide damp, panelling is enjoying a style revival, and is perfect as farmhouse living room wall decor. We adore the instant character wall panelling can provide, especially in featureless rooms. And of course it is a practical way to keep scruffs at bay.
‘Panelling is a useful way of introducing warmth and character to a room – there is something cozy about being surrounded by wood, says Bruce Hodgson, founder and creative director, Artichoke Interior Designs .
If your budget doesn’t stretch to wood panelling, high-quality MDF painted with an eggshell paint is a convincing alternative.
16. Display houseplants – on the wall
(Image credit: Future / Jake Curtis)
Shown off with imagination and ingenuity, the best indoor plants add natural charm to any scheme. Swap a mirror above the fireplace for a wall-hung pocket planter filled with a verdant display of ferns and trailing vines. Different heights add visual interest – mix up plants with different leaf shapes and colors for an abundant display.
A well-edited arrangement of houseplants will not only life the spirits and help purify the air, it’s also great for adding color, style and an artistic flourish.
17. Introduce wall-to-wall style
(Image credit: Future / Jake Curtis)
If you want to add a unique touch to your home, a bespoke trompe l’oeil is a great wall decor option. You’ll need to commission a specialist and be prepared to make a significant financial investment.
Designs like these suit traditional schemes particularly well.
Although trompe l’oeil (meaning ‘deceive the eye’ due to the optically illusive nature of the art technique) is popular for large areas, such as dining and living rooms, it can add space and depth to smaller spaces, such as powder rooms.
Murals can incorporate specific themes, personal motifs or favored landscapes in any style. If your budget doesn’t stretch to a hand-painted design, consider a tiled alternative or a mural wallpaper, which can be custom-made and can even feature your own photos.
18. Opt for an instant update with wall decals
(Image credit: Future / Jake Curtis)
Instead of conventional artwork or feature wallpaper, why not choose wall stickers or decals (transfers) to make a statement? Options range from colorful designs, perfect for adding character to a child’s bedroom, to sophisticated silhouettes, elegant monochromes, witty graphics and adhesive chalkboard, ideal for kitchen walls.
Think about where to place them – off-center or above a baseboard often looks more interesting than a centrally positioned design, which can appear lost in a large space. Consider the style of your interiors, too; simple graphics and block colors will suit minimalist layouts. Wall art can look fussy in a busy scheme, so remember to pare back on other accessories to enable your art to stand out.
What can you do with a blank wall?
Adding impact to your walls needn’t be confined to the traditional methods of wallpapering or painting. There are plenty of ways to enliven your scheme, whether you opt for an easy-to-change option, such as witty wall stickers and whimsical decals, or invest in a bespoke solution, such as a striking mural or a delicate trope l’oeil. Whether your schemes are traditional or contemporary, there is a wealth of creative ways to let you walls do the talking.
Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world.
Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.
With contributions from
- Lucy SearleGlobal Editor in Chief
How to decorate an empty wall: 10 ideas and hacks
Designed by Dutch designer Richard Hutten.
Triptych
Three paintings or photographs connected by one idea will become an unusual accent in the living room. The image does not have to be bright, even unobtrusive abstractions in pastel colors will attract attention.
Fragment of the living room. The curbstone was made in a carpentry workshop in Moscow according to the project of Maria Mycenae. Ceramic tables and sculpture by Elena Orekhova, Savor Design.
Ceramic vases and table lamp, Barcelona Design. The panels on the walls are covered with wallpaper made by Fun House Store based on a watercolor by Ekaterina Lobanova. Sculptural panels of Maria Mycenae. nine0003
- Photo
- YEVGENY KULIBABA
Project by Anna Mikaelyan.
Black and white photographs
More is not better. Sometimes monochrome images look much more expressive than canvases filled with bright colors. Black and white photographs give the interior a special charm and evoke a slight nostalgia for the good old days.
Daria Kurchanova's project.
Project by Irina Kryuchkova.
Mirror
As you know, mirrors can visually enlarge the space and fill it with light, reflecting the sun's rays. But for some reason, they are more often given a place above the sink in the bathroom or in the hallway. And what if you hang a mirror in the bedroom or in the living room, complementing it with an unusual frame? Try it! The result will surprise you.
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Upper West Side bedroom, on a wall by photographer Marsha Lebedev Bernstein.
Living room in Casa Fornasetti, all mirrors are Fornasetti.
Painting in the fireplace area
The fireplace itself becomes the center of attraction in any home, especially on winter evenings. The final detail can be a painting located directly above the portal. The image can overlap with the overall gamut, or vice versa, be a bright “spot” in the interior. nine0003
Project by Mia Karlova.
- Photo
- Sergey Ananiev
- Style
- Natalya Onufreychuk
Wood
Natural materials will always be relevant. Even in an apartment in the center of the metropolis, wooden panels or slats will create a peaceful atmosphere of a country house. The shade of wood can be matched to the color of the furniture, combining the interior into a single whole.
Apartment in Moscow. Salmon Lair studio project.
- Photo
- Mikhail Loskutov. style: Yes We May
Villa in Ibiza. Designed by Studio Maison Numéro 20.
- Photo
- Francis Amiand
Decorative plates
Antique and souvenir plates will look organic on the wall in the kitchen or dining room. They will decorate the interior, giving it the charm of antiquity, and remind you of exciting travels.
The interior of the apartment on Kutuzovsky Prospekt. Designed by architect Pavel Zheleznov. nine0003
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Wall plate Thistle", Thun1794
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Diameter 19 cm
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Plate "Venus", "Dolyana"
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Diameter: 21.8 cm
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Plate "Javlon", "Dolyan" nine0082
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Diameter: 21.7 cm
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Plate, Alena Rakova x DVKB
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Diameter: 32 cm
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Plate “Forest fairy tale. Owl, Lefard
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Diameter: 19 cm
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Wall plate "Sunflower", Thun1794
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Decorative plate "Birds", "Souvenir plates"
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Diameter: 20 cm
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Bookshelves
A white wall in the living room can be diluted with simple shelves that can be placed anywhere: above the sofa, bed or desk. And the books, candles or pots of flowers placed on them will add coziness to the interior.
Project by Jamie Drake and Caleb Anderson.
Carpet
Yes, a carpet on the wall, a symbol of the Soviet era, can look stylish and unusual. Woven fabric with large flowers, abstractions or national ornaments can decorate the interior of any room. Also, carpets absorb sound well, so forget about the neighbors behind the wall. nine0003
Project by Ulyana Boikova.
Project by YUN Architecture.
Volumetric panel
Volumetric panels or wall sculptures will be an interesting addition to the decor of the living room, hallway or bedroom.
Unusual shapes against the background of a white wall will remind you of an installation in a modern art gallery, giving the interior a special charm.
The apartment of director Valeria Gai Germanika. Project of Diana Balashova. The bas-relief is the work of the animator Ali Trofimova.
- Photo
- Sergey Ananiev
Apartment in Moscow. Designed by Match Architects.
Large photo
The color scheme of the photo should match the interior of the room. In the bedroom or kitchen, neutral tones will look better, in the living room, on the contrary, you can pick up something brighter, uplifting. The images themselves can be different, the main thing is the unity of style.
Apartment in Moscow. Alla Shumeiko's project.
- Photo
- Sergei Ananiev. Style: Natalia Onufreychuk
Apartment in Moscow. Project by Ekaterina Gracheva.
- photo
- Sergey Ananiev
- Style
- Daria Grigoryeva
20 Cool ideas, 100 best examples - Inmyroom
Decor of the Interior
Contical maps, Cameruns, Positive Classes, Positive Calm - Positive Calm - Positive Calm - Positive Calm - Positive Counts - We are talking wall and turn it into a real art object
Walls are the ideal space for creative ideas. Just wallpapering or applying a coat of paint is the easiest solution, but and pretty boring. Feel like an artist, let the canvas be free surfaces - we have prepared for you 20 original ideas for decorating the walls in the house.
Idea No. 1: original wallpaper
Let the wallpaper be a self-sufficient element of the interior, not requiring additional decor. Choose a wallpaper with an interesting print in the form paintings, posters, with the effect of book pages. In order not to get tired of the bright drawings, glue only one wall with them, and leave the rest white. nine0003
Idea #2: decorative plates
Create an arrangement on the walls with plates, brought from vacation as souvenirs or left over from old sets. Choose plates in the same color scheme or in the same style, but in different sizes.
Idea #3: watch collection
As you know, “happy hours are not watched”, but use them as decoration. Display a collection of cuckoo clocks on the wall or with a large dial. With such a decoration, you are definitely not afraid of being late! stick same style: vintage pieces will look out of place next to the work of contemporary designers. nine0003
Idea #4: contour maps
Avid travelers are advised to decorate the wall with maps and pages from atlases, they will bring the spirit of adventurism and romance into the interior.
Hang physical map of the world, only a specific country or just a blueprint cities. Cards can be artificially aged and placed in an elegant baguette.
Idea #5: an exhibition of mirrors
Mirrors visually increase the space of the room, use this practical property and hang several copies on the wall. curly mirrors do not need to be framed if you use simple rectangles and squares, it is better to arrange them in a thick wooden baguette. Also now frames that look like the sun with rays are gaining popularity. nine0003
Idea #6: wallpaper panel
The remnants of bright wallpaper will become a stylish decoration of the room, stick them on the wall and close the joints with plaster or wood molding. More one option is to arrange small pieces of wallpaper in a baguette and hang them like paintings.
Idea #7: empty frames
Think outside the box - you can not insert photos into the frames, but simply leave them empty. Paint them all the same color or group them by shape - such a composition will look more advantageous on a plain wall.
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Idea #8: wall sticker
Use special stickers as wall decoration - they can be easily removed from wallpaper and painted surfaces. Choose original interesting images that will complement the interior of the apartment: decorate the walls ornaments, flowers, animals or trees.
Idea #9: art gallery
Display your favorite artists and illustrators. Do not hang pictures in one row - it looks boring. Better position in the center one or two large frames, and around them create a composition of more small jobs. nine0003
Idea #10: ethnic motifs
A Cameroonian hat will become a bright and memorable detail. handmade from feathers attached to a raffia base. Even the simplest and a modest room will be transformed with such a spectacular decor.
Idea #11: natural materials
Wood is a great help in creating sustainable natural interior. Saw cuts arranged in a chaotic manner, branches of bizarre shapes, intricate driftwood will become an unusual decoration of the walls.
This decor can find it yourself in the forest, just do not forget to clean it from pollution and Apply a protective layer of wood care product. nine0003
Idea #12: hats on the wall
Fashion designers come up with new models of hats every year, and designers find unusual uses for them. Hang a collection of straw or felt hats on the walls, they will become interesting art object.
Idea #13: artificial animal heads
Animal heads are in fashion today, of course, not real ones. They can be made from plaster, wood, or even papier-mâché. The main thing is not overdo it with their number, so as not to feel like in a zoological museum. nine0003
Idea #14: cozy handmade
Modern interiors are increasingly decorated with things made with their own hands, they bring comfort to the premises. Crocheted or knitted napkins, macrame panels, embroidered paintings will become the central element in decor and perhaps inspire your guests to their own creativity.
Idea #15: ceiling medallions
Original decoration for walls can also be decorative ceiling medallions made of polyurethane. They are easy repaint in any color to organically fit into the interior. Choose sockets different sizes and styles, such a voluminous composition will be the highlight of any rooms: kitchen, bedroom, living room. nine0003
Idea No. 16: positive labels
Post an inspirational statement or favorite quote. Compose them from wooden letters or write with stencil on wall or canvas with acrylic colors. You can purchase or make your own posters and wooden plaques with memorable inscriptions.
Idea #17: large-format painting
Often, to achieve an impressive effect, it is enough one big picture - it will become dominant decor element. In a classic interior, hang a landscape or a still life, in a modern - abstraction, a bright poster or illustration. nine0003
Idea #18: wall photo album
Decorate your wall with photos.
