Every home has got one – a large, windowless wall that needs a bit of attention. But transforming that bland space into an integral part of the room’s decor scheme isn’t always easy. The fact is that many people put up with drab walls because they lack confidence in their design skills – if you don’t know much about interior decor, leaving the walls bare may seem the safest solution.
But decorating blank walls shouldn’t be daunting. These days there are plenty of original wall art options that even beginners can use. We’ve rounded up the easiest, most effective wall decor tips that will bring a sense of style to any room – check them out below!
#1. Fill the Wall with Color
Paint your bare wall a vibrant shade that contrasts somewhat with the rest of the color scheme and you’ll feel an instant change in the room’s ambience. Even if you leave your newly painted wall otherwise unadorned, it certainly won’t look boring. It will be a simple yet powerful design feature in itself.
Not sure about choosing a contrasting color? Then go for a light tone that complements the room’s overall decor scheme but looks more interesting than a classic white. The color “temperature” matters here too – warm colors go better with a rustic or cozy vibe while colder tones suit interiors in contemporary, minimalist, and industrial designs.
#2. Hang an Imposing Statement Print
Every room needs a focal point – that’s one of the basic principles of interior design. A focal point is a single decor element that instantly catches the viewer’s attention and sets the tone for a room. Depending on your chosen design scheme, there can be one or several focal points in the room, including large furniture, window decoration, plants, and wall art.
These days wall decor is available in nearly every format and size – so you can decorate a whole wall with just one majestic print and create a formidable decor statement. Just make sure to measure the wall before judging exactly how large your print should be – as a rule, it shouldn’t fall more than 60% of the available wall space.
#3. Design a Gallery Wall
Sometimes one single print can look lost on the wall – or consume all the available space so that it dwarfs the other decor features. The solution? An eclectic gallery wall that features prints alongside other elements of various sizes, styles, and textures.
A gallery wall is an ideal solution for experimenting with different arrangements – along with prints, it can include any other objects that can be attached to the wall: souvenirs, postcards, and general bric-a-brac. You just need to select a unifying theme that runs through all the elements in your display. Some common themes are travel memories, weddings, and family life, but don’t feel limited to these ideas – the more original your gallery wall, the greater the impact!
#4. Create a Small Yet Expressive Wall Art Cluster
In-between a large single print and a fully-fledged gallery wall, a wall art cluster can feature just a couple of photos or a fair number of prints, depending on the design concept you’re working to. The main difference between a gallery wall and a smaller wall art cluster lies in the relationship they have to the available wall space. Gallery walls are usually larger and can even be added to overtime, while wall art clusters are smaller and have a finished look. Examples are a matching pair of prints over the headboard, or a neat collection of several framed photos in the living room.
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This is just a short introduction to the exciting world of wall decoration – there are countless other effective ways to fill an empty space, but we’re focusing more on wall art solutions here. Now you know how to create distinctive wall art displays, let’s explore the different print types available and learn how to find the ones best suited to your taste and interior design scheme!
Canvas Prints
Quirky and arty, canvas prints have been around for decades – but recent technical breakthroughs in digital printing have made them the true rockstars of personalized wall decor. Turning photos into art has never been easier – the image is printed on fine-grained canvas and then the fabric is hand-stretched over an internal wooden frame. High-quality canvas prints look a bit like paintings in an art gallery – but they’re available at much friendlier prices!
Reputable companies won’t sacrifice quality for affordability – for example, one of the best-loved printing brands in the USA, CanvasDiscount.com, offers hand-stretched canvas prints starting at just $5 for an 8x8” item.
Metal Prints
Looking for some strikingly modern wall decor? Then go for metal prints – a stylish modern alternative to classic wall art solutions. Metal prints, i.e. prints on composite metal panels, are made from a polyethylene core enclosed between a pair of metal sheets (aluminum is used in most cases). These prints are thin and lightweight yet wonderfully impactful – their glossy surface reflects the light and produces magical glimmering reflections, making metal prints a perfect focal point of the room.
Note that, unlike canvas prints, photo reproductions on metal have an immaculately smooth surface that brings out every pixel of a digital image. This printing medium is less forgiving to the photo’s imperfections than canvas so you should choose your photo carefully. Select the right image and it will be transformed into a piece of art fit for a gallery.
Poster Prints
No discussion of wall art would be complete without mentioning posters. Poster prints have come a long way from being a simple advertising medium to becoming a defining feature of every college dorm and teen’s bedroom. And the demand for posters keeps booming – largely thanks to printing advances that have reshaped the format’s reputation.
The best posters are made from lab-quality photo paper – lightweight yet wonderfully sturdy, and resistant to daily wear and tear. And the most reputable printing companies use high-quality solvent-free inks to achieve a lifelike photo reproduction that remains vibrant for years. It’s safe to say that in the 21st century, posters are more than just budget wall decor features – they’re good enough for designer interiors too.
Removable Photo Tiles
Every beginner DIY-er knows this feeling – the fear of drilling the first hole in the wall. And since hanging most wall art requires drilling at least a couple of holes, far too many walls are left bland and boring. But it shouldn’t be this way – and thanks to the new tool-free hanging systems on the market, it’s now possible to decorate the walls without ever touching a drill.
Removable lightweight photo tiles – think of MIXPIX®, available at CanvasDiscount.com – let you experiment with wall art layouts and change the pattern any time you fancy a change. Equipped with a special magnetic-adhesive hanging system, these tiles stick to almost any surface without leaving residue. This is arguably the easiest, most fun way to spruce up a drab space – you can decorate any way you like without committing to serious DIY projects!
Decorating a blank wall is easier than you might think – and thanks to recent advances in the printing industry, it’s now possible to decorate using custom prints without breaking the bank. Choose established brands that offer quality prints at discount prices – CanvasDiscount.com, for example – and you can style your home even on a tight budget!
