Simple ways to fill your walls with personality.
They say home is where the heart is. But if your walls are bare, it doesn’t matter how much you love yours. They can make even the cosiest of properties feel unfinished.
Hanging up ready-made art prints is, of course, the most popular way to spruce up the space. But why take the easy option?
Instead, if you want your walls to scream with personality, there’s a host of imaginative, affordable, and meaningful ways you can choose to bring them to life.
For those who are creatively minded or just want to do something a bit different, here are nine innovative ways to personalise a space with an artistic touch.
1. Paint your own canvas
If you are handy with a paintbrush and easily inspired, why not take the opportunity to create something completely your own?
Whether you choose to replicate a glorious seaside view, a beautiful mountain vista or even experiment with an abstract, you’ll enjoy your artwork more if you made it yourself.
Should you not have the space at home to produce such a masterpiece, why not organise with a couple of mates to take part in a paint-and-sip experience with Pinot & Picasso?
Not only will it provide you with all the tools you need, but you can also drink some quality wines and have a very enjoyable time in the process!
2. Add Texture With Woven or Fabric Wall Hangings
If you don’t fancy creating your own canvas, then perhaps textile wall art might be more to your liking. They include macramé hangings, woven yarn pieces, or vintage tapestries that provide a fantastic way to add warmth and texture to your space.
These soft elements are especially great for bedrooms and living areas, as they can bring a cosy, boho-inspired vibe to your property that feels natural and lived-in.
You can pick up all manner of stunning handmade pieces from many local makers and markets, as well as online.
3. Design a Gallery of Personal Mementos
Walls in your home don’t need to be filled with expensive prints or coordinated frames. Instead, why not fill your walls by turning them into a collage of memories that have made a positive difference to your life?
This could include everything from travel postcards, concert tickets, and handwritten notes, to polaroids, pressed flowers, or even your kids’ artwork.
You can stick them up with washi tape or clips on twine, or alternatively, if you want something more flexible, use a corkboard.
4. Use Decorative Mirrors as Functional Art
Mirrors are brilliant for more than just checking how you look before you head out. They also add depth to a room, reflect natural light, and can make small spaces feel larger and more open.
For these reasons, why not fill your walls by hanging a nice decorative mirror on the wall that features interesting shapes or frames? Doing this will create a fabulous design element on an otherwise dull wall.
If you don’t like the idea of one signal mirror, consider grouping small vintage mirrors in a cluster. Mirrors come in a range of frames, including rattan, antique finishes and bold geometric styles, so just pick something that suits the overall style of your home.
5. Hang Shelves with Styled Vignettes
Floating shelves are perfect for showcasing your favourite possessions, and the great thing about them is that they’re incredibly versatile.
Therefore, instead of committing to one large piece of artwork, why not an attractive visual from a combination of candles, indoor plants, small books, ceramics, or even framed family photos?
If you decide to do this, it’s a good idea to layer items by height and texture, as this will keep the optics interesting. It’s also probably better to adopt a less-is-more approach, so don’t overcrowd the space with too many items.
6. Create a Feature Wall with Paint or Wallpaper
If you want your walls to make a statement without adding clutter to them, then a feature wall is a terrific way to do this.
A bold colour, a painted arch, or even peel-and-stick wallpaper can completely transform the energy of a room. It’s also one of the easiest ways to create visual interest, especially in places like bedrooms, home offices or dining areas that need a bit of livening up.
7. Add Plants and Greenery
There’s something about greenery that instantly lifts a room. The likes of wall-mounted planters, vertical gardens, or even simple pots on high floating shelves can bring the outside in and fill your walls with a fresh, natural feel to your space.
Trailing plants like devil’s ivy or string of pearls work beautifully for this, as they drape down and soften harsh lines. You can also go for symmetrical wall brackets with matching greenery on either side of a bed or couch. This will create something earthy and stylish, which is a little more unexpected than a painting.
8. Try Statement Lighting as Wall Art
It is easy to forget that lighting can be decorative as well as functional. Adding sculptural wall sconces, oversized lampshades, or even quirky neon signs to a room can all bring wonderful artistic flair to your space without the need for a canvas.
For instance, a brass sconce can add elegance to a hallway, while a playful light fixture shaped like a word or symbol brings fun and creativity to a teen’s room or home office.
Best of all, these types of light can also help to create mood, warmth, and ambience, which further enhances the feel of your home.
9. Turn Your TV into Wall Art
If your living room or bedroom walls are bare, an innovative way to bring them to life is to use your TV as wall art. I’ve written a separate post on how to do that here.
