Embellishing your walls offers more options that you can imagine. Paintings, murals, stencils, wall sculpture, photographs, mirrors, wall sconces, wallpaper, and paint are a good place to begin.

If your walls are in a design rut, here are some ideas to get you decorating in no time flat.

Wall paint and wallpaper

Nothing is easier than painting your walls a fresh new color. Look to items that will stay in the room and choose a complementary color. Paint will give your room an instant dose of fresh new life. Wallpaper is another choice that is not very expensive and a good do-it-yourself decorating option.

Paintings, murals and sculptures

Shop retail stores and antique shops for a painting or sculpture that will update and enhance your surroundings. Hire an artist to create a mural that brings the theme of your room to life. Two-dimensional pieces like tree wall art or wall sculpture add dimension and interest.

Wall furniture

Wall furniture such as bookshelves, mirrors, and wall clocks are practical and decorative at the same time. Wall furniture is a nice way to underscore a theme. For example, a Tuscan or French Country kitchen would be the perfect location for wall wine racks to house your favorite vintage.

Appliques and borders

Appliqués and borders are precut stickers with designs and patterns that can be applied to almost any wall surface. These can also be used to decorate other pieces of furniture such as cabinets, dressers, mirrors and many others. They are most appropriate for a child’s room or play room. But tastes changes and children grow up, so be sure that appliqués and borders can be easily removed without damaging wall surfaces.

Lighting

Lighting is necessary for people to function in a room, but it should be beautiful as well as functional. Avoid fluorescent lighting in living spaces: It looks harsh and casts an unpleasant glow. Overhead recessed lighting is often a good choice for large spaces. Spot lights and task lamps will still be needed to highlight art or other features and to provide ample illumination for reading and other tasks. Wall sconces are a beautiful choice and ceiling fan lighting fixtures are available in hundreds of styles and colors.

More Tips

1. Wall decor comes in acrylic, plastics, resins, canvas, iron, wood, wicker, metal and many other choices. Material is a major factor in determining price.

2. Choose the particular art style you prefer. Abstract wall art in the cubist or futuristic genre relates to modern or contemporary themes, while a landscape in oils would be appropriate in a more traditional setting.

3. Materials have an effect in your room. For example chrome will reflect light more than burnished bronze. Mirrors will give the illusion of space. Dark colors will make a space feel smaller and more snug. Metal sculpture like tree wall artwill create shadow that gives the illusion of depth.

4. When making decorative choices, always consider the size, color scheme and theme of the room. This will make decisions easier and give the best results.

Keep these tips in mind when you want to make a change in a room, but don’t wish to redo the entire space. Simply changing the painting above the sofa or the adding a pair of wall sconces can bring a fresh new look to your space at a fraction of the cost of an entire makeover.

All text copyright Relica. Photo from Flikr - "wall decor full of fresh roses" courtesy of jay.tong.