10 Do-It-Yourself Wall Decorations

Wall decorations fall into three groups: Wallpaper, Murals and Painting, and within each group there are several types of wall decorating options open to you. Ideally, the idea you choose will not only beautify your room but solve an inherent problem, such as make the room seem larger, or cover up a stained wall. The 10 do-it-yourself wall decorations in this article offer a wide range of ideas.

#1. Hand-Painted Wall Decorations

By using stamps, you can create hand-painted patterns on your wall. I applied these wall decorations to my dining room wall, using the leaf of a fern instead of a store-bought stamp. Ideally, run the hand-painted pattern horizontally in the middle of the wall (like a chair rail) or at the top (like a border). Even a small stamp of a flower can be used to form beautiful wall decorations. Cluster the prints in a line, then add another line above or below in the pattern of bricklaying. To take this Do-it-yourself wall decorating idea a step further, use a thin paint brush to hand paint vines curling away from the leaves or flowers.

#2. Circle Patterned Wall Decorations

Ideal for modern decor, circle patterned wall decorations require two steps. First, paint the wall in its base color, such as pale blue, caramel, red... in short, a color with character (not just plain white). Next, buy a large circle stencil at a craft store. Glue it to the wall and paint circles at random with a different color than your base color. Once dry, add overlapping circles in a darker shade.

#3. Two-Tone Wall Decorations

The simplest wall decorations involves turning one wall in the room into an accent room. Simply paint the most dominant wall (usually the back wall) with a dominant color. Thus, for example, if your room is painted in sage, paint the dominant wall in hunter green. Match pink with eggplant purple, or white with sunflower yellow.

#4. Tree Wall Decorations

Tree wall decorations are especially beautiful in dining rooms. Begin by drawing two brown curved lines on the wall to form a tree trunk. Next draw single lines that curve or grow out of the trunk to form branches. Now add grace to your wall decorations by using stamps of flowers and leaves to fill your tree until the wall seems to bloom.

#5. Butterfly Wall Decorations

For whimsical, summery feel, create butterfly wall decorations with a three-step method. First paint the wall a bright, cheerful color. Next paint flowers on the wall (I recommend creating a few large flowers with pale colors, but you can also use flower stencils or stamps). Finally, glue silk butterflies around the flowers.

#6. Framed Wall Decorations

Similar to my faux tray ceiling idea, framed wall decorations can introduce a pattern into your walls that isn't really there. For example, if you draw two large rectangles one inside the other in the center of your wall, you can create the illusion that the wall is recessed. Begin by cutting a yardstick out of cardboard, let's say 2x6 feet. Use it to draw a line on the wall at a 6 feet distance from the perimeters. Then create an inner rectangle 2 feet apart from the first. Paint the outer and innermost rectangle the same color, and the middle rectangle (really a frame at this point) a dark color (as if the area is in shadow). Framed wall decorations are especially beautiful when repeated in all the walls of the room.

#7. Mural Wall Decorations

Mural wall decorations are more expensive because much of the work is done for you. A mural can create the illusion of a Tuscan veranda on your dining room wall, or a marble portico overlooking vineyards in your living room. In a nursery mural wall decorations can bring to life literary characters, while in an office they can create the illusion of a window overlooking the Champs d'Elise. Here's my article on finding the ideal mural wall decorations for your home or business.

#8. Wallpaper Painted Wall Decorations

If you're stuck with old wallpaper coating your walls, there's no need to go through the mess of stripping it off. Simply peel the top layer and leave the paper layer stuck to the wall. Next, apply a faux pattern to the papered wall using a sea sponge and three shades of gradient colors. Here's a picture of this faux finish on my kitchen cabinets).

#9. Striped Wall Decorations

Ideal for segmenting long, narrow spaces, striped wall decorations work well in long bathrooms or hallways. Stick painter's tape vertically from ceiling to floor, using a level or laser guide to keep your line straight. Stick a second strip of paint at a distance to equal the width of stripes you wish to paint. You can created wall decorations from identical stripes disbursed at equal distances, or you can decorate the wall with thin and thick stripes intermingled.

#10. Cloth Wallpaper

Cotton or silk wallpaper has a texture unique to itself, which is ideal for oriental or earthy wall decorations. Cloth wallpaper is more expensive, however, and a little more difficult to install. Here's my article on finding and hanging cloth wallpaper.

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