5 Ways to Spruce Up Your Home’s Walls

Interest in home improvement has reached unpreceded levels throughout the COVID-19 pandemic because people finally have the time and opportunity to make changes they’ve thought about for a while. Spending time in quarantine means constantly staring at your walls — your plain, blank walls, in some cases. This makes them the perfect place to start, as far as home improvements are concerned.

Here are 5 ways to enhance your walls with little expense.

 

1. Paint Your Walls

The easiest way to change your walls is to paint them, and these days, that task is faster than ever.

You used to have to apply primer before the top coat, but primer and paint all-in-one cans have simplified painting for lots of homeowners. Better yet, pick an all-in-one can with an antimicrobial mildew-resistant finish, which is great for kitchens, bathrooms, trim and cabinets.

 

2. Add a Backsplash

There’s a solution for blank kitchen walls, especially ones behind sinks and ranges that attract all kinds of stains: installing a backsplash.

In addition to adding new colors to a room or complementing existing ones, a backsplash makes splattered cooking oil and water easy to clean. Ceramic, glass and marble tile are some popular options, and subway, mosaic and geometric designs are top sellers.

Need an easy project? DIY-friendly backsplashes come in sheets with a mesh backing that makes it easy to install.

 

3. Install Wainscoting

If you want to add character and dimension to other rooms in your house, but don’t want it to take over the entire wall, wainscoting is the answer. Just install this decorative paneling on the lower half of a room’s walls. It comes in many designs and styles, so whether your home is modern or traditional, you’re bound to find the right match.

 

4. Hang Shiplap

Whereas wainscoting gives your walls a touch of texture and character, shiplap covers them entirely, making any room rustic.

Reclaimed shiplap from old homes and boats is one option for the build, but if you lack access to authentic shiplap and still want this look, it’s possible to create a similar accent wall with lauan plywood. In fact, going the lauan plywood route is also the faster option, as far as installation goes.

 

5. Build an Accent Wall

But what if you like your painted walls and just want to cover one of them to add a pop of color or character? That’s the job of an accent wall! Nothing breaks up a boring room and gives it dimension and texture like an accent wall. It really just amounts to arranging wood patterns according to your preference and nailing them into the studs. Anyone can build an accent wall so you can grab a partner and get the job done during a free afternoon. Then paint it a nice color!

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Photo Credit:  Brian Chase / Shutterstock.com