Remodeling that Won’t Break your Wall-et

So, you have a big, empty wall and don’t know what to do with it.

Your usual options are: wallpaper, photos, artwork, wall decor, or a gigantic clock.

There’s nothing wrong with these options, but if you’re a family on a budget, there are some other ideas that are easy, inexpensive, colorful, and add texture and dimension. With the proliferation of different manufactured materials, decorative wall panels have become a popular way to add interest to a wall instead of using the traditional framed painting or photograph, or other hanging accessory.

Decorative wall panels “speak for themselves.”

Fasade "Bermuda Bronze" at Wayfair.com

You can achieve a 3D wall panel effect in different ways:

• DIY wood or manufactured material strips and planks to create your own design on the wall, and painting over it. This is a fun way to put leftover wood scraps to use!

• Pre-fabricated tiles with designs and textures that you can attach to your wall in a variety of patterns.

• Use a single paint color to create a subtle texture and design, or paint the strips for contrast.

• Use window casing or similar trim to create a section on the wall and paint a contrasting color inside.

Custom built by Raleigh Woodworks

Here are just a few examples of different styles, patterns, and colors, to get your creative energy flowing!

Frame it

This wall design comes courtesy of my friends in Florida, who needed to accessorize a two-story wall in their living room.

Hanging the two paintings alone would not have been enough to balance against the size of the wall, so they used window casing to offset a section of the wall, and painted a contrasting wall color inside (which they carried over to the walls in the dining room), and then hung the paintings inside this section.

The casing and contrasting color add dimension on the wall, and form a large frame and “mat” around the two painting to visually create a larger piece of art on the two-story wall.

Decorative Wall Designs

Another friend chose to DIY this diagonal wall panel design as a large headboard for her bed. I love how it turned out!

It is a simple and subtle design using just one color, but adds texture to the wall, and a bit of drama with the solid black wall against the pop of white bedding and accessories.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Create your design on paper and then measure it on your wall so you’ll know how much wood or mdf strips to buy, and how long each strip needs to be.

2. To create a wall design like this one, these pine lattice moulding strips will work.

3. Use painter’s tape to mark the design on the wall.

4. Apply an interior paint primer. Take time to research the correct primer and process needed for the type of trim or decorative moulding you are using. Non-porous materials such as PVC work best with an all-purpose latex primer (also okay to use on the walls.) If your decorative mouldings are porous (such as MDF and natural wood), use an oil-based primer.

5. Paint the wall and decorative mouldings the color(s) of your choice. The same rules apply for paint as for the primer: latex for non-porous materials, and oil-based for porous materials. An eggshell finish is typical on an interior wall, but if you want to bump up the “wow” factor, use a sheen or semi-gloss finish to reflect the light and add more impact.

6. Once the paint dries, remove the tape and attach the wood strips using a general construction glue and small brad nails.

7. Use painter’s tape to keep the panel strips in place as the glue dries.

8. When the strips are securely on the wall, remove the tape and paint the strips with the same wall color. If you want to create a more colorful design, paint the strips using different colors. It’s really up to your imagination!

Pre-Fabricated Wall Panels

Another way to add wall panel designs is to buy pre-cut patterns like this pvc Ekena Millwork decorative paneling. These panels do not need to be painted if you like the contrasting color.

It is easy to install, using the same glue and brad nails as in the example above. It comes in large 23-3/8” square panels, so you’ll likely need to trim the outer panels to fit your wall space.

Other decorative wall panels add texture, and some are the easy peel-and-stick. like these decorative floral and colorful faux brick designs.

Decorative wall paneling comes in a variety of materials and finishes, so you can choose which pattern and material will work best in your room environment.

Most pre-fabricated wall paneling can be painted ― just be sure to check with the manufacturer for which type of paint will work best for their product. Some require acrylic paint, others work best with latex paint. You can see more colorful 3D wall panels at

Meodid Paint.

Photo credit from Meodid Paint

You can even add paneling to your ceiling! The creative options are endless!

A La Maison's "Line Art" at Home Depot

If you want to give your room a quick and easy “refresh,” decorative wall panels are a fun and inexpensive way to add new interest and focus, without the hassle and expense of remodeling.

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