cement block walls
stargazer601
I recently moved into a townhouse and every room has at least one cement block wall. Since I am renting, I am not able to paint and need to limit nail holes. The cement wall in my living room is actually the main wall which my furniture is against, and as a result the room looks bare. It's a very small space. Any ideas how I could dress up this wall?
ChairborneRanger
You could always use fabric draped from the ceiling to floor to cover the cement block. One technique is to use very tiny staples to staple the fabric from the ceiling, this is easily covered with spackle when you move out. Fabric will bring color and "soften" the walls. Just an idea-after living in Military quarters for 22 years we learned many ways to decorate without damage.
market
I saw this on one of those decorating shows on TV. Get an odd number of very long rectangular boards of plywood, almost as tall as the height of your walls, so maybe 6 feet by 3 feet. Sand them so they are pretty smooth and than stain them using a dark or bright color stain or glaze (from the paint department. Then lean them up against the wall at equal distances (maybe 1 or 2 feet apart). If your couch is in front of them, then it will end up coming forward a few inches.This is cheap, no holes in the wall, adds lots of color, and takes up a lot of wall space. A little labor intensive, though.If you want, you can also put short floor lamps behind each board so they backlight the wall. If you use color bulbs, it will give additional color to the wall.
catwoman708
If it was me, I'd get DH to drill a hole in the cinder block wall using a masonry bit on the drill, and put me in a hook or two. They can be filled before you move out.OR, maybe a something lightweight hanging by clear fishing line from small hooks in the ceiling, up against the wall. Some lightweight framed posters, large matted photos or artwork, or a cloth wall hanging on a dowel rod. Or tall folding decorative screens and some tall floor lamps or plants in the corners or on either side of the screen behind the furniture.If they are very lightweight, double sided tape or poster putty might hold photos or posters.
ju-ju
you might try looking for a cable system for hanging curtains (you could check out IKEA) and hang some fabric curtain panels or sheers (white or in a color...also check out IKEA for this since they do have some extra long panels available) along the wall you want to disguise...OR ...you could construct some large wood frames and stretch fabric over them (somewhat like a painters canvas) and hang them in a series along the wall. either option is pretty cost effective and not difficult to do. you could then even hang your wall art over the fabrics.
pookster_1
I would agree with the fabrics...you don't need boards...hand your rods, and cheap rods are wooden dowels...out from the wall, let the curtains be in panels...for example, white. Black. or on another wall, add a quilt. Over, to soften add sheer....sheets, second hand and dyed will be cheap and great...you can hand shelving from the ceiling, plain boards, pain, drill, and use rope or chains...secure by doing a set all the way to the floor so they don't swing...knick knacks...or you could do one wall a modern abstract...take materials such as the light foam that serves for wood, see your home decor store, cut to different shapes, and paint, or decoupage some pieces, and paint others, and use a good glue to secure...there is a big decoration , there....use lights that hang from the ceiling in front of that unusual wall...neat....email me for other ideas, I have a book....Mary Beth. Good luck. I decorate professionally frugally. pookster_1@msn.com
#EANF#
#EANF#