How to Decorate Walls Without Using Pictures

Who says the only things you can hang on walls are pictures? Here are some ideas for alternative ways to snazz up the walls of your home.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Stencil Brushes
• Stencil Paints
• Stencil Kits
• Stencils
• Acrylic Paints
• Baskets
• Curtain Rods
• Quilts
• Wall Mirrors
• Plate Hangers
• Common Nails

1. Use an attractive textile such as a tapestry, quilt (even an inexpensive new one), antique tablecloth or rug. These can often be suspended from a curtain rod.

2. Display interesting clothing, such as a silk kimono or antique christening gown.

3. Hang musical instruments such as a trumpet, tambourine, guitar, banjo and violin. You can fill in blank spaces with inexpensive sheet music, attached to the wall with nondamaging adhesive dough.

4. Go retro with a grouping of baskets. They were popular and inexpensive in the 1970s, and they still are today.

5. Put up pretty platters, plates or shallow bowls by using inexpensive spring-loaded plate hangers.

6. Hang a framed mirror, as long as it reflects something attractive, such as a fireplace.

7. Show off one or more architectural fragments such as a window frame, a Victorian home's gingerbread trim or a stained glass window.

8. Put a stencil pattern or trompe l'oeil scene on a blah, bare wall.

Tips & Warnings

• Collections often provide a great beginning for innovative wall art. Perhaps you have 33-rpm album covers, Victorian ladies' fans or antique tools that could make a dramatic personal statement.