New wall paintings
58 Best Wall Art Ideas For Every Room
1
Stack Some Figures
Andrew Brown Interiors
A series of framed nude figures is such a natural fit for a bathroom gallery wall. In this small bathroom designed by Andrew Brown Interiors, the warm wallpaper backdrop makes the artwork pop even more.
2
Secure Art to Shelf Dividers
Anson Smart
Books run the show in this swanky media room designed by Brigette Romanek, but there's still room for some black and white prints to break up the stacks. She secured them to the shelf dividers and alternated the orientation so a punch of dimension.
3
Get Creative With Paint and Treasures
Emil Dervish
In this entryway by Emil Dervish that gorgeous cobalt blue door steals the show. To bring even more drama, he extended the paint. to the doorframe and the wall up, finishing in an arched shape. The curves, along with a spherical sconce, soften the edges. Then frames vintage posters and maps of beloved places set the scene.
4
Stay In Line With the Overall Look
Kevin Scott
Minimalist, modern interiors can still have in on the fun of a gallery wall. In this dreamy coastal bedroom designed by Studio DIAA, framed prints add a touch of art without compromising the neutral, uncluttered atmosphere.
5
Take Advantage of Tall Ceilings
Chris Mottalini
Jenny Dina Kirschner filled this living room with cheeky treasures sourced from Chairish. The Gallery of portraits animates the entire room and plays up the tall ceilings (which means extra vertical space!) instead of overcrowding the small room with too much furniture.
6
Full Coverage
JOSHUA McHUGH
A wall-to-wall mural creates a sense of intimacy, as if you're viewing a painting alone in a museum, in this living room by Raji RM. The scale alone leaves you awestruck, while the approachable materials throughout the space tone it down for a touch of approachability.
7
Shrink It Down
Shade Degges
Miniatures are too adorable to be stashed away in a dollhouse. Put some tiny framed paintings on display for a subtle yet cheeky gallery wall in the bedroom. The traditional gilt frames are an unexpected treat in this space designed by Jae Joo.
8
Set the Mood
TRIA GIOVAN
Equal parts grand and laidback, this foyer designed by Anthony Baratta is the perfect blueprint to follow if you're decorating a formal entrance that still feels unfussy and comfortable.
Patterned textiles take center stage (see the carpets and the sofa), but they also help bring the high ceilings down to a human scale when hung over wallpaper.
9
Breathe New Life Into Something Old
Annie Schlechter
A flip on the typical gallery wall? A gallery wall of antique hand mirrors. Clustered together, these simple, eclectic mirrors function as art (and reflect light beautifully).
10
Paint Straight On the Walls
Mikhail Loskutov
In this sleek, minimalist apartment bedroom designed by Crosby Studios, a large abstract figure is painted painted directly onto the walls. It extends from the wall to the ceiling, making the room feel more polished and whole but still organic.
11
Switch Up Shapes, Colors, and Sizes
Emily Followill
Stacks of books bring character and depth to this simple wooden bench in an entryway designed by Jeffrey Dungan without overcrowding it.
Plus, since it's lower than a console table, there's extra wall space for that fabulous gallery wall, which is a fascinating mix of sizes, shapes, and colors.
12
Double Up Two Abstract Canvases
AP Design House
Two massive canvases fill the large wall in this contemporary living room by AP Design House. Rough layers of bright white paint pop against the cream-painted walls while still being neutral so that the peach and navy accents can maintain the color spotlight.
13
Frame Many Mirrors
Jared Kuzia
Alternating frames, sizes, and shapes make this experimental gallery wall of mirrors in a bathroom by Cecilia Casagrande both fun and practical.
14
Play With Optical Illusions
Nicole Franzen
Or, install two mirrors right across from each other to get the effect of a never-ending gallery of mirrors.
The infinity effect works well in a modern, minimalist environment, such as this bathroom designed by Kristin Fine.
15
Back It Up
Roland Bello
You can hang your art on the wall and call it a day, or you can pay special attention to choosing the right backdrop for an even bigger impact. Here, the inimitable Miles Redd placed modern artwork on a classic mural wall covering for contrast and just a touch of playfulness.
16
Play With Light
Think outside the box with decor that bounces light and makes fun illusions. The most obvious example is a disco ball, which Leanne Ford makes a strong case for in this otherwise laidback living room.
17
Hang Art Over a Window
JESSIE PREZA
When you run out of wall space or simply need to hide a less than ideal view, hang your artwork over a window.
Interior designer Krystal Mathews found the perfect size artwork and frame to animate the window seat while still letting in enough light.
18
Make It Micro
Heidi Caillier Design
A gallery wall doesn't need to take up the entire room. In fact, sometimes a tiny one can make a bigger style statement. In this living room, Hiedi Caillier opted for micro-mini frames and a random composition.
19
Spruce Up Your Stairs
Stephen Kent Johnson
Designer Juan Carretero opted for a deep green paint color to contrast with the light wood finishes. And while he did hang a decorative accent on the back wall, he also introduced art by securing a small frame to a baluster.
20
Light It Up
Stephen Karlisch
Put your artwork in the literal spotlight by installing a sconce above it.
Interior designer Jean Liu allowed this pretty painting to determine the color scheme throughout the room, tempering its pops of blue with neutral tones and lots of rough texture.
21
Do the Unexpected
Paul Raeside
The whimsy of butterfly and botanical motif wallpaper gets a newfound edge from the graphic modern art.
22
Create Flow
Tamsin Johnson
Interior designer Tamsin Johnson spotlights avant garde and experimental pieces in this living room, yet the aesthetic remains classic and understated thanks to the soft curves and organic shapes that warm up the space's modern look. Ettore Sottsass's iconic pink floor mirror in the entryway hints at the sculptural wall decor in the living room.
23
Balance Contrast and Flow
Thijs de Leeuw/Space Content/Living Inside
Here's another example of the Ultrafragola mirror connecting two rooms and looking endlessly cool.
Designed by Nicole Dohmen of Atelier ND with occupant Carice Van Houten, the bedroom opens right into the bathroom. Since there's no door, they made each space feel distinct with drastically different paint colors but then made it cohesive with printed curtains and a statement wall mirror.
24
Think in 3D
Delia Kenza Interiors
A three-dimensional wall sculpture can bring an entire room to life. Delia Kenza Interiors wisely chose to hang this abstract beauty above the fireplace mantel, where the eye is naturally drawn and it remains protected from the space's heavily trafficked paths.
25
Hang Plates
Heidi Caillier Design
Though contemporary in look and feel, this dining room designed by Heidi Caillier also boasts a lived-in, historied character. That's thanks to the vintage pieces, from the carpet to the light fixture, as well as the nods to farmhouse style, like the display of decorative plates and wooden table.
26
Get Textural With a Rug
Pablo Enriquez
Interior designer Peti Lau painted this accent wall a deep marine hue and then brightened it up with a marigold bench and matching wall art. But not just any wall art. Rather than hanging a framed painting or photograph, she secured a rug to the wall. It's a great way to bring soft texture and give new meaning to old pieces.
27
Spruce Up a Hallway
Angie Seckinger
Because most hallways and stairways are too narrow for accent furniture or even smaller decorative items, focus on your animating your surfaces. Here, Cameron Ruppert spiced up the stairs with a custom leopard-print runner and then paired a bubblegum landscape painting with floral lavender wallpaper.
28
Go Grayscale
Tamsin Johnson
An eclectic display of black and white artwork adds just the right amount of visual interest to a strict neutral color scheme in this contemporary living room designed by Tamsin Johnson.
29
Use Your Ceilings
Marili Forastieri
No wall space? No problem. Use your ceiling instead! Designer Rodney Lawrence hung Zanini de Zanine shelves at various heights in this NYC loft entryway. They delicately distinguish the entryway but can actually hold books and accessories.
30
Set the Mood
NicoleHollis Studio
A grid arrangement of iconic photographs that capture Southern California's skate culture shape the laidback, beachy environment in this dining room by Nicole Hollis Studio. Paired with a jute rug and clean wood furniture, this dining room nails the difficult-to-achieve look of unpretentious sophistication.
31
Decorate Shelves
Werner Straube
A pair of floating cubic shelves function as pedestals to prop up vases in this colorful dining room designed by Corey Damen Jenkins.
This trick is perfect for a narrow wall in a dining room, hallway, or entry, and it's a nice way to decorate the walls without hanging artwork.
32
Work With You've Got
ALISON GOOTEE
Though most of the wall space is occupied, Alexander Reid didn't let that stop him from hanging art—he just had to reach a little higher. The array of framed artwork gives this bathroom a more refined flair and draws the eye up, accentuating the high ceiling.
33
Contrast Styles
Arent & Pyke
The drape motif molding in this classic home designed by Arent & Pyke adds a touch of decadence which is juxtaposed against the modern portrait and abstract yellow painting, the funky chrome bar cart, kaleidoscopic vase, and graphic stool, and the shabby chic slipcovered sofa. All of the pieces come together in the colors of the antique carpet.
34
Choose Fun Sconces
WILLIAM ABRANOWICZ
With a wild yet thoughtful mix of colors, patterns, and textures, this bathroom designed by Sean Scherer is bursting with personality. The room is anchored by an inky black clawfoot tub, but the decorative pieces are what really bring it to life, from the bronze sconces, and gilt framed artwork—both of which add an unexpected gothic twist—to the light turquoise wall and lime green and coral candlesticks.
35
Lean On a Mantel
Alison Victoria
The fireplace anchors the living room in Alison Victoria's Chicago home. With elaborate gilt frames but simply leaning against the wall and overlapping, the figure drawings strike a balance between formal and casual.
36
Work With Wall Moldings
Fawn Gali
Here, a painted on runner by Annie Sloan looks just like a carpet.
"Do something groovy on the actual steps! The bolder you go, the bigger the smile when you see them," says Fawn Galli. And while the floors are obviously having a moment, the deep chocolate brown walls also deserve some kudos. The floral still lives add a sweeter, romantic touch to the saturated red floor—even if they're more subtle—and they also create a nice rhythm with the wall moldings.
37
Keep It Simple
HARIS KENJA
Framed solid colors can be the sunny touch to yoru walls you didn't know you needed. "[My] client wanted to use her existing table so we worked with that," says interior designer Heidi Caillier. The white frames complement the table but they're slight enough not to look too stark.
38
Frame Botanicals
DAVID A. LAND
Amy Berry incorporated a chaise and rocking chair for reading and brought the room to life with a classic toile wallpaper and framed botanical prints (Pro tip: Shop for your own affordable collection on Etsy or at a flea market!).
Keeping most of the decor on the walls leaves more useable floor space so there's room to play in child's room.
39
Frame Your Furniture
Eric Piasecki
If you have a lot of wall space to fill, group small pieces together. To create an interesting pattern or to give it some shape, trace a piece of furniture that's against the wall with the collection of frames.
40
Go Big And Think Abstract
Tessa Neustadt; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors
Large-scale line drawings are so simple, and you can style them with just about anything. The abstract look and neutral color palette allows for the oversized format in this layered living room designed by Leanne Ford Interiors.
41
Be Eclectic
WILLIAM ABRANOWICZ
This hallway designed by Sean Scherer proves that super intense, saturated colors pair nicely with more traditional styles (in this case, English cottage-inspired interiors).
The light turquoise painted floors and deeper, more matte blue walls create the perfect backdrop for a playful gallery wall of gilt mirrors, religious iconographies, and more modern portraits.
42
Layer Mirrors
Peter Frank Edwards
With two gilt mirrors stacked against each other, this room gives fun house a whole new meaning. Though it's simple and easy to do, it makes a big style statement.
43
Display Something Surprising
Corinne Mathern
A striking metal object is the focal point of this California living room designed by Corinne Mathern Studio. The soft curves, fluffy pampas grass, and pale color scheme make it inviting, elegant, and edgy all at once.
44
Color-Block the Gallery Wall
Studio DB
For double the artwork, try color-blocking the wall you plan to display your photo gallery on, as seen with the gray-on-gray look here by Studio DB.
45
Get Three Dimensional
Francesco Lagnese
Why hang a print of a plant when you can hang the actual plant? We love how this one introduces more dimension and carries the botanical theme into the space in a much more tactile way.
46
Go Geometric
Kingston Lafferty Design
The primary colors and geometric accents—the sputnik pedant and artwork—take center stage in this living room by Kingston Lafferty Design. The paint variations throughout set the scene for an ode to color and shape.
47
Be Bold
Nicole Franzen; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors
For an eye-catching bathroom, opt for one large piece in the center of the back wall. A moody black and white photograph will give a neutral bathroom much more personality, as Leanne Ford Interiors proves here.
48
Cover a Small Space
Peter Murdock
No room is too small for artwork. In fact, sometimes small spaces are the perfect places to display things on the walls since vertical space is all you have to show off your style. We love the eclectic artwork against the baby pink walls of this powder room.
49
Try New Shapes
Tamsin Johnson
The rounded backs of the folding rattan dining chairs mimic the rounded edges of the wall art. Though simple, the departure from a classic angular frame makes the space feel much more unique and thoughtful.
50
Let It Lean
Paul Raeside
For a effortlessly cool and easy elegance, lean your artwork against the wall. Not only will it save you the headache of installation, but it also gives the space a special, almost-bohemian feel.
51
Make It Pop
KARYN R MILLET
The breakfast nook in this kitchen designed by Molly Britt and Eric Olsen makes a big visual impact. While the kitchen itself bright, creating an open and airy atmosphere, the breakfast nook feels like a cozy and intimate space thanks to the dark paint color and classic gallery wall (and of course the architectural divot).
52
Consider New Proportions
Tim Street-Porter
This pair of framed lithographs are perfect for this smaller hallway canvas designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard. When choosing your artwork, don't forget to consider shape and size. Two tall and narrow pieces can be better than one large piece, especially if you want the wallpaper in the back to peek out more.
53
Play With Shape
Studio DB
The more unique, the bigger the statement when it comes to wall decor and art.
A good way to to switch things up a little is by choosing artwork that doesn't live within the confined borders or a rectangular or square frame. This one inn a living room designed by Studio DB is a real stunner.
54
Think Outside the Box
Nicole Franzen
If you have a collection of items that can be hung up, turn it into artwork by putting it on display in a cluster. It's a fun, stylish, and affordable way to give new life to things you already have.
55
Pick a Theme
Michel Arnaud
Mounted butterflies, drawings, and historic artwork on a deep black backdrop create a moody office space.
56
Mix Eclectic Frames
George Ross
Hang silhouettes in mismatched frames to keep them from feeling too dated and stuffy.
You could do the same thing with family photos, too, for a more personal touch.
57
Create Contrast
Paul Raeside
Those rich abstract paintings breathe so much personality into this mostly white space. Coupled with the modern periwinkle and graphic carpet, they both pop and blend in.
58
Frame Maps
Thomas Loof
If you're a traveler, consider framing maps instead of prints or paintings.
Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.
34 DIY Wall Art Ideas
Annie Schlechter
When you move into a new home, there’s always that moment when you stare at your blank walls, wondering how you’ll fill them and give them personality.
And as fun as it is to track down wall art from retail stores, we’ll suggest another way to dress up your living room or bedroom walls: DIY artwork you can create yourself. It might sound kind of intimidating, but we’re here to tell you that lots of DIY paintings, embroidery pieces, and abstract artwork isn’t as hard to make as you think and can create a striking accent wall in your home. Actually, many of the projects we’re sharing here from some of our favorite DIY bloggers around can be made in a weekend, an afternoon, or even an hour! Handmade ideas are also the perfect solution for adding interest to a gallery wall.
Making DIY wall art can also be a lot easier on your wallet too. Instead of springing for that expensive piece you spied in a catalog, you can create an oh-so-similar version for a fraction of the price, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself. So block off some quality alone time, gather up your friends, or ask your little ones to join in on the fun, because it’s time to make some DIY wall art.
DAVID HILLEGAS
1 of 34
Oversize Quilt Square Artwork
A large-scale piece of painted plywood lends graphic punch to any space. First, cut a piece of plywood to desired size (ours is four feet square). Draw a quilt block (here, Twin Star–style) on the wood with pencil, using a ruler or painter’s tape for straight lines, then paint with acrylic paint. Nail strips of 1/2-inch trim along the edges to finish. Lean or hang on the wall.
David Hillegas
2 of 34
Basket Wall Art
A bevy of baskets brings ample texture to a room. Using nails, hang a larger basket in the middle, then surround with smaller baskets in a circular or starburst pattern.
DAVID HILLEGAS
3 of 34
Kitchen Wall Spoon Display
Wooden spoons come in many sizes, shapes, and colors, making them the perfect ombre kitchen art. To assemble, cut a piece of plywood to the desired size and paint. Lay spoons in a light-to-dark pattern on the wood, and use a pencil to mark a spot on both sides of each spoon, typically just below the bowl.
Remove spoons, and drill holes at markings. Working with one spoon at a time, loop fine-gauge wire over the handle and through the holes; twist together wire ends behind the wood to secure. Repeat until complete, then hang.
DAVID HILLEGAS
4 of 34
Grid of Clipboard Frames
When it comes to gallery walls, frames can get expensive. For this arrangement, simply clip prints to vintage clipboards. Thread a piece of leather jewelry cord under the clip, knot it at the top, and hang with a pushpin.
SHOP LEATHER JEWELRY CORD
DAVID HILLEGAS
5 of 34
Trip Memento Maps
Memorialize a vacation, hiking excursion, rowing adventure, or road trip by outlining the route traversed with ribbon or twine on a new or vintage map. Hold both options in place on the map with hot-glue.
DAVID HILLEGAS
6 of 34
Grid of Nature Silhouettes
Start by collecting leaves and thin-stemmed branches. Lay them on 11-by-14-inch canvas boards. Use a round foam stencil brush to paint around the leaves with acrylic paint, covering the canvas.
Remove leaves, and allow boards to dry. Use white paint for any touch-ups. Frame as desired.
SHOP WOODEN FRAMES
DAVID HILLEGAS
7 of 34
Chalk Paint Wall Calendar
Keep everyone in the loop with an entryway wall calendar. Use painter’s tape (we used a 1/2-inch-wide roll) to tape off a 35-square grid to desired size, as well as two rectangles, as shown. Paint with acrylic chalkboard paint (we used Behr’s Interior Chalk Decorative Paint). Once dry, remove tape, and touch up any rough edges. Tie a length of twine around a piece of chalk, knot end, and hang on wall with a pushpin.
SHOP PAINTER'S TAPE
DAVID HILLEGAS
8 of 34
String Art Wall Art
String art is not just for summer camp! Gussy up the laundry room or a kids’ bath with appropriate words like “wash” or “splash.” Start by cutting out letters from craft paper. Mark nail holes with a pencil on the wall using the letters as a guide. Hammer copper nails into the wall, and wrap nails with lengths of assorted-colored thick yarn.
SHOP COPPER NAILS
DAVID HILLEGAS
9 of 34
Wallpaper Flower Wall Art
Transform wallpaper remnants into floating flowers. Trace and cut out 8 to 12 (depending on sizes) petals on backs of wallpaper remnants. Pinch together one end of each petal, and secure with hot-glue. Once dry, glue petals together in a circle. Secure to wall with pushpins.
Get the step-by-step how-to: How to Make Wallpaper Flowers
DAVID HILLEGAS
10 of 34
Bundt Pan Kitchen Wall Display
A collection of colorful vintage Bundt pans in assorted shapes lends retro flair to a kitchen or pantry wall. Bonus: You can take ’em down and use them as needed. For another take on this graphic idea, try it with a tray or plate collection.
DAVID HILLEGAS
11 of 34
Tic-Tac-Toe Wall Game
Make wall art interactive in a play room by hanging a vintage or new nine-pane window frame. Add galvanized X’s and O’s, and let the games begin.
SHOP GALVANIZED LETTERS
DAVID HILLEGAS
12 of 34
Old Book Wall Display
Arrange books in a fun, slightly haphazard pattern, putting heavy-duty nails or staples through the back covers to secure.
For extra texture, hold some pages open with string or fishing line.
At Home With Ashley
13 of 34
DIY Color Block Rainbow Wall Art
Looking as if it’s jumped right out of the 1970s, this incredibly cheerful rainbow wall art is guaranteed to make you smile. All it requires is a canvas, some painter’s tape, and a kaleidoscope of paint colors.
Get the tutorial at At Home with Ashley.
SHOP PAINTBRUSHES
Delineate Your Dwelling
14 of 34
DIY Large Scaled Art
With a tutorial like this one, you really can whip up your own abstract art to display in your home, no previous painting experience required. It’s sure to be a conversation starter as soon as your guests walk in the door.
Get the tutorial at Delineate Your Dwelling.
SHOP ACRYLIC PAINT
Sincerely, Sara D.
15 of 34
DIY Framed Silhouette Art
We're fully aware of the silhouette trend sweeping the flea markets nowadays.
Beloved for their old-school flair, you can make silhouettes of your very own family members with this beginner how-to.
Get the tutorial at Sincerely, Sara D.
SHOP OVAL FRAMES
Shrimp Salad Circus
16 of 34
DIY No-Sew Embroidery Wall Art
Using a woven panel and a frame you make yourself, there are no embroidery skills needed to craft this bee-utiful wall art.
Get the tutorial at Shrimp Salad Circus.
SHOP STAPLE GUNS
A Piece of Rainbow
17 of 34
DIY Floral Wall Art
Starting with free printable flowers, card stock, a large poster board, and frame, this colorful floral wall art will cost you only $5—and only an hour of time!—to make.
Get the tutorial at A Piece of Rainbow.
SHOP DECOUPAGE GLUE
Just a Little Creativity
18 of 34
DIY Metal Leaf Wall Art
While we love the vibrant green hues of ferns, we can’t help but gravitate toward these faux fern fronds covered in a layer of glam gold.
They particularly pop against a black canvas.
Get the tutorial at Just a Little Creativity.
SHOP BLACK CANVASES
RemodelaCasa
19 of 34
DIY Wall Art with Framed Fabric
So, maybe you don’t fancy yourself a painter. That’s okay! Instead, follow this tutorial to frame a piece of artful fabric that looks just as creative.
Get the tutorial at RemodelaCasa.
SHOP SCISSORS
Nadine Stay
20 of 34
DIY Modern Painting
For something on the modern side, paint simple black and white blocks onto a cream background, frame, and admire on your wall.
Get the tutorial at Nadine Stay.
SHOP T-SQUARES
Feeling Nifty
21 of 34
DIY Lavender Painting
You love the scent of lavender—so why not paint some lovely lavender flowers for your wall? Although it looks complicated, this tutorial will have you feeling like a flower-painting Picasso in a flash.
Get the tutorial at Feeling Nifty.
SHOP SQUARE CANVASES
Amber Oliver
22 of 34
DIY Wood Shim Wall Art
We're loving all the stunning bohemian wall art we’re seeing on Etsy these days. And guess what? You can make one of those masterpieces yourself, using wallet-friendly wood shims and your favorite power tools.
Get the tutorial at Amber Oliver.
SHOP WOOD GLUE
Savvy Apron
23 of 34
DIY Thrifted Canvas Wall Art
Let’s say that you’ve spotted a canvas at the thrift store, but you’re not exactly over the moon about the artwork on it. If the size is perfect for your wall, transform it into an abstract treasure you’ll adore.
Get the tutorial at Savvy Apron.
SHOP GOLD CRAFT PAINT
The Turquoise Home
24 of 34
DIY Color Engineer Prints
Believe it or not, you can take your fave vacation pictures and turn them into full-color, large-scale engineer prints, which we guarantee will look perfect on your mantel.
Get the tutorial at The Turquoise Home.
SHOP FOAM BOARDS
City Farmhouse
25 of 34
DIY Abstract Art Using Paint Samples
Layering a mix of navy blues, creams, and grays, you can turn some of your top paint colors and into a dreamy piece to proudly display in your home.
Get the tutorial at City Farmhouse.
SHOP FOAM BRUSHES
Brepurposed
26 of 34
DIY Large Scale Stenciled Art
For a touch of global flair, you can make this stenciled wall art which looks a lot like batik patterning. The blue and white hues make it look fresh and distinctive for any space.
Get the tutorial at Brepurposed.
SHOP WHITE PAINT
The Sweetest Digs
27 of 34
DIY Abstract Art
If you can’t get enough of gold, we highly suggest that you make this abstract wall art that incorporates pinks, grays, and mesmerizing liquid gold foil.
Get the tutorial at The Sweetest Digs.
SHOP GOLD LEAFING PAINT
Robyn Johanna
28 of 34
DIY Farmhouse Laundry Room Signs
You’ll be pleased to know that you can make these absolutely adorable farmhouse signs for your laundry room with artist panels scored at the dollar store.
Get the tutorial at Robyn Johanna.
SHOP WOOD STAIN
Simple Stylings
29 of 34
DIY Paint Dipped Artwork
We all have them—those vintage paintings gathering dust in our basements that haven’t seen the light of day in years. Whether they’ve been passed down in your family or you changed your mind about them after buying them at a flea market, you can give them a modern look by dipping them in paint.
Get the tutorial at Simple Stylings.
SHOP PAINTER’S TAPE
Made in a Day
30 of 34
DIY Marble Wall Art
Marbled-anything can be hypnotic, from countertops to cake to those pages inside antique books, but a marbled piece of wall art? Sign us up, especially when it showcases touches of gold.
Get the tutorial at Made in a Day.
SHOP CLEAR ACRYLIC SEALERS
Modern wall painting techniques, painting techniques, airbrushing, fluorescent painting
Modern wall painting techniques do not limit artists in realizing their vision, and paint materials even more so. New technologies give more and more possibilities of expression, and there is no limit to the madness of design ideas in wall painting. Surfaces for painting can be of any texture - smooth, rough, pronouncedly embossed, and materials for painting are selected accordingly. The most commonly used paints: acrylic, oil, fluorescent. One of the most interesting and popular techniques is airbrushing. Images in modern wall painting techniques are made using special equipment of the same name: airbrushes are very popular tools, and the painting they make is very accurate, the paintings are perfectly even and smooth, without a trace of brush work, and the drawings are bright and saturated.
A lot of wall painting techniques have been developed, and it is impossible to tell about all of them. One can only list the options for murals that are most in demand in modern interior design.
Airbrushing
Airbrushing technique is very popular, and it's not surprising. The painting technique got its name from the words aero - air, and grapho - I write. Air writing, however, requires special paint and tools, and compressed air is used to create pressure. Airbrush paint, ejected in an air jet, is applied to the decorated surfaces in the thinnest layers, and the effects created are as diverse as they are indescribable in words - this is photoreality, and the smoothness of color transitions, and the possibility of creating realistic imitations of rough textures on completely smooth surfaces stone or brick, and the illusion of volumes.
Fluorescent wall paintings
This painting technique is based on the use of special paint compositions that accumulate energy during the day and release it at night, emitting a magical glow under the action of the ultraviolet radiation spectrum - under an ordinary ultraviolet lamp.
The gamut of colors of fluorescent paints is extensive and gives every opportunity to implement the most daring ideas and create various effects and illusions - an interior with fluorescent painting acquires the features of a real uniqueness. They paint both smooth surfaces and relief, and details with a pronounced volume. Some of the effects of the fluoro painting are the sparkle of stars and snow in a winter forest, moonlight and a moonlit path in the sea, the frozen dynamics of a night freeway, and much more.
Fresco as a type of wall painting
The ancient and ageless art of fresco, or colorful painting on wet plaster, is very popular and loved today. The distinctive signs of the frescoes are the amazing picturesqueness of the texture, the high quality of wear resistance and durability. Today's versions of frescoes can create a different impression: both avant-garde painting and the work of an old artist, with a clear imitation of ancient textures and drawing techniques.
Ancient frescoes in new houses are artificially aged, with simple and fascinating patination techniques, special craquelure varnishes and paints with fillers.
Volumetric wall paintings
Unique painting techniques with the effect of entering a new dimension of space, creating the illusion of freedom and spaciousness in small spaces through paint, lighting and sometimes mirrors. This technique allows you to imitate any architectural refinement - a staircase to the sky or a French window to a garden or a snow-covered forest, an arcade overlooking the old Verona or the sea surface: the sensations of virtual worlds in your own apartment do not frighten, but enliven the atmosphere and fill life with new positive.
Painting using stencils
Simple and affordable stencil painting techniques do not require artistic education. A sense of taste, measure and careful following of a simple algorithm is enough. Drawings are applied to prepared and painted walls using ready-made stencil templates made by hand from film, plastic or cardboard.
Specialized stores also offer a huge selection of stencils for every taste, all kinds of topics and dimensions. You can use a wide variety of paints for stencil techniques, combine acrylic compositions and metallic paints, complement the image with artificial aging effects, or perform monochrome painting - a very elegant option.
Watercolor painting and acrylic wall paints
Watercolor gives a lot of possibilities - the properties of these paints to mix and play with halftones are familiar to everyone who has ever held a brush in their hands, at least in childhood. Watercolor paintings are protected with varnish. Acrylic paint does not need protection, but matte silky varnish gives the painting an extra charm, while at the same time extending the life of the painting. Acrylic painting has many fans, both adults and children, since the quality of the paints allows the use of acrylic compositions in any room. Acrylic, or latex, dyes are odorless, dry quickly, UV-resistant and completely environmentally friendly.
Caring for acrylic painted walls is simple and inexpensive - a simple wash with water and mild household detergents is possible. The wall will not attract dust, and the decor of a smooth surface will require no more cleaning time than a regular painted wall.
Do-it-yourself acrylic wall painting
Materials and tools required for painting:
- · Acrylic paint in desired shades. You can mix paints and dilute them with water, achieving the desired color and saturation.
- · Set of brushes - for dotted strokes and lines, fly brushes and fan brushes, the more types of brushes the better.
- · Soft-coated rollers for painting backgrounds or large areas of a painting.
- Water containers.
- Rulers, stencils, pencils.
- Drawing or ornament.
Patterns are selected according to the style of the interior, in harmony with the background shades of the surrounding decoration and of course, according to personal tastes and desires.
Almost any fantasy is possible - space and nature, cartoons, still lifes and stylization, abstractions and imitations of stained glass windows and frescoes, and much more. To gain initial experience, you can perform a small painting in the pantry or a fragment of painting - for the skill and understanding of possible erroneous actions. The first drawings are usually chosen to be simpler, linear and not replete with complex details that require drawing and background. For a novice master, experienced artists advise choosing a simple architectural composition or floral ornament as the first masterpiece.
The first step is to prepare the surface for painting. The base must be dense, even and strong, without flaking old finishes. If necessary, the wall is puttied and primed, and then painted in a neutral or white tone. You can immediately paint and tint background of the future picture. The wall should be even, other options - when the unevenness or defects of the walls are masked by painting, require special skill and experience.
The next step is to transfer the selected pattern or drawing to the wall surface, using a cell breakdown. The image is divided into cells, and the surface for future painting is delimited into the same number of cells. It is convenient to transfer sketch lines to the wall by cells, and the proportions for enlarging the drawing are immediately visible. They draw on the wall with simple pencils, with inevitable mistakes and alterations, the lines are easy to erase and draw again.
After the entire drawing is drawn, the square grid of lines is erased and the painting begins, the technique is reminiscent of a simple coloring or a child's drawing. Acrylic paints are mixed with water and white paint, achieving the desired tone. The consistency of the composition should resemble thin sour cream. Thick paints do not fit well and give rough strokes, but liquid paints flow down and form ugly smudges, and this should not be allowed.
First paint large areas of painting in one tone, using flywheels and fan brushes, and very long fragments can be painted over with a roller.
Boundary contours, drawings and small elements of the picture are made with thin brushes.
The last stage of painting is to protect the painting with one or more layers of acrylic varnish. The varnish not only increases the resistance of the painting to wear and UV rays, but also creates an additional artistic effect. Glossy varnishes visually expand the space, but lubricate the overall impression of the picture, besides, the gloss does not harmonize with all interior styles. Matte lacquers for finishing wall painting are a more advantageous decor, but for acrylic murals, lacquer coating is just an addition, but not at all a mandatory step. Acrylic paintings look great even without a varnish layer, and the choice of technique depends on the idea and style of the drawing.
Wall painting
Ancient people started the technique of wall painting more than 18 thousand years ago, when they had only natural "paints" at their disposal.
A striking example are the rock paintings on the walls of the Spanish caves of Altamira.
Despite the fact that only a very limited palette of colors was available to man, this did not prevent him from creating colorful images. Of course, paints were created from natural materials: coal, manganese, ocher, blood, and diluted with water or animal fat.
The next step in the development of wall painting was the construction of temples, where artists could implement various painting techniques and create a single composition.
Antique times
Drawings created by the masters of Ancient Egypt are considered to be the most important contribution to the history and development of wall painting. Their works date back to the 3rd and 4th millennium BC. e. At that time, the greatest attention was paid to temples and pyramids, where you can find not only images of Egyptian gods, but also trace the chronicle of historical events. The first canonical styles of drawing were established, the palette of colors expanded.
Another example of ancient art - paintings from the island of Crete.
They are made on wet plaster and were created for palaces. The latter were decorated with both friezes and painted panels. Although the painting remained decorative and planar, bright colors were used to apply the designs.
Gradually, in addition to images of a person, patterns and ornaments began to be added to the painting, instead of the usual heroic plots, the artists focused more on lyrical motifs. Again, bright and saturated colors were predominantly chosen. One of the reasons is the difficulty of perceiving light shades on white marble walls.
The next step is to move the wall paintings to the front rooms, when the focus is on the interior. A new round of development is observed in Ancient Rome.
The painting of ancient Greece has come down to us in small samples, however, they also show that the art of the Hellenes reached a high level of both realism and symbolism in painting.
The pompous design of houses is based on the works of Greek artists, the painting technique reaches a high level.
The walls reflected the scenery of theaters, palaces or rich ornaments, the purpose of which was to reflect the splendor and wealth of the owner.
Renaissance - a new era and the second birth of wall painting
The difference of this period can be called an increase in the role of the church interior, as well as new rules for painting. Decorative painting begins to be closely intertwined with the spiritual content of the drawing. There are personalities whose names will forever remain in the history of world artistic culture. Italian masters - Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo and other famous painters - gave rise to a new wave of development of wall painting, which would then spread to the whole of Northern Europe. The first frescoes appear, which are paintings on wet plaster.
Once again, as in ancient times, painting transcends religion and appears in secular homes. The original technique of creating frescoes is being replaced by painting on dry plaster.
There is such a thing as Alfrey painting. It is characterized by a combination of decorative interior decoration and full-color painting. By the end of the 18th century, the technique of creating "tricks" was flourishing, with the help of which it was possible to visually increase the space in the room.
Baroque and Rococo
In the heyday of splendor and pomposity of interior , wall painting is designed to emphasize its luxury and rich decoration. Successful angles, bright colors and theatrical effects are welcome. "Spoofs" remain in demand, despite the fact that rich people could afford luxurious gardens and did not need an additional increase in space. The technique of artistic painting is brought to perfection - the drawings become almost indistinguishable from architectural details.
When rococo replaced boroque, lightness and delicacy joined the main principles of wall painting, more attention was paid to the depiction of angels and floral motifs.
The rococo style differs from its counterpart in more calm, smooth, pastel shades. Here, to a greater extent, there are such colors as white, soft pink, muted blue, pistachio and, of course, gilding. Gilding frames both painting and embossed stucco.
Contemporary wall painting
Modernist trends and industry's contribution to interior decoration led to wallpaper and the decline of classical painting. But recently, this interior design technique has again attracted attention due to its capabilities. It allows you to make adjustments to the architecture, reflect the individuality of the owners of the premises, and revive the premises. No less advantage is that the painting, just like many centuries ago, is created by hand.
Although modern wall painting is based on a huge layer of skills and knowledge of masters of the past, it actively includes technologies and motifs of the current era. This makes it more durable. Plus, it is a good opportunity to add variety to most of the same type of modern dwellings.
New trends and painting rules
The main goal of modern wall painting is to convey the originality and sophistication of the interior. Through the use of painting in combination with household items, you can create a unique design for almost any room - from a company office to a personal apartment. A significant role is played by the desire of designers to experiment and offer new solutions to design problems. As an example, it is worth mentioning fluorescent paints, airbrushing or decoration techniques with the artificial creation of patina - the effect of aging.
Let's sum up
The desire to express one's own individuality has long been present in the character of any person. In particular, this is expressed by the desire to possess something exclusive, special. The easiest way to realize this desire in the era of modernity is to order a unique interior decoration using wall paintings. In addition to this, the house becomes more comfortable and cozy.
