Low-cost ideas to dress up plain white walls (no painting required!)

Whenever you think about how to liven up a boring plain white wall, paint is the first thing that comes to mind. The problem is DIY painting is no walk in the park, taping up edges, dealing with the fumes, getting an even finish, all these things add up to hassles and a considerable time commitment.

So why not skip it altogether? There are many other options out there to dress up that plain wall, which will not require you to pull out the roller and paint tin.

Custom canvas photo prints

With the advent of bubble jet printing technology, printing photos became much cheaper. In particular, when bubble jet techniques for printing on canvas were developed, custom home wall art was finally within reach for everyone.

A canvas print of your favourite family photo, a landscape shot from your last holiday or the family pet doing something silly, can all make wonderful additions to any room. Maybe even a collage from your wedding? They are especially effective as a budget solution to dress up plain white walls, simply because you already have the art (your own photos) and the printing itself is very economical.

Pick out your favourite shots and get them printed professionally, and you’ll have that plain wall brightened up in no time.

Washi tape & decals

Washi tape and decals are decorative tape and stickers made from rice paper, usually coming from Japan. They hold on to walls well and come in basically every colour, pattern or design you can think of. This stuff is great for decorating walls as it comes off without causing any damage.

Your design can be as complicated or as simple as you like, from creating a full wall mural of mountain ranges to just being content with some even spaced crosses. Both will serve the purpose of making that plain white wall more exciting.

Just remember to wipe down the wall before applying the tape or decal otherwise dust or grime can interfere with the adhesion from lasting long term.

Gallery wall display

This one might go slightly beyond budget for some, though there are economical options available. A gallery wall display consists of multiple panels of large photo prints or artworks, in varying sizes, arranged for greatest optical effect.

It’s essentially an upgraded version of a collage, and turns any blank wall into an interesting artistic feature. Add interest by getting a family happy snap or patterns printed on canvas or use mismatched frames containing swatches of fabric for added texture. It all depends on what will work best for your interior design aesthetic and taste.

Removable wallpaper

Give a blank wall an instant boost by applying peel and stick removable wallpaper. Made from woven polyester, modern self-adhesive wallpaper is easy to apply, tear resistant, fade-resistant and removes cleanly. In fact, it is so durable it can be removed and repositioned as many times as you like.

From whimsical patterns, landscape murals, bold Art Deco prints, vibrant florals and brick look prints, you’re sure to find a style that takes your fancy. Best of all it’s easily swapped out for a new design when you want a new accent wall look.

A fabric drop wall

A fabric drop wall can be a great option for adding some colour to a plain white wall, and best of all it is incredibly easy to do and remove so there aren’t any issues if you’re renting. Just head down to your nearest fabric store and pick out some patterns you like, and buy a size big enough to cover the area you desire.

Then use tacks or adhesive removable wall hooks to drape the fabric across that plain white wall. instant colour! The best part is just how many different colours and patterns are available in fabrics, so you’re bound to be able to find something that will work in your home.

For more cost-effective ways to makeover your place check out our budget savvy interior design tips, low-cost bedroom revam ideas and cheap ways to fix up your bathroom.