ComScore
home

9 Creative Ways to Dress Up Your Walls

There's life beyond a mirror

Whether you’ve lived in your home for 20 years or just moved in, you know that decorating is a never-ending process. (Add a bar cart here, maybe a macramé plant hanger there.)

But tackling a big, blank wall… That’s a doozy, even for the most savvy of Pinterest users.

Here to inspire you to think outside the box are nine unconventional ways to add texture, dimension and style to any room in your house.

When most of us think of a gallery wall, we think of the space directly above the sofa or the wall adjacent to the staircase. Expand your horizons a bit with a corner gallery that starts at the floor. Anchor the setup with some larger pieces closer to the ground. A series of small photos an inch above the baseboard looks too cluttered.

Lean Your Pictures Against The Wall

Sometimes we get lazy. Here’s your excuse to embrace it. Instead of fussing with a hammer and nails, just lean framed artwork along a shelf or, heck, even on the floor. Your guests will feel as if they’ve stumbled into an artist’s studio.

valspar sponsored slide
Valspar

Consider Complementary Colors

Which comes first: Your wall color or what you hang on the wall? Instead of choosing the paint color first and the artwork second, think about the two as a unit for a cohesive impact. We love the seamless feel of Valspar Reserve’s “Ultra Green” as the backdrop to this abstract blue-and-white canvas. Valspar Reserve HydroChroma Technology also means that the color will stay vibrant, even after long exposure to sunlight.

wall decals
Surface View

Try Your Hand At Wallpaper Decals

Wallpaper is cool again, people. But for those not ready to fully commit to glue, there are wall stickers. And they’re absolutely gorgeous--like this huge watercolor magnolia that pairs perfectly with your existing white walls.

kelly wearstler plate wall
Domaine Home

Think Beyond Framed Photos

At the Viceroy hotel in Santa Monica, California, designer Kelly Wearstler created a stunning installation by grouping china plates in various patterns and sizes. Want to attempt this yourself? First consider the size of your wall and utilize plates in a variety of scales. Think platters and dinner plates on a large wall; salad plates and saucers for a petite setting.

paint brick white
Brian Patrick Flynn

Paint Bricks White

Anytime you have brick walls that are keeping you from using the color scheme or design you want, paint them white. A word to the wise: Be wary of doing so if you live in an historical building (many people are against this and resale could be tough). But if your brick is just some contractor hogwash, say buh-bye.

Spell It Out

Vintage letters and numbers are always a great flea-market find that can make a clever update to your kitchen area. You can also make them yourself with this clever DIY.

Reimagine The Pegboard

Everyone knows this toolshed staple is great for hanging pots and pans, but it can also be transformed into eye-catching wall decor. Simply corral a collection of small objects and arrange to your heart's content.

Bring The Outdoors In

We stole this idea from the new book Rooted in Design, a guide to creative indoor planting from the Brooklyn- and Chicago-based garden center Sprout Home. But seriously, how cool is this indoor ivy?


jillian quint editor in chief purewow

Editor-in-Chief

  • Oversees editorial content and strategy
  • Covers parenting, home and pop culture
  • Studied English literature at Vassar College

home
/ Jillian Quint
The Avocado Eco Organic Kids Mattress: An Honest Review from My Daughter’s Loft Bed
home
/ Sydney Meister
Here are 12 Tuckernuck Home Finds I’d Recommend to Anyone with Good Taste
home
/ Sydney Meister
I Just Found 10 Amazon Home Items That Look Way More Expensive Than They Are
home
/ Candace Davison
Emotional Support Crafting Is Trending, But There’s One Problem with It
home
/ Sydney Meister
Rococo Revival Is This Year’s Answer to English Farmhouse Fatigue
home
/ Natalie LaBarbera
Everything You Need for the Ultimate Home Refresh This Spring
home
/ Sydney Meister
10 Ultra-Chic Home Depot Patio Furniture Sets, Starting at $141
home
/ Candace Davison
Ruggable’s Outdoor Rugs Are Machine-Washable, But That’s the Least Interesting Thing About Them
home
/ Arricca Elin SanSone
What’s Wrong with My Houseplant? 7 Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore
home
/ Destinee Scott
The Amazon Big Spring Sale Ends Tonight—Score The 59 Best Last-Minute Deals Before It's Too Late
home
/ Amanda Le
The 8 Best Beige Sofas for Bringing the Quiet Luxury Look Home (Including Our Favorite Editor-Tested Picks)
home
/ Sydney Meister
Boomers Invested in “Forever Homes.” But Gen Z Is Buying Into “For Now”—Here’s Why
home
/ Sydney Meister
My Honest Review of the Dyson V15 Detect, the Viral Light-Up Vacuum (That's Almost $140 Off RN)
home
/ Destinee Scott
Walmart Super Savings Week Is Saving My Wallet—and These 7 Fashion and Home Scores Will Save Yours, Too
home
/ Sydney Meister
Using This One Word Could Boost Your Home's Value by $11,000
home
/ Alexia Dellner
This Decor Could Boost Your Home’s Value by $12,500 (No, It’s Not Modern Farmhouse)
See More