Creative wall covering ideas for indoors and out

When it comes to decorating a room, consider how you want your walls to look. Think outside the box and don’t just rely on the tin of white paint at the back of your shed. Whether you’re looking for creative wall covering ideas or just cheap wall covering ideas for bad walls, we’ve put together some of our favourites that we think you’ll love.

Inexpensive wall covering ideas

1. Exposed brick

Your new favourite wall covering might just be hiding beneath layers of paint and plaster. If you’re a fan of the industrial look and live in a brick-built property then go ahead and chip away your current wall covering to achieve an exposed brick wall.

If you don’t feel confident doing this yourself, then consult a local decorator to get their advice. It’s a great cheap wall covering idea for bad walls.

2. Wall decals

Wall decals are a lovely way of bringing colour and pattern to your walls. If you’re happy with the colour and state of your chosen wall but want to add some ‘wow-factor’ then wall decals could be the perfect solution.

They come in lots of different designs and styles – take inspiration from the one pictured above and add flying birds to a plain wall.

3. Accent wall

Create a feature wall by hanging wallpaper in either a bedroom or living room. Hang it behind a bed or sofa to make it the focal point of the room.

Current popular styles include botanical-inspired designs and animal prints.

4. Paint

There are lots of accent wall covering ideas but paint will never go out of fashion.

Paint your very own statement feature wall with a bold paint colour or be even more adventurous and try colour blocking. A pot of paint doesn’t have to cost a fortune. If you find a colour that you love but it’s too expensive, you can get it matched up with a colour matching service, which is available in most local DIY retailers.

Temporary wall covering ideas

1. Wall hanging

Perhaps you’re a renter or don’t want to make any permanent changes to your walls. In that case, consider installing temporary wall hangings to hide unsightly or damaged walls.

Macrame wall hangings are super popular and give a room a relaxed boho feel. Alternatively, a traditional-style tapestry works just as well.

2. Temporary wallpaper

Hanging wallpaper doesn’t have to be a permanent fixture. You can buy many wallpaper designs nowadays that are ‘peel and stick’ meaning you can take the wallpaper off the wall when you’re done with it.

This is ideal for renters because if and when your contract comes to an end, you can simply peel off the wallpaper without leaving any mess or damage.

3. Cover with wall art

Gallery walls are a stylish staple for any home and they are perfect for covering up a wall that you’re not too keen on.

We recommend designing your gallery wall on the floor first so you can figure out your desired layout before hanging your pictures on the wall.

4. Curtains

Mimic the look of a luxury hotel by covering your walls with fabric or curtains. If you’re looking for fabric wall covering ideas, then this is perfect for you.

Choose a fabric that is light in texture and that cascades beautifully for a top-quality finish. This is also a great DIY wall covering idea – check out our guide on how to put up curtains to do it yourself.

Indoor wall covering ideas

1. Shiplap

Add character to your walls with shiplap. Have you been searching for wood wall covering ideas but can only find traditional wall panelling? Shiplap might be ideal for your home.

If you’re not sure what shiplap is, it’s a style of timber cladding that can be put on either interior or exterior walls. It has an interlocking edge detail and the slats are laid horizontally.

2. Brick slips

If you love the look of an exposed brick wall but your property doesn’t offer this to you then consider installing brick slips.

Brick slips are basically brick-like tiles that can be laid over an existing wall. They create the same effect but cause little to no mess.

3. 3D wall tiles

Add lots of texture and dimension to your walls with 3D wall tiles. Make a dramatic statement in a living room or bedroom by installing these on one of the main walls.

Tiles are synonymous with kitchens and bathrooms but they can be used in living spaces, too!

4. Fabric wall covering

Enlist the help of an upholsterer and install fabric-covered panels onto your walls for texture and interest.

Be inspired by the bedroom pictured above and create an oversized headboard using this exact technique.

5. Wall panelling

You may have seen wood and MDF panelling all over your Instagram feed and we totally understand why. It’s a wonderful way of bringing an extra level of style and sophistication to a space.

There are lots of different styles of wall panelling, and we’re big fans of this vertical slat design. It feels modern without dominating a room.

Ideas to cover an ugly garden wall

1. Distract with a flower bed

Disguise an unsightly garden wall by planting a flower bed in front of it. Plant tall plants at the back so they will grow up the wall and distract from it.

Incorporate lots of different colours to make it bright and to balance out a dull garden wall.

2. Cover with wooden slats

Completely cover up a garden wall by installing wooden cladding on top of it. You will likely need the help of a professional tradesperson to help with this so find a local landscaper to see if they can help.

3. Trailing plants

Be clever with your choice of plants and opt for trailing varieties that will grow across your garden wall and somewhat cover it.

Trailing ivy is a common choice as it survives in most conditions and looks timeless.

4. Create a green wall

Living walls are a popular trend in the world of interiors right now, both for inside the home and in the garden. Attach different planters to your garden wall and fill it with your favourite plants.

If you don’t have the time to look after it, use artificial plants to create the same effect.

Ready to get started? Simply find a painter and decorator near you to turn your indoor wall covering ideas into a reality.