You’ve almost finished decorating your home to fit your family’s style, habits and needs. But there’s just one problem: what should you do with that blank wall? A blank wall is an empty canvas, an opportunity to enhance your décor or add functionality to a room—and the options are almost unlimited. Here are ten ideas to help you fill that canvas.
Design a stylish accent wall to give your space high-end visual appeal.
Paint the wall a rich, complementary hue. For an extra boost, add bold stripes or create a grid pattern with wainscoting painted in the same color as the rest of the wall. Feeling adventurous? Cover the wall with distressed wood or a striking wallpaper pattern.
Take advantage of extra storage space.
Add built-in shelving to your wall to house your family’s books and treasures. In a living room or den, construct an oversized entertainment center. If you’re a wine connoisseur, show off your bottle collection on a decorative wall-mounted wine rack.
Create a museum atmosphere with a gallery wall.
Hang a selection of prints and family photos—or even one very large one. Choose pieces with a common theme or color palate and select frames of varying sizes. For a true salon feel, hang the art on picture rails or from moveable wires attached to wall-mounted racks.
Showcase your creative side with DIY art.
Partially dip everyday objects in bold paint colors to turn them into one-of-a-kind sculptures, or spray paint small objects or plants arranged on paper to create reverse-stencil artwork. Browse craft blogs for a nearly endless supply of more simple ideas.
Display objects or collections as art installations.
Hang a collection of interesting hats, baskets or decorative plates. Opt to fill the space with a repeating pattern of balls of twine or other small objects, or create an arrangement of larger items, like patterned metal radiator covers, intricate screens or salvaged shutters.
Brighten the room and create the illusion of extra space with mirrors.
Arrange an assortment of mismatched vintage mirrors or go for a cohesive look with mirrors in similarly colored frames. Prop an oversized mirror in an intricate frame against the wall, or set off a small decorative mirror mounted in the center of a larger one.
Add extra seating, especially in a small room.
Create a chic seating area with a pair of modern, streamlined chairs placed next to a low-profile glass table, or try flanking an ornate loveseat with candlestick sconces. Add a workspace to your den by installing a wall-mounted floating desk and a mini corkboard.
Change things up with an interactive art wall.
Transform your playroom wall into a blank art canvas with chalkboard paint and let your kids exercise their creative muscles again and again. Chalkboard paint is fun for grown-ups too; design your own changeable custom wallpaper patterns with chalk and stencils.
Put the writing on the wall with typographical art.
Use a stencil and paint (or removable washi tape) to inscribe the wall with your favorite inspirational quote. For a personalized touch, display your family members’ initials; arrange framed printed letters alongside 3D letters in various sizes, fonts and colors.
Remove the wall—or part of it.
Create a great room by knocking down a non-load-bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room. A more conservative option: cut niches for displaying decorative objects, or connect your rooms with geometric cutouts or a kitchen pass through or bar.