These touches will bring your empty walls to life
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
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.
2. Curate a gallery wall
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.
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.
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.
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.
6. Paint a mural
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
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
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.
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.
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).
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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Create a basket wall
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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Add shiplap wall paneling
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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. Get an ethereal, whimsical look with paper lights
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.
21. Put rugs on the walls
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.
22. 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.
23. Show off your headwear
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.
Original article appeared on Architectural Digest | Author Kristi Kellogg
