12 Creative Ways to Decorate Blank Walls All Through Your Home

Almost every home has a “what should I put there?” spot. Here are a dozen ideas to help you answer that question. Give your walls something to talk about with these super clever and creative how-tos that incorporate collections, paint, wallpaper scraps, books, and even bundt pans!

1.Oversize Quilt Square

DAVID HILLEGAS

A large-scale piece of painted plywood lends graphic punch to any space. First, cut a piece of plywood to desired size (ours is four feet square). Draw a quilt block (here, Twin Star–style) on the wood with pencil, using a ruler or painter’s tape for straight lines, then paint with acrylic paint. Nail strips of 1/2-inch trim along the edges to finish. Lean or hang on the wall.

2.Basket Art

DAVID HILLEGAS

A bevy of baskets brings ample texture to a room. Using nails, hang a larger basket in the middle, then surround with smaller baskets in a circular or starburst pattern.

3.Spoon Display

DAVID HILLEGAS

Wooden spoons come in many sizes, shapes, and colors, making them the perfect ombre kitchen art. To assemble, cut a piece of plywood to the desired size and paint. Lay spoons in a light-to-dark pattern on the wood, and use a pencil to mark a spot on both sides of each spoon, typically just below the bowl. Remove spoons, and drill holes at markings. Working with one spoon at a time, loop fine-gauge wire over the handle and through the holes; twist together wire ends behind the wood to secure. Repeat until complete, then hang.

4. Clipboard Frames

DAVID HILLEGAS

When it comes to gallery walls, frames can get expensive. For this arrangement, simply clip prints to vintage clipboards. Thread a piece of leather jewelry cord under the clip, knot it at the top, and hang with a pushpin.

5.Trip Mementos

DAVID HILLEGAS

Memorialize a vacation, hiking excursion, rowing adventure, or road trip by outlining the route traversed with ribbon or twine on a new or vintage map. Hold both options in place on the map with hot-glue.

6.Nature Silhouettes

DAVID HILLEGAS

Start by collecting leaves and thin-stemmed branches. Lay them on 11-by-14-inch canvas boards. Use a round foam stencil brush to paint around the leaves with acrylic paint, covering the canvas. Remove leaves, and allow boards to dry. Use white paint for any touch-ups. Frame as desired.

7.Chalk Wall Calendar

Keep everyone in the loop with an entryway wall calendar. Use painter’s tape (we used a 1/2-inch-wide roll) to tape off a 35-square grid to desired size, as well as two rectangles, as shown. Paint with acrylic chalkboard paint (we used Behr’s Interior Chalk Decorative Paint). Once dry, remove tape, and touch up any rough edges. Tie a length of twine around a piece of chalk, knot end, and hang on wall with a pushpin.

8.String Art

Gussy up the laundry room or a kids’ bath with appropriate words like “wash” or “splash.” Start by cutting out letters from craft paper. Mark nail holes with a pencil on the wall using the letters as a guide. Hammer copper nails into the wall, and wrap nails with lengths of assorted-colored thick yarn.

9.Baking Display

DAVID HILLEGAS

A collection of colorful vintage Bundt pans in assorted shapes lends retro flair to a kitchen or pantry wall. Bonus: You can take ’em down and use them as needed.

10.Salvaged Window Tic-Tac-Toe

DAVID HILLEGAS

Hang a vintage or new nine-pane window frame. Add galvanized X’s and O’s, and let the games begin.