5 DIY projects to liven up your walls in a weekend

In just a few hours (or less), change your blah space into a happy place.

Nowadays, many of us spend days without leaving the house. We eat, sleep, play with the kids, brush our teeth, work and workout all within the same space. When you’re staring at the same, nondescript walls all day, you start to wonder, “Can this place be any more interesting?” Yes, it can. KSL Homes suggests a few home improvement projects to spruce up your place in one weekend or less.

Walls in 3D

Unless you sprung for an ultra customized home, chances are your walls are pretty basic — a little spackle, a little paint. Turn blah into bada bing! with a DIY board and batten wall. A type of wainscoting, it involves attaching boards (1-by-3-inch MDF works well) horizontally to the wall, then placing same-size or thinner boards vertically. Different from shiplap, it leaves part of the wall exposed in a sort of grid. Popular in the U.S. since the mid 19th century, it looks timeless in both modern and modern-farmhouse homes.

You can do either a partial or full board and batten wall, with as many rows as you’d like. An entire wall creates a dramatic statement on its own. It can be more than decorative, too. Use just one or two horizontal strips, then attach some pretty coat hooks to them to create a charming storage rack for backpacks and coats. For more variety, add a bold wallpaper to the top quarter of the wall, then use board and batten for the remainder.

Picture perfect

For a simpler woodworking project, turn your wall into an DIY art gallery. Cut thin pieces of molding at a 45 degree angle, and then paint them to match or contrast with the existing wall. Nail the pieces to the wall to create a huge frame (or frames), centering it between the floor and ceiling. Fill the frame with a picturesque stick and peel wallpaper. Even better if it's a mural-esque piece.  

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The shape of paint

If you’re not ready to take the leap into mild carpentry, no worries — you don’t need to texture a wall to make it stand out. Use shapes instead. We’re not talking stencils (although that is an option). We’re talking free flowing, bold shapes. Load your brush with a color that compliments your current wall, then paint a thick, fat curve that goes from floor to ceiling — a bit like a giant yin and yang. Or paint in the middle of the wall, ala a sandwich cookie. We recommend marking your design lightly with pencil before diving in.

Not into freestyle? Get out the painter’s tape to carefully mark straight lines — horizontal or vertical — for a striped wall. You’ll need a level and a ruler. Then, paint every other line with a lighter (or darker) color than the rest of the wall. For more variety, use different line widths and use several complementary colors.

Curtain call

Blinds are practical window coverings, but they aren’t particularly exciting. Curtains, on the other hand, add texture, glam and warmth, while also making the space appear larger. The key to hanging curtains is placement.

To make your walls appear taller, attach your curtain rod 4 inches below the ceiling. If you have cathedral ceilings, hang the curtains 6 to 12 inches above the window. You don’t need to cover the entire wall with curtains, but using a wider curtain rod — 3 to 6 inches beyond the window — will visually expand the space a bit more. Be sure your curtains reach to the floor or slightly puddle there.

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Light touch

Still rocking the plastic, builder-grade wall plates on your lights and outlets? Make a switch. Replacing them with decorative ones is a quick option, but it can be pricey for multiple rooms. Or if you have expensive taste. Instead, just recover the ones you have. Remove the cover from the wall. Cut out a piece of fabric about an inch wider than the plate. Brush the front of the cover with crafter’s glue, then attach the fabric. Clip the overhanging edges into strips up to the plate (this helps create a smooth seam), fold them over the back and glue them. Brush the front with more glue to seal it. Voila, custom plates!

Another, easier option: Use pre-made picture frames. Head to the local thrift store to find a frame with an opening the size of your cover. Note: a standard cover fits inside a 3.5-by-5-inch frame. Repaint it to match. When thoroughly dry, use nails of adhesive putty to attach the frame around the plate.

Discover more ideas for upgrading your home, from affordable monthly improvements to decorating on a budget, on KSL Homes. Ready for a new space altogether? We’ll help you find it.