When you walk into a living or a work space, the walls—and what they tell you about a space—are the first thing you’ll notice. Walls covered in funky foiled wallpaper from the 70s could conjure feelings of Aunt Meryl’s favorite disco-fabulous dress, while sterile white walls could trigger memories of the agonizing wait in a dentist’s office.

Stories told by the walls of our home and work spaces reflect who we are now and where we want to go. We can artfully dress our walls to enhance the emotions and tone we want to extend to into the world with no Feng Shui master or interior decorator needed. Just follow these five guidelines to bring your walls to life. 

Function Meets Art

In small spaces, walls can double as backdrops for both art and storage space. Instead of stacking your favorite books on the floor or utilizing a bulky bookshelf, choose a tiered, backless set of shelves like the Contemporary “X” Bookcase or Exhibiting Modern Ladder Bookcase. Shelves such as these serve as stackable space for your favorite books, knickknacks, fresh flowers, and tasteful bowls—all on display as conversation starters instead of stuffed in a junk drawer.

Repurpose Floor Space

A radical way to dress up a wall, tie a room together, and add some texture (as well as bonus soundproofing) is to hang up your favorite rug. The Tangier Rug is a perfect confluence of warm and cool tones, promoting a soothing, restful feel to a bedroom or living room. Additionally, tapestries create a lively backdrop and are easy to change depending on your mood.

Make it Bigger

Declutter space by choosing seating that doubles as storage. Items normally hung on a wall—scarves, hats, jackets, and towels—can live in the comfort of a bench, freeing up coveted space. Make your room appear larger by adding a mirror. The Savona Round Mirror, placed at eye level over the versatile Wengate Split Seat Storage Bench, is the perfect pairing to put the “fun” in functional.

Make a Statement

Statement walls can pull eyes to a specific part of a room and will give an open-concept room more depth. If you have a space sectioned into areas for work and play, choosing to paint one wall with a shade of your favorite color can create a feeling of distinction between the two areas. If your furniture is on the simple side, there are wallpaper decals with trendy prints that can turn your wall into a fantastic party.

Make it You

Our walls tell a story without saying a word. The colors we choose to paint reflect the mood we want to cultivate alone or with company. The books and trinkets we have on display should be items that evoke fond memories of where we have been and how we want to grow. Updating walls to match your current mood and style is easier and cheaper than Aunt Meryl’s favorite disco dress. And it’s definitely more inspiring than a dentist’s waiting room.

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