13 Fresh, Head-Turning Ways to Decorate Walls
Let your walls take centre stage with attention-grabbing wall-art designs
Wall art goes way back to the cave paintings of early humankind, and it has still not lost its power of freshness and impact. There are many methods you can use when it comes to personalising your walls. Beyond adding external elements, you can transform their surfaces through bold paint palettes, striking wallpapers, and eye-popping prints and stencils. If you’re preparing to give your walls an overhaul, turn to this catalogue of homes to get you started.
2. Geometric flower decoration
A free-flowing geometric wall accessory, characterised by clean lines and well-defined shapes, can make for an eye-catching display when framed against a pared-back wall.
This monochrome train of geometric ruffles resembles an endless sequence of blossoms. Notice how the rim of each flower is highlighted in the opposite shade, making each shape stand out. The wood-panelled background holds its own, while providing an ideal showcase for the decorative display.
A free-flowing geometric wall accessory, characterised by clean lines and well-defined shapes, can make for an eye-catching display when framed against a pared-back wall.
This monochrome train of geometric ruffles resembles an endless sequence of blossoms. Notice how the rim of each flower is highlighted in the opposite shade, making each shape stand out. The wood-panelled background holds its own, while providing an ideal showcase for the decorative display.
3. Ceramic vignette
Ceramic displays, created from a collection of elements, can be used to create a raised, textured vignette.
This ceramic vignette commands attention and sets a rustic, earthy tone in this Bengaluru garden. Framed by walls of deep-green garden creepers, the mural archway stands out as the centrepiece of the wall decor.
Ceramic displays, created from a collection of elements, can be used to create a raised, textured vignette.
This ceramic vignette commands attention and sets a rustic, earthy tone in this Bengaluru garden. Framed by walls of deep-green garden creepers, the mural archway stands out as the centrepiece of the wall decor.
4. Wall illustration
Caricatures and quirky illustrations can infuse spunk and whimsy into a space, giving it a fun and playful edge.
A black-and-white streetscape adds an eclectic layer to an otherwise spartan design scheme. The downward slope of the ceiling on top of the accent wall forms a fitting frame for the neutral-toned wall art.
Caricatures and quirky illustrations can infuse spunk and whimsy into a space, giving it a fun and playful edge.
A black-and-white streetscape adds an eclectic layer to an otherwise spartan design scheme. The downward slope of the ceiling on top of the accent wall forms a fitting frame for the neutral-toned wall art.
5. Graphic panel prints
Custom graphic prints sourced from your own personal photo collection can be an exciting way to shine your personality through your walls.
Here, a baseball image has been blown up and split into a series of large-scale wall panels that hold greater visual appeal than just a single printed panel would.
Custom graphic prints sourced from your own personal photo collection can be an exciting way to shine your personality through your walls.
Here, a baseball image has been blown up and split into a series of large-scale wall panels that hold greater visual appeal than just a single printed panel would.
6. Custom wallpaper
Reproduce special prints or family photos on your very own bedroom wall with custom wallpaper.
See how this minimalistic room is dominated by a stunning accent wall custom-wallpapered with black-and-white family photos.
Tip: Place a custom order for your image(s) to be printed on vinyl sheets and then have them installed like wallpaper.
Reproduce special prints or family photos on your very own bedroom wall with custom wallpaper.
See how this minimalistic room is dominated by a stunning accent wall custom-wallpapered with black-and-white family photos.
Tip: Place a custom order for your image(s) to be printed on vinyl sheets and then have them installed like wallpaper.
7. Statement wall mural
Turn your child’s room into an otherworldly haven by painting imaginative scenes directly onto the walls. Hiring a professional painter is always a good idea to make sure that your vision is translated perfectly and that your walls are given a seamless finish.
A riot of summer flowers, set against a soft blue sky, enliven this arched alcove. The scene continues on either side, in the panels that flank the archway. The ceiling extends the theme with wispy clouds that sit like cotton against a glitter-spangled blue-painted sky.
Turn your child’s room into an otherworldly haven by painting imaginative scenes directly onto the walls. Hiring a professional painter is always a good idea to make sure that your vision is translated perfectly and that your walls are given a seamless finish.
A riot of summer flowers, set against a soft blue sky, enliven this arched alcove. The scene continues on either side, in the panels that flank the archway. The ceiling extends the theme with wispy clouds that sit like cotton against a glitter-spangled blue-painted sky.
8. Hand-drawn scenes
Hand-drawn elements in soft and simple shades can add defined detail to an understated room.
In this Surat home by Studio Lagom, a lone elephant in a tree-lined forest follows the upward slant of the stairs. Look how every detail is shaped around the zigzag of the staircase, each of the elephant’s four feet aligning with a particular step.
Hand-drawn elements in soft and simple shades can add defined detail to an understated room.
In this Surat home by Studio Lagom, a lone elephant in a tree-lined forest follows the upward slant of the stairs. Look how every detail is shaped around the zigzag of the staircase, each of the elephant’s four feet aligning with a particular step.
9. Geometric tableau
This geometric tableau is a great example of how to warm up a stark wall quickly and easily. Consider this a DIY weekend project; all you need is a stencil and some paint. Or, if you doubt your artistic abilities, get a professional to help you out.
This geometric tableau is a great example of how to warm up a stark wall quickly and easily. Consider this a DIY weekend project; all you need is a stencil and some paint. Or, if you doubt your artistic abilities, get a professional to help you out.
10. Art gallery wall
A gallery-style display can instantly give your space sophisticated home boutique vibes. Put together a melange of paintings, drawings, photographs and wall hangings to add visual variety to your room. Keep things simple with uniform frames or invest in a potpourri of styles to bring in a creative mix.
In this bedroom, various ornate frames have been put together to form an eclectic collage of pictures.
A gallery-style display can instantly give your space sophisticated home boutique vibes. Put together a melange of paintings, drawings, photographs and wall hangings to add visual variety to your room. Keep things simple with uniform frames or invest in a potpourri of styles to bring in a creative mix.
In this bedroom, various ornate frames have been put together to form an eclectic collage of pictures.
If you prefer order and form, opt for a grid art display rather than a freestyle art gallery wall.
A cloud-coloured, coastal-style room earns sophistication and style thanks to its meticulously organised layout. The wall art, arranged in precise rows, collects the room and infuses a sense of calm.
Need colour inspiration for your gallery wall?
A cloud-coloured, coastal-style room earns sophistication and style thanks to its meticulously organised layout. The wall art, arranged in precise rows, collects the room and infuses a sense of calm.
Need colour inspiration for your gallery wall?
11. Bowl display
Whether you choose to take the classic monochrome route or decide to dip into colour, a bowl display can make for an arresting design statement.
This charcoal dining room is the perfect cocoon for a glossy white plate display. Evidently, these plates belong to different styles, but still come together cohesively through the uniform sparkling white palette.
Tip: Attach wire plate hangers to your crockery to elevate it from the dining table to the wall.
Not sure where to start with your plate display? Here are some secrets to hanging a plate collection
Whether you choose to take the classic monochrome route or decide to dip into colour, a bowl display can make for an arresting design statement.
This charcoal dining room is the perfect cocoon for a glossy white plate display. Evidently, these plates belong to different styles, but still come together cohesively through the uniform sparkling white palette.
Tip: Attach wire plate hangers to your crockery to elevate it from the dining table to the wall.
Not sure where to start with your plate display? Here are some secrets to hanging a plate collection
12. Framed wallpaper
Using artistic wallpaper as a highlight accent can be a clever way of repurposing leftover bits, or simply giving your wall a boost without covering it entirely. Consider showcasing wallpaper using moulding or place it in large picture frames.
Colourful overlapping harlequin-print wallpaper lends character to this wall and matches the design of the cobalt blue rug on the floor. It also serves as a welcome distraction from the otherwise bare walls.
Using artistic wallpaper as a highlight accent can be a clever way of repurposing leftover bits, or simply giving your wall a boost without covering it entirely. Consider showcasing wallpaper using moulding or place it in large picture frames.
Colourful overlapping harlequin-print wallpaper lends character to this wall and matches the design of the cobalt blue rug on the floor. It also serves as a welcome distraction from the otherwise bare walls.
13. Mirror display
The light-reflecting quality of mirrors can brighten a space and make it feel bigger. Whether you choose one oversized mirror or a sequence of smaller ones, you can seldom go wrong with a mirror wall display. To really leverage the power of mirrors, sheathe your walls entirely in mirrored panels.
See how two columns of three mirrors each lift this stone-tiled wall, boosting its glamour quotient.
Read more:
7 Ways to Invigorate a Space With Art
How to Transform Your Wall Into an Accent Wall
Tell us:
Which of these wall art designs has got you planning your next wall overhaul? Tell us in Comments below.
The light-reflecting quality of mirrors can brighten a space and make it feel bigger. Whether you choose one oversized mirror or a sequence of smaller ones, you can seldom go wrong with a mirror wall display. To really leverage the power of mirrors, sheathe your walls entirely in mirrored panels.
See how two columns of three mirrors each lift this stone-tiled wall, boosting its glamour quotient.
Read more:
7 Ways to Invigorate a Space With Art
How to Transform Your Wall Into an Accent Wall
Tell us:
Which of these wall art designs has got you planning your next wall overhaul? Tell us in Comments below.
A large wall mural can give you the perfect accent wall. Consider rooting your mural in a significant theme, preferably one that breathes life into your existing design scheme.
This custom architectural wall mural makes a stunning backdrop to this plush bed set, and adds a sculptural dimension to the classical aesthetic. The pencilled impression infuses depth into the muted space.