In an apartment, your decorating options are often limited. You want a welcoming, well-decorated space, but you don’t always want the hassle of repainting when you move out — assuming you’re allowed to paint at all. It’s handy to know how to cover walls without paint, so you can still add plenty of pop to your living space without turning to the time-consuming (and sometimes lease-breaking) task of painting.
How to Decorate Walls Without Paint
There are many ways to cover walls without paint. As you explore alternatives to painting walls, it’s helpful to keep a few things in mind. Consider the following as you begin researching your options for this project:
- How many walls do you want to cover? A bold accent wall may offer a more satisfying effect than covering every wall in the room.
- Where will you place the furniture? If you’re just moving in, think about which walls are best for wall coverings and which areas might be blocked by a couch, shelving unit, or other large item.
- What colors complement your decor? Choosing a bright accent that contrasts with your other decor is often the best choice, as opposed to going for a matchy-matchy look.
Alternatives to Painting Walls
If you’re looking to decorate the walls without painting, there are many approaches to consider. Explore the following options to find the best alternative to wall paint for your living space.
1. Removable Stickers
Removable stickers offer a great way to decorate walls without paint. You can find peel-and-stick designs that fit nearly any theme, such as a whimsical array of confetti dots (strategically placed to cover imperfections on the walls), a floor-to-ceiling forest scene, or a modern silhouette of a cityscape. Spend some time online browsing different removable wall stickers for a more complete idea of how you can use these wall painting alternatives.
2. Washi Tape
Washi tape is similar to the idea of removable stickers, but this alternative to painting walls gives you a little more artistic leeway. You can arrange the Washi tape in sleek stripes, use it to make small X shapes on the walls, create a check print, and more. Using Washi tape is one of the most time-consuming options on the list, but it can allow for a great deal of creativity if you want to make sure your living space is like no other. The tape will stay in place when undisturbed but pulls off easily when it’s time to move.
3. Fabric
If you’re looking for warm, cozy ways to decorate walls without paint, fabric is a great option. The quick and easy way to install fabric wall coverings is to simply staple them to your walls. Using staples creates only small holes that you can easily fill in before you move. Pull the fabric taut over the wall and begin with a staple in each corner. Add additional staples along the edges as needed to keep the fabric from sagging. This offers a look that’s similar to wallpaper, with a richer, more textured appeal.
4. Floor-to-Ceiling Curtains
Floor-to-ceiling curtains offer another way to warmly decorate a wall without painting. Simply hang a curtain rod along the top of the wall and use long curtains to completely cover the available wall space. Hanging curtains adds greater depth to the room than you’ll get if you simply staple the fabric to the wall. It also gives you the opportunity to arrange the swaths elegantly with the appropriate drape.
You might even hang these curtains in areas where you want to temporarily cover a feature like the television. You can close the curtains for decorative appeal when you’re not watching TV, and open them theatrically on movie night.
5. Large Textiles
If you’re looking for alternatives to painting apartment walls that take up only a portion of the wall space, consider hanging textiles. A tapestry, quilt, or weaving is a great option that allows you to add an artistic touch to your living space. Use a single tapestry as a centerpiece of your living space, or hang several to cover the walls without paint.
6. Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Wallpaper gets a bad rap because the traditional form of this wall covering involved a sticky mess that was nearly impossible to remove neatly. Today, you can use simple peel-and-stick wallpaper to decorate a wall without paint. Using wallpaper, you can add a single color to a wall, much like you can with paint. This wall paint alternative gives you one of the closest approximations to actual paint.
7. Large Canvas Paintings
When you want to make a large statement with your wall coverings, it’s important to use oversized features. While a large piece of original artwork can put a dent in your budget, you can get around this by making some art yourself. Consider painting a simple pattern or color block design on one or more large pieces of canvas. Hanging these on your apartment walls will add a truly original touch to your living space.
8. Mirrors
Mirrors are a classic tool for making a small living space like a studio apartment feel larger. If you’re interested in giving a small apartment a more expansive feel, hanging large mirrors may be the perfect way to cover a wall without painting. Consider positioning these opposite a window so you can reflect a lovely view and plenty of natural light as you expand the look and feel of your living space.
You can select one striking alternative to painting walls or use a bold combination of these strategies for an eye-catching effect. Don’t shy away from big statements in small spaces. Sometimes you’ll get the best impact from an all-over effect in the bathroom or another compact space. Whether you’re working on an accent wall or turning all your walls into a masterpiece, there are plenty of ways that you can personalize your apartment without putting paint on the walls. Our top 30 favorite home decor bloggers usually have some great tips, too!
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