If there’s one thing I hate about renting, it’s the boring and plain white/eggshell colored walls. No matter where I rent it seems to be the standard, and after 13 years of the same old walls, I’ve learned a thing or two about decorating them without using paint. Because quite frankly, when it comes time to move out, repainting the walls back to their white/eggshell color is the last thing I want to deal with. If it ever came down to re-painting the walls then you should check NYC painters. If you’re in the same situation, check out these 5 ways to decorate your walls without paint.
~I received a sample to help facilitate this post. As always, opinions are still 100% my own.~
1. Framed Art, Posters & Magazines
A fun, easy and affordable way to add some color to your walls is by framing art, posters, magazines or landscape photography. I love to display my children’s artwork in their bedroom and also in the toy room. Simply framing the artwork adds a more sleek and professional look, if that’s something you’re going for. If you’re interested in framing landscape photography for your walls, you may want to check out something like Matthew Duke Photography for more information.
The same applies to posters and magazines. I especially love framing pages from magazines. Obviously I’m not talking about ads, but you’d be surprised at what you can find that’s frame-worthy in magazines. It’s about thinking outside the box. Do you love to cook or bake? Take one of your favorite recipes from a magazine or book (which also usually include awesome food photography), frame it and place it on your kitchen wall.
2. Fabric
There are a few different cool ways to use fabric to add color and accent to plain walls. One way is by wallpapering fabric. It’s much easier and quicker than painting, and has the potential to add more pizazz than a paint job. Not to mention, this can be done on doors too. Just think of all the different options when it comes to fabric prints.
Or if you’re not wanting to go the fabric wallpaper route, try just draping fabric on the wall. This is because you’ll have to use an adhesive of some sort all over the wall, making it easier to just drape the fabric. You may not have adhesive equipment readily available, but you can Buy Sealants & Adhesives @ Low Trade Prices from places like Tradefix Direct, so you may want to check them out if you don’t have any adhesives at home. There’s no rule that says fabric and curtains have to be placed over windows. I like the idea of draping fabric behind the bed, adding the illusion there may be a window there, but also adding life to the focal point of the room.
Another idea is what I call fabric accent boards. Simply take a piece of fabric, wrap it around a piece of foam board, glue the fabric edges to the back, and voila! You have a lightweight, decorative accent piece to liven up your space. You could also use a piece of wood, but I like foam board because it’s light enough to attach to the wall using double sided adhesive strips.
3. Personal Photos
Okay, so adding personal photos to the wall may seem like a no-brainer, but there are so many directions this can be taken. Frames, foam board prints, collages, canvas prints, and the list goes on and on. I have to say I’ve personally become quite partial to canvas prints and my collection is growing constantly.
In my bedroom, I stay away from photos of my kids because it’s mine and my boyfriend’s sanctuary, and our personal space. But the rest of the home is free game, and boy are my kids taking over. My most recent photo addition is a new 20″ x 16″ canvas print from Canvas Factory, on the wall in the toy room.
The toy room houses the majority of my kids toys so it’s only fitting that their artwork and photos adorn the walls.
This isn’t the first time I’ve ordered a canvas print from Canvas Factory and it certainly won’t be the last, but I was a little more impressed with this canvas than the last one I ordered. It has nothing to do with the quality of the print, that’s always on point, but had to do with the backing.
Canvas Factory has added a flat, black backing to its canvas prints, meaning I can attach it to the wall without adding a hole. I can just use my trusty ol’ double sided adhesive strips. If you prefer to hammer in a nail and hang the canvas, that’s still an option because the hooks are still on the back, but as a renter I try to prevent holes in the wall, knowing I’ll have to fill them in later.
If a canvas print is something you’d like to explore more, keep scrolling for a Canvas Factory giveaway!
4. Removable Wall Decals
Really popular now are removable wall decals. Available you can find all kinds of themed graphics, from kids and baby rooms, to nature, laundry and bathroom themes. Yea, let’s not forget how boring laundry spaces and bathroom walls can be.
5. Shelving
Not only does shelving add storage and display space, it also adds depth to any room. Whether you choose simple floating shelves or something more intricate that scales the wall, shelving is a great choice for adding some life to a wall.
I would even suggest making shelving colorful. You don’t always have to go with a wood design, but can add some flare to the wall by going with some color. The whole point is to help the plain and unattractive walls, and a splash of color will certainly do that.
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