Is there a room in your house that feels like it could use some extra light? We’ve all got one, right? Are you struggling to find the perfect wall decor for this particular room? That struggle is, you could say, real.
Enough of the semi rhetorical questions, us homeowners with decor deliberations have got enough on our plates. Indeed, many who choose to decorate their gaff based on their own unique style are often left with one room which feels very much like an afterthought when compared to the rest.
Well, we’re here to give you a few pointers on changing that afterthought room (as we’re now calling it) from drab to fab in quick time. Suddenly, you might find it’s your favourite place to spend time in. With that in mind, here are 6 stylish wall decorations IDEAL for brightening any room in your home.
CREATE A GALLERY WALL
In the digital age, people take photos with their phones only for them to be shared on social media, perhaps synced to the Cloud if you’re lucky but, ultimately, then forgotten. Chances are, you have a number of these pictures stored with the well-meaning intention to print them but you never get round to it.
Us too! Whether your photographs are of your favourite meals, your family, friends, travels, or even your pets, don’t you think they’d look better printed off in a variety of sizes and added artfully to a wall somewhere? We say somewhere, but we mean a room in your house, of course.
When creating such a gallery wall, many opt for picture frames that are uniform or at least of the same colour. Actually, we prefer the opposite effect; a sense of organised chaos using a mismatch of frames has real charm to us.
So, instead of perfectly matching frames, consider choosing colors that complement each other and are eye-appealing as a whole.
Pure Decorators, a painting and decorating company in Kent, go further, recommending adding a feature wall, too, painted in a complementary (or even clashing) colour, which can provide a contrasting backdrop that highlights your favourite art pieces or cherished memories. This tasteful design element, paired with a well-selected colour, creates a focal point that adds personality and visual interest to your space.
HANG A BEAUTIFUL TAPESTRY
Get rid of the idea that using a wall tapestry is outdated or only for hippies from the 70s. Not that there’s anything wrong with that; the music was rather good. Indeed, tapestries are quite a unique, groovy choice in wall decorations as they cover a large area, spark conversation, offer that much coveted pop of colour, and can be hung in a number of ways.
Depending on your preference, you might prefer a more traditional mandala pattern, find a relaxing beach scene, or possibly feature your favourite musical artist.
But the subject matter is only half the consideration here. It’s not what you hang, it’s how you hang it, as the old saying somewhere in the world goes. You could choose to hang your new piece with a conventional curtain rod or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can drape it over a large tree branch. Didn’t see that one coming now did you? On the other hand, you could just use clear thumbtacks to avoid damaging your wall.
MAKE SOME MACRAME
If you’re looking to bring colour and texture to your living space and add a boho feel to the overall aesthetic of your home, say it with a macrame wall hanging. Essentially, this is a textured piece made from knotting squares; a complicated process best left in the hands of the professionals at the ‘hitching’ stage. That said, once it’s ready and you enter the ‘hanging’ stage, your eye for detail and feel for the overall decor of your place can really come into its own.
To further emphasise that boho chic appearance and really highlight the intricate work involved in the macrame hanging, consider also introducing other textured elements to your wall, such as carefully curated exposed brickwork to go alongside that tapestry we already mentioned. Result!
UTILISE A MIRROR (OR SEVERAL) TO REFLECT LIGHT
For rooms with poor natural or artificial lighting, harnessing the brightening power of mirrors is a prudent move. One large mirror or several smaller mirrors (gallery style) will reflect whatever light is available to help brighten the area and give it the illusion of spaciousness.
Ideally, your mirror should be framed, giving off a more polished vibe, but this isn’t obligatory. If you’re going for several smaller mirrors, consider using various shapes and sizes, much like you would when creating that photo gallery wall we mentioned earlier.
Be mindful that a large mirror hung prominently will offer a better reflection of light whereas smaller mirrors will give you more opportunity to play with the style and design of the wall as a whole. Either option is a great look for an entryway with a table or above another piece of furniture. Get creative and you’ll be richly rewarded!
ADD GREENERY WITH WALL PLANTERS
There are a number of benefits to bringing the outdoors in with regards to your home. For one, plants are eye-catching. What’s more, when chosen right they’re easy to maintain, and can even improve your mood.
We realise that people with children or pets often shy away from houseplants, usually due to the fact that kids and pets tend to destroy them (not to put too fine a point on it) but if this is the case for you, opting for out-of-reach wall planters represents the ideal solution. These planters may be secured out of reach of tiny hands or curious paws but still offer that indoor jungle you’re after.
Whether you choose to hang rustic flower boxes or opt for more ornate pieces that offer a bit more embellishment and colour, don’t forget the most important part; water those damn things!
INTRODUCE SHELVING TO DISPLAY PRIZED POSSESSIONS
Whether you’re a collector of particular, esoteric items or happen to love antique finds, displaying them all over your house can cause rooms to appear a bit chaotic and cluttered. Instead of having your most prized possessions – great as functional art, incidentally – causing a, unnecessarily busy aesthetic, install shelving and display them proudly.
When you choose shelves for your home, keep in mind the materials they’re made from, as well as their colour, to ensure they fit in with the overall decorative feel of your place. The idea is to add a showcase for your items, not have the shelves as the main attraction.
And with that, we hope the afterthought room becomes a focal point of serenity and calm in these turbulent times.