DIY Plain Wall Solutions

Every house has one, the dreaded wall.  One wall in the whole house that is completely blank in the most unnerving fashion.  The possibilities are endless, but your time is limited and your budget is tiny.  Why not take an afternoon and try out these easy DIY solutions to rid you of that dreaded plain wall.

Create Your Own Photo Art Wall

Grab your favorite pictures out of those envelopes and computer files and display that beautiful family of yours in full force.  You can make the frames and pictures very uniform and rigid for a minimalist dream look.  Or go boheme madness by mixing the frame styles, sizes, and the dates of the pictures.  You can even display older pictures that are not necessarily of your family.  Check out these links for photos available in our Shopgoodwill store.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=12315025

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=12314891

Patterns, Prints, and Silks, OH MY!

If you’re not a picture heavy person or your blank wall is just too small for a massive display of photos try framing fabric swatches.  This is a simple solution for those awkward spots of dead space.  You can liven up your rooms with funky patterns and prints.  Or go bold and chic with solid colored fabrics with a white matte.  Try to keep your fabrics in minimal uniform frames.  Or have some fun with ornate frames and different mattes to match your style.  This is also a relatively cheap solution considering you only need inch x inch squares of fabrics.  Don’t be afraid to experiment with funky fabrics that speak to you.  Want something completely unique?  Try gluing scrap fabrics into embroidery hoops and then hanging them on your wall.  Experiment with big hoops and small hoops and couple them together with funky prints.  This idea will tie your favorite colors in with the color palette of your house to create a harmony that will be both inviting and invigorating to guests and yourself.

Hand Made Library

Sometimes that plain wall can offer a great storage solution.  Get practical with your space and turn that dead wall into special shelves.    If you have a long strip of wall try converting it into open book shelves.  Use this easy DIY picture guide to help you.   Is your wall space more of a square?  Try screwing in simple corner hooks and securing old books down to create interesting shelving.  You can display your small treasures or plants this way.  Need some books for this idea?  Check out these links in our shop for great antique looking books to help display your little trinkets.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=12325901

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=12325843

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=12330144

Looks Like Dinner Time

If you are a delicate and elegant tenant then may we suggest you prop plates onto your wall?  You can display those intricate vintage flower plates and fiestaware with flare on that wall.  Have some fun with the design of your plate wall.  Mix in some interesting pieces, sizes, and colors for an overall pretty look.  If you feel like being creative and spending a little more money, try purchasing plates from a similar design company all in the same color then add platters, bowls, and bread boats for tactile interest.  If you’re willing to spend a little more time try layering the plates over one another for a fun “messy” look.  Need some plates to get you started?  Check out these links to antique plates that will definitely add interest to your new plate collection.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=12330135

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=12337456

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=12323740

Country Home Fun

If you are a quilter or know someone who is you probably have an abundance of quilts lying around your house.  Put them to good use by displaying them on that blank wall.  This is a simple feat that won’t take you more than an hour or two or, however, long it takes you to read those curtain rod directions (some of them are tricky).  Install an extra curtain rod at the approximate height of the majority of your quilts.  Grab a few shower rings with clips attached to help hang your quilt with no added stress.  Vuwalah!  You now have an excellent way to display your favorite quilts, tapestries, and rugs.  If you have too many favorite quilts try installing two or three curtain rods and fold the quilts over them.  Now, you have displayed your quilts and they are easily accessible for those chilly mornings.

Whatever you decide to do with that blank wall make sure you plot everything out and have fun!  Try combining some of these ideas for a wall that is unique to you.

Let us know what your afternoon project did for your plain wall.  Have a different idea?  Drop a comment to help inspire our other readers.