How to Decorate Your Bare Walls

You have been working hard on decorating, or redecorating, your abode. The furnishings have finally all come together. The Living Room is just right. You found the sofa and chairs, or sectional, you have been searching for. The coffee table and end tables are perfect. The new chairs in the Dining Room look great. The Bedroom looks fresh with the new bedding and window treatments. Even the new towels in the Bathroom have made your Water Closet look fresh.

Great job so far. There just seems to be something off. What is missing? Everything works but the room still looks empty. It is time to perk up the bare walls to complete your décor. Art work can be expensive. If you are ready to invest and want to buy something special the first rule is to make sure you really love the piece. Even if it is a painting valued in the thousands, it will not be worth anything to you if you do not like it and hate having it hanging on your wall.

Visit some Galleries. Make it a fun day out. Find artists you like and admire. Go home and research their backgrounds, and values of their work. Then you can make an informed purchase. You must listen to your heart and buy the piece that calls to you and no one else. You will be proud every time you look at it and show it off.

Most of us in today’s economy cannot afford to spend a lot on that special piece of artwork. We want to make our walls look beautiful with a smaller investment. Here are some decorating tips to perk up your abode’s walls on a lighter budget:

• Do a wall of family photos. This works great on a staircase wall or a corridor wall. It becomes your own private gallery. Do not be afraid to mix frames. They do not need to be all the same wood or finish. Guests will enjoy looking at the photos and you will enjoy the memories.

  

• Scope out garage and yard sales for interesting artwork and posters. Remember sometimes even if you do not like the art, the frame might make it worth the purchase. You can use the frame on a piece you already have and need to frame or have a mirror cut to fit inside the frame.
• Find interesting wallpaper samples to cut out, matte, and frame. You can purchase inexpensive mattes and frames at AC Moore. The finished product will look like an actual painting. Folks will think that you spent much more than you did. The same can be done with interesting magazine pictures and post cards.

  

• Look in old bookstores for used coffee table books in areas of interest to you. You can cut out the pages with pictures you like and frame them.
• You can also frame old record album covers for a family room.
• Fabric can be framed, to match bedding (such as a bold sheet pattern), placed in a grouping behind the bed in place of a headboard.  The fabric can be changed as you change your bedding choices.

  

• Light weight vinyl ceiling medallions can be purchased at Home Depot and Lowes. Pick various sizes and designs. Paint them and hang them in a group for an interesting look.
• If you have been a collector, you might want to think about making use of your collection and displaying it. Old license plates or bottle caps can be grouped together and hung on the wall. Old stamps or coins can be placed under glass for presentation. A rag doll or stuffed toy can be placed in a shadow box and hung on the wall. Paper money you have collected from your travels abroad can be matted and framed.
• Pick up your neighbors old antique divided windows and doors that they are throwing out. These can be used for creative framing or just to hang as a group on a wall.

  

Now it is time to scavenge around. Make use of those items you have been collecting for all those years. Display your memories. Enjoy your search and efforts. Put your mind to it and create your own wall pieces.

Being surrounded by your walls should make you feel happy. Keep smiling and never be afraid to dance!

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