Everything You Need to Know About Choosing & Hanging Wall Tapestries
Have you recently moved into a new (or new to you) home or apartment with a drab paint scheme? If this fits your situation or if you’re simply tired of looking at stark white, boring walls, you might want to consider adding some color.
Unfortunately, due to rental agreements and testy landlords, most conventional options may not be ideal and you may feel like bare walls are your only choice. You may have heard about wall tapestries but never taken the time to research them – or you may have an idea that they’re simply not your style.
We are going to give you all the information you need about this decor option including what they are, a little history, a few different tapestry ideas, and why you should opt for this “piece de resistance” over other alternatives. Keep reading to find out more!
What Exactly Are Wall Tapestries?
Originally, wall tapestries were placed in medieval castles and churches to help keep draughtiness at bay. This was before insulation was common, so these heavy textiles were used to help keep buildings warm.
When they first became popular, they were made of materials like wool or heavy cotton. They often depicted religious scenes and then later famous paintings or historic moments.
In modern times, a wall tapestry can depict almost anything you’d like or even abstract designs. Some are still made from cotton or wool but the weave is typically thinner as they are more decorative than utilitarian.
Types of Wall Tapestries Motifs
Many people hear the term ‘wall tapestry’ and assume that they are only used to decorate homes with a more retro, psychedelic motif. Other people may have different assumptions about this type of decoration, but the truth is that a tapestry can be a gorgeous addition to any home.
Here are a few different types of tapestry motifs that may be of interest to you:
- Mandala – this type of design can come in a variety of colors and is often found in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism. It represents the universe as well as the life that is interconnecting and never-ending;
- Maps – whether you choose a map of your home state, favorite city, or the world, a map wall tapestry will represent your love of the particular place or your wanderlust;
- Bohemian – these tapestries are often appealing to those that enjoy yoga, meditation, and a relaxed lifestyle. Typically, these will come in beautiful, colors and patterns and can brighten almost any space;
- Famous paintings – yes, you can find famous paintings in the form of a wall tapestry. This is an excellent option for people that admire great works of art but can’t necessarily afford those pricy pieces.
Why Choose a Tapestry Over More Traditional Wall Art?
Aside from the fact that tapestries are one of the original types of wall art, you might be wondering why this option is better than a coat of paint or hanging photos, framed art, or posters.
Unfortunately, in rental properties, painting your walls can end up being a pain – either you have to paint them back to the original color or the landlord will charge you for ‘damages,’ even if the ‘damages’ look far better than the initial wall color.
Hanging framed art will also come with some issues. These issues mainly consist of the number of nail holes that end up in the wall should you choose to hang multiple photos, posters, or paintings in order to fully decorate your space. This also means that you will have to repair the holes (or else be charged damages.)
If your piece of art is particularly heavy, you’ll have to find a wall stud so that you don’t cause major damage to the sheetrock or drywall. This alone is an annoying hassle and may require special tools.
When you choose a wall tapestry, you can simply use a few thumbtacks to secure it. Sure, this may put a few very small holes in your wall, but they will barely be noticeable and quite simple to repair. Also, because a tapestry will cover most of the surface area, you won’t have 80 separate areas to worry about repairing.
Tips for Hanging Your Tapestry
Much like an accent wall loses the ‘accent’ if all four walls are painted the same ‘accent’ color, the effect of hanging a tapestry on multiple walls in the same room is the same, it will only look cluttered. People aren’t going to know what to look at and probably won’t be able to appreciate the art in one tapestry, let alone four.
Additionally, you can have multiple tapestries in your home but it probably isn’t advisable to have them in EVERY room. Again, this goes back to the thought process of accent walls – you can do it, they just might not be as unexpected and attention-grabbing if they’re used constantly.
Before choosing a tapestry, consider the space you want to hang it. What decorations or decor is currently there? Does the room have a theme that might look better with one type of tapestry or color scheme versus another?
Once you’ve figured out the type of tapestry you want and about where you want to place it, consider your options for hanging it. You might want to use thumbtacks as mentioned above, or you might consider using velcro strips to prevent holes and ensure the entire textile is secure.
There are multiple ways to go about hanging a tapestry, it might just take a little time to figure out exactly what look you’re trying to achieve!
The Takeaway
Hanging a wall tapestry or mural designs isn’t just for college kids who are aiming for the stereotypical party house look. In fact, a well-picked wall tapestry can help brighten a space, start conversations, and pull the look of a room together without causing too much damage to your walls.
The most important part of choosing one of these beautiful pieces of art is to consider what will surround it and if the colors or overall pattern is something you love! Just as choosing a painting from a local artist is a personal choice, so is your wall tapestry!