9 Clever Ways to Use Wall Space from the 2021 IKEA Catalog
Unless you’re purposefully going for a minimalist look, empty walls can make a home seem unfinished. While hanging some art is one way to decorate your walls, it’s far from the only way. Luckily, the just-released 2021 IKEA catalog has some smart ideas for how to use up empty wall space that you might not have thought of yet.
As seen in the photo above, there’s more than one way to display your framed prints. Sure, you can hang them with a nail, but sometimes it looks more dynamic to simply prop them up on shelves or other pieces of furniture. Layering them on top of each other and adding other objects like baskets or boxes creates more visual interest.
Creating a gallery wall is a tried-and-true method of adding some personality to your space, but there’s no rule about its shape. Why not make a diagonal gallery wall for an extra element of surprise? Just put some painters tape on the wall and hang everything within the lines. When you’re done, remove the tape and voilà, you’ve got a perfectly manicured gallery wall.
If you don’t want a traditional bookcase, or don’t have space for one, installing floating shelves high up on the walls is a clever way to store your books. Aligning the shelves with the top of your windows will make the room feel more harmonious—just make sure you have a step stool nearby in case you need to grab something.
If your home has little architectural nooks that you’re not sure what to do with, consider utilizing that wall space for a mini office. By installing a wall-mounted desk with drawers—or even just a piece of wood measured out to fit right into the nook—plus a chair and some shelves above, you can create a little space that’s ideal for working from home.
Like to cook with fresh herbs or have houseplants but don’t know where to keep them that’s near a window? Investing in some containers that can hang on a ladder-style shelving unit might be the wall solution you’re looking for.
Maybe your bedroom or bathroom just needs a little bit of extra storage. You can save space by hanging floating cubes on the wall for hairbrushes, makeup, and other small items. Place a mirror above them, and you’ve got a perfect place to get ready in the morning.
If you’re constantly losing your keys, sunglasses, and other essential gear, it’s important to get in the habit of always putting them in the same place. A simple grid-like memo board is easy to hang right next to your front door. You can hang anything from your sunglasses to keys and even tiny clips for papers.
Speaking of clever storage, putting a wall-to-wall strip of pegs in a bedroom is a good way to create a place to hang clothes while keeping them within easy reach. Putting the pegs all the way across the wall makes the room feel more complete and symmetrical.
If you’ve got a small headboard, or don’t have one at all, you can create the illusion of a large one by placing a large canvas or two behind your bed. This is an easy DIY solution since most art supply stores carry oversized painting canvas, and all you have to do is paint it a solid color that matches your decorating scheme—or, you can get creative with lines and shapes. You don’t need to be an artist, just have fun with it.