10 Creative Ways to Transform Your Walls Without Spending Much

Do you have blank, boring walls but a limited budget? Don’t worry, there are plenty of wall decor ideas that are big on style yet easy on the wallet. Whether you’re a renter who can’t make permanent changes, a student in a dorm, a digital art lover, or simply an art enthusiast seeking inspiration, these ten affordable wall decor tips will help you give any room a fresh look. 

From budget wall art hacks to clever DIY tricks, you can achieve a dramatic DIY wall transformation without breaking the bank. Below, we’ll explore creative ways to spruce up your walls (and we’ll mention which room each idea works best in) – all while keeping things casual, friendly, and fun.

1. Create a Gallery Wall on a Budget (Living Room or Hallway)

Give your living room or hallway a personal touch by creating a gallery wall filled with budget-friendly art and photos. The key is to get creative with sourcing your artwork and frames. 

• For example, you can download free art from public domain collections or buy inexpensive digital prints and print them yourself. 
• There’s no need to spend a fortune on art prints when many websites offer free art downloads – from classic paintings to modern illustrations. 
• Once you have your art, look for cheap or secondhand frames at thrift stores or yard sales. 
• Don’t worry if the frames don’t match at first – you can paint old frames in a unified color to make them look cohesive. 

Collect old frames on a tight budget and paint them to match; when hung together, they can make a unique wall display. If you want to skip frames altogether, try using bulldog clips or clothespins to hang prints and photos directly on the wall for a quirky, art-school vibe. 

Arrange your pieces in a layout you like (lay them out on the floor first to plan). This DIY gallery wall instantly brings character to your space with minimal cost, and it’s easy to update over time by swapping in new art or photographs.

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2. Try Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper for an Accent Wall (Bedroom or Living Room)

If you crave a bold accent wall but can’t commit to paint (or aren’t allowed to because you rent), peel-and-stick wallpaper is your best friend. This removable wallpaper comes in endless patterns and textures – from trendy geometric prints to calming botanicals – and it instantly transforms a room’s vibe without the mess of paint. 

Even a smaller accent, like behind your bed or sofa, can dramatically change the feel of the entire space. The beauty of peel-and-stick paper is that it’s temporary and damage-free: it applies smoothly (just peel and press) and comes off cleanly with no sticky residue when you’re ready for a change. 

3. Use Removable Wall Decals or Stickers (Kids’ Room or Any Room)

Another instant way to enliven your walls is by using removable wall decals. These are basically giant stickers made for walls – think cute vinyl graphics, quotes, or abstract shapes. Decals are perfect for adding personality to a kid’s room, but there are also chic, grown-up designs (like gold polka dots, botanical silhouettes, or art deco patterns) that work in living rooms, bedrooms, anywhere. 

• The best part: they’re cheap and renter-friendly. 
• You simply peel and stick them on, and peel off whenever you want a new look. 

For example, one creative renter on TikTok transformed her hallway with a set of $5 wall decals from Target, creating a playful terrazzo-style pattern on the ceiling for just $15 total. 

If decals can jazz up a ceiling, imagine what they can do on a blank wall! Try arranging decal leaves or cactus shapes in a gallery formation in your living area, or put star decals on a nursery ceiling for a night-sky effect. 

Because they don’t damage paint, decals let you experiment freely. When it’s time to remove them, they won’t leave a trace – making this a low-cost, low-commitment way to add color and pattern to your walls.

4. Hang a Tapestry or Fabric Wall Hanging (Bedroom or Dorm Room)

For a cozy, artsy look, consider hanging a tapestry or large piece of fabric on the wall. This is a favorite trick for dorm rooms and bedrooms because it covers a lot of blank wall space with one item and instantly adds color, pattern, and texture. You can find affordable tapestries (or even use a beautiful bedspread, scarf, or piece of fabric) at markets or online. 

They’re typically lightweight and easy to hang. In fact, tapestries are known as one of the simplest yet most creative ways to dress up a plain wall. To hang it without damaging the wall, use removable hooks, push pins, or even tension rods. One tip from interior bloggers is to use tension curtain rods in between walls or in window frames – you can actually hang a tapestry or curtain on a rod without any nails. This method is great for renters because it requires no drilling at all.

5. Add String Lights or LED Accents (Bedroom or Cozy Corner)

Lighting isn’t just for illumination – it can be a fabulous wall decoration, especially for creating a cozy atmosphere. String lights (also known as fairy lights) are an inexpensive staple for dorms and bedrooms that can make your space feel magical. Drape them across a wall, around a window frame, or in a zigzag pattern on that empty wall above your study desk. 

You can even hang photos from the light strands using small clips for a personalized touch. These twinkling lights instantly warm up the room and double as mood lighting. 

For a modern twist, you might use LED strip lights along the ceiling edge or behind furniture, but simple fairy string lights give a charming effect all on their own. 

They’re very budget-friendly – you can often find a set for the price of a couple of coffees – and easy to hang with clear removable hooks or tape.

6. Decorate with Washi Tape or Painter’s Tape (Any Room)

Who needs expensive wallpaper or paint when you have tape? Washi tape, a colored decorative masking tape originally from Japan, can be your secret weapon for creative, removable wall decor. With a few rolls of washi tape (which come in endless colors and patterns and are very cheap), you can draw designs on your wall – no artistic skill required, just tape! 

• For example, use washi tape to make a geometric pattern or a set of stripes behind your bed for an accent wall effect. 
• You can even create a faux headboard outline with tape, or make a city skyline silhouette in a kids’ room. 
• One fun idea for dorms or home offices is to create a grid or gallery on the wall with tape and then stick photos within the grid – essentially making your own large graphic collage frame. 
• Because washi tape is removable and doesn’t damage paint, you can change things up whenever inspiration strikes. 
• Some creative uses include making tape picture frames (outline your posters or prints with tape borders to give them a framed look), or designing playful shapes (like mountains, arrows, or chevrons) for a modern accent. 

Arrange prints in geometric shapes (triangles, hexagons, etc.) and use washi tape to outline or attach them for a modern and playful look. The possibilities are endless and zero-commitment. If you tire of the design, just peel off the tape – no harm done. This is truly a DIY wall transformation hack that anyone can do, and it’s perfect for adding personality to any room (from a rental kitchen with a taped-on quote on the wall, to a hallway with a washi tape arrow pattern leading the way).

7. Showcase a Collection on the Wall (Entryway or Living Room)

Sometimes the best art isn’t “art” at all – it’s the everyday objects you love. Turn your cherished collections or cool thrift finds into eye-catching wall decor. For instance, do you have a bunch of decorative plates lying around? Consider creating a plate wall in your dining area or kitchen: mix vintage plates with colorful, inexpensive ones to make a dynamic display. 

Plates can be hung with simple plate hangers, and arranging them in an interesting pattern will add charm and personality. Another idea popular in boho and eclectic decor is a basket wall – you can gather woven baskets (thrift store finds or ones you don’t use) and arrange them like artwork on a living room or entryway wall. This adds texture and a global, bohemian flair. In fact, one DIY enthusiast managed to create a stunning basket wall for under $10 by sourcing flat baskets from thrift stores (in her case, in Japan) and even painting a few in different colors for a modern touch. 

Hanging baskets with just push pins make it a perfect renter-friendly solution that adds a pop of color and interest. Similarly, you could hang hats (a collection of straw hats or baseball caps) as a functional display in an entry or bedroom – easy to grab and wear, and stylish on the wall. 

8. Make Your Own Artwork (Any Room)

You don’t have to be Picasso to create some striking wall art of your own – and making art yourself can save a ton of money. 

• For example, paint your own canvas in colors that match your decor. 
• Abstract art is very forgiving; you can simply swirl colors, make bold brushstrokes, or pour paint and let it drip. 
• All it takes is a cheap blank canvas (or even thick paper) and some acrylic paint from the craft store. 
• It’s an inexpensive and fun way to fill up wall space with something one-of-a-kind. 
• You don’t need to be an experienced artist – just choose a few complementary colors and let your creativity flow; it’s a fun, inexpensive way to create unique artwork and also a great stress-reliever. 
• Frame your painting (or not – unframed canvases can look modern) and hang it proudly. 

If painting isn’t your thing, try other DIY art projects: you could press and frame pretty leaves or flowers from your garden, create a collage of colorful paper, or print a high-resolution photo you took and turn it into poster-size art.

9. Set Up a Chalkboard or Whiteboard Wall (Kitchen or Home Office)

Why not let your walls do something useful and fun? Creating a chalkboard wall or adding a large whiteboard is an affordable way to transform a wall, especially in a kitchen, home office, or kids’ playroom. You don’t have to paint the actual wall with chalkboard paint if you’re renting; instead, look for large peel-and-stick chalkboard decals or even a freestanding chalkboard on hooks. 

With a chalkboard up, your wall becomes an ever-changing canvas: you can jot your grocery list, doodle inspirational quotes, or have friends leave fun messages. It adds a café or classroom-chic vibe to a kitchen or study space. Chalkboard contact paper or decals are pretty cheap and easily removable. 

Students can benefit from this too – a chalkboard or whiteboard in a study area lets you scribble formulas or reminders, making the wall interactive. 

10. Install a Simple Shelf or Ledge for Display (Anywhere)

Sometimes the best way to decorate a wall is to give it a little dimension. Installing a floating shelf or picture ledge is a small investment that can pay off in both style and function. 

With a couple of lightweight shelves (which you can find cheaply at home goods stores or even DIY from scrap wood), you can display anything: small potted plants, picture frames, travel souvenirs, candles – whatever makes you happy. 

A narrow picture ledge, in particular, is great because you can lean framed art and photos on it without needing to put nails in each piece. 

This approach creates a mini rotating gallery that you can update anytime. Designers love leaning art on shelves or furniture to add a casual, curated look without committing to nail holes.