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Wall opening design ideas


27 Wall Decor Ideas to Refresh Your Space

No Wallflowers Here

These touches will bring your empty walls to life

Courtesy of VeryGayPaint

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Looking for wall decor ideas to refresh your space? Those empty walls are filled with possibilities—and a few additions can make a house feel like a home. If you're ready to turn those stark, bare walls into stylish centerpieces, keep reading. No matter your style, we've got the tricks that can amp up your walls and bring out your personality and taste. Whether you’re an art collector, a nature enthusiast, or a book lover, your walls can be customized so that you can be surrounded by the things you adore. Discover 27 wall decor ideas that are sure to add style to your home.

1. Go for large-scale art

Max Burkhalter

An oversized painting or photograph will command attention and set the tone in a small space. Try a black-and-white photo in a minimalist space or add color with a vibrant abstract piece, as pictured above in Taylor Rooks’s Manhattan bedroom. (Check out our guide on to where to buy art online to source striking and affordable pieces.)

2. Curate a gallery wall

  

Simon Watson

Nothing adds personality and color quite like a gallery wall. Display a collection of art or photographs, or add wall hangings and other ephemera. Opt for simple, cohesive frames or bring in an array of ornate variations to mix things up! Pro tip: Extend the gallery wall to the ceiling to create the illusion of a larger space.

Over-The-Sofa Organic Gallery Frames Set (Set Of 7)

$360 $208 at West Elm

3.

Incorporate an accent wall

In addition to displaying objects on the walls, think about decorating the walls themselves. Try out a bright and bold paint color to create an accent wall, or bring in pattern with wallpaper, stenciling, or other decorative paint techniques. (Think about transforming your ceiling while you’re at it!) These decorative accents can have an even bigger impact in a small space.

Phoenix Wallpaper by Justina Blakeney (1 Roll)

$150 at Jungalow

4. Showcase a fabric

A tapestry or wall hanging can add a pop of color and pattern, as well as a sense of softness to a neutral space. Consider framing vintage scarves or other pretty textiles. Bonus: These are a lot easier to move than framed paintings when it comes time to head to your next home.

Layered Watercolor Tapestry

$39 at West Elm

5. Hang up mirrors

Mirrors reflect light, helping a small space to feel bigger and brighter. Try hanging an oversized mirror, or display several smaller pieces salon-style.

Aria Svar Arch Mirror

$360 at Etsy

Harmati Round Mirror Circle Gold

$65 $60 at Amazon

6. Paint a mural

Courtesy of VeryGayPaint

Let your walls transport you to another place by adding a mural. Whether you hand-paint it or choose a wall covering, the motif will make a big impact.

7. Install shelving

  

Photo: Jessica Antola

Most Popular

If you’ve run out of floor space for bookshelves, take your collection to the wall. Install floating shelves and display hardcovers, small sculptures, and other odds and ends.

8. Hang plates

Matthieu Salvaing

Why hide your fine china in the cabinet when you can show it off? Use wire plate hangers to display your favorite dishes and serving platters. If you’re a collector of any design object, this might be the move for you–we’ve even seen breadboards as pieces of art on the wall of a Brooklyn brownstone.

Oiseau Bleu Vintage-Inspired French Salad Plate by Gien

$26 at Food 52

9. Display sculptural sconces

Sconces add an extra source of light without taking up space on the floor or a side table. Choose an eye-catching design that doubles as a wall sculpture to bring in light and style.

Fluted Gold Wall Sconce

$199 at Cb2

10. Go greener

Plants don’t just have to sit on the windowsill. Try hanging or wall-mounted planters to add a bit of greenery to your space and nature to your walls. If you’re not big on water, you can opt for a high-quality faux plant (and no one will probably ever be the wiser).

Spora Large Circle Brass Planter

$180 at Food52

Artificial Eucalyptus Wall Hanging

$25 at Amazon

11. Tap into texture with macramé wall art

Those ’70s macramé wall hangings have come back in a big way. The weavings add texture and warm up stark walls. Shop for them on Etsy, or try your hand at making your own.

Lyric Macrame Wall Hanging

$350 at Etsy

Colorful Stripe Wall Hanging

$140 $119 at Etsy

12. Or try beaded wall art

This wall hanging is made using the Maasai beading tradition. We love the minimalist black-and-white design. The stunning piece is handmade in Tanzania using glass beads sourced from the Czech Republic.

Rhombus Wall Hanging Small

$95 at 54Kibo

13. Hang an oversized wall calendar

A large calendar works especially well on an office or kitchen wall. Keep track of your events while also adding a standout element to enliven your room. Try bright and bold calendars with sans serif fonts to create a modern look and add a pop of color.

Poketo Spectrum Wall Planner

$48 at Amazon

14. Set the tone with a giant whiteboard or chalkboard

A big board is a perfect functional addition to an office, playroom, or even a kitchen. A chalkboard lends a rustic air to any room, while a whiteboard is the contemporary alternative—and you don't have to stick to just white (they’re available in a variety of shades and prints). You can take it to the next level and paint an entire wall with WriteWallPaint, which creates a writeable surface.

Acrylic Dry Erase Board

$169 at Pottery Barn

15. Create a basket wall

  

Yoshihiro Makino

Most Popular

Here's another wall decor idea: Add baskets to your wall! Whether you want to go colorful or neutral, you can liven up any negative space with an assortment of baskets in different sizes and textures.

Fele Leaf Bowl

$78 at Tackussanu Senegal

16. Document your travels with a personalized map

Add a large word map to your room's decor. You can order a personalized map of a city, state, country, or the world in just about any color palette. You can make it ultra personal by adding pins to the places you've visited or plan to visit.

Wall World Map

$148 $133 at Etsy

17. Mount your television

Another way to go? Mount your television. Adding a flat screen to your wall can be a great way to free up space on top of your media cabinet, enhance your wall, and update the entire look of your living room or bedroom. Plus, televisions like the aptly named "The Frame" are designed to look like artwork when they're off. With Samsung and you can put your television in ambient mode to showcase the images of your choosing. 

Samsung The Frame 4K Smart TV

$1,499 at Best Buy

18. Add shiplap wall paneling

    

Photo: Courtesy of Cody Ulrich/HarperCollins

Shiplap paneling will infuse your space with a fresh coastal feeling—and it works in any room. Whether your dining room, bedroom, entryway, or even bathroom walls need a refresh, consider adding the wooden boards typically used as exterior siding.

19. Mount your bike on a wall

Creating a stylish and sleek wall-mounting system for your bikes will give you more floor space and create an eye-catching focal point that will transform your blank wall. This is one of the most fun and functional wall decor ideas out there.

WC Bike Shelf

$100 at Etsy

20. Try removable wall art

Both Minted and Etsy have extensive collections of grown-up, sophisticated removable wall art. The adhesive murals have a luxurious matte finish and come in a variety of styles. Removable wall art is perfect if you're renting and don't want to damage the walls.

Boho Wall Decal

$47 at Etsy

21. Get an ethereal, whimsical look with paper lights

Light Balls

$74 $59 at Etsy

Like sconces, hanging lights set against a wall are a beautiful blend of form and function. Not only do they light your space but they add an unexpected design element that adds an enchanting soft-focus feel to a room. 

22. Put rugs on the walls

Minna's Moon Rug Grey Mixed Shag.Photo: Courtesy of Minna

Most Popular

We love a good rug, especially one with an abstract design. And while they’re great on the floor, they can also do admirable double duty as wall decor. Two-by-three-foot picks stand out when hanging above a fireplace. Or, you can go bigger and cover larger space. The possibilities are endless and unexpected, and we’re here for it. 

Checkers Rug, 4"x 6"

$414 at Beni Rugs

Beni Rugs Dusk Rug

$601 at Beni Rugs

23. Taxidermy, but make it vegan

Get yourself an animal head made out grass palm stems. The unique design is handcrafted in Morocco, and is available in the shape of an elephant, a sheep, or (pictured) a goat. Best of all? No animals are harmed in the process of making this striking home decor.

Moroccan Palm Animal Heads

$59 at Your Sustainable Home

24. Add planking to create "stripes"

Photo: John Woodcock

We love the playfulness that planking adds to this children’s room. The stripes were made by applying 12-inch-wide reclaimed-walnut planks. The effect brings to mind summer camp as a kid but is sophisticated enough to grow up with the young boy.  

25. Create constellations

Photo: John Woodcock

Most Popular

Design a mini-universe above your headboard. Seen here in a child’s bedroom, this could easily work with any age. It’s an impactful but easy DIY project: Just make a template, tape it to the wall, and string white yarn between roofing nails (painted white to resemble stars). 

26. Think outside the box

Wall decorations can be anything, really. Case in point: This fun trio of skateboards. The bright color scheme will energize any room, and is perfect for a contemporary aesthetic.  

Keith Haring's "Untitled"

$550 at Goodee World

27. Show off your headwear

  

Nicole Franzen

Short on closet space? Why not show off your finery and create a practical display with visual interest? Install hooks or a pegboard and hang hats in a cluster.

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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.

Opening in the wall - interesting modern ideas and combinations (105 photos)

Restoration of various kinds of buildings and structures can often be accompanied by a system of new entrances and exits. Some undertake to correct the situation with their own hands and close up the opening in the walls on their own. Everyone has seen the photo of the opening in the wall and what it looks like. But openings are also different.

Pay special attention to the opening in the bearing wall. Redevelopment in apartments and houses, concerning the area of ​​load-bearing walls, should be discussed in certain instances. nine0003

Many people ask how to make a hole in the wall with their own hands. Let's just say that this process is not significantly complicated, but quite laborious. The hole created will need to be reinforced so that the wall retains its original strength.

Steel profiles are used for this action. Jumpers with racks can also be used to reinforce the hole. Thanks to them, the created structure can withstand the weight of the entire wall above itself.

Closing existing openings

For example, if there is no need for any of the doorways in the house, then it must be closed. You can close the openings in the internal partition using ordinary drywall or other similar material.

However, if the opening is in the outer part, then one cannot do without a capital filling of the opening. In such a situation, special blocks and bricks will come to the rescue.

The opening must be carefully prepared before the sealing process. The plaster should be completely removed: starting from the lowest base to slopes and inconspicuous corners. nine0003

New, so-called grooves are created in the brick opening for future masonry. Halves of the brick should be removed on every 4 rows. Holes are created in the inner walls of concrete, into which reinforcement of 9-10 mm is driven in. This is done to strengthen the bond with the brick material.

The brick wall is left to harden for a day, and only after a day they start plastering. The areas of the walls that were initially freed from plaster will have to be primed. nine0003

During the plastering process, a steel mesh is applied every 240 mm. Steel structures are used to further strengthen the structure. Next, the wall is sprayed with cement, and the mixture (mortar) is applied. The number of layers of plaster should be depending on the correspondence between the levels of the previous and existing walls.

But! Be careful! Each subsequent new layer can be applied only a day after the previous layer has solidified. Before each application of a layer, the surface should be well primed, and on the other side, the wall should be plastered. nine0003

Decorating openings

Sometimes you can leave the opening, but in this case you need to decorate the opening in the wall.

There are several ways to decorate an old opening in a house:

Creating an arch. When creating arched structures, it should be remembered that the height of the opening will decrease by a significant number of centimeters. Making an arch is simple, with the help of corners and putty. Additional material can serve as drywall constructions, chipboard or plywood sheets. nine0003

But now in stores you can buy a ready-made version for your arch, which will make the task easier. It remains only to buy it and substitute it under the opening. Arches can be of completely different types: U-shaped, oval, rounded, square, triangular, etc.

Interior decoration with a niche. Niches look rich, aesthetically pleasing, and also visually increase the space in the room. They can be not only beautiful, but also practical, that is, serve as cabinets and shelving. They will look like shelves that occupy the entire space of the wall. nine0003

Design of old openings with various decorative materials. You can make a natural wood finish. This is done if the interior is already dominated by wooden structures, for example, a staircase, a door, smaller elements.

The next option is for you if you have already created an arch in the house and decided to decorate the arch with curtains or curtains. This will add lightness to the interior.

In extreme cases, you can use plastic panels. A wide range of colors of plastic panels and saving your money will be a huge advantage when finishing openings with this material. nine0002

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material choices, design ideas and types of openings (115 photos)

The need for openings in the walls is dictated by the planning rules in houses and apartments. In other words, this is necessary for the convenient movement of people in space. Often they become necessary when it is planned to allocate a separate room in the house with a large internal area or make a transition to an extension.

Finding the location of the doorway in the wall is easier if the vertical structure is not load-bearing. If this is the main load-bearing wall, it will not be possible to carry out work quickly. nine0003

There are strict requirements. Before proceeding with the device of the transition point from room to room, you will have to obtain a technical opinion on the state of the structure and a permit for construction work.

Review content:

Why reinforcement is needed

The wall where the opening is supposed to be made can be made of various materials. It can be brickwork, blocks, monolith or reinforced concrete.

It is impossible to make openings in the walls without preliminary preparation. According to technology, the wall above the opening should be reinforced.

Why this is done is easy to explain. When opening an opening, the integrity of the wall structure will be violated and, as a result, it will lose its main supporting role. This can be dangerous for the entire structure as a whole. nine0003

Loads calculated during the design of buildings always clearly define the amount of weight of internal and external structures at which the building is considered stable. Violation of design calculations is prohibited.

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This means that in order to make an opening in the wall, reinforcement is required.

Reinforcing elements can be metal corners in walls of small thickness or strong channels in load-bearing walls. The laying of reinforcement parts is carried out in the upper part of the opening before the installation of the opening begins. nine0003

How to make a doorway in a non-bearing wall

The main advantage of making an opening in a non-load-bearing wall structure is that there is no need to obtain a permit, as is the case with a load-bearing option. Since the supporting role in this case is excluded.

For a convenient transition to another room, a certain place is chosen and a contour is applied, according to the type and parameters of the door unit.

In the area where the uppermost mark is marked, the grinder makes horizontal cuts to a depth of 50 mm. at both sides. The addition to the line of the main cut should be 20 cm. nine0003

It turns out that the slots are made longer than the future built-in block itself, in order to evenly set the corners protruding beyond the opening line. The load that the wall structure itself has will be evenly distributed.

It is important to remember that for structures made of brick, block, it is necessary to use solid corners of the full specified length with the addition. The monolith is a solid material, so two corners can be used here. nine0003

Having marked the slots, punch a hole along the marked contour with a perforator. Often, for such work, scrap with a sledgehammer is used. Start work at the top and finish at the bottom.

How to make an opening if the wall is load-bearing

As stated above, without the permission of the relevant organization, it will not be possible to make an opening using the load-bearing wall of the structure.

Self-will threatens to end with a heavy fine, and even imprisonment, if a collapse occurs and someone suffers, except for the unfortunate master himself. nine0003

The whole process is coordinated with the design organization, and only after obtaining consent from the inspection commission, the owners with a calm soul get down to business.

Now the main question becomes: how to make an opening in the wall, if it is monolithic, block or brick.

The workflow for cutting openings in load-bearing railings is similar to non-load-bearing walls. The difference is seen in the implementation of the amplification. For example, an opening is arranged in a brick wall. nine0003

Briefly, reinforcement works are as follows: