Builders in North America seem to favour large sterile homes lacking character and whimsy. They’re full of plain walls that are begging for personality. Yes, the right paint colour and well placed art can help, but that only goes so far.
If you’re a frequent reader of my design/stories, you know how adding personal touches to your home can boost happiness. Below, I’ve listed five different ways to jazz up your walls to make them uniquely yours. The last one is my favourite. Whether your home is contemporary or traditional, it’ll add a considerable amount of appeal.
1. A Wall of Sheers
Sometimes the best treatment for a large wall is not to break it up, but to embrace its size. For this large living room wall, I decided to go from corner to corner with sheers in a contemporary fabric. The fabric, which hangs right to the floor on a ceiling mounted track, provides a clean and sleek look.
The sheer fabric filters the light through the window portion, while adding interest to the rest of the wall. If you’re thinking sheers are dated, or only for traditional homes, I’m here to tell you that they are very much being used in both traditional and contemporary spaces.
2. Feature Different Tiles
Combining different tiles transformed this small ensuite into a luxurious space. Sometimes working with a smaller space can have advantages as there wasn’t a lot of wall, so it didn’t break the budget to tile every surface.
Using different tile adds loads of interest without taking up space. A plain non slip 12 x 24 tile was selected for the floor, while the walls, including the shower, were tiled in a glossy porcelain marble. To add visualize interest, a small hexagon was added to one wall. We kept all the tile in the same colour family, making sure the undertones and sizing complemented each other.
3. Glassed Partition Wall
Don’t do a solid partition wall when you can make it a lot more interesting and functional. This entry needed a divider to separate it from the living room.
In order to receive light from the large living room window, we put up a wall with glass inserts. The glass is a textured pattern, which offers privacy between the spaces and doesn’t show smudges or finger prints. A solid frame around the two glass panels makes it less fragile should someone bump into it.
4. Wallpaper Odd Walls
Wallpaper always adds a pop of interest to walls. With so many great patterns to choose from, it’s not hard to add some flair to any room. I say why not take it one step further and use wallpaper in creative ways.
In my own office, this Pride and Prejudice paper from Andrew Martin was installed in the corner of the room to read like an open book. The Cole & Son monkey paper adds visual interest to choppy walls taking the emphasis off their shape. Wallpapering the ceiling is creative way to add some unexpected flair to the 5th wall.
5. Moulding Detailing
My all time top way to elevate a space is to add moulding detailing to walls. It adds character and brings in a layered look. True wall panelling is just that, panels that are fixed on top of walls and made out of wood or spray lacquered MDF.
An easier and less expensive route is to purchase trim from a hardware store and apply directly to the walls, fill the holes, dap the corners and paint. For those that like precision work, it can be a great DIY project.
For more real life ideas on how to personalize your home, take a look at my spaces portfolio page and see an assortment of client pictures.
Also, check out my design/story on how to wave your weird flag and let your quirky personality shine.
Finally, if you're looking for personalized insight on how to make your walls (and home) more interesting and more you, consider a professional design package.
