20 Walls That Shout "Look at Me!"
These walls have gone from blank to brimming over with personality using easy design tricks you can easily incorporate
There’s no need to be baffled at what to do with that expanse of unadorned space. Think of it as an empty slate with unlimited potential … and read on for some sensational ideas that could work well at your place.
2. Something fishy
Fish can swim happily in just about any well-maintained bowl or tank, and this one is no exception. Wall-mounted fish tanks come in a range of shapes and sizes and are easier to find than you might think.
Fish can swim happily in just about any well-maintained bowl or tank, and this one is no exception. Wall-mounted fish tanks come in a range of shapes and sizes and are easier to find than you might think.
3. Instant library
No need to go to the expense of having floor-to-ceiling bookshelves made. This awe-inspiring wallpaper does the job for you, and creates a handsome, inviting room in the process.
No need to go to the expense of having floor-to-ceiling bookshelves made. This awe-inspiring wallpaper does the job for you, and creates a handsome, inviting room in the process.
4. Gorgeous gallery
The eclectic look is most definitely in, and this delightful dining area is a great example of making it work for you. Keep an eye out for pictures, postcards and even wrapping paper that tickles your fancy, and display it all in a mishmash of frames covering the wall.
More: 10 Artful Gallery Ideas That’ll Wake Up Your Walls
The eclectic look is most definitely in, and this delightful dining area is a great example of making it work for you. Keep an eye out for pictures, postcards and even wrapping paper that tickles your fancy, and display it all in a mishmash of frames covering the wall.
More: 10 Artful Gallery Ideas That’ll Wake Up Your Walls
5. On display
A lick of grey paint and some simple but fabulous floating shelving units are all this room needs to turn it into something special. Have them custom made, or have a go yourself – it’s the perfect weekend project. These beautifully made units tie in well with the light timber flooring.
A lick of grey paint and some simple but fabulous floating shelving units are all this room needs to turn it into something special. Have them custom made, or have a go yourself – it’s the perfect weekend project. These beautifully made units tie in well with the light timber flooring.
6. Modern art
Various shades of green have been handpainted onto this wall to great effect, but if you’re worried about keeping a steady hand, either hire a professional or guarantee sharp edges with the use of some painter’s tape.
Various shades of green have been handpainted onto this wall to great effect, but if you’re worried about keeping a steady hand, either hire a professional or guarantee sharp edges with the use of some painter’s tape.
7. Photo shoot
If you’ve captured a happy family moment, a moody landscape, or just a snapshot that makes you smile, why not make it a standout feature that fills a space with joy?
If you’ve captured a happy family moment, a moody landscape, or just a snapshot that makes you smile, why not make it a standout feature that fills a space with joy?
8. Whacky wallpaper
You might be surprised at some of the wild and wonderful wallpaper styles now on the market. A designer edge is yours for the taking with this handy helper, no matter what look you’re going for.
More: Roll With It! Creative Ways to Use Wallpaper at Home
You might be surprised at some of the wild and wonderful wallpaper styles now on the market. A designer edge is yours for the taking with this handy helper, no matter what look you’re going for.
More: Roll With It! Creative Ways to Use Wallpaper at Home
9. Sweet slumber
This unique feature wall has been made with the same material used on the floor and window seat.
More: Rejoice in the Charm of Timber-Lined Walls
This unique feature wall has been made with the same material used on the floor and window seat.
More: Rejoice in the Charm of Timber-Lined Walls
10. Splash out
This shelving unit combines the best of everything – shelves for books and display items, cabinets for storage of unsightly mess, and a centre panel that hides the TV when it’s not in use. If you’re hesitating about the expense, try not to – custom-made shelving will fit the space perfectly and can take a house from amateur to professional.
This shelving unit combines the best of everything – shelves for books and display items, cabinets for storage of unsightly mess, and a centre panel that hides the TV when it’s not in use. If you’re hesitating about the expense, try not to – custom-made shelving will fit the space perfectly and can take a house from amateur to professional.
11. Mirror image
Correctly placed, a large mirror can not only bring more natural light into a home, it can also help the indoors and outdoors merge into one. The picture reflected in this mirror above the dining table does all this and more.
Correctly placed, a large mirror can not only bring more natural light into a home, it can also help the indoors and outdoors merge into one. The picture reflected in this mirror above the dining table does all this and more.
12. Personal finds
Whether you spy something in your travels or fall in love with an unusual item at an antique shop or market, ask yourself if it could be mounted on the wall. These shutters have become the star attraction in this lovely living room.
More: Weekend Project: Get Creative With Old Windows and Doors
Whether you spy something in your travels or fall in love with an unusual item at an antique shop or market, ask yourself if it could be mounted on the wall. These shutters have become the star attraction in this lovely living room.
More: Weekend Project: Get Creative With Old Windows and Doors
13. Detail oriented
Don’t forget to fill in the blanks outside. Decorative metal artwork lends texture and interest to this patio wall, creating a much cosier area in which to dine.
Don’t forget to fill in the blanks outside. Decorative metal artwork lends texture and interest to this patio wall, creating a much cosier area in which to dine.
14. Cook’s helper
This inset wall unit has completely turned this plain white wall around. Its dimensions work perfectly with the rest of the kitchen, and the blackboard adds a playful punch.
This inset wall unit has completely turned this plain white wall around. Its dimensions work perfectly with the rest of the kitchen, and the blackboard adds a playful punch.
15. Magnetic art
When a large, detailed artwork like this takes up such a big slice of real estate on a blank wall, the room can’t help but become one of your favourite places to hang out.
When a large, detailed artwork like this takes up such a big slice of real estate on a blank wall, the room can’t help but become one of your favourite places to hang out.
16. Shadow play
Use lighting to your advantage – these wall sconces cast such interesting light onto this wall that little else is needed to finish it off.
Use lighting to your advantage – these wall sconces cast such interesting light onto this wall that little else is needed to finish it off.
17. Hip horse
Achieving just the look you want for that spot above the bed can be a challenge. Equine-inspired decor never gets old, and this framed print’s contrasting tones work well with the bed’s dark timber. Don’t settle for second best when it comes to your bedroom – keep looking until you find just the right thing.
Achieving just the look you want for that spot above the bed can be a challenge. Equine-inspired decor never gets old, and this framed print’s contrasting tones work well with the bed’s dark timber. Don’t settle for second best when it comes to your bedroom – keep looking until you find just the right thing.
18. Loving words
This sweet monogrammed wall for baby is simply inspirational. Kids’ rooms are the obvious place for such a feature, but don’t discount the potential for words to make an appearance in other areas of the house.
This sweet monogrammed wall for baby is simply inspirational. Kids’ rooms are the obvious place for such a feature, but don’t discount the potential for words to make an appearance in other areas of the house.
19. Outside the box
An attractive entertainment unit can be hard to find, but this one gets 10 points for innovation. Made out of antique Chinese doors, this custom piece works wizardry on this blank wall.
An attractive entertainment unit can be hard to find, but this one gets 10 points for innovation. Made out of antique Chinese doors, this custom piece works wizardry on this blank wall.
20. Shape up
Sometimes a vertical design fills an awkward space better than a horizontal design, and don’t be afraid to go large scale. This painted-on design is eye-catching, but hanging a patchwork quilt or wall hanging would achieve a similar effect.
SHOW US
Share a picture of your wow-factor wall and tell us why you love it for an upcoming story
MORE WONDERFUL WALL IDEAS
10 Things to Paper Your Walls With That Aren’t Wallpaper
Let Paddington Inspire Your Welcome-Home Mural
20 Fabulous Feature Wall Ideas
Sometimes a vertical design fills an awkward space better than a horizontal design, and don’t be afraid to go large scale. This painted-on design is eye-catching, but hanging a patchwork quilt or wall hanging would achieve a similar effect.
SHOW US
Share a picture of your wow-factor wall and tell us why you love it for an upcoming story
MORE WONDERFUL WALL IDEAS
10 Things to Paper Your Walls With That Aren’t Wallpaper
Let Paddington Inspire Your Welcome-Home Mural
20 Fabulous Feature Wall Ideas
A coat or two of blackboard paint and the possibilities are endless. Not only will that plain wall never be boring again, it will be an ever-evolving reflection of life as you know it.
More: 14 Brilliant Ways to Use Chalkboard Paint