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How To Decorate Your Walls
Decorating the walls of your home likely requires more effort than just hanging a few pictures. If you want, it can be about creating an atmosphere that reflects your style and enhances the function of each room. Whether you're dressing up your bedroom, living room, dining area, or home office, there are endless possibilities to transform plain walls into expressions of your style. Here's a room-by-room guide to help you thoughtfully decorate your walls.
Decorating Bedroom Walls
Art That Reflects Your Interests
Your bedroom is your personal haven, and the decor should mirror your taste. Select artwork or decorative pieces that resonate with your personality. If you're a music enthusiast, you can hang framed posters of your favorite bands or concert tickets for the shows you've been to. Movie buffs might put up movie posters or a collection of favorite film quotes. If you want to be reminded of happy memories, create a gallery wall with photos of friends and family or a shadow box filled with mementos like travel souvenirs and handwritten notes.
Functional Decor
Wall-mounted lamps or string lights free up space on your nightstands while adding an interesting element to your room. A decorative mirror can also serve as both an accent piece and a practical tool for getting ready each day.
Fabric Textures
Adding fabric elements can introduce warmth and texture. Pieces like the following are also helpful for absorbing sound, softening the room:
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Woven wall hangings
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Tapestries
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Quilts
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Embroidered fabrics
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Canvas drop cloths
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Upholstered panels
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Silk or cotton drapes
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Burlap accents
Decorating Living Room Walls
Gallery Wall
Create a focal point in your living room with a gallery wall by mixing photos, art prints, and other meaningful pieces. Here are some helpful tips for creating a gallery wall:
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Anchor with a large piece
Start with a larger artwork as the focal point, but position it off-center for interest.
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Vary sizes and shapes
Surround your focal piece with smaller, varied shapes and orientations to maintain visual movement.
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Evenly distribute colors
Spread similar colors across the wall to maintain a cohesive look without clustering.
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Use templates
Plan your layout with paper templates first to visualize and adjust the arrangement without damaging your walls.
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Mind the gaps
Make sure there's a consistent amount of space between pieces to avoid an awkward appearance.
Largescale Art
An oversized painting or photograph can set the tone for the entire living room. Choose a piece that complements your color scheme and furniture styles to make a dramatic statement and serve as a conversation starter.
Shelves for Decor
Floating shelves allow you to display any number of items, from books to small plants to collectibles. Shelves are a practical solution to needing wall decor because they allow you to change your displays as often as you like without doing additional damage to the wall.
Textural Elements
Your living room walls can pop with textural accents that add depth and interest, such as:
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3D wall panels
Geometric or floral patterns will add a modern touch
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Wood accents
Add warmth with wood shelves or sculptural hangings.
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Metal artwork
Contemporary styles would be enhanced by metal sculptures.
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Artificial stone
Installing stone cladding contributes to rustic and industrial spaces.
Decorating Dining Room Walls
Mirror Magic
Use mirrors to increase the sense of space and light in your dining room. A large mirror on one wall can reflect light from windows and lighting fixtures, making the room appear brighter and larger. Position the mirror so it reflects a view or another decor element in the room.
Functional Art
Incorporating functional art into your dining room could look like adding a decorative chalkboard with an elegant frame that complements your dining room decor. It serves a dual purpose, creating a space to draw seasonal decorations or write welcoming messages for special occasions, and it's also practical for jotting down menus or daily messages.
A framed corkboard can also help keep your space organized. It's perfect for displaying photos, keeping track of invitations, or pinning reminders in a visually appealing way. For a more contemporary look, you might opt for a sleek magnetic board with stylish magnets instead of cork material with pins.
Decorating Home Office Walls
Inspirational Quotes
Decorating your home office walls with framed quotes or statements will infuse it with motivation and positivity. Choose quotes that resonate deeply with your personal or professional ethos — these could be sayings from influential figures, excerpts from favorite books, or even affirmations that you've found particularly uplifting.
Organizational Systems
Use the walls for vertical storage options like wall-mounted file holders and decorative bulletin boards. Keeping essential documents and notes within easy reach but off the desk can help keep your workspace tidy and functional.
Personal Touches
Incorporating personal touches into your home office decor is a great way to make the space uniquely yours. Here are a few ideas to personalize your office:
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Showcase awards and diplomas
Hang your professional achievements on the walls to remind you of your hard work and successes.
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Exhibit personal artwork
This could be a painting you adore or a piece of art someone you love has created. It will incite positive feelings and might inspire creativity.
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Display travel keepsakes
Mount shelves to showcase souvenirs and artifacts you've collected from your travels to bring a piece of the world into your daily workspace.
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Show off family photos
Place framed photographs of loved ones on your desk or wall to serve as a reminder of why you strive to be successful.
General Tips for Decorating Walls
When decorating your walls, considering a few key principles will make sure that every piece contributes to a harmonious look and feel. Here are some general tips to keep in mind:
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Color palette
Keep the overall color scheme of the room in mind when choosing wall decor. Complementary colors can tie the room together.
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Proper lighting
Illuminate your wall art correctly to enhance its visibility and impact.
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Spacing and placement
Avoid overcrowding your walls. Space out pieces appropriately to give each one the attention it deserves.
Carefully selecting wall decor throughout your dwelling will truly make your space feel like a home. Use the information in this guide to help direct your choices and create rooms that feel complete and inviting.