When it comes to the blank canvas that is your new or ever-evolving living space, the first order of design business almost always includes a handful of paint chips and a roller. And while this may be the easiest way to dress up plain, white walls, a coat of paint is far from the only option. In fact, there are plenty of wall coverings that transform your walls without even having to step foot in the paint aisle. And luckily for you, we're listing them all out below.
From wooden elements to fabric additions, these design ideas are about to change the way you look at your blank walls. Ahead are 15 trendy wall coverings to add tons of personality to any room no matter what look you're going for. If walls could talk, these would have plenty to say.
DIY a Wall Hanging
One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to dress up your walls is to hang up your favorite tapestry. Tapestries come in all design styles, color schemes, and for the most part, large sizes to cover tons of wall space on the cheap. And while artisanal tapestries are certainly an option, you can even get creative with printed fabrics, blankets, and handmade pieces.
We especially love this one DIYed by Dine X Design because it doubles as a stylish cover to hide your unsightly flatscreen. You can finally stop worrying about ruining the aesthetics of your space when you're not indulging in your latest Netflix binge.
Install Wainscoting
Wainscoting is a combination of decorative boards or panels and moldings that extend from the baseboards up a portion of the wall. Originally designed to protect walls from dirt and damage, this classic wall dressing now serves as a timeless design element.
Wainscoting adds tons of visual interest to any wall that feels remotely blah. Plus, it's a durable, inexpensive alternative to tile, can be painted any color, and can be installed at any height. While you often see it in traditional or rustic settings, it can be sleek and cool with the right finish.
Hang Pretty Wallpaper
Never underestimate the power a floor-to-ceiling print can possess in any room. No matter what look you're going for, incorporating wallpaper into your home décor will instantly elevate the look.
Wallpaper comes in a ton of colors and patterns (almost too many for those of us indecisive dwellers) and is even available in temporary, renter-friendly peel-and-stick options so you don't lose your deposit.
Consider a Storytelling Mural
Similar to wallpaper, murals can be found in a variety of styles to complement any décor style, color scheme, or theme—and come in peel-and-stick options.
However, unlike patterned wallpapers that create a print of a single motif, murals come together to compose a single image. For instance, the mural in this washroom creates a floor-to-ceiling photo of a park, including a small lake, bridge, and statue.
Enhance Your Space With Wooden Slats
If you like the warmth and texture that wood can bring to a space but you're looking for something that feels more modern than paneling, we have just what you need. Wooden slats instantly upgrade any space, making it look contemporary and feel super expensive.
The best part is it's DIY-friendly and can be installed in any room with limited supplies and a few hours out of your weekend.
Bring Warmth With Wooden Panels
A woodgrain on an accent wall adds so much warmth and texture to any room. While you can achieve this look with wallpaper, installing sheets of plywood will give you a much more luxe feel. You can stain it in any shade to match your room or create any mood from light and airy to dark and moody.
Try a Trendy Drapery Wall
Long, billowing curtains have always been a functional and beautiful addition to any window, but lately, they're being used in a new, slightly less-functional, but equally decorative way. The curtain wall—which, as the name suggests, creates or covers an existing wall with a single row of hanging curtains—is taking over social feeds from Instagram to Pinterest.
It's the perfect solution for renters hiding unsightly walls or dwellers just looking to add a touch of glam to any space. And get this, you can try the trend with little to no damage to your walls—score.
Get Fancy With Panel Molding
One of our all-time favorite wall coverings is the timeless and opulent panel molding. Panel molding can refer to a variety of molding profiles that use delicate pieces to give a touch of elegance to any wall and usually extend from baseboards to ceiling.
Panel molding most often painted to blend in with your current wall color and add subtle texture, which is a perfect choice for bland areas that are just missing a little something.
Take Tile Out of the Kitchen
While tile can be seen as a strictly utilitarian addition to wet spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens, that doesn't mean it can't also be a gorgeous design complement to other areas in your home. In this living room, the pearlescent ceramic tiles add a beautiful shine we're not used to seeing outside of a kitchen backsplash. The result is an unexpected but wonderful addition to this built-in fireplace.
Don't Forget the OG Gallery Wall
If you're looking to dress up the walls in your home—which, of course you are, you've made it this far in our roundup—you'd be remiss not to try the go-to gallery wall. You can create any design style, from contemporary with uniform frames to eclectic with frames in various shapes, sizes, and colors.
For a worldly feel like in this bathroom, scour flea markets, second-hand shops, and antique stores for oversized paintings and opulent-looking frames and hang them from floor to ceiling.