- Decoupage allows you to create wallpaper from your favorite images.brush in paint image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com
One of the most exciting aspects of moving into your own home is the chance to decorate. Often apartment living features plain white walls with which you're not allowed to do anything. Once your decorating possibilities are free of their landlord/tenant confines, you are restricted only by budget and your personal taste. However, many of the most interesting things you can do with your walls don't require a big budget. - Decoupage allows you to incorporate images into your wall decor that you might not be able to otherwise. For example, if you want to feature old advertising or children's book illustrations on your wall, consider pasting them on with decoupage. While the option exists for you to frame them, the decoupage gives you the option of making these images into wallpaper. More of your wall is covered (or is covered in a more specific way, in the case of a wallpaper border you might create with these items). Additionally, this technique allows you to pull the look of the furniture and the walls together. You can also incorporate the images you featured on your wall on your wooden furniture as well. This creates a shabby chic look. See Resources for more information about decoupage.
- Every room needs a focal point. You can create a focal point with a bit of paint and some photographs. To create a focal wall of this sort, select one wall, which you'll paint a vibrant color like burgundy or cobalt blue. The other walls you'll paint in a contrasting color like mustard yellow. Once the paint is dry, hang your photos on the focal wall (the one with the different paint color). To add more visual interest, choose picture frames in colors that contrast with the focal wall's color or hang only black-and-white photographs on it.
- Wall sconces offer quite a bit in terms of decorating options. Not only do they bring extra light---usually soft---to a room, they often come in sets. These sets feature items with the same decorative patterns that the sconces have. They could be mirrors or coat hooks, but sometimes their purpose is purely decorative. When you hang these items on your wall, the wall will look pulled together, because the sconces match. Additionally, since many classic decorating styles like Tuscan or Art Deco use this style, you can easily incorporate other items like paintings from these decorating styles as well.
