Wall Decor

From LoveToKnow Interior Design

Walls are typically the largest empty space in a room, so utilize this valuable real estate to display wall decor that makes a visual statement about your design style.

How to Start Decorating Walls

A large blank wall can be very intimidating. There are so many options and decorating possibilities. Sometimes, a single painting can be the inspiration for the entire design of a room. More typically, the accessories are the final finishing pieces that pull together the color, texture, and style of the space. This means that the main components of the room – flooring, furniture, fabrics, wall finish, and window treatments – should be the guideline for selecting the wall decor.

The first step is to finish wall surfaces with paint, wallpaper, or other wall coverings. Painting techniques for walls include faux finishes, Venetian plaster, decorative stenciling, and murals. Wallpaper is resurging in popularity and is available in a wide assortment of designs like faux finish, grass cloth, metallics, and embossed Anaglypta. There are also other wall coverings available such as wood paneling, brick, tile, stone, mirror, wallboard, and metal. Most of these wall finish applications will add color as well as texture to the room’s bare walls.

Wall Décor Ideas

With a great surface to build on, the wall decor accessories can now be added. Along with the flat wall surfaces, there are also built-in or freestanding items to accessorize like shelving and wall niches. These areas are great for showcasing three-dimensional objects such as statues, sculptures, floral arrangements, or pottery. When hanging or mounting accessories onto the wall surface, you can assemble a more interesting display by combining two-dimensional art with three-dimensional objects.

Here are a few ideas for distinctive wall decor:

  • Album covers
  • Animal hides
  • Antique doors
  • Antique tools or implements
  • Aquariums
  • Art Prints
  • Clocks
  • Maps
  • Metal art or grilles
  • Mirrors
  • Paintings
  • Plates, serving platters, or trays
  • Quilts
  • Rugs
  • Sconces
  • Screens
  • Shadow-box displays
  • Tapestries
  • Tile mosaics
  • Upholstered fabric panels
  • Vintage marquee posters
  • Weavings
  • Wood carvings
  • Wreaths of flowers, vines, or wire

Displaying Wall Accessories

Once a collection of art and objects has been chosen, it’s time to compose these pieces into an attractive wall display. First, group these accessories by theme, color, shape, or texture. Then, match the accessories to furniture pieces which complement their features. For example, a red chenille sofa will look great below a poppy painting or another piece which features a hint of scarlet.

If you have related sets or series, keep them together for greater impact. A diptych or triptych is a connected series of two or three pieces respectively. For instance, it could be a mountain scene which spills from one framed piece into the next.

Every blank wall space does not need to be adorned. In fact, leaving blank areas creates a spot for the eyes to rest and keeps the focus on the larger walls. This is especially true of narrow wall spaces less than 18 inches wide.

Buy a picture hanging kit which contains the proper hardware for displaying wall art. Also, keep in mind the weight of the wall décor and ensure that it is mounted securely using a stud finder or wall anchors if necessary. If a large wall arrangement is desired, lay out the pieces on a flat surface or play with paper templates until the combination is just right.

Wall Decor Resources

Home Decorators – Large assortment of wall art, mirrors, wall sculptures, tapestries and more.

FYHome – Beautifully embossed paintable wallpaper.

Wall Art Murals – Paint by number wall murals.

Wards – Great selection of wall accessories.


 


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