Category: Décor Ideas

Shiplap is a traditional wall texture made from nailing wood planks in orderly rows. Originally designed to waterproof seacraft, shiplap paneling has grooves cut into its sides so that each piece connects tightly together.

Before the invention of sheetrock, shiplap was used to provide an even surface for applying wallpaper. Though it wasn’t originally intended to be seen, interior design experts discovered that exposed shiplap made a beautiful and unique wall treatment.

Made popular by “Fixer Upper” and other home decor shows, real and faux shiplap ideas are here to stay. Check out our favorite takes on this comfortable modern farmhouse accent wall idea.

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1. Versatile Shiplap Accent Walls for Vintage Charm and Texture

Although older homes may have shiplap in an entire room, it’s most commonly used as an accent wall material today. You may also see shiplap panels as an accent on kitchen islands or cabinet fronts. It’s also found on fireplaces, built-in bookshelves, and hallways.

Beloved for its ability to create definite shadow lines, a shiplap accent wall adds vintage charm to cottage, costal, and farmhouse dwellings. However, it’s a great way to add texture to any room, from the living room to the bathroom.

2. Enhancing Bathroom Space with Stylish Shiplap Wall Ideas

Shiplap is an excellent bathroom wall treatment. Not only does it add welcoming texture and style, its horizontal lines can make a small bathroom look bigger. Top a white shiplap wall with a round vanity mirror to soften the strong lines created by the wooden plank surface.

Subway tiles look great in a bathroom featuring shiplap wall ideas. Either enjoy the continuity of subway tile and horizontal shiplap lines, or mix it up by installing a vertical shiplap wall instead.

3. Creative Shiplap Bedroom Design Ideas

The logical place for a bedroom shiplap accent wall is behind the bed, but you can add this architectural detail anywhere in the room. Horizontal shiplap and vertical shiplap work equally well in the bedroom, and many love the effect so much, they install shiplap on the ceiling as well.

If an entire shiplap wall is too much for your personal aesthetic, shop for a shiplap headboard instead. It will provide just enough of that casual texture you love while freeing up your walls for other home decor accents.

4. Exploring Diagonal Shiplap: A Modern Twist on Classic Wall Design

Traditionally, a shiplap wall would be installed in a horizontal pattern. Now, it’s common to see vertical shiplap, chevron shiplap, and diagonal shiplap configurations. Diagonal wood shiplap is particularly attractive as an accent feature, such as on a kitchen island or a set of sliding barn doors.

Some designers install shiplap in two patterns on one wall. For example, one half will feature vertical planks, while the other half has them set on the diagonal. This adds a modern twist to classic shiplap wall ideas and is a particularly great backdrop for Scandinavian decor.

5. Elevating Farmhouse Kitchen Vibes with White Shiplap Walls

A white shiplap wall is a must if your kitchen is decorated in farmhouse style. No other wall ideas can beat it for creating that particular country vibe. It’s the perfect background for floating shelves, wire baskets, chalkboard art and other key farmhouse design components.

If you don’t want to go full farmhouse in the kitchen, a smaller shiplap wall idea will do. Shiplap accent wall ideas are great behind a bench in a mudroom area, or to define the boundaries of your breakfast nook.

6. Balancing Functionality and Style with Shiplap Office Wall Design

People tend to focus more on functionality than style when designing an office space. But there’s no reason for you to stare at a blank white wall while working all day—especially in a home office where you have liberty to decorate as you please.

Define your desk area with shiplap and paint it a color that contrasts with the rest of the walls. Extend your horizontal shiplap wall paneling onto the ceiling for a unique design accent that will make a small office appear more spacious.

7. The Timeless Appeal of Southern Yellow Pine Shiplap

Back when shiplap was used as an interior wall foundation, southern yellow pine was the most popular material in Texas and the southeastern United States. Now pine is one of the most common shiplap woods across America. 

Unpainted pine shiplap adds a pale, rustic flavor to any room. Pine wood shiplap must be sealed if used in high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

8. Embracing the Beauty of Reclaimed Wood Shiplap

Reclaimed wood makes an excellent type of shiplap. Its natural variations and textures are beautiful as a wall covering in rustic or contemporary homes.

If you cannot get real shiplap from an old house, other types of reclaimed wood can be cut into shiplap planks. You can also achieve a faux reclaimed finish by staining planks different colors before installation.

9. Elevating Home Decor with Stained Wood Shiplap Accents

Staining is an excellent way to add various wood tones to your home decor. An accent wall with varied shiplap planks can help tie together your decor when you already have several wood tones in the same space.

Most ceiling surfaces are covered in some variation of white plaster. But covering your ceiling in stained wood shiplap is a great way to make a room feel warmer and cozier.

10. Transform Your Interiors with Shiplap Wainscoting

Sophisticated yet simple, wainscoting is decorative paneling installed along the lower half of a wall. Shiplap wainscoting is more casual than traditional types of wainscoting, but it’s still an excellent choice for a dining room, bathroom, or hallway.

Because wainscoting is meant to protect walls from scuffs and dings, choose a durable type of shiplap wood. Add a decorative strip of molding along the top.

11. The Timeless Allure of White Shiplap in Interior Design

White is the first color that comes to mind when most people hear the word “shiplap.” White shiplap has now transcended the boundaries of farmhouse and cottage style and can be found in just about any traditional or contemporary interior.

White paint is a classic finish for shiplap, but you don’t have to settle for a plain bright white. Cream, ivory, and barely-there grey are white-like paint choices that provide the same look but in a softer way.

12. Whitewash Shiplap: Blending Elegance and Natural Texture

Whitewash is an excellent choice for someone who loves the look of white shiplap but wants some of the natural wood grain to remain. It’s particularly lovely in a room that also has whitewashed exposed brick walls.

Traditional whitewash paint was made from a mixture of chalk and slaked lime, but now you can make an easier version by mixing one part white paint with three parts water. Whitewashed shiplap will need a sealer or glaze to protect the finish.

You love your neutral gray room, but it is starting to look a bit boring. It’s time to refresh your home with a new accent color.

Before you begin painting accent walls all over your home, take a step back and look at the gray wall colors you already have. First, you need to determine what type of gray you have. The easiest way to do this is by holding clothing items of different colors against the gray. You’ll find that some colors look better than others. This is because the color of the clothing is naturally picking up on the undertones in the gray. If the two colors look good next to each other, they match. If they just don’t look right, then they clash. 

Follow this guide to figure out the best colors for your accent wall to match the gray paint colors in your home. 

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Jewel Tones 

Jewel tones are the colors of jewels, hence their names. These colors would be ruby red, sapphire blue, emerald green, amethyst purple, and citrine yellow. They are highly saturated with a luster, and luxury feel that elevates the look of your room. The trick to making this type of color scheme work is to let the jewel tones shine. You don’t want to overuse them in the room, so pair your chosen jewel tones with a dark gray. Charcoal gray is perfect for this because it is strong enough to support the jewel tones while also being soft enough to keep the space feeling comfortable. Instead of using gray furniture, keep the gray on the walls. Then use the jewel tones for the furniture and other textiles in the room. Velvet is the perfect fabric that comes in all jewel tones, continuing the feeling of opulence in your jewel-toned room. Then finish the look with gold metal accents that bring warmth to the space. 

Read also: 52 Accent Wall Ideas for the Living Room

Warm Colors

You wouldn’t think that gray would coordinate well with warm colors, but it can be a beautiful color palette. A warm gray will have undertones in colors that are warm. This shade of gray paint color will look grayer in some light and more like a neutral color in other light. Putting this gray next to warm colors will bring out the undertones. Examples of warm gray include Chelsea gray, repose gray, Sherwin Williams agreeable gray, and Benjamin Moore gray owl. Use these colors with night beige neutrals, browns, rust, tan, red, orange, and yellow. Balancing your warm color scheme with gray gives your room a contemporary feel. It also prevents your room from looking dingy, old, and outdated. A room that equally balances the warm color with the gray tends to look the best. Paint an accent wall your warm color and leave the other walls gray. Then use the two colors throughout the room. Perhaps you have a gray sofa that you can arrange pillows in your warm neutral on. 

Pastels

Using pastels in your home goes beyond neutral hues like having a beige wall. Lighter shades reflect more natural light while also bringing color into your home. You can choose any color in a pastel shade to bring subtle color and dimension into your rooms. However, to showcase those light colors, you need to add contrast. Instead of using light gray, which is just another light color, add a darker gray shade. This will add contrast and create definition. The darker gray shade creates depth and balance from the lighter pastel shade. To do this effectively, use the dark gray shade strategically in the room. Keeping it low in the room, such as on the floor or for the furniture, will keep the visual heaviness low, creating the illusion of the upper part of the room being lighter and bigger. Another method is to place the dark gray behind the pastel colors. This causes the gray to visually sink back, making the room feel bigger. 

Cool Tones

Cool gray hues are some of the most popular. This is because most people associate gray with a cool color that pairs well with other cool colors, such as blue. However, there are different levels and shades of cool gray. Choose one that complements the shade and saturation of the cool colors in your room. Your gray accent wall shouldn’t blend into the other color so that they are almost the same. Instead, it needs to be different enough to clearly see the definition between the two colors. For example, don’t choose a sea fog gray with a pastel blue. They are too close to each other. However, sea fog gray would look beautiful with a deep navy or seafoam green. This color combination would make the perfect color scheme for a contemporary coastal room. 

White and Black 

Gray works as a beautiful accent to white and black because the color gray is a combination of white and black mixed together. This is basic color wheel theory. When you use gray as an accent wall color, it softens the look of both the white and the black. Gray walls are gentler on the eyes than white walls. Black can look too dark when there is too much of it in your home decor. Using gray with it brightens black. Your room goes from looking gothic to looking sophisticated and modern. Paint one wall your chosen gray color and then use it as a minor accent throughout the room. 

Do Not Use Gray

Now that we have covered all of the colors that will look beautiful with gray let’s discuss the one color that you shouldn’t use. Gray walls in an all-gray room will create a bland and boring interior design. It doesn’t matter if it is dark or light gray. All gray looks bland and tends to fall flat. Sometimes, you can use a combination of light and dark gray to create depth in an all-gray room. However, this is difficult to get right and still looks dull and depressing.

A gallery wall—or photo and artwork collection—is a great way to showcase your favorite memories. Although many gallery wall layout ideas include pictures that are all the same size, most have pictures of different sizes. Putting them together in a way that’s pleasing can feel like trying to solve a difficult puzzle.

If you’re wondering how to arrange pictures on a wall when they’re a mishmash of different shapes and sizes, certain techniques will help you out. Here are some of our favorite ways to create the perfect picture arrangement on your gallery wall. 

Read also: 29 Wall Covering Ideas

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Choose a Wall

What type of wall is the best to arrange pictures on? Any bare wall is a good candidate for an impressive art display. Factor in the size of your artwork and the number of pieces you want to hang up. You may discover that you don’t need a large wall to display your artwork collection. 

In the living room, over the sofa is a logical place to locate a gallery wall. Look for blank wall space over other pieces of furniture, and consider wrapping your picture display around a corner for an interesting effect. 

Don’t forget the staircase wall when planning where to hang pictures. It’s a great idea to hang family photos in a timeline that you get to relive as you go up and down the stairs each day.

Remember that you don’t have to hang pictures on every bedroom or living room wall. In fact, it’s a good idea to leave some blank wall space in every room. This keeps the space from looking cluttered and gives your eyes a chance to rest.

Choose a Theme

While there are no hard rules for filling a space with picture groupings, adhering to one central theme per wall is often preferable. For example, a symmetrical grouping of botanical art prints adds traditional elegance to a space. For a more casual theme, choose family photos, perhaps mixing professional portraits with favorite casual shots. 

As a rule, black and white family pictures look more formal than the color version of each photo. For landscape photo collections or even drawings, black and white conveys a more modern home decor style.

Keep in mind that virtually every visitor to your home will see the wall art in your living room, so keep the images professional and appropriate. While silly or low-brow artwork may accurately reflect your personality, it’s better to leave those images in your bedroom or another more private space.

Coordinate Frames

Depending on your home decor style, all the frames on a gallery wall don’t necessarily have to match. If you have a casual, bohemian style, each picture frame can be different. However, for a more refined look, go with frames that coordinate.

Matching frames makes it clear that all the images were meant to be displayed together. If you choose a simple frame design, it will be easier to find the same white or black frame in different sizes. 

Whether you choose wood, metal, black, or white frames, make sure they look good with both the artwork and the rest of the room’s decor. 

Practice Composition

Sketch out picture groupings before you commit to hammering nails into the wall. Creating a rough blueprint of your gallery wall is a good way to get an idea of how many pieces you want to include and exactly where each piece should go.

Focus on big pictures first. A larger picture deserves a prominent place in the gallery wall. Surround it with smaller picture frames and related articles that go with your theme. For example, intersperse metallic starburst wall medallions between photos of the night sky.

Making paper templates is an easy way to see how all your hanging pictures will look on the wall. Lay your pictures on a roll of craft paper and trace around each frame with a pencil. Cut them out and label them so you don’t get confused about which piece is which.

Using a loop of painters tape, attach the paper templates to your gallery wall in the same arrangement you sketched out earlier. If you don’t like the way it looks, it’s easy to reposition them until the arrangement suits you. 

You can also have someone hold up each piece to the wall while you stand back and see how it looks. Make sure you cover the picture hook with masking tape first, to keep it from scratching the wall. 

Seek Symmetry

Arranging pictures in perfect symmetry can be rather boring, but some degree of symmetry is necessary to keep the room from looking unbalanced. Think of each frame as carrying a weight related to its overall size. Especially with traditional or formal decor, you want to balance weights along each side of the wall. 

For example, place a large piece in one of the lower corners of your gallery wall space. Put the second-largest picture in the upper corner diagonal from the biggest piece. Then arrange the remaining multiple pictures in the unoccupied corners to balance the overall space. 

Another visually pleasing space for hanging pictures is a few inches above a chair rail. It may seem too low initially, but this positioning serves the dual purpose of showing off your artwork while drawing attention to the architectural trim. Use your carpenter’s level to ensure each piece is neatly aligned.

Gather Supplies

In addition to kraft paper, painters tape, and a pencil, you’ll need a measuring tape and a level to professionally hang your wall decor. You’ll need a picture hanger for each frame, screws and a screwdriver, and/or a hammer and nails. 

Many interior designers recommend using two picture hangers on each piece—especially large artwork—to keep them from tilting or swinging. Wall plugs and drywall anchors provide extra support, especially in brittle drywall.

A wall anchor is better than an ordinary nail or screw for supporting heavier artwork and decorative wall art pieces. Drywall anchors are a screw that includes a spring-loaded winged nut that spreads open behind the drywall. Its “T-shaped” design keeps the weight of your art piece from pulling the screw out of the wall.

Related read: How to Hang Pictures Without Nails

Measure Carefully

Unless your gallery idea is a freeform, organic layout, you shouldn’t leave measurements to guesswork. Accurate measurements are what makes your display look professionally installed. You must use measurements if you’re creating a grid or even row of frames.

Follow the instructions in the “Formula for Hanging Pictures” section below. Use a tape measure and a carpenter’s level to determine where each nail, screw, or wall anchor should go. Mark each spot lightly with a pencil.

A Formula for Hanging Pictures

Hanging pictures can feel like trying to solve a puzzle—especially if your wall art is in different shapes and sizes. If you bought a hanging art set from Pottery Barn or another retailer, it’s easy enough to just copy the way they had the pieces displayed. But if you’re creating your own photo wall from scratch, this formula can help ensure a balanced composition.

To hang artwork at average eye level, the center of the piece should be between 57 and 60 inches above the floor. Find the center by dividing the height of the frame by two. Then measure the distance from the top of the frame to the hanging hardware and subtract that from the first number.

Add that figure to 57, 58, 59, or 60. This final sum is the height where your nail or wall anchor should go, as measured from the floor. 

How to Hang Eclectic Groupings

Although it’s recommended to have a common thread tying your gallery wall picture collection together, it’s not required. In fact, the beauty of your particular grouping might be its whimsical diversity. It’s perfectly acceptable for photos, sketches, paintings, macrame, wall sculptures, and baskets to occupy the same wall space.

It can be a bit more challenging to make an eclectic collection flow together harmoniously. Start by hanging pictures that mean the most to you at eye level—but feel free to move them higher or lower to work around your furniture and architecture. Extend your collection into the rest of the space by hanging a small picture or decoration above a door or window. 

Remember that your instinct is the most important factor when it’s time to hang pictures—or do any type of home decorating. You live in the space. If your picture display makes you happy, that’s all that matters.

Grey might just be the ultimate neutral color. Dark enough for drama, but light enough to convey spaciousness, grey walls are the perfect background for just about any colour curtains.

Grey is a suitable color in everything from a modern condo to a sprawling farmhouse. It might be easier to ask what colors don’t go with grey than to ask, “What color curtains go with grey walls?” Here are a few of our favorite pairings of grey walls and colored curtains.

Read also: Should Curtains Touch the Floor?

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Grey on Grey

There are far more than 50 shades of grey when it comes to paint color choices. Grey is like its own rainbow, with warm brownish grey at one end and cool bluish grey at the other. 

Grey also shows up in a wide value spectrum. There are pale shades just a notch above white, and deep charcoals just a few steps below black. So choosing grey curtains is a great option, especially if you’re into chic monochromatic decor. 

Choosing a textured or patterned grey fabric is a good way to add sophisticated detail to the room. Look for a floral grey monochromatic window treatment, or a classic pattern like stripes or plaid. Silvery grey sheer curtains are a great choice to hang behind heavier curtain panels.

You can break up the grey a bit by including some white walls in the room. For example, install wainscoting up to chair rail height and paint that part of the room white.

Black

Black curtains are a classic choice when it comes to room decor. Not only is black a sophisticated hue that goes with anything, it is a popular color for blackout curtains and other thermal curtain options. Having black thermal curtains can help you save money on your air conditioning bill in the summertime.

Matching curtains to furniture is a good idea for maintaining a balanced color scheme. Pair black curtains with a black leather sofa and a rug that incorporates all the grey and black hues in the room. If black colored curtains feel too harsh for your decor, go with dark charcoal grey curtains for a similar but less drastic vibe.

White

White curtains always carry a fresh, clean vibe. Hanging white curtains on a grey wall is a classic combination favored by many an interior designer. This particular combination allows the furniture to be the focal point in the room.

With grey walls and white curtains, you have the freedom to choose a couch and accessories in any color you wish. White textured curtains add subtle detail to the room without taking anything away from your other design elements.

Warm grey color paint looks better with a warmer shade of white. Pair it with a soft ivory curtain color instead of a bright white curtain.  

Blue

Blue colored curtains are a peaceful, impactful choice in just about any room with grey walls. Blue and grey are a classic color duo, whether you have blue curtain panels on grey walls, or blue walls behind grey curtains.

Navy or light blue curtain panels stand out against grey walls, especially when the room includes other blue accents. Teal curtains also look great against a medium grey wall, as its warm bluish-green looks extra brilliant against a solid neutral. 

Light grey walls and pale blue curtains give the room the cooling ambience of a cloudy day. Brushed nickel curtain rods look amazing with this color combo.

Pink

Choose pink curtain fabric to add a soft warmth to a room with grey walls. Grey wall paint looks amazing with all shades of pink, especially blush pink or dusty rose. Hang sheer white curtains behind your pink drapes to soften daylight filtering through the window. This will look especially nice if your room has white furniture.

Light grey wall paint and pale pink decor has long been a favorite in a baby nursery or little girl’s room. However, this color scheme is also soothing in any room and can be quite sophisticated. Pink is one of the colors that will go equally well with warm or cool grey wall paint.

Green

You can probably get away with any green color curtain against your grey wall, but earthy shades of green look particularly good next to grey. Olive green curtain panels merge well with a grey based wall color and adding brown and other warm neutrals completes the look.

Emerald, jade, and other brighter green curtain choices can also work well with grey, provided that the color is included in the room’s accessories, rugs, and wall decor. 

Beige

Like grey, beige has its own color spectrum. From pale oatmeal to deep tan, it’s one of the best curtain colors if you want a room that’s neutral but warm. Greige is a new color that combines the best of beige and grey and is a good companion to both.

Warm grey walls and beige curtains are a great background color scheme if you have a lot of brown furniture in the room. Warm grey walls and beige curtains go great with a brown leather sofa and natural wood finishes on tables and bookshelves. 

Bright Colored Curtains

Most bright color options look great beside neutral grey walls, so don’t be afraid of this curtain and wall pairing. Purple, orange, hot pink, or red curtains add a cheerful, whimsical vibe to a room. Putting these brilliant hues next to calm grey makes them pop even more. 

Yellow is another bright color that looks amazing with grey. While a soft, buttery yellow is a classic color to use with grey, brighter hues can work as well. Mustard yellow curtains or deep golden drapes stand out nicely against charcoal and other darker shades of grey. 

Bright floral patterns, colorful plaids, and batik prints are also great in a grey room—especially if they include a bit of grey that goes with the wall color. Just be sure to use the printed fabric’s main color other places in the room, such as on throw pillows, rugs, and wall art. 

Adding decorative plates to your walls is an easy way of adding color and decor to your home. The three-dimensional nature of the plates allows them to protrude away from the wall, adding depth to the decor and space. There are plates for every taste, from traditional china to modern handmade designs. The real problem is, how do you get them on the wall? 

Step 1: Choose the Plates 

The first step is to decide which plates and platters you want to hang on the wall. Consider the size, shape, weight, and style of the plate. If you have a prized collection, this should be relatively easy because you already have plates you love. If you do not already have plates, you will need to buy some. For vintage plates, you can head to your local antique store. Local home design stores have contemporary plates with a broad appeal. Finally, check out local art fairs and websites like Etsy for handmade and one-of-a-kind art. 

Try to choose plates that complement each other. They should fall in line with a chosen color scheme and style. This will help your final design to look cohesive and not cluttered. Also, selecting plates of different sizes and shapes can add interest to the final display. 

Related read: 45 Wall Art Ideas

Step 2: Design the Arrangement 

Once you have your plates, it is time to decide how they will look on the wall. Do not blindly start making holes in the walls, as you will end up with a mess and a wall full of holes. Instead, get some craft or butcher paper and spread it out on a table or the floor. Place the plates on the paper in different arrangements until you find one you like. Keep in mind the available space on the wall, as your arrangement needs to fill the space but not look too cluttered. Do not be afraid of leaving some space between the plates. This is called allowing your design to breathe. The empty space creates a visual break, enabling each plate to shine. 

Once you have the plates where you want them, trace around them with a pen, pencil, or marker. It can be easier to turn the plates over so that they are face down for this task. Then, you can take the template to your wall and use it as a guide for mounting the hanging hardware on the wall. 

Alternative Design Arrangement Method 

If you have a large wall or your hanging method won’t work with a single template, there’s an alternative. Lay out the paper and trace around the plates on the paper. Do not worry about the arrangement; you will cut out the tracings to have multiple round plate templates. Label the templates so that you can easily keep track of which template matches which plate. Then, tape the plates to the wall and design your arrangement on the wall. 

Step 3: Choose the Hanging Method 

The hanging method that you choose will depend on the plates’ size, shape, and weight. The method you choose needs to be strong and secure enough to hold the plates on the wall without the risk of them falling. 

Adhesive Disk Plate Hangers 

A popular method is to use an adhesive method. These are flat disks that adhere to the back of the plate and have a small metal loop. This method is popular because the plate will hang flat against the wall. The problem with adhesive disks is that they have weight limits, so large and heavy plates may be too much for the adhesive disk. You could use more than one disk per plate, but even this may not be enough. Another issue is that you need a flat surface for the disk to adhere to. If your plate has ridges, then this method won’t work. Finally, this method won’t work if you plan to take the plates down and occasionally use them. 

What size hanging discs do you need for your plates?

• 1 1/4″ for plates up to 4 inches diameter
• 2″ for plates up to 6 inches diameter
• 3″ for plates up to 8 inches diameter
• 4″ for plates up to 12 inches diameter
• 5 1/2″ for plates up to 6.5 pounds in weight

Spring-Style Plate Hangers

The other most popular method is to use a spring-style plate hanger. These hangers have two metal holders that are connected by two springs. At each end, the metal holders have two hooks that will hook over the edge of the plate. There is a v-shaped metal piece that you will hook over a hook in the wall to hang the plate. These hangers come in a wide range of sizes, so you will measure the diameter of the plate to know which size hanger to use. You won’t have to worry about the hanger not being strong enough. You can also easily remove the hanger and use the plate. One thing to be careful of is potential damage to your plate. Look for a hanger that is coated with vinyl, rubber, or plastic on the hooks. This creates a cushion between the hooks and the edge of the plate to prevent scratching or chipping. 

Command Strips 

Be careful when using command strips to hang your plates. While they boast strong weight limits, they are not always reliable. On the other hand, their advantage is that you can remove them from the wall without leaving any damage or marks. If you have very small or lightweight plates, they might be an option, but use them with caution. 

DIY Methods 

There are some DIY plate hanging methods out there. While people claim that they are useful and creative methods for hanging their plates, many are more work than they are worth. For example, some use paperclips, but this is dangerous. Paperclips are not designed for holding the weight of plates and will eventually bend or break. Another uses hot glue, felt, and safety pins. This requires you to buy more materials, and the end result is not as stable. Ultimately, if you are going to hang cherished plates on the wall, invest in the proper equipment to hang them. This will prevent damage to your plates and give you a polished final display. 

Step 4: Hang the Plates 

When it is time to hang your plates, start by cleaning them. They could have dust or grease from your fingers on them. If you are using an adhesive method, these will prevent the adhesive from effectively sticking. If you are using another method, the dust and grease will make the plates look dingy. 

Attach your chosen hanging method to your plates. First, confirm that you have your template where you want it on the wall. Then, begin adding the appropriate hooks where you need them. 

Choose the Right Hook 

The size of the hook you use will depend on the size of the plate. The larger and heavier the plate is, the larger and stronger the hook needs to be. Otherwise, the hook may not be able to hold the weight of the plate, and the plate will pull the hook out of the wall. If you have especially heavy plates, you may also need to use a wall anchor. This arm goes through the hole in the wall and braces the hook from the backside. 

Hook Placement 

When adding the hooks, keep in mind the hook’s location in relation to the edge of the plate. You do not want to put the hook at the top of the template, or your entire arrangement will ship upward. Instead, measure down from the top of the plate and then place the hook here. This will keep your plates from unintentionally shifting during hanging. 

Few things in home decor can be as intimidating as a large empty wall. In fact, figuring out how to decorate a large wall can stump even a professional interior designer! 

But really, an empty wall is open decor space, a blank canvas upon which you can manifest your best wall decor ideas. If you’re wondering how to decorate a large wall, the following ideas will make it easy to turn your biggest wall decor challenge into your favorite home feature.

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Gallery Wall

A gallery wall is a collection of artwork, photos, mirrors, and other decorative elements that coordinate to fill a blank wall space. A gallery wall might have one large mirror or painting in the center and several smaller satellite pieces. It could also be a collection of artwork in matching sizes and frames, neatly placed in a grid.

Gallery walls are equally wonderful in a large living room, dining room, or hallway. They’re also a great wall decor idea for a big blank wall behind your headboard. Go with a monochromatic color scheme for a more formal approach.

For a casual, bohemian gallery wall, hang a collection of flat baskets in an organic shape, or display a collection of whimsical plates. Intersperse them with macrame wall hanging pieces.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is back in style and comes in a dizzying array of cool prints and patterns. A boldly printed wallpaper can be a dramatic statement on a large wall, turning it into the room’s focal point. 

If a full large wall of wallpaper feels a bit too busy, put wainscoting on the bottom half of the wall and paint it the same color as the room’s other walls. Or choose a subtle wallpaper, one with a faux brick finish or a simple organic texture. 

Renters—and homeowners who don’t want to commit to one look long-term—should shop for peel-and-stick wallpaper. Easy to remove when you tire of it or move out, it makes decorating large walls easy and temporary.

Paint

Paint is one of the most economical ways to create an accent wall in a living room, bedroom, or any large or small space. A common decor idea is to paint one wall a darker color than the rest of the room. This can be a great way to draw attention to the art and objects displayed on your wall.

You can also use paint to create a simple wall mural, perfect for creatively filling up an entire wall. If you aren’t particularly artsy, you can purchase a peel and stick wall mural instead.

Read also: 50 Wall Paint Ideas

Architectural Pieces

Upcycling is all the rage, and salvaging beautiful architectural pieces is one of the best ways to repurpose items that have seen better days. Look online to find builder supply surplus stores and vintage dealers who sell pieces saved from old house renovations.

Old house trim, window frames, doors, and mantels are all examples of architectural pieces that make excellent wall decor ideas. Either keep the unique patina of its natural finish, or refinish to coordinate with the rest of your large wall decor. 

Furniture

Furniture is another good way to fill a huge expanse of wall space. Buy an oversized living room console table and arrange your gallery wall above it. Top it with tall lamps and other pieces that suit the space.

Tall cabinets or shelving units can help balance the composition of your of large wall decor ideas. Having bigger pieces as part of your large wall decor also increases your living room storage and functionality.

Plants

Green plants bring the outdoors in. A tall green tree is an excellent way of filling up part of a large living room wall. If you have a green thumb and plenty of natural light, choose a real tree. If not, today’s faux plants are hard to differentiate from the real deal and are a suitable alternative to living plants.

Trailing plants are also good choices for large wall decor, placed on top of a cabinet or floating shelf. Hanging baskets and wall-mounted planters are also great large wall decor ideas, especially in boho decor. A large wall garden made of succulents is a colorful living large wall art display.

Trim and Molding

Decorative trim and molding turn the wall itself into a piece of art. Wainscoting, picture frame molding, wide crown molding and tall baseboards are all equally valid ways of adding detail to a blank space. For cottage or farmhouse style, look at shiplap or board and batten options.

This type of “wall sculpture” helps showcase the wall art on display and draws the eye to certain design elements. You can frame a large living room or kitchen opening with faux columns or hang a vintage mantel high above a door and use it as a shelf. 

Mirrors

A big statement mirror is a fantastic centerpiece on a large blank wall. Hang a big round mirror in the middle of your other large wall decor, or lean an oversized framed mirror against the bedroom or living room wall. 

Mirrors are one wall art idea where scale really matters, so go big—perhaps much bigger than you originally intended. Especially in a living room or small space, a big mirror not only fills up the wall, its reflection helps make the entire space look bigger.

Curtains and Textiles

Wide curtains can help fill the space between your large wall art ideas. Hang a long curtain rod over the window and add curtains on either side of the window opening. Not only does this occupy blank wall space, it makes it look like your windows are much larger than they actually are. 

Whether in the living room or bedroom, choose curtains wide enough to draw closed over the window for privacy and light control. 

Shelves

Built in shelves are an excellent way to fill up a long empty wall and add valuable storage and display space at the same time. Whether they frame a window or a fireplace, or simply surround a wall gallery, built-ins are a classic feature in many homes. 

Floating shelves are a different type of shelf that looks great in a living room or kitchen. Their open, casual design provides a base for framed photos, potted plants, travel knick-knacks, and other items you want to display. 

Read also: 41 Wall Shelf Ideas

Additional Tips for Decorating Large Walls

After you settle on how to decorate a large wall in your home, keep the following concepts in mind:

• Scale: A large wall needs big enough pieces to fill the space, so choose a large piece of art, or a substantial collection of smaller pieces.
• Decor: Make sure your choices go with the room’s overall decor. This is especially important with an open floor plan where your large wall space may extend through two or more designated living areas. 
• Layering: Layering pieces gives your decor a three-dimensional effect. Place a large antique window frame on a mantel, then stack a smaller painting, an urn, a box, and perhaps some books in front of it.
• Personality: Incorporate your own special memories into your wall decor ideas. Include pictures from a vacation, or favorite vintage family photos. Ideally, your wall will tell your guests a little more about yourself and your personality. 
• Budget: Ah, the dreaded “b” word! Oversized artwork can be pricey, but there are budget-friendly alternatives. Visit thrift stores to find architectural decor pieces and artwork that can be repainted to suit your decor. If you simply have to have that signature art piece in a large size, save up for it or try to find a retailer that offers interest-free payments.