How to Transform Your Wall Into an Accent Wall
Here are 12 ways to turn a bare wall into a personal masterpiece
You don’t need an army of renovators or a beefy bank balance to lend new expressions to your walls. All it takes is a touch of imagination and a spirit of discovery. See how these homeowners have seized the opportunity to infuse a personal touch to their homes.
Refresh with paper flower accents
Paper art is a therapeutic way to weave through the weekend, and what better way to honour your efforts than by hanging up your works of art? This vivid cluster of accordian-style flower fans makes for a fun weekend project and breathes life into this bare wall.
All you need to grab to started are: 2 sheets of origami paper (per fan), scissors, a stapler and double-sided sticky tape.
Step 1. Lay down your sheets of origami paper side by side
Step 2. Fold each sheet in half. Then fold again. And then again. You will be left with two thin folded bands.
Step 3. Unfold the sheets of paper.
Step 4. Fold up your papers again, but this time, start at one edge and fold in alternately opposite directions, along the lines made by the first folds.so that they make a zigzag pattern, like the bellows of an accordian.
Step 5. Fold both pleated bands in half and staple them together in the middle.
Step 6. Now, fan out your pleated bands and use double sided sticky tape to secure them together at both ends along the edges, so you have a circle.
Step 7. Cut out a small paper circle and tape it to the centre of your flower fan.
Paper art is a therapeutic way to weave through the weekend, and what better way to honour your efforts than by hanging up your works of art? This vivid cluster of accordian-style flower fans makes for a fun weekend project and breathes life into this bare wall.
All you need to grab to started are: 2 sheets of origami paper (per fan), scissors, a stapler and double-sided sticky tape.
Step 1. Lay down your sheets of origami paper side by side
Step 2. Fold each sheet in half. Then fold again. And then again. You will be left with two thin folded bands.
Step 3. Unfold the sheets of paper.
Step 4. Fold up your papers again, but this time, start at one edge and fold in alternately opposite directions, along the lines made by the first folds.so that they make a zigzag pattern, like the bellows of an accordian.
Step 5. Fold both pleated bands in half and staple them together in the middle.
Step 6. Now, fan out your pleated bands and use double sided sticky tape to secure them together at both ends along the edges, so you have a circle.
Step 7. Cut out a small paper circle and tape it to the centre of your flower fan.
Stencil a wall
Stencils are available aplenty both online and in arts-and-crafts stores. This repurposed wood wall with barn-style panelling features a blue buffalo with the words ‘Blue Buffalo Company’ above. The stencilled lettering and motif stand out against the pale timbered backdrop.
Don’t know how to stencil a wall? Find out here
Stencils are available aplenty both online and in arts-and-crafts stores. This repurposed wood wall with barn-style panelling features a blue buffalo with the words ‘Blue Buffalo Company’ above. The stencilled lettering and motif stand out against the pale timbered backdrop.
Don’t know how to stencil a wall? Find out here
Practise hand lettering
For those who have always harboured a love for calligraphy, the wall serves as a welcome drawing board. A well-inked poem, verse or quote is enough to supply a room with inspiration all day. If you’re not artistically inclined, hire a calligrapher. This dreamy ivory room looks like it has been brought to life from a sixteenth century classic. The gilded quote above the headboard adds an imperial touch to the space.
For those who have always harboured a love for calligraphy, the wall serves as a welcome drawing board. A well-inked poem, verse or quote is enough to supply a room with inspiration all day. If you’re not artistically inclined, hire a calligrapher. This dreamy ivory room looks like it has been brought to life from a sixteenth century classic. The gilded quote above the headboard adds an imperial touch to the space.
Create a chalkboard wall
A chalkboard wall is a life-size notepad that’s just an easy DIY weekend away. The owners of this space have transformed this corner into a charming chalkboard wall by slathering the area with chalkboard paint. The wall features an assortment of photos, kids’ paintings, notes and letters, and provides a fetching backdrop for this oatmeal-hued table and Dalmatian-print chairs.
Tip: Sticky-back chalkboard contact paper is a great alternative to chalkboard paint.
Discover how to create DIY chalkboard paint here.
A chalkboard wall is a life-size notepad that’s just an easy DIY weekend away. The owners of this space have transformed this corner into a charming chalkboard wall by slathering the area with chalkboard paint. The wall features an assortment of photos, kids’ paintings, notes and letters, and provides a fetching backdrop for this oatmeal-hued table and Dalmatian-print chairs.
Tip: Sticky-back chalkboard contact paper is a great alternative to chalkboard paint.
Discover how to create DIY chalkboard paint here.
Make a decoupage wall
Decoupage is a creative craft style that involves pasting paper cut-outs on a surface and then sealing them in place with a coat of varnish. Rest your eyes a few moments and watch the cut-outs come to life to tell this homeowner’s story. The mementos on this wall, composed of maps, menus, notes and pictures, have been sourced from an Italian holiday.
Decoupage is a creative craft style that involves pasting paper cut-outs on a surface and then sealing them in place with a coat of varnish. Rest your eyes a few moments and watch the cut-outs come to life to tell this homeowner’s story. The mementos on this wall, composed of maps, menus, notes and pictures, have been sourced from an Italian holiday.
Repurpose baskets and bowls
With its grey-white palette and eclectic wall arrangement, this home is a warm slice of the Mediterranean. The vibrant wall mosaic has been made from traditional Moroccan bowls and baskets, each flaunting a different design. Since they’re made from wood and fabric, these containers can be conveniently suspended with adhesive hooks.
Decorative cane baskets are available at roadside shops and stalls across India and make for beautiful wall decor. You can also use baskets that you already own. Pick baskets in varying sizes and colours to create visual interest.
With its grey-white palette and eclectic wall arrangement, this home is a warm slice of the Mediterranean. The vibrant wall mosaic has been made from traditional Moroccan bowls and baskets, each flaunting a different design. Since they’re made from wood and fabric, these containers can be conveniently suspended with adhesive hooks.
Decorative cane baskets are available at roadside shops and stalls across India and make for beautiful wall decor. You can also use baskets that you already own. Pick baskets in varying sizes and colours to create visual interest.
Bring in the clothespin hangers
The three lines of cable feature clothespins that each hold one letter of the alphabet. Cable can be easily sourced from a hardware store and fastened to the wall with nails.
For a master or children’s bedroom, choose family photos, paintings and handwritten notes to suspend from your cable.
The three lines of cable feature clothespins that each hold one letter of the alphabet. Cable can be easily sourced from a hardware store and fastened to the wall with nails.
For a master or children’s bedroom, choose family photos, paintings and handwritten notes to suspend from your cable.
Cover your wall with pillow covers
This lemon-and-lime guest room spells citrus on every wall. The wall ahead, however, stands out as the star. A set of six heavyset photo frames have been inserted with pieces of fabric sourced from the parakeet pillow set just beneath it.
To create pillow complements for your wall, purchase an extra pillow to supply the cloth for the frames you choose.
This lemon-and-lime guest room spells citrus on every wall. The wall ahead, however, stands out as the star. A set of six heavyset photo frames have been inserted with pieces of fabric sourced from the parakeet pillow set just beneath it.
To create pillow complements for your wall, purchase an extra pillow to supply the cloth for the frames you choose.
Put up art
This New York loft celebrates its owner’s artistic sensibility by displaying this piece of art, front and centre.
If you’ve got a piece of art stowed away, perhaps it’s time you blew off the dust. Acquire a blank canvas from an arts-and-crafts store and use a staple gun to mount your artwork.
This New York loft celebrates its owner’s artistic sensibility by displaying this piece of art, front and centre.
If you’ve got a piece of art stowed away, perhaps it’s time you blew off the dust. Acquire a blank canvas from an arts-and-crafts store and use a staple gun to mount your artwork.
Opt for freestyle paint
It’s easy to see why the owner of this Nordic jewel box decided to take the freestyle route. A roller dipped in a vibrant colour doesn’t need an expert painter at the helm. In fact, the wilder the strokes, the deeper the expression. Observe how this eggshell wall pops with eccentric bands of green.
It’s easy to see why the owner of this Nordic jewel box decided to take the freestyle route. A roller dipped in a vibrant colour doesn’t need an expert painter at the helm. In fact, the wilder the strokes, the deeper the expression. Observe how this eggshell wall pops with eccentric bands of green.
Make a framed bulletin board
A Victorian-style frame fitted with woody wallpaper is a makeover project that won’t take more than a few hours. Look how the gigantic frame in this home studio has been repainted to exude a classic all-white appeal. Inside, it is layered with a grasscloth wallpaper to create a backdrop for a bulletin board.
Read more:
Wall Decorations Your Child Will Love
10 Ways to Create an Unforgettable Accent Wall
5 Extraordinary Ways to Dress Up Your Walls
Tell us:
Which of these DIY wall decoration projects will you take up next? Tell us in Comments below.
A Victorian-style frame fitted with woody wallpaper is a makeover project that won’t take more than a few hours. Look how the gigantic frame in this home studio has been repainted to exude a classic all-white appeal. Inside, it is layered with a grasscloth wallpaper to create a backdrop for a bulletin board.
Read more:
Wall Decorations Your Child Will Love
10 Ways to Create an Unforgettable Accent Wall
5 Extraordinary Ways to Dress Up Your Walls
Tell us:
Which of these DIY wall decoration projects will you take up next? Tell us in Comments below.
Unframed memories from a bygone holiday or abstract paintings sourced from a local thrift store can make wonderful additions to an unused wall. Knocking a few nails into the wall is all it takes. The denizens of this pewter bedroom have pieced together a collage of framed paintings in shades that complement the walls and bed linen. The carefully selected frames match the white cage pendant lamp and bedside console.