Home Decor Hack: How to Hide Bad Walls Without Paint

Last Updated on January 10, 2023

There are many reasons you may want to cover or hide a lousy wall in a home without painting. Whether you are only renting or a coat of paint won’t save your ugly wall due to visible damage, you don’t have to live with it that way. You can easily cover it with decorative objects or attach temporary alternatives to paint to achieve full coverage.

If you want to learn how to hide bad walls without paint, you have come to the right place. Some of the methods we describe are simpler than others, but we are confident that one of them will let your creativity and design style shine.

Hiding Bad Walls Without Paint: 8 Easy Methods

The following sections will teach you how to cover uneven walls or any other kind of walls without painting. Explore your options and then choose the method that will work best for you and your unique scenario.

Method 1: Wallpaper

One of the most accessible temporary wall covering ideas is to apply peel and stick wallpaper. This method covers an entire wall and gives you a wide range of colourful, decorative options.

Temporary wallpaper can easily create an accent wall if you choose a bright or elaborate pattern. It also comes in solid options, so you are sure to find some wallpaper that suits your home’s decor.

Most temporary wallpaper options do not require you to apply heat. You can simply peel the back off a sheet and stick it to your wall. Just make sure you line up the edges and the pattern on the wallpaper to create a professional finished look.

You can also make your own wallpaper from literary paper, large printed murals, or maps.

Method 2: Fabric

Another easy way to cover a bad wall is to hang fabric. Creating a fabric wall can add texture to your space and offer a lot of versatility. Almost any type of patterned or plain fabric will work, but if you want to make things easy on yourself, you can even use curtains, shower curtains, or a large rug to hide problem walls.

To cover your wall with fabric, you can string curtains on a shower curtain rod or use decorative tacks to pin it in place. You can also use small nails or a staple gun to pin the edges of the fabric to a wall, but this may not look as finished.

Method 3: Decals

You can also stick wall decals over problem areas in a wall. Decals come in all shapes and sizes and often feature beautiful images. This can be a great idea for kids’ rooms and shared living spaces, depending on your choice of decals. They can be used to fix varying size wall issues but are not designed to cover an entire wall.

Method 4: Foam or Corkboard

Try covering an ugly wall with large foam tiles or corkboard to make a dramatic statement. This type of accent wall provides full or partial coverage and can easily be hung using nails, staples, or decorative tacks. Corkboard also creates a usable interactive space where you can hang pictures and notes.

Method 5: Wooden Slats

If you are looking for ideas to cover damaged walls, wooden slats are a fantastic option. The addition of precut wood slats makes a bold statement and adds texture to an otherwise ugly wall. Bamboo stalks can be used in much the same way.

Whichever wood material you choose, cut pieces that will fit from floor to ceiling and anchor them in place. This idea is excellent if you want to cover severe damage, an uneven wall, or create more depth in a room.

Method 6: Hang Wall Decor

Strategic decorating could be the answer if you think you can get away with only covering specific portions of your ugly walls. When you decorate, cover problem areas with mirrors and art.

Other ideas include displaying hats or installing small shelves to hold coffee table books, flowers, plants, or picture frames. Any kind of wall decoration will help draw attention away from the wall itself and redirect your focus on art and other aspects of your decor.

Of course, this idea will likely leave small holes in your walls, but they can easily be patched when you move out.

Method 7: Cover With Furniture

Covering a bad wall with a large piece of furniture can also be a quick fix. Stand a big mirror, console table, or bookshelf in front of your wall and easily keep it hidden from view. This trick is best for smaller walls, so you get better coverage. However, it can still be effective at covering specific problem areas on larger walls.

Method 8: Photos

If only a small space on your walls needs attention, you may be able to print photos and cover specific areas as required. Creating a collage out of pictures adds a touch of your unique personality to your room and doesn’t have to cost a lot.

This idea can be used in any room and can be achieved in the same way as tiles. Or, you can create unique shapes out of your photos to cover more of the wall with fewer pictures.

Hiding Bad Walls Without Paint FAQs

Where Is Your Bad Wall Located?

The room your bad wall is located in could affect your decision for a wall covering. Choose an option that fits into the specific room stylistically.

If your ugly wall is in the bathroom, you will want to ensure your decorations can withstand the hot and humid conditions created by the shower and bath. We think low light plants are an excellent option for bathrooms. Photos and decals can be fun and interactive for a kid’s room.

How Much Wall Do You Need to Cover?

The wall covering you choose should reflect the size of the damage or space you want to hide.

If you have a boring wall that could be turned into an accent wall with the right amount of attention, you can use any method you wish. However, if specific problem areas are on the wall, you should consider them and pick an option that ensures they will be fully covered.

Is Price a Factor?

While all of our wall covering ideas may sound appealing, we also recommend considering the cost of executing each. If you are trying to save money, most of the options on our list are pretty cost-efficient, but some more than others.

For example, if you already have large furniture, wall decorations, or printed photos, you may not need to invest any additional money into the project. The more supplies you need to purchase, and the larger the wall, the more an option will cost. Choose an affordable option that also suits your style.

Covering Your Walls Without Paint

Now that you know how to hide bad walls without paint, which one of our ideas will you choose? Will you string up a curtain to create a fabric wall? Will you apply peel and stick wallpaper? Or will you select a more straightforward, more cost-effective option? Either way, at least you know how many prospects you have. Pick your favourite and say goodbye to unsightly or uneven walls for good.

Let us know what you think in the comments below.