Chicago Apartments, Wall Decor Ideas

Your apartment's walls are a blank canvas to express your personal style. Art is a popular decorative option, but you have a lot of other choices, too. Whether you're on a budget or you simply want to explore new decor possibilities, we can show you some unexpected ways to spruce up your home's walls and give your space a major upgrade. Check out some of our favorite apartment wall decor ideas below.

apartment wall decor

Apartment Wall Decor Ideas: Temporary Wallpaper

Temporary Wallpaper

As temporary wallpaper increases in popularity, we're seeing more and more exciting prints being offered to buyers. Temporary wallpaper is especially great for renters who can't make any permanent changes to their apartment's walls. It's also a great way to test out a trend or style before fully committing to it. If you want an instant apartment-makeover, temporary wallpaper is a great starting point. Some styles are so cool on their own, you won't want to decorate your walls with anything else.

apartment wall decor

Apartment Wall Decor Ideas: Floating Shelves

Floating Shelves

Another alternative to hanging art in your apartment is to make use of items you already own. Try hanging floating ledges or wall mounts to show off some of your goods. Books are one of our favorite choices, but you can choose to display anything you think would look good on your apartment's wall. This trick allows you to use your wall as a storage space, which offers a big benefit for studio or one-bedroom apartment dwellers.

apartment wall decor

Apartment Wall Decor Ideas: Mirrors

Mirrors

Mirrors can create the illusion of space in a small apartment, making them an ideal choice for studio renters. But no matter what size your apartment may be, mirrors can be a great wall decor alternative to artwork. Choose a large mirror to make your space appear roomier, or create a miniature gallery wall with a collection of small-sized mirrors. Thrift stores are full of mirrors of all different sizes, so they're a budget-friendly choice.

Apartment Wall Decor Ideas: Tapestries

Tapestries

Tapestries come in many different styles, from boho to modern to contemporary prints. As another temporary wall fixture, they're a good option for renters or anyone who wants to experiment with a style without committing to it long-term. You can also use a tapestry to cover up an unsightly spot on your wall.

apartment wall decor

Apartment Wall Decor Ideas: 3D

3D Wall Decor

If you want to decorate your apartment with art but are interested in something more unique than framed paintings or prints, consider going three-dimensional. Adorning your wall with a three-dimensional decoration can make a bold statement with little effort. Bowls or hangable sculptures are just a few available options.

apartment wall decor

Apartment Wall Decor Ideas: Mixtiles

Mixtiles

We recently discovered the ultimate solution to your renter-restriction woes: Mixtiles. They offer high-quality photo prints and frames that are "re-stickable," meaning you don't need any drills or nails to hang them on your walls. It's also super easy to place your order right from your phone through their app. And they're only $11 each.

Apartment Wall Decor Ideas: Washi Tape

Washi Tape

Washi tape is another landlord-friendly way to decorate your walls. The tape itself comes in lots of colors and styles, so you can create custom "frames" and hang photos or prints without using any nails. If you're on a budget and want the look of a gallery wall in your apartment without drilling lots of holes into the wall, washi tape works.

apartment wall decor

Apartment Wall Decor Options: Macrame

Macrame

Macrame textiles feature knotted designs made from fibers like hemp, yarn or cotton twine. It's an ancient art form that has been experiencing a major resurgence recently, and we couldn't be happier about it. Macrame designs look gorgeous on their own, but they make great plant hangers, too.

Looking for a new place to call home in the Windy City? PPM offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments in Chicago's best neighborhoods, from Lakeview to the Gold Coast. Schedule a tour with PPM today to find your dream Chicago apartment.