Things to Hang on the Wall That Aren't Frames

Written by
Angela Belt
Angel Belt is an interior designer, stylist, and writer with over 10 years of experience. She's been a featured designer in multiple publications.
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Angela Belt
Updated 06/05/20
10 Things To Hang On The Wall That Aren’t Frames

My Domaine

One of the first things you do to add a personal touch to your space is to hang things up on the walls. It might be photos, it might be degrees or it might be art, but one thing that just about everything you might put up will have in common is that they'll all be in frames. But if variety is the spice of life, then if everything on your wall is framed, it's easy for the look to become a bit uniform and dull. Fortunately, when it comes to accessorizing your walls, hanging up framed pieces is just the beginning. Here are 10 stunning wall story options that are sure to give your home a fresh new look, no frames included.

  • 01 of 10

    Tapestries

    Macrame tapestries above leather couch.
    Courtesy of Etsy

    Once reserved only for the musty walls of ancient castles, wall tapestries—or macrame—have had a recent revival in interior design. These hand-woven tapestries make great alternatives to framed artwork. They add a unique color and texture to any space in your home, usually while occupying a good amount of wall space. If you are planning to add a tapestry or two to your home, consider placing them in an entryway, or on as an accent on a wall in a hallway. That way you and all of your visitors can enjoy this unique sight as you're passing through.

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  • 02 of 10

    Baskets

    Woven baskets above a bed.
    Courtesy of Simple Stylings

    When planning out a wall story in your home, consider hanging up artisan baskets. There are so many different textures, patterns and sizes with baskets that, used in combination, they can have a strong visual impact in virtually any room. A dramatic, eye-catching arrangement is deceptively easy to create. Simply make sure that your arrangement is a mixture of these three traits: size, color, and pattern.

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  • 03 of 10

    Hats

    A wall collage of hats above decorative chests.
    Courtesy of Everything Fab

    Hats are the in style trend for fashion right now. So why not consider turning your hat collection into the new statement wall in your home? Hats are an unexpected wall statement that will bring an instant wow factor to your decor. For the best effect when executing this look, select hats that are a similar color or pair neutral shades together.

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  • 04 of 10

    Blankets

    Wall tapestry hung over a bed.
    Courtesy of Pinterest

    We usually keep our blankets in storage when it's warm and on us when it's cold, but the right blankets can give you a picture-perfect look for your walls at any time of the year. On a large wall, blankets make great focal pieces. Or, do something creative like in the room above, and use a blanket to imitate a headboard in your bedroom. Throw blankets are a great option for a wall display if you live in a loft or apartment with high ceilings, and you want to make a really dramatic statement without buying 20 or more frames. Believe me, hanging one throw blanket will be a lot easier on your time and your pocketbook.

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  • 05 of 10

    Hooks

    Accessories hung above decorative seating area.
    Courtesy of Bloglovin

    Hooks are a practical wall story option, and they have a dual purpose for your home. They can be both a stylish decor element and a functional use of wall space. Right now, there are so many options for hooks on the market, that there'll be virtually no limit on what you can do with them.

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  • 06 of 10

    Cameroonian Juju Hats

    Decorative flowers on wall above desk.
    Courtesy of Kronbali

    Whether displayed individually or in clusters, Cameroonian Juju Hats are always a big statement item on your walls. When planning to accent a wall with Juju hats, make sure to consider them as the focal point of the story, as they will compete for attention with anything you hang near them - and they'll usually win. For just this reason you'll often see Juju hats hung singly over a fireplace mantel or clustered over a sofa - places where they can't help but be the center of attention. At the same time, you might also find one as an unexpected pop of color in a transitional space, hanging over a console in a hall or entryway.

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  • 07 of 10

    Plates

    Decorative plates on wall above seating area.
    Francesco Mugnai

    A plate wall story is ideal for the art collector in the home. The designs of limited edition dishware collections make it possible for some pieces of fine china to double as fine art. Displaying plates on your wall is a fun, artistic way to show off your collection and a creative alternative to the traditional china cabinet.

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  • 08 of 10

    Carpets

    Decorative rug on wall above mid-century modern cabinet.
    Courtesy of Pop Sugar

    Another way to refresh your walls is with small-scale carpets or rugs. The best thing about carpets is that there are always an array of textures, colors, and sizes on the market. This out of the box idea is an inexpensive way to completely transform a wall in your home. When planning to install this look, make sure you have sufficiently strong anchors to support the carpet, and that you drill into a stud into the wall to ensure that is safely attached to the wall.  

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  • 09 of 10

    Mirrors

    Decorative mirrors on wall above seating area.
    Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

    In design, it's a well known (and true) axiom that mirrors make a space larger. So why not create a wall of mirrors to really grow out your space? When laying out a mirrored wall story similar to the one pictured here, consider selecting mirrors with different shapes, but ​with similar scale and design to make the wall story consistent. Another good approach would be to find mirrors with the same shape, but in various sizes to hang on the wall in an organic cluster.

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  • 10 of 10

    Plants

    Plant wall display above seating area.
    Pinterest

    Plants are good for you and your home, and with so many shapes, colors and sizes, it's always a good idea to have a few around, and even better to turn them into a unique wall display of their own. When crafting a wall story from plants, you'll want to look for succulents, herbs, and other durable plants that don’t need a lot of soil to survive. I am also a huge fan placing this plant wall story in unexpected places - like the kitchen - where you can grab the herbs right off your wall while making your favorite specialty dish.