Give your bare walls a makeover with these easy, budget-friendly ideas.
1: Washi Tape Pattern
If you live in a dorm or apartment, it may be against the rules to permanently affix decor onto the walls. Cue the washi tape. Use a variety of colors and patterns to get a custom look you love, and simply switch it out when you want a new look. Design by Michelle Edgemont
2: Elegant Sconces
Dress up even the smallest of areas, like a nook or entryway, with a little bling. Designer Jamie Herzlinger flanked a French-style settee with ornamental sconces to add some sparkle to the plain wall.
3: Kitchen Art Gallery
Even your kitchen walls could use some sprucing up. Print your favorite photographs, put them in basic frames and hang them at varying heights for an art gallery look right in your own kitchen.
4: Screenprint Art
Give your walls a cool effect with a pop art look. Get simple instructionson how to make a faux screenprint that will bring a little quirkiness to any room.
5: Coffee Filter Art
You can find artistic inspiration using everyday items. Michelle Edgemontdip-dyed coffee filters and placed them in a random pattern on the wall using glue dots to create a dramatic flower effect.
6: Framed Maps
Give an old map a modern spin with a multi-frame application. Choose your favorite destination spots, or use a map of your hometown. Get the instructions here>>
7: Rustic Baskets
To decorate the staircase wall, cousins Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri of Cousins Undercover hung rustic wood-and-wire baskets. Check your local thrift store for vintage finds that are easy to hang and eye-pleasing.
8: Photo Collage Wallpaper
Use family photos to make a customized wallpaper design. Here, Cortney and Bob Novogratz of Home by Novogratz covered one wall of this international models’ apartment with the models’ headshots for a dramatic yet personal touch.
9: Cork Board
Don’t forget about the staircase wall. If you’re living in a small space, you can make a workspace underneath the stairs by installing a floating desk against the staircase wall. Designer Brian Patrick Flynn installed corkboard to the wall for a convenient spot to attach memos, cards and photos.
10: Inspiration Quotes
You can find a plethora of inspirational signage in stores, but you can make your own, too. Michelle suggests using different colors and patterns of washi tape for a funky way to display your favorite quote.
11: Faux Taxidermy
Anthony and John of Kitchen Cousins dressed up a rustic dining room wall with faux taxidermy. The patterns on the animal heads add a modern touch, bringing two contrasting styles together.
12: Geometric Wall
Spruce up an accent wall with budget-friendly plywood. Designer Brianattached plywood to this colorful wall in square shapes of all sizes to create a cool geometric effect.