Bare Walls Be Gone

Furniture placement is essential and accessories really tie things together, but it’s impossible to design the perfect room without thinking about the walls. Austere white walls are one of the reasons that it is almost impossible to make a dorm room or apartment look truly put together. Any thorough design has to tie the drywall into the rest of the look in order to make things cohesive. There are many different ways to dress things up; wall mirrors and art are simple solutions for blank spaces. However, more permanent solutions can make a dramatic statement.

Paint, Paint, and More Paint
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: Painting a room is the quickest and cheapest route to a big transformation. Vibrant walls pack a visual punch and tie individual pieces into a bigger design plan. If you are having a hard time picking a color from your palette or deciding what kind of paint to purchase, check out my post on using picking paint.

Adding color to your walls does require some sweat equity (unless you hire painters), but a little elbow grease worth it for a cheery space.

Installations, Moldings, and More
You don’t have to flip through many interior design magazines in order to see that the professionals love to attach things to bare walls. From far-out panels to molding to large collages, it just doesn’t seem to be a showroom without a permanent instillation. Believe it or not, it is easy to incorporate these ideas into your home.

One of the simplest ways to add interest to a wall is through the use of molding and chair rails. Those who wish to make use of their carpentry skills (or their friend’s carpentry skills) can install traditional wood details or create complex wood panel headboards and displays. Though they can be misused, mirror wall decorations can also be mixed into a creative installations.

Art, Decorative Mirrors, and Other Wall Hangings
Last and certainly not least in a decorator’s wall covering arsenal are wall hangings. It is nearly impossible to go wrong with the right wall mirror. Finding great art and frames may be a bit more challenging. When choosing a piece for your space, consider the color and mood. For instance, black and white photography is beautiful, but it may not be right for a traditional room.

Once you find your hammer and nails and choose your pieces, put some thought into just where you’re hanging things. The wrong placement can affect the perceived scale of the space. Hang you decorative wall mirrors and other accessories at eye height to increase visibility and reflect more light.