10 Cool and Creative Ideas for Wall Hangings
Bedeck blank walls with colour, pattern and texture via these artwork alternatives
Unless you’re holding onto a stash of heirloom oil paintings in the loft, it can be difficult to decorate your walls without ending up with what feels like a generic mix of prints. But a little creativity and a good eye for design are all you need to embellish your home with some more original offerings.
Think about which wall-hung pieces you can add to each room to create a cohesive, curated space. These achievable examples should give you some ideas for where to get started on your biggest blank canvas.
Think about which wall-hung pieces you can add to each room to create a cohesive, curated space. These achievable examples should give you some ideas for where to get started on your biggest blank canvas.
Go back to school
Botanical imagery is always on-trend and works with most interior styles. This vintage German educational poster makes for an interesting objet d’art, recalling the same midcentury era as the dining furniture.
The bright buttercup illustration works beautifully against the pale neutral décor. Look out for drawings of ferns or palm fronds for an equally appealing all-green offering to transform dark walls.
Botanical imagery is always on-trend and works with most interior styles. This vintage German educational poster makes for an interesting objet d’art, recalling the same midcentury era as the dining furniture.
The bright buttercup illustration works beautifully against the pale neutral décor. Look out for drawings of ferns or palm fronds for an equally appealing all-green offering to transform dark walls.
Do things differently
When it comes to deciding on décor, try to think beyond the obvious. These African baskets may not be intended for wall-mounting, but the beautiful textured finishes and mix of patterns add ambience and atmosphere to this rustic dining room.
Bringing together a collection is a good way to create impact and gives you the chance to show off your favourite travel or flea market finds. Hang with tacks, which shouldn’t damage the woven texture.
Find African baskets in the Houzz Shop
When it comes to deciding on décor, try to think beyond the obvious. These African baskets may not be intended for wall-mounting, but the beautiful textured finishes and mix of patterns add ambience and atmosphere to this rustic dining room.
Bringing together a collection is a good way to create impact and gives you the chance to show off your favourite travel or flea market finds. Hang with tacks, which shouldn’t damage the woven texture.
Find African baskets in the Houzz Shop
Combine form and function
A bike is not your usual dining room accessory, but wheels can be tricky to house in flats or terraces, so why not make them part of the furniture?
Metal brackets have been used to provide a secure perch for this slim, orange – and pristine – cycle. A mud-splattered mountain bike probably wouldn’t have the same aesthetic appeal!
A bike is not your usual dining room accessory, but wheels can be tricky to house in flats or terraces, so why not make them part of the furniture?
Metal brackets have been used to provide a secure perch for this slim, orange – and pristine – cycle. A mud-splattered mountain bike probably wouldn’t have the same aesthetic appeal!
Make more of material
Rather than this embroidered piece simply being hung on the wall, it’s been mounted and framed as if it were a print. In addition to making the material more robust, it creates a stronger impression, allowing for a really personal piece.
By contrasting the wall hanging with inky blue cabinets, leather, metal and industrial-style pendant lights, there’s a pleasing balance of hard and soft elements.
Rather than this embroidered piece simply being hung on the wall, it’s been mounted and framed as if it were a print. In addition to making the material more robust, it creates a stronger impression, allowing for a really personal piece.
By contrasting the wall hanging with inky blue cabinets, leather, metal and industrial-style pendant lights, there’s a pleasing balance of hard and soft elements.
Tie the knot
Macramé is having a moment and an oversized wall hanging is a winning way to get in on the action. These intricate cotton weavings are created by knotting strands of thread to create a pattern.
You could also get your hands on a hanging plant holder to provide a touch of greenery in rooms with little surface space. The rich tones in this rustic bedroom complement the skill and simplicity of the macramé masterpiece.
Macramé is having a moment and an oversized wall hanging is a winning way to get in on the action. These intricate cotton weavings are created by knotting strands of thread to create a pattern.
You could also get your hands on a hanging plant holder to provide a touch of greenery in rooms with little surface space. The rich tones in this rustic bedroom complement the skill and simplicity of the macramé masterpiece.
Be inspired by artisans
Juju hats are handmade feather headpieces traditionally worn by royal dancers during Bamileke tribal ceremonies to symbolise prosperity. Although it’s possible to import an original from Cameroon, you could also find something similar online – or even make your own.
These feathery friends offer a fabulous decorative accent; here, minimal white lends subtle texture and softness to the palette of calming neutrals.
Juju hats are handmade feather headpieces traditionally worn by royal dancers during Bamileke tribal ceremonies to symbolise prosperity. Although it’s possible to import an original from Cameroon, you could also find something similar online – or even make your own.
These feathery friends offer a fabulous decorative accent; here, minimal white lends subtle texture and softness to the palette of calming neutrals.
Cultivate creativity
Turn your children’s artistic efforts into an ever-changing gallery wall with a corded wire and matching clips. These attachments are designed for fixing curtains, but they make an inspired addition to this home study.
If you’re after something a little more ‘country casual’, swap metal fastenings for pegs and rustic twine.
Turn your children’s artistic efforts into an ever-changing gallery wall with a corded wire and matching clips. These attachments are designed for fixing curtains, but they make an inspired addition to this home study.
If you’re after something a little more ‘country casual’, swap metal fastenings for pegs and rustic twine.
Repeat yourself
This bright bedroom is all about geometric shapes and cool colour tones. Small wooden, house-shaped boxes have been wall-mounted to provide shelving with a twist. The triangular roofs mimic the lines of the wallpaper behind, while their interiors tone with the star-patterned rug.
These devices could be used to transform an all-white room into something more creative without having to tackle full redecoration.
This bright bedroom is all about geometric shapes and cool colour tones. Small wooden, house-shaped boxes have been wall-mounted to provide shelving with a twist. The triangular roofs mimic the lines of the wallpaper behind, while their interiors tone with the star-patterned rug.
These devices could be used to transform an all-white room into something more creative without having to tackle full redecoration.
Tweak a standard display
Give your pictures more punch by adding a decorative ribbon to the top and ‘hanging’ them on the wall. For stability, it’s best to use the usual fastenings behind the frame, keeping the visible part for fun only.
Black ribbons create contrast in this monochrome living room, but you could try neon pink or mustard yellow for a colourful counterpoint.
Discover more inventive ways to hang your art
What do you have hanging on your walls aside from artwork? Share your tips and photos in the Comments section.
Give your pictures more punch by adding a decorative ribbon to the top and ‘hanging’ them on the wall. For stability, it’s best to use the usual fastenings behind the frame, keeping the visible part for fun only.
Black ribbons create contrast in this monochrome living room, but you could try neon pink or mustard yellow for a colourful counterpoint.
Discover more inventive ways to hang your art
What do you have hanging on your walls aside from artwork? Share your tips and photos in the Comments section.
This Asian-inspired fabric wall hanging acts as both bedhead and artwork in an otherwise neutral bedroom. An easy way to overhaul your sleep space without having to put in place anything more permanent than a couple of hooks, this quick trick is perfect for renters.
Take your chosen material as a colour prompt, introducing the same shades elsewhere.