Make the Walls Talk

- Stenciling has come a long way from the floral room borders of the 80’s and 90’s.  There are so many stencil designs available, and ambitious DIY’ers can even make their own!  Bob Vila gives us a step-by-step tutorial on stenciling, as well as offering tips and tricks that are good to know before you get started. 

- Wallpaper doesn’t need to cover every wall of a room.  Add a bold or bright print to one wall, and add style and interest to the room.  Get inspired for a wallpapered feature wall with these ideas from Better Homes and Gardens?. 

- Create an accent wall with paint--this DIY can be done in a day, and make a huge difference in the look of the room for the amount of time it takes.  This article from Real Simple has interior designer advice on choosing a color and even furniture placement after the job’s done, as well as tips for painting. 

- Plank walls are a popular choice for a focal point as well as an accent wall.  There are many materials choices for this feature:  reclaimed wood, pre-stained wood, peel-and-stick tile, and even vinyl paneling! 

- Sponge painting is still being used today, but with a more subtle look that adds the appearance of texture to a wall.  There are many techniques, and House Painting Tutorials has several examples and links to their tutorials for each technique. 

- Creating a board-and-batten from stock materials is a good undertaking if you’re handy with power tools, and this type of wainscoting can really transform a room.  It may take a while to get this one done, but the difference it will make will be worth it. 

- Embossed tin panels or tiles can be used to create a vintage-look focal point, or add corrugated tin for a more industrial look.