BrittanyInterior experts are often left speechless by how frequently blank walls are overlooked. Quiet, empty, soulless, they take the life out of a place. While minimalism can be a stylistic choice, bare walls can make a room feel cold and impersonal, draining it of vibrancy and joy.
Why subject your personal sanctuary to such a fate?
Instead, consider blank walls a canvas on which you can express your aesthetic and personality. And there are just so many ways you can do that! Functional pieces, art, light and more! Whatever your interior design preference may be, do not underestimate the power of a well-curated wall.
Buckle up because we’re about to work some magic on your blank walls with just a few simple tips:
It All Starts with a Vision
Don’t reach out for the artwork and paint samples yet! First, focus your inspiration on visualising your project clearly. Take a moment to think about the mood you want to evoke. Is it cosy? Dramatic? Serene?
If this seems like a difficult decision at this stage, perhaps focus on the function of the room instead and let that guide your direction. A bedroom would call for more soothing tones and visuals, while a living area would benefit most from a vibrant gallery wall that can spark interesting conversations.
Another good piece of advice is to consider the colour palette that already exists in your space. Any decorations you add should complement, not compete with, what’s already in place in your home.
Pro tip: Have fun creating a mood board with images, fabric swatches, colour samples, and other pieces of inspiration that speak to you. This will help you visualise your ideas.
Let Art Take Central Stage
There is no better way to anchor a room and express your personality than with a few pieces of beautiful art. Choose the ones that strike a chord with you and make them the focal point of your room. Be it a single, oversized statement painting (if the room’s dimensions permit it) or a curated gallery of framed canvas wall art, you will be telling a visual story to whoever enters the room.
Styling tip: Don’t hesitate to mix mediums. Photography, painting, prints and textiles can be part of the same set or complement each other from different parts of the room. Whatever you choose, you will introduce depth and richness to your space.
Play Around with Paint & Pattern
Nothing is more effective, accessible, and transformative in the collection of designer tools than paint. It’s not only about adding a fresh layer of colour; it can shape a room’s mood and style and completely change how you perceive the proportions of your space.
Ditch neutrals! Create an accent wall, a playful colour-blocked corner or a hand-painted mural in a deep jewel tone. You will be amazed at how quickly such a small change can energise the place.
Patterns are another way to spice things up with your bare walls, especially if you’d like to create a more dramatic atmosphere. Stripes can elongate or widen a room, geometrics bring a sense of structure and modernity, while organic, free-form designs add a sense of softness and movement. There’s a fun pattern out there for everyone’s personal choices, so dive in bravely!
Beyond Colour: Functional Pieces
You may think the only way to elevate your walls is through art, wallpaper and a fresh badge of paint, but you couldn’t be further from the truth. Furniture can also play a significant part in bringing life back to your walls.
Floating shelves, for example, can offer a wonderful blend of interesting form and function. You can also use them to display curated collections without committing to a full built-in. You can also style and restyle them with ease as much as you want and as often as your mood changes.
Styling tip: Group items in odd numbers. Threes and fives work very well. Combine this trick with layering. For instance, place a framed print behind a vase or candle to build depth. Finally, don’t limit yourself to books and photos. Curate small sculptures, plants, and ceramics! These can make the room sing.
Wall Sculptures & 3D Decor
Did you really believe that two-dimensional art is all you can get for your walls? You couldn’t be farther from the truth. Have you thought about wall-mounted sculptures and 3D decor? There’s a unique type of texture and dynamism that they’ll add to your space. One that instantly captivates the eye.
To implement these into your decor, we suggest you turn your attention to hand-crafted ceramic installations, sleek metal forms and carved wooden pieces. Even a minimalist interior can benefit from their tactile presence.
Styling tip: To create a gallery-like ambience, arrange lights around your 3D pieces to enhance their effect. We know you’ll love the dramatic shadows they cast.
Let Your Walls Tell Your Stories
A beautiful home tells a story. The one of your life. Take the opportunity that bare walls give you to weave in elements that speak to your personal history: framed photographs, travel mementoes, and handwritten letters. Choose whatever you cherish the most. These will bring authenticity and beauty to your home that no store-bought item can replicate.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is to present such pieces with intention. Make sure you curate with frames that complement one another so that everything exists in harmony.
Achieving the Perfect Wall Design
The secret is not to fill in every inch with decor. Create beauty driven by personality and purpose. The most compelling walls are those that are intentional. In design, restraint can be just as powerful as the creative burst. So, be guided by your intuition, but always question the limits.
In the end, your well-dressed walls will not only complete a room but also breathe life into it, making your house feel unmistakably like home.
