- One of the most dramatic and inexpensive ways to change the whole look of the walls is with some paint. A coat or two that matches the mood can transform a room from a boring box into a cozy haven. Paint can be applied traditionally with a roller, or you can get creative by using more than one color. Paint a base coat, then splotch random areas with sea sponges dipped in another color. Faux finishes and metallic paints also work well for adding some texture and depth. You can also apply painters tape in patterns that resemble reeds or stripes then paint over them, leaving strips of white beneath the color.
- Fabric is a good way to add both warmth and depth to any room. Large sections of billowing cloth can be attached with pushpins and draped along the walls. You can also use smaller swaths to create mini-collages or pieces that stick to the walls like wallpaper simply by using a spray starch. Fabric is ideal for renters who cannot repaint or paper a wall because it is easy to remove, especially when using the spray starch, and leaves no permanent marks other than a few pushpin holes.
- Throwing a poster or single framed photo up on the wall just won't cut it. Walls can be made into mini-galleries with some strategic arrangement of several photos or posters, even if the frames don't match. First arrange all the images you want to hang on the floor in front of you, playing with different heights, widths and set-ups. Then transfer that conglomeration to the walls by using pieces of masking tape to mark where each frame should hang. You can get even more creative by hanging collections of three-dimensional objects, such as a smattering of large, wooden spoons in the kitchen or a cozy bunch of stuffed animals along the bedroom corners where the top of the wall meets the ceiling.
