Let’s be honest, one of the first things you think about when it comes to redecorating your home is your walls. What will you do with your walls? And how do you make sure they make a statement? Or do you want them to blend into the background completely? What color makes sense with the sofa? Well, know that you’re not alone when it comes to this conundrum. Plenty of homeowners are staring at their walls trying to decide how to strike a balance between overwhelming, homey, and relaxing.
And that’s where I come in to tell you that you shouldn’t be afraid to let your walls be the star of the show! First off, it allows you to immediately draw the eye of all visitors and then charm them more and more with all the finer details of the room – like looking at a painting and then focusing in on all the individual brush strokes. Secondly, going big with your walls means you can easily find harmony between expressive decoration and minimalism (a bold wallpaper will offset your plain white bedding and simple storage solutions) letting you have the best of both worlds without crowding your space.
More importantly, making your walls the star of the show relieves the pressure (and cost) of finding other statement pieces. This way you get the maximum bang for your buck while also infusing your room with tons of character and charm. So here are 5 fantastic ways to make your walls the star of the show.
Wall Murals
I #CantStopWontStop talking about wall murals. If you like ✨drama✨ then the wall mural is definitely the way to go. Big, bold, and beautiful, wall murals can transport you to another place entirely. They also serve as both art and wall covering all in one (hello, low cost decorating!). Use wall murals lightly, though, as too many quickly become overwhelming and dizzying. My favorite use for this clever work-around is in kids’ rooms and offices.
Paint
I know paint is the obvious option (and probably why you’re here to begin with), but there are a couple points I’d like to make when it comes to paint, paint colors, and paint designs. Firstly, the most apparent use of paint is to pick a bold, maybe loud paint color (like Husky Orange SW 6636), and paint a statement wall. Then pick out complementary accent colors to work in around this statement color and the neutrals in the room.
The second great thing you can do with paint seems to be quickly becoming a growing trend; paint geometric shapes. People have been painting a variety of shapes in a complementing colors to the other paints they’ve chosen to create eye-catching designs. This adds a sweet and simple element that easily dresses up a plain wall. If you’re the artsy type, or if you know a painter who’s willing to do this for you, then it’s the option for you! I love the more modern-rustic feel designs like this give a room.
My third paint point is that the color of your walls tends to set the tone of the room. My apologies if that stresses you out even more, but it’s important to keep in mind as you approach any decorating projects. Take stock of your furniture, your décor, and other items to be sure that the color you choose will blend perfectly with all your other belongings, setting up the perfect aesthetic for them to be the details you want them to be. If you struggle to envision the final look of the paint you want, head over to Sherwin-Williams to explore their Colorsnap Visualizer, or see if my E-Design Services are for you! With E-Design we can put the whole room together – paint and all – so you can see the end product without having to paint a single wall (and then repaint it if you don’t like the color).
Shelves
Well-placed and styled shelves can take a plain wall and make it unrecognizable (in a good way). There are literally hundreds of different shelf styles and arrangements out there, so you are in no short supply of inspiration and options. Shelves also offer the opportunity to display various pieces of your personality, travels, and passions without strewing things all over the room. On shelves, they are kept organized and safe, while also being a little museum to your life, family, and interests. Styling shelves is an art in its own right, but don’t let that intimidate you; style your shelves however you like, with items that speak to you on a personal level 😘.
Wood Wall Treatments
This is really branching out and might require a little professional help, but wood wall treatments are incredibly cool, add a whole new dynamic to a room, and can have either a modern or more rustic look – so they’re a people pleasing all around. We’ve come a long way from the wood paneling of the ‘50s-‘70s, and now we’re using wood to create patterns, we’re painting it, and we’re adding it in small amounts as an accent wall.
Wood wall treatments can be a DIY project, using reclaimed wood or molding to create full wall patterns or add a wainscoting look. Or you can hire a contractor to install the wood paneling for you. No matter what, I think it’s time to embrace this trend a little more.
Gallery Wall
Here’s where we cater to our maximalist side. Gallery walls are not super popular with minimalists, but they are great for family homes, artists, bohemian aesthetics, and anyone who has a love for the eclectic (but not the space). Gallery walls are easily created, too. Just gather up maps, postcards, prints, photos, and more and arrange them in a varied pattern, mixing small and large frames. You can also integrate shelves into the mix, as well as plants, lights, instruments, and so much more! Anything you don’t want on the floor or table, find a way to hang it!
Tip: if you have the space, lay everything out on the floor to arrange it the way you want it before hammering any nails into the wall.
Also, if you want to learn all about framing and hanging your art, and you’re in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, join us for our workshop with Pop Revolution!
Your walls are a major part of your home (they’re everywhere, after all), so don’t let them go to waste or become obsolete – make them the star of the show!
Show me your walls by tagging me (@your_design_partner) in your Instagram Stories and let me know how you’ve styled your walls or made them a focal point of your room.
Your partner in design,
