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20 Ideas to Fill Big Spaces
Q. We just moved into a much larger home, and we need
some ideas for decorating the vast amount of bare wall
space. Can you help?
A. Of course! Here are lots of ideas for transforming
blank walls into interesting focal areas. Let your imagination
run wild.
- Instead of hanging a single mirror above a buffet
or console table, arrange several smaller mirrors
in a collage.
- Hang crown-molding ledges in a staggered pattern
and arrange a collection of family photos. Hang some
of the photos, and prop others on the ledges. Keep
the picture frames consistent in terms of color and
style.
- In a bathroom with no windows, paint a mural of
a window with a tranquil landscape n the background.
- Hang a collection of antique platters in a pyramid
shape. Paint the wall behind them in an accent color
that will set off the design.
- In a staircase, hang art or family photos in a
stair-step arrangement.
- Consider wallpaper—there are myriad new styles
available. If the wallpaper has a busy pattern, keep
artwork extremely simple, such as black and white
photographs in simple frames.
- Intersperse three-dimensional pieces into your art
arrangement. For example, hang wall-mounted vases
on either side of a large floral painting.
- Try a new painting technique: how about 8”
wide stripes in alternating flat and semi-gloss shades
of gold? This technique looks fabulous in a dining
room. Try a leather look in the den, or a color wash
in the kitchen.
- Paint large blocks of color on the wall to serve
as a backdrop for artwork. In one client’s home,
we painted the walls green, and then added three large
squares in purple to accentuate her modern art.
- If your home has built-in shelves, paint the back
wall in a dramatic accent color.
- Stencil a favorite saying or poem onto the wall.
- Paint a mural of a favorite vacation spot in your
stairwell.
- Frame and hang a collection of your children’s
art. Give it a prominent place in your family room,
or create a happy burst of color in your laundry or
mudroom.
- Create a theme for a room based on an interest
you may have. For instance, if your hobby is golf,
arrange and hang photos of family members playing
golf, golf memorabilia, watercolors of famous courses,
antique golf clubs, etc.
- Hang a quilt or a tapestry on a large wall.
- Stretch interesting fabric over wooden frames to
create large pieces of art.
- Hang a collection of baskets to instantly add texture
and dimension to the room.
- Hang a collection of whimsical hats for a fun look.
- Add coziness to extremely tall walls by installing
crown molding at the 8- or 9-foot ceiling height.
Paint the area above the crown molding one or two
shades darker than the color below the crown molding.
This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper
Group papers on Jan. 8, 2005.
Go
back to the list of decorating columns.
All articles copyright 2003-2008 Anna
Jacoby.
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