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I know there is not an easy answer to this question, but I'll throw it out there.

Whenever I look at magazines or other posts here, or pinterest, or basically anything that has to do with decorating, everything looks so effortless and easy. I don't even have anything on my walls yet because I can't decide on anything. I see things that I like, but don't want to commit to the cost in case I change my mind.

I don't really feel like I even know where to start.

:-(

Don't be pressured to fill your walls. Wall decor is personal taste. The choices you make should not only be in scale to the space and compliment your furnishings, but should be a reflection of your passions, likes and personality. Too often, homeowners rush to fill these voids willy nilly. There is no rhyme nor reason for their choices. The often regret their haste and this can lead not only in undue expense, but frustration or fear.

I feel you should be creative in your choices so that your spaces are memorable and pleasing to your eye. You need not explain your wall decor choices, but if well chosen and thought out and acquired over time and travels, anyone who knows you will understand the connection you have with them. Those who barely know you and gaze upon them, will get a sense of who you are, where you've been and/or what you love.

Your choices need not break the bank nor be the norm. Things like enlarged photography, framed papers or fabrics, collages or mosaics, needlework, tinwork, wood carvings, rubbings, can become one of a kind works of art. Opting for unexpected wall decor can be exciting and fresh vs. cookie cutter or expected. They can add a sense of humor, whimsy, history or grandeur too.
They will speak volumes about who lives in those spaces. "If walls could talk" comes to mind as the art/decor you select will reflect so much.

If you're reluctant to "commit", consider purchasing some things to try holding onto your receipts and learning the retailer's return policies. If some things don't work well in one space, consider another area or room. If they still don't satisfy you, then return them and keep your eye out for the perfect pieces in due time. Remember too that larger accessories can make more of a pleasing visual statement than a group of smaller. That being said, once you become more comfortable, a grouping can be the perfect option for certain spaces. As in arranging furniture in a space, your wall's rules of thumbs are similar re. balance, scale, proportion, unity as well as what's beneath the wall decor.

Take mental notes of what elements appeal to you on a daily basis in the back of your mind. Be open to all possibilities. Have a sense of the size/shape/coloration/texture each piece could possibly be utilized per give space. Remember too, that is okay...even prefered...that you keep some spaces void of decor so that the eye rests and the wall art you do display is not lost in a sea of visual clutter.

Back to budget minded items you might not have considered and of course factoring in the style of your decor, here's a short list you may or may not have contemplated:

rugs/tapestries
clock(s)
a collection of hats, masks, crosses, ceiling medallions, etc.
empty picture frames of various sizes/shapes all the same color
mirrors
painted canvas (try your hand at abstract or geometric art)
upholstered boards
framed keys/locks/hardware
hanging a kimono or other artist garb
grillwork/ironwork
plaques
painted colorblocked wall
architectural salvage
decorative wall screen
wall sculpture
wall fountain
framed games or puzzles (even vintage)
framed botanicals


BTW, if you're one that soon tires of a print, stay away from prints such as landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, some nature inspired prints, etc. and lean more toward abstracts, graphics, or architectural or portrait prints. Clues to prints and colors you are drawn to are apparent from your wardrobe choices.

Do explore the possibilities, keep an open mind and take your time. Don't cop out and go for a theme, predictable or cookie cutter look. You'll be more likely to achieve the feel you wish to evoke, reflect your unique sense of style and your choices will stand the test of time.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Froo Froo,

Decorating that is timeless comes together over time.
Do you have a favorite artist? My favorite is Kandinsky. I got a poster of one of his pieces and had it framed. That was the first thing I put on my walls in one place I lived.

I love wood, and I used to collect small leaf shaped items, those went on the wall as a collection. See how it starts? Slowly with items you love.

Could be a clock (also useful).
Photos you have taken of places you love, and have that framed for your wall.

Nature is always a popular theme to start, such as flowers, or shells from the beach.

Your possessions reflect who you are in your home so they should represent a hobby or something you enjoy doing such as photography, needlework, or painting.

quote:

Whenever I look at magazines or other posts here, or pinterest, or basically anything that has to do with decorating, everything looks so effortless and easy

It probably looks that way because you are seeing the finished project, not the process from beginning to end.

For instance I have a thread here about a rocker my sister redid for her three yr old granddaughter. However the picture does not show the difficulty this project took from initially locating the rocker to painting, finding fabric, constructing the cushions etc.

Every project is the same for everyone. However some of us are more decisive or less concerned with being correct or less afraid of making mistakes or have fewer choices. Lots of variable go into making each of us the individual that we are.

My suggestion to you is to talk to a friend or relative whose taste you admire. Discuss the dilemma you face and ask them how they would approach your problem. You can also post pics of your room(s) here and people will advise.

Another thing is to read, read, read, decorating books and magazines. You needn't buy them, go to the library and bookstores. Remember how you got through school or any other skill you possess? One step at a time. That is true of decorating too.

I can relate to Smarge. It's not just the wall art that intimidates, it's the whole picture. Right now I have invested in the large pieces of furniture, sofas, chairs, dining/kitchen table etc., but it's working in the hodge podge and hand me downs of end tables, coffee tables, tv stands, things that can be slowly changed out. Then it's purchasing the window dressings, lamps, area rugs, throw pillows & misc. accent pieces that all tie it together.

Change your mind? LOL...that goes without saying! And once you realize that, and accept it, your choices will become easier to make. Know that a piece you fall in love with for the living room, may end up working perfectly in a bedroom down the road. If you follow your heart and stick to a cohesive color scheme that flows from room to room, you'll always have options. All you have to do is read the posts here...we're always moving things around our homes and even changing out the use of a room. Relax! It's not rocket science. Find things you love, that "speak to you" and have fun!

Sometimes I think people get hung up on choices in home decor more than, for instance, the choice of a life partner! LOL There are no guarantees that you will love your home decor choices forever so it's best to just make the best decisions you can at the present time.

IMO fear of failure plays a large part in inability to make choices so if you can convince yourself it's not a contest you may have better success. Your home is yours and no one else's opinion of how you decorate really matters. I will admit there are sometimes reasons for not allowing one's creativity to fully emerge but even within those constraints it's possible to decorate in a personal way.

I've been decorating my various homes for 46 years and many of my choices are no longer with me. However, some still are, and my basic style of Traditional/Eclectic is still the same. I've put lots of holes in walls in hanging art and decorative accessories and changed my mind many times. Not a big problem to patch holes and find a different place for something I love if it doesn't work in the first place I try. Right now I'm reconsidering my art collection and am 'rehoming' some of them and buying some new ones. I'm listening to my heart and making decisions based on how much I really, really like the piece. With the new art I purchase I ask myself whether I would regret not buying it and that's how my decisions are made.

Decorating *can* be effortless and easy if you can get over the fear of being "wrong". IMO there is no "wrong" if it's something you love and don't want to live without. Sort of the same as a life partner! *smile*

Many posted/printed photos are on display just because they are so pulled together. Remember that photographers and their assistants move things around, remove things, etc, to get a good picture.If you were ever on a photo shoot you would be surprised to see an object on a coffee table moved until it is almost hanging off the edge so that in the picture it appears perfectly placed. Interior Design photos are just as manipulated as fashion photos. So remember it's not how real people actually live. Most of it is purposely designed to make you unhappy with your space so you will go out and but new things.

What Lucky and Charles said!

Nothing done well is ever effortless. Not ever.

Sometimes if you are overwhelmed it helps to break things down into smaller tasks. Then organize the tasks into a logical order for completion.

For instance, if you are pulling together a living room:

First it is a good idea to draw up a plan. You don't have to be too specific, but think through what you need, what size those items should be, and where in the room they will go.

For a living room you will probably need a sofa of some sort, a side table or two, a couple of lamps, maybe a coffee table, and perhaps an occasional chair or two.

Once you have an idea of your plan then it makes it easier to make a purchase with the confidence that it will work in the space.

On the topic of art for your walls - it can take a while to get an idea of what you like when it comes to art. Pay attention to how you feel when you look at a piece. How you respond is the important part. Try to completely forget about what is "in", or what other people think when it comes to art. If something makes your heart go pitter patter, then you are on the right track. (and go to museums to see good stuff as much as you can. that way you will be exposed to much more to think about)

You are right that art can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. I love to dig through thrift shops for art and also for frames. It isn't so scary to purchase a piece if it is only a few dollars. Why don't you give that a try? And don't be afraid to take things apart - use a frame to frame your own photography, or mementos. You can paint frames if you don't like the color. Group them together, whatever. Just experiment and have fun.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cocok,