How to decorate an empty wall
I've lived in new builds which commonly have this problem (new builds tend to be just big, white boxes), but plain, boring and naked walls can plague us wherever we live. Don't get me wrong - having a large space to play with is a great thing, but sometimes it can be daunting. So - I'll talk you through some options to spruce up our bare walls!
Art
Gallery wall, Apartment Therapy photograph by Angus Williams.
Grouped prints, Apartment Therapy.
Art is probably the most obvious choice; it's a quick, easy and interchangeable way to decorate our walls. But - when faced with a large blank space, sometimes if we add art that's the wrong size then we only make the problem worse; too small and it can look like it's floating alone and almost make the space seem even bigger and more sparse.
Of course you could buy large pieces of art to fill space, but another option is to group art to give a large focal point to an otherwise bare wall. Whether it's two similar prints paired next to each other, or a scattering of small prints, or a gallery wall, art is a great way to liven up a blank space.
My favourite places for buying art online are Desenio, Etsy and Fy.
Shelving
Shelving the entire height of the wall, by Lisa Dawson.
Styled picture ledges, Ikea.
Adding shelving is a great way to break up some space on a blank wall, and it also lets us mix things up if you're as into changing your interiors as I am. I'm a strong believer that you should display the things you love within your home, so whether it's art, records, photos, candles, plants or general nicknacks (or "random trinkets" as my other half likes to call them), you can use them to fill your walls.
Shelving doesn't necessarily have to be built into the wall. A side table, or even a radiator cover (ours is from Argos) provides a nice platform to display your things.
Plants
Tall plants, plants on a pegboard and hanging plants by Danisdomain.
It's well known that having plants indoors is a great thing; not just aesthetically but to also boost your mood, reduce stress, improve creativity and help clean the air.
Plants with height are great for filling blank spaces, if they’re not tall enough yet then put them on a plant stand or a stool to add height. You can also get creative with how you attach them to the wall; on a pegboard as pictured above, shelving, or hung from the ceiling by hooks.
My favourite plants for hanging include ivy, lipstick plants, string of pearls and string of nickels - Patch has a handy filter for indoor hanging plants.
Stencilling
A stencil wall in our spare room.
Feature walls divide opinion, and I personally don't have a problem with them. They don't have to be solid colour, features can be made with wallpaper, panelling, even free-hand painting.
The room that inspired this blog post was our spare room, and I tackled that plain white wall by stencilling. You can find great stencils for under £30 online (this one is from Dizzy Duck Designs) and in an afternoon can completely rejuvenate your wall. You don't need much skill to be able to apply these well, just some painters tape, a sponge or brush, and some paint. I have loads of small tester paint pots, and I like to use those for stencilling rather than buying more paint.
You can choose how much of an impact you want to make; go bold with bright colours and a big intricate stencil, or go for lighter muted colours with a smaller stencil for a more subtle effect.
Hopefully that’s given you some ideas of how to tackle your own blank walls. If you’re struggling with your design or don’t know where to start, take a look at my services to see if I can help you with your project.