10 Empty Wall Ideas: DIY Projects to Fill Your Home on a Budget

As a military spouse, I have developed a very particular set of skills. And coming up with empty wall ideas is one of them!

Every time we move into a new house, I am met with new challenges – how to make do without a pantry, how to rearrange large furniture in small spaces, and how to fill big empty spaces on the wall.

Fortunately, I love a good challenge and coming up with creative solutions. So, here is how I fill big empty walls in our house(s).

Framed Fabric

Framed artwork is top-tier decorating. It is a classic and timeless way to make a statement in your home. However, framed art, especially large pieces, can be expensive.

And if there’s one thing military spouses don’t have, it’s a big budget.

Framing fabric is an easy way to fill space on the wall. Plus, there’s sure to be a color palette, style, and pattern for everyone.

(Check out the tutorial and where to buy these frames here: How to Make Easy DIY Wall Art – No Skills Needed: Framed Fabric.)

Roslynity Framed Canvas Wall Art Vintage Print Paintings Neutral Tapestry Textile Antique Peonies Leaves Pattern Silk Silver Brocade Retro for Home Living Room Bathroom Wall Decor (8Hongkee 24×36 Poster Frame Set of 2, Rustic Brown Wood Style – Display 20×30 Picture with Mat or 24 x 36 Poster without Mat, Wall Mounting Horizontal and Vertical

 

Large Pictures

In 2020, I was overwhelmed with ads from Smallwoods – a company that prints and frames your photos in large sizes. I wanted some so bad, but I just couldn’t justify the expense.

So, I figured out how to make them on my own. And now, oversized pictures are among my favorite empty-wall ideas.

QEQRUG 24×36 Poster Frame Rustic Wood Big Photo or Movie Poster Frames for Wall Decor with Polished Plexiglass,Brown,2 PackFALAMON 3 Pack Magnetic Poster Hanger Frame, Teak Wood Magnet Poster Frame for Posters, Prints, Photos, Pictures, Maps, Scrolls, and Canvas Artwork

 

Macrame Wall Hanging

As a lover of all things crafty, it’s almost shocking that it has taken me this long to try my hand at macrame.

But when it came time to fill this space over what I hope becomes our ‘plant nook’ while we’re in Hawaii, I knew macrame leaves would be the perfect option.

Gfgift Large Macrame Wall Hanging Nature Cotton,Boho Macrame Tapestry, Woven Tassel Yarn Tapestry, Above Bed Wall Decor for Bedroom, Macrame Wall Decor 43Weldomcor Large Macrame Wall Hanging, Boho Leaves Macrame Tapestry Wall Decor Handmade Woven Hanging Decor Chic Bohemian Wall Art Home Decoration for Bedroom Living Room Nursery Office 39

 

Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are a timeless way to fill a big empty wall. I haven’t yet mastered the art of a well-composed gallery wall, but I’ve made my first attempt.

The best thing about this type of wall art is that you can make one for any style or theme. You can mix artwork, family photos, and unique finds. Plus, you can keep adding to the collection over time.

(Military families might like these: 12 Military Gallery Wall Ideas for Your Home or 6 Ways to Showcase Your Military Journey in Your Home.)

ANERZA 16 PCS Framed Eclectic Wall Art Decor, Modern Maximalist Wall Prints for Bedroom, Gallery Wall Frame Set, Posters for Living Room Aesthetic, Wall Collage Kit Pictures, Colorful Dorm Home DecorLANCHI95 Vintage Eclectic Wall Art, Eclectic Home Decor, Maximalist Decor Gallery Wall Prints, Aesthetic Colorful Art Prints, Bauhaus Posters for Room Aesthetic (UNFRAMED) (Eclectic 7)

 

Framed Caricatures

Nearly every touristy destination we’ve ever visited has had someone offering those silly caricatures. And my family can’t resist them!

For years, they wasted away in a drawer. Finally, I got Heff to build me some simple frames to put them in, and now they’re hanging on the wall in the game room. I love how whimsical and silly they are. And they take up that awkward space over the TV.

[By MIOKA] Customized hand-drawn digital caricature (Headshot, no hands)DecoBold Personalized Watercolor Caricature Art | Custom Couple Portraits on Poster & Canvas | Unique Gift for Anniversaries & Special Occasions | Vibrant & Playful Wall Decor with Variety of Sizes

 

Wood Mosaic

There was a time when wood mosaics took over my Pinterest feed. So, I couldn’t resist making one of my own.

Not only does it use up scrap wood that you have lying around, but it’s one of the most unique empty wall ideas.

Putuo Decor Wooden Mountain Wall Art, Moon Over Mountain Nature Wilderness Wood Wall Sign Western Decor, Rustic Cabin Decor Adventure Wall Decor for Living Room BedroomDeco 79 Teak Wood Starburst Handmade Home Wall Decor Radial Wall Sculpture, Wall Art 39

 

Bookshelves

One of the most utilitarian ways to fill a big space on the wall is to install shelves. Not only can you decorate them to look pretty, but it’s a great storage solution.

We installed open shelving in our living room to hold our books, pictures, and little treasures that we’ve collected throughout the years.

(Check out the tutorial on how to install these DIY Bookshelves: From a Blank Wall to a Book Lover’s Dream.)

IRONCK Bookcase and Bookshelves Triple Wide 5 Tiers Large Open Shelves, Etagere Bookcases with Back Fence for Home Office Decor, Easy Assembly, Vintage BrownOSCHF 5-Tier Wooden Open Bookcase – Modern Display Bookshelf with Top Edge and Solid Wood Frame for Home and Office, Storage Cabinet, Oak

 

Tapestry

Hanging tapestries on the wall is another timeless way to fill a big empty space. I would love to find a vintage or antique one to hang on my wall. However, you can find all kinds of tapestry styles online.

Accnicc Yellow Sun and Moon Tapestry Vintage Indie Boho Tapestry Wall Hanging with Sunflowers Butterfly Moth Constellation Aesthetic Wall Tapestries for Bedroom Dorm Living Room (Orange, 36” × 48”)Avinyl Monet Waterlily Wall Tapestry, Green Floral Plant Art Poster for Bedroom Girls Boys, Small Nature Flower Pond Wall Hanging, Watercolor Tapestries for Living Room Dorm Decor 39in X 51in

 

Mirror

One of my favorite empty wall ideas is a big mirror. We have owned several throughout the years, but I think we’ve created our ‘forever’ mirror.

If you can’t afford a big mirror or have the resources to make your own, mirror tiles are a cheaper option and create a unique look for your home.

Shiftshade 4 Pack Wall Mirror Full Length, 12 x 12 Inch Acrylic Mirror Tiles, Shatterproof Flexible Plastic Mirror Sheets for Bedroom Home Gym DoorWemily Vintage Gold Ornate Baroque Mirror – 36

 

Photo Collage

Photo collages are one of the best ways to fill a big, empty wall in your house. You can use family photos or travel pictures, identical frames and sizes, or switch it up and make it eclectic.

But the result is always stunning!

eletecpro 12×12 Picture Frames Set of 9 Classic Gallery Wall Frame Set Displays 8×8 Photo with Mat or 12×12 without Mat, Square Collage Wall Decor, Black Home Decor for HangingGallery Perfect Black 12 Piece Square Photo Gallery Wall Picture Frame Set with Hanging Template, 16.5 x 10.2 x 16.7 inches

 

Trying to fill the walls in a new space can be extremely frustrating, but it can also be exciting!

I hope these empty wall ideas inspire you to decorate your home soon!