DIY Burlap Wallcovering Kara's Kottage

When burlap is used in home accessories, it can bring such a rustic, yet somehow luxurious textural feeling to a space. Just think of using it to cover entire walls, as was done by Kara over at Kara's Kottage:

She covered her breakfast room walls with burlap. She trimmed the edges and finished them with what looks like upholstery tacks, giving the rough-and-tumble material a very polished and tailored appearance:

See more of her DIY burlap wall covering at Kara's Kottage.

Images: Kara's Kottage

Comments (18)

I wouldn't really want the added chore of vacuuming the walls! (because if you didn't, boy would that texture capture the dust).

Very cool idea! Well executed, Kara.

this is really quite lovely and can imagine it's even better in person.

I have a question about burlap though...i recently looked into using it for drapery for both its affordability as well as its textural charm. However...what about the smell? Does that go away over time. I'm talking about the faint kerosene-ish smell that comes with burlap.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

dustin...i make custom drapes out of it a lot...I first made them for my loft and later for clients...pictures may be found at

reclaimedspaces.net or casey's loft life house tour on apartment therapy

the smell quickly fades...

I like the look of the burlap but am not at all fond of the upholstery looking tacks.. maybe its the size or the distance apart... not sure...

dustinstruckmeyer- apparently one of her readers commented they sell odorless burlap online. But she said she had no issues with the smell but she does wish she washed it first due to fuzz issues.

I love burlap! It is so rustic and natural looking. I think your idea is great! Though I personally would not want it on my walls and am not a fan of the tacks. I am working on making door/window draft blockers for the winter with foam pipe insulation covered in burlap. Much like the ones in the twin draft guard commercials. I think they will look perfect in our old house as well as helping with energy bills :-)

Very nice! Love burlap.

I love it -
The upholstery tacks are perfect, both for their appearance but also as they're easier to deal with than making welts and stapling as a regular upholstered wall would require.

This is adorable! I think it would be great with brass upholstry tack all the way around or with a contrasting ribbon like trim.

To Dustin: I recently put up burlap curtains in my space. We were strapped for cash and 141" curtains are almost impossible to find anyway. It was a great economical option for us. I needed 25 yards and it was less than $100 with shipping for the fabric.

I went to www.onlinefabricstore.net for mine. Though they say they have been washed to eliminate the odor it was a bit strong for a few weeks (especially in the heat of the summer) but now it is entirely gone and they add amazing texture to the space!! I also recommend the white cotton scrim for economical sheers (~$3.00/ yard).

With the tacks, this becomes a great idea for renters or someone who wants a quick or temporary new look. Love it.

Love it! Fabric walls make a space so warm and cozy and elegant. Beautiful!

After visiting reclaimedspaces.net and seeing how they look I also decided to make some burlap curtains. Our local Jo-Anne Fabrics has a great selection in different colors/shades. I picked the lightest one and am currently stenciling on a fleur de lis like pattern on it with black acrylic paint. I am hoping the juxtaposition of rustic and formal create something special for our space. They will be hanging in our dining room :-)

I was looking into using burlap on our ceiling, but read somewhere that it's very flammable. Anyone have any insight on that?

You could research fire retardant sprays like the one I found here: http://www.amazon.com/No-Burn-Fabric-Fire-Spray-32-Ounce/dp/B002TKLD14

I would be interested to know if there is a product a professional would recommend for this. Seems to be a wise idea but I have never done it before and do not know how effective it would be.

Thank you so much for featuring my burlap walls. It was very easy to do and much cheaper than the grassclothe I originally wanted. I spent around $50 to do the entire room. The smell does quickly go away and no I don't have to vacuum the walls :). The down side is the sheading during installation and the first several weeks. Also it is darkening from sun.

how do you think this would be in a screen porch? do you think id have issues with moisture if it got wet or just from being basically open to the air all the time?

Love this. Would also be great above wainscoiting. Draperies of burlap lined with raw silk are stunning and the costs per yard balance out to be somewhat affordable.