25 Ways to Dress Up Blank Walls

Give your bare walls a makeover with these easy, budget-friendly ideas.

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November 25, 2014

By: Farima Alavi

Related To:

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Photo By: Chelsea Costa

Photo By: Anisa Darnell

Photo By: Courtesy of Society Social

Photo By: Ben Rollins

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

From: 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.

From: Jamie Herzlinger

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 instructions on 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 Edgemont dip-dyed coffee filters and placed them in a random pattern on the wall using glue dots to create a dramatic flower effect.

From: Michelle Edgemont

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.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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.

From: Michelle Edgemont

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.

From: Anthony Carrino

12: Geometric Wall

Spruce up an accent wall with budget-friendly plywood. Designer Brian attached plywood to this colorful wall in square shapes of all sizes to create a cool geometric effect.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

13: Book Page Art

Scour bookstores and thrift shops for vintage books you can use as art. To get this look, Design Star All Stars contestant Kellie folded book pages halfway in contrasting directions, and attached the books to the wall using screws.

14: String Art

If you want to add some retro-style to your home, go with the iconic '70s art favorite — string art. Give it a modern spin with a monogrammed design. Watch the how-to video>>

15: Baskets and Hats

Display your hat collection right above the bed for an unconventional focal point. To mix it up, add baskets and other vintage finds for a twist on the traditional gallery wall. Design by Jane Ellison

From: Jane Ellison

16: Neon Tape + Black-and-White Photos

Add some color to black-and-white-photos with neon-colored washi tape. Place the photos in an art gallery pattern or create geometric shapes. Design by Michelle Edgemont

From: Michelle Edgemont

17: Vintage Plate Collection

An eclectic mix of vintage plates is an easy, inexpensive way to decorate a bedroom wall in a little girl's bedroom. Include a framed baby photo and an initial for a true personal touch. Design by Anisa Darnell

From: Milk and Honey Home

18: Empty Frames

If you already have a playful accent wall — but want to jazz it up — hang bold empty frames at varying heights. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

19: Vintage Art Gallery

The metallic floral wallpaper is its own statement piece, but a collection of vintage art really gives this living room a vintage glam look. Design by Emily Henderson

20: Vintage Signs

You can find vintage lettering and signs at just about any thrift store. Cortney and Bob dress up one wall in the dining room with large vintage letters that spell "LUNCH". Paired with animal head decals and diagonal stripes, the letters bring a fun vibe to the space.

21: Wide Stripes

Painting stripes on an accent wall is a fast, easy and inexpensive way to add some color and interest to a wall. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

22: Thrift Store Art

Thrift stores have one of the best varieties of artwork. Stick to a theme, like animal print or botanicals. Once you have a theme, scour your favorite thrift shops for eclectic art prints that match your theme. Design by Jeanine Hays

23: Jewelry Tree

Living in an apartment or dorm room can prevent you from painting the walls. If you'd like to dress up the walls without damaging them, use washi tape. Michelle Edgemont attached tape to the wall in a tree shape, and pinned thumbtacks to the ends of each branch for a cute, space-saving way to display necklaces.

From: Michelle Edgemont

24: Funky Light-Up Star

Property Brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott placed a giant lighted star above the credenza to provide soft lighting and a funky element to the bare wall.

25: Wall of Mirrors

A collage of mirrors makes this bathroom feel larger while breaking up the monotonous white wall. Choose different style mirrors in the same color for a cohesive look.

From: James Farmer

25 Ways to Dress Up Blank Walls

Related To:

Shop This Look

1: Washi Tape Pattern

2: Elegant Sconces

3: Kitchen Art Gallery

4: Screenprint Art

5: Coffee Filter Art

6: Framed Maps

7: Rustic Baskets

8: Photo Collage Wallpaper

9: Cork Board

10: Inspiration Quotes

11: Faux Taxidermy

12: Geometric Wall

13: Book Page Art

14: String Art

15: Baskets and Hats

16: Neon Tape + Black-and-White Photos

17: Vintage Plate Collection

18: Empty Frames

19: Vintage Art Gallery

20: Vintage Signs

21: Wide Stripes

22: Thrift Store Art

23: Jewelry Tree

24: Funky Light-Up Star

25: Wall of Mirrors

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