Appreciating the art of wall décor

Decorating your walls always makes a positive visual impact. I believe wall décor is an essential aspect of homes that too often is neglected. Many times I’ve walked into a house or office only to find myself staring at bare white walls, with nothing but a tiny framed picture which is being drowned by the masses of bare wall space around it. My aim in this article is to equip you with tips and guidance that will enable you to make the most of your wall space. Walls serve different purposes. From the outside, they are a barrier that shields us from the cold and danger. From the inside, because they surround us they become our scenery, especially at night when the curtains are drawn. Why not read on to discover how to involve them more? Not only will your walls become a sight for sore eyes, but they will enhance the overall look of the room, you won’t even believe it! How to start The first thing you need to do is to finish your wall surface with a paint colour which is in line with your colour scheme. You can then proceed to applying any other materials that you may wish to use i.e. wallpaper or wood. There should be just one focal point in a room. Decide on one before you decorate your walls. If you chose to make a specific wall your focal point, make sure that you don’t create another focal point in the same room with other objects. This will be confusing to the eye and you may end up going overboard, design wise. Instead bring them together as one point of focus. Picture frames Use photographs of yourself and loved ones to bring a personal touch to your home. Photographs are great because they capture memorable moments and therefore personalize even the dullest of spaces. There are a lot of creative places you can hang photos. Areas where you tend to spend much time i.e. the kitchen, living room, or bedroom, are perfect locations to hang your favourite photographs. Depending on the size of the wall, a series of photographs can be hung, however to create some unity, place the pictures in frames which co-ordinate with one another in colour, texture and material. In addition to this, the framework should complement the decorating style which is maintained throughout a room. If you are dealing with a small wall space, avoid crowding it. Photographs of different sizes can create an exciting spontaneous movement on a wall, however if that is not your preference you can maintain same sized frames, this will create more orderly appearance. Paintings If you are an art lover, paintings are a fantastic way to give your wall a facelift. A big painting can boost a large white wall effortlessly. Not only will it add to the beauty of your home, but it will also make it unique. If you are struggling to find a theme for your décor, one helpful option is to begin by buying a painting. Its colours and textures can be inspiration to decorate the rest of your room. A lot of hard work goes into completing a beautiful painting. Before one can appreciate its value, it is important to recognize that the artist has invested a substantial amount of time and money to create it. If you buy a painting, not only will you be adding to your home’s beauty but you will be doing the community well by supporting local artists. Wall Hangings A wall hanging is a flat decorative object which can be hung. They have the potential to be as successful as paintings. These objects range from flat woven baskets, rugs or tapestry- a form of textile art. Printed fabrics can also look stunning on a wall. Choose a fabric with big prints and a bold pattern. Whatever you decide on, make sure the colours and patterns don’t clash with the other elements of the room. Wall art Wall art is a creative and fun way to decorate your walls. It is especially effective when applied in children’s rooms. This method involves applying art directly onto a wall. Wall art can create one bold image, or a repeat pattern. If you want a repeat pattern, you will need a stencil. If you have a creative flair, and you want your pattern to be unique, go ahead and design your own stencil! This technique involves a lot of your time but the end results are rewarding. If you are not a fan of imagery, a simple application of stripes of two colours of your choice can even do the trick. As you decorate your walls, remember to focus on the larger wall spaces. Every blank wall space should not be decorated. In addition to this, avoid decorating narrow wall spaces less than 20 inches wide, keep in mind that leaving blank areas creates a spot for the eyes to rest! The author specializes in interiors and fashion. ms.efuahagan@gmail.com