10 Functional Wall Art Ideas to Elevate Home Decor While Adding Storage
Consumer purchasing was at an all-time high during COVID-19 lockdowns. Households also grew much bigger than they used to be as families moved in together. Homeowners who want to keep their homes neat amid the extra heads and clutter should consider functional wall art — artwork doubling as storage.
Are you looking to display more wall art while saving space? These 10 ideas will enhance your home’s aesthetics and functionality.
Built-Ins
According to a Home Innovations Research Labs survey, 14% of homeowners added more storage during COVID-19. While many people opt for do-it-yourself storage systems, professionally installed units are also popular.
Built-ins will frame your living room entertainment center. Depending on the layout, you might incorporate floor-to-ceiling shelves or cabinetry. Built-ins are excellent for displaying treasured items and family heirlooms, or hiding rarely-used goods, such as party drinkware or seasonal decor.
Floating Shelving
Hang floating shelves in any room to display keepsakes. Floating shelves often look nice when off-centered on the wall — although some people prefer them stacked vertically.
Put photos, small potted plants or other tiny treasures on your shelves. Floating shelves in the bathroom might hold washcloths and a spa-scented candle. Meanwhile, you can also use them to create a display in the foyer.
Bookcases
Bookcases aren’t necessarily something you hang on the wall — although there are floating options. They lean against it, often as a focal point in the room. Most people will keep bookcases in the living room, bedroom or study.
Turn your bookcase into a work of art by arranging your books according to color or size. Opt for an oversized antique piece or pick out a modern bookcase with a sleek design. Some bookcases are as tall as the ceiling — others stand out with intricate carvings or bold colors.
Ladder Shelves
Remove items off the floor or consoles with a ladder shelf. These shelves lean against the wall on a slant with enough width on the steps to hold things. Some people like to use ladder shelves to display books, small canvas art, photographs or plants.
Reinforce an unsteady ladder with magnetic sheets. Like velcro, magnetic sheets adhere to non-magnetic surfaces — such as a wall and ladder — and hold them together. Their ability to withstand temperatures between -15° and 160° Fahrenheit makes them ideal for indoor use.
Painted Cabinets
Painted cabinets change a room’s entire appearance. Choose a bold color or something subdued based on your style tastes.
You can turn an ordinary, solid wood storage cabinet into a work of art by painting a mural across the front. Murals are an opportunity to bring in new shades and an eye-catching design. Most cabinets will stand up by the wall, making them a versatile and functional wall art storage space.
Mudroom Lockers
Add a double-wide locker to store coats, scarves, gloves and shoes in your mudroom. You can find metal lockers online in various colors, or search for one at a thrift store or antique shop. Few people would expect to see a locker against a mudroom wall, but they serve a purpose both artistically and for functionality.
Vertical Garden
If anyone has ever said you have too many plants, it might be a good idea to consolidate them into one area. A vertical garden is the perfect functional wall art to display your plants and limit how many lie around the house.
Many plant lovers are dabbling in indoor hydroponic gardening. In fact, experts predict hydroponics will be worth over $16 billion by 2025.
Plants also improve indoor air quality and prevent illness. Indoor humidity should range between 40% to 60% to hinder virus transmission. Plants absorb airborne water vapor particles, which increases humidity to the appropriate levels.
Pegboard
Do you ever wonder how to display wall art in the garage? A pegboard is a functional wall art storage solution for a craft room or workspace.
Thanks to modular pieces, you can rearrange a pegboard and turn it into art however you want. Some kits even come with shelves, baskets or jars for enhanced organization. Better yet, you could hang a colorful pegboard to brighten up the space.
Bulletin Board
A bulletin board is bland on its own, but with photos, postcards and sticky notes hanging from it, your home office goes from drab to fab. Bulletin boards help you stay organized by storing essential notes or papers. For instance, keep significant phone numbers on full display or pin the upcoming baseball game tickets to your bulletin board so they don’t get lost on your desk.
Mounted Wine Rack
What is one to do with all those wine bottles? If you lack storage for wine, why not hang them on the wall? A mounted wine rack doubles as functional wall art and storage for your favorite cabernet.
Wine racks come in different shapes, sizes and materials. You can also look for one with uplighting to read the bottles at night. A suitable wine rack will make a statement at your next gathering with friends.
Save Space With Art
You can combine storage and aesthetics with functional wall art to improve organization at home. A little decor goes a long way in creating a clutter-free, visually appealing space where you enjoy spending time.
