Painting a room is messy, smelly, and time-consuming. So why not consider other decorative treatments for your walls? Below, you’ll find seven real-life examples of homeowners and apartment dwellers who have found clever, innovative ways to dress up walls without spilling a drop of paint. They are cheap yet really chic.
1. Peel-and-Stick Confetti
In this example, blogger Agnes Hammar has found a way to hide nasty stains and nicks on a rental apartment’s wall by using DIY peel and stick “confetti”—self-adhesive stickers that create a collage of different colors and shapes that make the occasional wall flaw look like part of the plan.
Peelable stickers offer the advantage of being easy to remove when it comes time to move on to a new residence or when another innovative decor solution strikes your fancy.
2. DIY Wall Tapestry
Wall tapestries aren’t just for college kids. While they are great for dressing up a dorm room, they’re also a chic bohemian decor staple that can help warm up cold rooms. This stylish one from The Merry Thought couldn’t be simpler—made from an ordinary canvas drop cloth and permanent ink markers.
How much does this idea cost to create? You can pick up a 9-by-12-foot drop cloth made of machine-washable cotton for about $20. Permanent markers usually cost less than a buck each.
3. Washi Tape Decor
Here’s an idea perfect for small spaces. it will spruce up boring white walls and your room decor, while also offering a way to cover up small holes created by picture frame hangers. Emily, from Everything Emily Blog, used black washi tape to create a repeated plus pattern.
Washi tape, a decorative masking tape made from Japanese rice paper, is loved by crafters because it comes in hundreds of colors, patterns, and sizes. And, although it’s surprisingly durable, washi tape is also a cinch to remove. For the best results, you’ll want to work on a clean surface, so remove dirt and dust from your wall using a gentle cleaner or clean damp rag. When it’s dry, you’re ready to tape.
4. Post-It Note Masterpiece
Yep, this colorful textured mural of Kanye West was made using Post-It Notes in colors from the Electric Glow Collection. It was created by two roommates, Emily Duda, and Jamie Accashian, using nothing but sticky little pieces of paper.
5. Faux Brick Photo Wall
If you have a massive number of digital photos you want to display, print them all out and DIY this mesmerizing photo wall. The trick to this brick look is making sure all the photos are printed at the same size and arranged in precise rows.
What are the out-of-pocket costs for a project like this? It all depends on what you pay for printer ink.
Tip: If you have a postcard collection, you can adapt this technique to show them off.
6. Fabric-Covered Walls
Dressing up walls with fabric can be done in several different ways. In this example, an unsightly wall has been covered with a curtain. Don’t want to mess with a curtain rod? You can staple fabric directly onto the wall.
You can also use fabric and starch to create removable DIY wallpaper. Want to save money when you buy fabric? Flatbed sheets are usually much cheaper than buying material by the yard.
