From wacky wallpaper designs to playing with colour, I’ve picked 20 of my favourite ideas to transform your walls
As the biggest surface area in any room, walls have a massive impact, yet offer some of the easiest and most affordable ways to refresh your home. Dramatic displays, simple paint tricks and quirky wallpapers – check out my inspiring guide to turning your home’s blank canvases into masterpieces.
Play with paint
1) Choose the right paint effect. Whether you’re painting over brick or wood, get the help of a professional either a decorator for a professional finish or the help of a good paint supply store, for everything you need to know.
2) Pick a shade to suit your scheme. Follow the rules on how to choose the right colour for your walls. The colour wheel is a great place top start or consult an interior designer.
3) Be colour confident. Painting walls in your favourite colour is a good place to start, but always think about positioning of the room, is it north or south facing, and what the room will be used for, plus can you add that favourite colour in other ways.
4) Mix it up. Whether you pull out a paint colour from your existing wallpaper, go for two contrasting shades of paint in your bathroom scheme, or even try a bespoke mural in your bedroom, paint is a quick, easy and endlessly versatile way to liven up your room.
Wow with wallpaper
5) Get clued up. With endlessly inventive prints and colours, wallpaper is a ready-made source of a skilled designer’s work and inspiration – all you have to do is hang it.
6) Be inspired by the latest wallpaper trends. Use the latest catalogues, a good decorating showroom or a professional designer to do everything from creating a work zone to livening up your bedroom, with the latest wallpaper ideas.
7) Play with different wallpaper effects. It’s not just about the design you pick, but how you use it, too.
8) Add texture to your scheme. Why not try a new take on wallpaper? There are lots of ideas to use texture, and if your scheme is neutral, liven it up with texture to make it really work.
9) Pretty up your children’s room. Treat your tots to one of these cute children’s designs. There are ideas to suit every age group.
Choose The Ideal Design
10) Create a feature wall with a statement design. – They’ll add instant panache to your scheme.
11) Add subtle detail with tonal wallpapers. – They are great for blending into an existing look.
12) Say it loud and proud with wacky wallpapers. If you’re feeling brave, why not take inspiration from the ranges of weird and wonderful ideas that are out there for quirky looks you won’t believe.
13) Choose a design that won’t break the bank. There are lots of wallpapers out there for under £25 for updating your scheme for less, and consult a really good decorating shop or a professional for the latest wallpaper designs for every price range.
14) Be inspired by the latest looks … If that’s not inspiration enough, why not browse the web, go to a really good decorating shop, look at the DIY shops, there are hundreds of fantastic designs.
Try other finishing touches
15) Create a dramatic display. Whether it’s a collection of photo galleries, a large panelled mural, or a mosaic, you don’t have to cover your walls with wallpaper or paint to make your mark.
16) Add interest with wall stickers. Search the web for some great wall sticker designs to inspire you.
17) Hang a stylish photo gallery. A great way to create a family library
18) Highlight your chimneybreast. Paint or wallpaper there are lots of ways to liven up a traditional fireplace.
19) Use tiles to add panache. Modern tiling bends the rules with bold ways to transform your walls. Vivid collage, colour, mosaic and structure give this ancient art form new life.
20) Make a feature out of your TV. By building it in to a storage unit, or a mirrored TV that disappears when not in use, or even painting the backdrop behind it black, the TV will come to life and be a feature when in use.