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.
Watch: Tips for Painting Interior Walls and Trim
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.
Watch: How to Install a Mosaic Tile Backsplash
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.
Read: 3 Wainscoting Styles to Enhance Your Home
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.
Read: The Easy Way to Install a Shiplap Wall
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!
Watch: How to Build an Easy Accent Wall
How have
you dressed up your walls? Share your suggestions in the comments!
