How to Make a Fancy Wall?

Decorating walls in creative ways can transform the look and feel of any room. Whether you want to create focal points, add visual interest, or just show off your style, there are many options for DIY fancy walls. This article explores easy yet eye-catching ideas to makeover your walls.

Gather Inspiration and Supplies

You’ll first want to determine the look you’re going for and gather some inspiration. Browse home decor sites and magazines like HGTV and Better Homes and Gardens. Note elements you like, such as textures, colors, or materials. Then make a list of necessary supplies you’ll need like paint, wallpaper, panels, tiles, shelves, and lighting. Having materials prepared ahead of time will make your project go smoother.

Prime and Paint Creative Designs

For painted designs, properly prep and prime the walls first. This ensures the paint adheres well and lasts longer without fading or chipping. Consider painting techniques like:

    Two-toned walls: Paint the top and bottom halves of a wall in complementary hues. Add painter’s tape to create clean lines.

    Geometric shapes: Use painters tape to mask off designs like triangles, squares, diamonds or concentric rectangles. Paint each section in contrasting colors.

    Mural: Paint a landscape, abstract shapes or fun scene as a dramatic focal feature.

    Faux treatments: Recreate techniques like sponging, rag rolling, stippling or marbleizing to add depth.

Install Colorful Wallpaper

Wallpaper allows you to incorporate vibrant colors, patterns and textures. When installing:

    Prepare the wall surface so paper adheres smoothly without bubbles or tears.

    Calculate the number of rolls needed based on wall dimensions.

    Check pattern repeat size and match up prints.

    Use tools like smoothing brushes and seam rollers for best results.

    Consider removable wallpaper for easier updating.

Attach Textured Panels

For unique interest, suspend textured wall panels. Options include:

    Wood planks

    3D geometric metal or plastic

    Faux brick, stone or concrete

    Corrugated metal

    Large format ceramic or porcelain tile

    Reclaimed barn wood

Floating panels create cool shadow lines and add dimensional style without permanent installation.

Arrange Collections for Artistic Style

Groupings of artwork, photos, shelves or small accessories make artsy gallery style walls with visual impact.

    Mix frame sizes, shapes and textures for lots of variety.

    Hang items asymmetrically at varying heights for interest.

    Paint or stencil backgrounds for extra pop.

Collections tell stories and show what you love while enhancing any bare wall.

Install Shelving Display Systems

Open shelving creates a place to highlight decor items and store collections attractively.

    Stagger floating shelves at different levels for a dynamic look.

    Incorporate rail systems with removable hooks to hang items.

    Frame built-in shelving with trim for a built-in look.

    Illuminate with pendant lights or strips to showcase favorite things.

Add Architectural Molding

Molding delivers classic detail with timeless appeal. Consider:

    Chair rail: Divides lower and upper halves visually.

    Cove: Rounded accent strip.

    Wainscoting: Vertical boards or simulated panels on lower walls.

    Color blocking: Paint molding a contrasting color.

Crisp white molding pops dramatically against darker hued walls. For renters, peel-and-stick decorative molding offers similar style.

Key Takeaways

    Prep properly with priming for best paint adhesion.

    Incorporate creative textures and materials like wallpaper, wood, tiles or shelves.

    Arrange collections and art for gallery style impact.

    Add classic detail with architectural moldings.

With some inspiration and effort, you can transform boring walls into the fanciest focal point of your room!

Conclusion

Whether you prefer painted murals or textured panels, wall décor options are plentiful. With imagination and readily available materials, fancy walls can be created by DIYers of all skill levels. Always properly prep surfaces and use quality materials suited for your project. Most importantly, choose wall treatments that reflect your personal tastes and showcase what you love in artful ways. Your fancy walls will not only impress but bring you joy.

FAQs

1. What are some easy DIY fancy wall ideas?
   Some easy DIY fancy wall ideas include painting creative murals or designs, installing colorful removable wallpaper, arranging frame collections for a gallery wall, or adding architectural moldings.

2. What kind of paint should I use?
   High quality interior latex paint in the finish of your choice – whether flat, eggshell, satin or semi-gloss – works best for most DIY fancy wall techniques like murals or geometric designs. Be sure to prime first.

3. How do I calculate how much wallpaper to buy?
   To calculate rolls of wallpaper needed, measure wall height and width to find total square footage. Compare to wallpaper dimensions – commonly 21” wide x 15’ long. Divide wall area by paper area to get the number of rolls needed. Include extra for pattern matching and waste.

4. What tools do I need to hang wallpaper?
   Helpful wallpaper hanging tools include a smoothing brush, razor knife, ladder, level, fathometer or measuring tape, seam roller, double sided tape, wallpaper scorer, corners, primer, plumb bob, wallpaper tray and spatula.

5. What’s an easy gallery wall layout?
   An easy gallery wall layout starts by mapping out an asymmetric arrangement blending small, medium and large frames. Group similar items and hang at staggered heights for visual interest. Keep frames close together near the center and spread toward outer edges.

6. How do I prep drywall for painting designs?
   To prep drywall for painting designs, fill any cracks or holes with spackle and sand smooth. Remove all dust before priming with a high quality primer suitable for your finish paint. Allow primer and paint to fully dry between coats.

7. What are some easy DIY textured wall panel ideas?
   Easy DIY textured wall panel ideas include faux brick or stone boards, shiplap or dimensional wood planks, corrugated metal sheets, large format ceramic or porcelain tiles, 3D plastic geometric panels, and reclaimed wood like old barn boards.

8. How do I install peel and stick wall panels?
   Always start peel and stick panels on a smooth, clean, dry surface. Measure and level first panel. Peel backing gradually to stick firmly without bubbles or creases. Use shims if needed to straighten. Top trim hides panel edges.

9. What kind of lighting works best for displaying collections?
   To accent wall collections, flexible track lighting or adjustable pendant lights work well. Install strips of LED lighting on shelves. Picture lights illuminate artwork. Groupings of funky table or floor lamps also add great display.

10. What are floating shelves?
    Floating shelves attach to the wall and appear to hover on their own without visible brackets, giving walls a clean, modern look. Materials like wood, glass or metal panels mount on French cleat brackets for DIY ease.

11. Can I install my own architectural moldings?
    Yes, with simple tools, patience and attention to detail, DIYers can install quality architectural moldings like crown, chair rail, baseboard and wainscoting. Nail carefully into wall studs for durable mounting. Use caulk for flawless corners.

12. What’s the easiest molding to install?
    Of architectural moldings, chair rail is generally the easiest style for DIY installation. It requires fewer precisely mitered corners since it mounts horizontally at mid-wall rather than spanning from floor to ceiling. Use paintable foam versions for convenience.

13. How do I arrange pictures for a gallery wall?
    When planning gallery walls, create an asymmetrical arrangement with framed items clustered near the center and spread toward the outer edges. Mix item sizes, shapes, colors and orientations for pleasing variation. Position artwork at staggered heights for better flow and balance.

14. What can I use instead of picture frames?
    For gallery walls, get creative with display vessels besides traditional frames, like silver trays, colorful boxes, wooden crates, clipboards, floating shelves, rope hoops, tapestries, embellished mirror frames or wall mounted pipes or rails to hang items from.

15. How do I prep walls for wallpaper installation?
    To prep walls for wallpapering, fill any cracks or holes with joint compound, sand smooth and then prime with an adhesive wallpaper primer. This helps papers adhere tightly to surfaces for a wrinkle-free application. Absorbent drywall soaks up glues otherwise.

16. Can you paint over wallpaper?
    Yes, it is possible to paint over wallpaper as long as the paper is still securely attached and in good condition without tears, holes or lots of seams. Use a heavy bodied primer made for wallpaper first, then apply top coat paint in the sheen of your choice.

17. What are textured wall panels made of?
    Textured 3D wall covering materials include dimensional wood like cedar planks, plastic or resin panels molded into geometric shapes, embossed rigid fiberboard, porcelain, metal sheets, recycled leather tiles, thermoplastic composite building boards and more.

18. How do I cut wall tiles?
    Measure and mark tiles to be cut. Score the surface evenly with a cutter tool. Place tile face up in water tray with score line just above water level. Firmly press down both tile sides to break cleanly along cut line. Use a tile wet saw for porcelain. Smooth any rough edges.