Showing posts with label Walls. Show all posts

Turn Your Walls Into A Talking Point With Wallpaper

Wallpaper has made a triumphant resurgence over the past few years and now we're simply overwhelmed with choice when it comes to wall coverings. With it's unique beauty, durability and versatility, wallpaper has the power to create far greater a visual impact than seemingly plain painted walls. Whatever your style may be, there is a wallpaper to complement and enhance your interior design scheme!

The Purpose of Wallpaper

No longer confined to old, tired homes, wallpaper is now commonplace within contemporary homes and regarded as a piece of art in it's own right. Injecting texture, colour and pattern, wallpaper can either enrich your chosen design scheme, or be framed as the focal point of a room. Once solely used as a feature wall or complete wall covering (for the more daring), the versatility of wallpaper has become increasingly apparent as new and innovative applications are uncovered. From creating the illusion of greater height or breadth through the design and placement of pattern, to transforming the often neglected ceiling with an intriguing layer of colour and texture, the possibilities are simply endless.

Buying & Applying Wallpaper

Before you start pasting wallpaper to your wall however, consider the purpose of the room and the frequency in which you use it. Is the room utilised for work or relaxation? Is it occupied in the morning, evening or throughout the day? With this in mind, you must then decide on a suitable material. The chosen material will ultimately have a direct bearing on the application and durability of the wallpaper in the long-term. For example, vinyl-coated papers are durable and washable so are most suited to rooms with high moisture levels such as bathrooms, whilst textured vinyls are hardwearing making them ideal for areas with high foot traffic or walls with unwanted imperfections.

Another key consideration is the removability of the wallpaper. Most pre-pasted and self-adhesive wallpaper can either be stripped or peeled back with or without the help of some soap and water, but it is best to check this prior to making a purchase.

Once these decisions have been made, it is then time to make the all important design decision to ensure that your wallpaper aligns with your style and personality. Delicate florals can be used to inject a burst of freshness in a light-flooded living room, whilst bold and daring prints in rich hues offset by gold accents can add depth and regal elegance to a master bedroom. Wallpaper in a striped design or large-scale patterned motif can be utilised to manipulate the sense of space in a smaller room, without being too overwhelming. For a more modern twist, why not try photo wallpaper? Digital prints and photo wallpaper offer a unique and stylish solution for homeowners to infuse personality into a room.

Adding style and sophistication to your chosen space does not need to break the bank or involve a complete overhaul. If you're afraid of overpowering a room, it is recommended that you simply start by covering just one wall. You never know, it may just be the necessary amount of wallpaper to reinvigorate your chosen space. However, do not simply confine yourself to the typical living room or bedroom. The hallway is too often overlooked, yet offers you greater liberty with your choices due to the limited space and minimal furnishings.

Additional Uses For Wallpaper

If, however, you can't bring yourself to commit to wallpaper just yet, why not try using it for different purposes such as draw liners, framed art, wall hangings or to lift tired lamp shades, inside or out? No matter how you choose to incorporate wallpaper into your home, it is important to strive to achieve continuity. In order to do so, select a motif from the wallpaper and attempt to repeat it elsewhere within the room and decorate furnishings with scatter cushions or bed linen in similar or matching accent colours.
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Wall Shelves - Add Utility and Design to Your Walls

A wall shelf can be crafted in a wide variety of material, style, color and shapes.

The main purpose of the shelf is to keep things in an organized manner that can highlight the beauty of the stuff. The things that can be kept in the wall shelf are photo frames, books, show pieces etc.

The wall shelf unit can be placed anywhere in the house - in the bedroom, the living room, guest room or the kids' room. There are so many varied designs that one can pick from. The entire wall can be covered with varied wall shelves or can be made the focal point of the room. How about adding a pop of color by installing a bright red, yellow or a blue shelf on your wall?

Wall racks or shelves can be fixed, freestanding, adjustable or hanging. The wall unit chosen should complement the décor too. The material can range from wood, plywood, stainless steel, glass or metal. You can also choose from the various shapes available in the market- rectangular, square, round or any random shape that will gel well with the décor of the house.

The leaning wall shelf is also a great idea to place books and other stuff in any room. Since it does not need to be installed, the leaning wall shelf can be placed anywhere you wish to. It can be moved from one place to another without hassle. The corners in the room are generally the most unutilized, so you can add utility to them by adding corner wall shelves. A framed picture, a memorable souvenir, a nice vase can be placed there. Placing shelves in the study room or the home office is important to easily keep magazines, files, folders etc.

If you have a dearth of space in your house, wall shelves can be your savior! Get them fixed on the wall and keep your showpiece and your favorite photo frame right there. But make sure you place it on a height that people don't bang their heads when sitting or standing. Place it over the bed or the sofa at a considerable height. Another important thing to consider before buying is to see what kind of products will be placed in the shelf. Go for a sturdy one if planning to keep some heavy items like a painting or a dainty vase so that it does not shake resulting in breaking of the precious items.
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How To Build Movable Walls

If you are in need of additional living space but you don’t have the time, money or inclination to build an addition or renovate your home, you can expand your options with movable wall systems.
Movable wall systems can help you make the most of any space without committing to major renovation and they require simple installation of ceiling and floor brackets that allow the paneled walls to move from one side of the room to the other. By adding a temporary movable wall, you can turn one large room into two bedrooms or create a combination of office space and living space from one large open room. Movable wall systems are ideal for situations where the need to carve out a different configuration of space is only temporary.  It is easy to install temporary movable wall? Here’s how to do it.

Step 1

Decide on the location: Identify the exact area of the room where you would like to place the movable wall and begin by making a draft or a rough sketch. This will help you get a better idea of how to divide the space and how it may be used. Take accurate measurements of the existing space, with locations of doorways and windows, and check to be sure that the ceiling is strong enough to support a ceiling track.

Step 2

Take correct measurements from ceiling to floor:  Based on the draft you have created, begin taking measurements starting from the ceiling where the track will be installed, down to the floor where the railing will be affixed. Consider the type of system you wish to use. If a paneled system will be used, you will need to take measurements for each target panel.

Step 3

Install the ceiling tracks and railing system: Purchased movable wall systems usually come with a complete set of instructions and fixtures. Generally, you will mark locations on the floor and ceiling as a guide for each fixture and corresponding track and hardware. Set aside a weekend for this task and enlist the help of a friend so that you will have a second perspective and an extra pair of hands to help achieve level installation. Basic tools will be required, such as an electric drill, screwdrivers, a level and T-square, measuring tape and protective eyewear.

Step 4

Affix the panel/wall: Once the tracks have been attached, you will attaché the movable wall panel. Ensure that the panel or wall has been properly inserted into the appropriate corresponding slots in the ceiling tracks and floor rails. To check the installation, try to move the wall as you would in normal usage.
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How To Decorate Your Walls with No Nails and No Paint

Are you stuck in an apartment where you’re not allowed to paint the walls? Do you not want to go through the hassle of painting the walls a new color? It can be hard to impart your own style on a room without using paint or nails on the walls. You can decorate your walls with no nails and no paint. Here’s how:
  1. Tack up fabric. If you can’t use nails, find out if tacks are allowed. If they are, get a large piece of fabric from a craft store, in any color or design you want. Make sure that it is lightweight so that the tacks will hold it to the wall. Then, simply place tacks along the upper edge of the fabric, holding it to the top of the wall. You may need several pieces to cover the entire wall; these can be sewn together into one large panel. Alternatively, you can stretch the fabric over a homemade wooden frame that is the same size as the wall, and then simply place the frame next to the blank wall.
  2. Use paper tape. There are several different products available for adding stripes to walls. Permacel Paper Tape, which can be found in art supply stores, come in different colors and widths, and will stick to the wall. Use a level to apply the tape evenly in stripes on your wall. When you’re ready to take it down, just peel it off the wall.
  3. Add posters. Posters and other lightweight paper decorations can be held up with tape or thumbtacks rather than with nails. They are a great way to add color to the walls without hanging a picture with a nail. You can find posters for nearly every imaginable theme. You could even use magazine clippings or printed images to tape together a collage for the wall.
  4. Use vinyl lettering or graphics. Use vinyl words to put your favorite quotes on the wall. These letters and words can be positioned however you’d like on the wall, and are surprisingly easy to apply. Once you’re done with them, they peel right back off. Besides letters, you can also find companies that produce vinyl graphics shaped like flowers, characters, fish, and nearly anything else you can imagine.
  5. Use lighting. You can use lighting to give your walls color and depth. Use small spotlights with colored bulbs, pointing the lights upward towards the walls and ceiling.
Decorating your walls with no paint and no nails requires some creativity on your part, but luckily there are many excellent solutions to this common problem. You can create a unique and personalized space by using fabric, tape, vinyl lettering, and lighting to camouflage your plain white walls.
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How to Hang Pictures on Your Brick Walls: Hooks and Anchors

You may think you know how to hang pictures on your wall, but there are huge differences between picture hanging on drywall and on masonry or brick walls.  To hang a picture on a brick wall, it's crucial to use picture hangers that are designed for masonry.  You can use one of two picture hangers depending on the amount of masonry around the brick: brick clips or brick hooks (also called wall anchors). Brick clips (or brick clamps) cost approximately $5.00 for a pack of two, and can be purchased at Hobby Lobby, at some hardware stores, or online. You will need not need tools to install these clips, but they're only effective for hanging pictures on brick that is exposed at least 1/8 inch.  
How to hang a picture using brick clamps:
  1. Measure the exposed dimension of your brick to ensure accurate size choice.
  2. Install the brick clip onto the exposed end of the brick by hooking the bottom spring end onto the brick then snapping the top tooth end in place.
  3. Check to make sure the clip is flush against the brick.
  4. If the item weighs more than 25 pounds, add additional clips as needed.
  5. Hang your picture using either the top or the bottom hook on the brick clip.
Your second option is to use a brick hook (also known as a wall anchor). Brick hooks are essentially hooks with nails that do not bend. Brick hooks cost approximately $3.00 for a set of two and can be purchased online or in hardware stores; they make great wall hangers for walls where the brick isn't exposed past the mortar. To install these wall hooks, you will need a drill, a 1/8 inch masonry drill bit, and a small hammer. These hanging hooks are best suited to bricks where the mortar is flush with the end of the brick.
How to use brick hooks:
  1. Measure and mark the place where you will hang the picture. Since you are making a hole in the brick masonry, you do not want to make a mistake.
  2. Choose the brick hook(s) according to the weight of the picture.
  3. Drill a starter hole with the 1/8" diameter masonry bit into the mortar of the brick. Drilling into the brick may cause it to crack.
  4. Install the hook onto the wall by tapping it with the nail into the hole that you started with the drill.
  5. Hang the picture on the installed brick hook.
Required Tools:
  • You will not need tools to install the brick clip.
  • For the Brick hook you will need a drip bit with a 1/8 inch drill bit and a small hammer.
Caution:
  • Weigh your picture to ensure the picture hook or clip will hold it.
Quick Tips:
  • Measure and mark the place where you will hang the picture before starting.
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How To Use Sound Deadening Material for Walls

Imagine this: your buddies from work come over to your apartment after a long day’s work. You pop open you fridge, serve the chilled beer and put on the tonight’s football, basketball, mixed martial arts, or boxing show. The excitement rises as the nail biting match is coming to an end and your friends are on the edge of the sit cheering, drinking. And at the winning moment, the neighbor next door knocks, complains and ultimately distracts you from the game’s golden moment.

This actually happens when you and your friends are quite noisy and bothersome to your next door neighbor. You can avoid this scandal and still keep your fun with friends going and it is simple as making a little change in your apartment. You can use specially designed walls that will stop your noise from invading your neighbor’s space. Here are some tips on how to use sound deadening materials for walls.
  • The speed of sound. You cannot beat the speed of sound. But you can put something in front of sound to stop it. Doing that however is not a miracle. You have to prepare to achieve that effect. There are things that you will need to be able to use sound deadening materials for walls. The first thing to acquire is a sound deadening board. This is available at your local hardware and even online. You will also use a utility knife. Some two inch drywall screws are also in order. A screwdriver or a power drill will prove to be useful to you. Then round up the materials with some upholstery and do get some upholstery tacks.
  • Sizing up the challenge. The first task at hand is to know how much of the wall you need to cover. Clear your wall of desks, frames and whatever is hanging there. Then use a good old measuring tape to take the dimensions of the wall to be covered and made sound proof. The entry size of most sound dampening materials is 15.00 and it goes up. Make it a point to go warehouse sales so you can find materials on lowered price. Upholstery material is not cheap. Prepare a budget in this particular project. And try your best to keep and stay within budget.
  • Sound deadening material application. With the right materials with the right dimensions, it is time to put them to good use. Get your utility knife. Make sure that it is up to the challenge. Sharpen the knife before using it. Always be careful with the sharpened knife. The knife shall then be used in cutting the sound deadening board. The cuts should be according the measurements that you took. Now time to get some help. Get your screws for help in applying the sound deadening material to the wall.
  • More sound deadening material. Now get your upholstery materials. Then apply it over the sound deadening board. Now it is important that you cover the edges cleanly with a nice trim. Some will even extend the upholstery material to cover some gaps where sound might escape. Study your wall’s edged closely. And map out the places and spot where you have to make use of extra upholstery.

A sound proof wall will give you a party ready pad and a happy neighbor. So go and sound proof your place now.
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