What to do with a blank wall??

Noelle
by Noelle
Hi all,
We have a "blank wall" in our dining room, and I know it has potential to be something great, but I just don't know what to do! I was thinking of cladding it in tongue and groove (to match our kitchen walls) - but we need more storage / display! What to do? Buy a stand alone buffet and shelving? Build floor to ceiling shelving? Hutch? Built ins? It's a long wall (maybe 14'+?) Thanks in advance for your suggestions! :)
(this room serves as both dining room to the left & "play room" to the right, the armchair has been moved out of the room)
  20 answers
  • Linda Linda on Aug 08, 2017

    I love family pictures make wall of photo Tip draw imaginary line on top and bottom dont let the pictures go above or below line. Use old pic from family and new ones. Keep them eye level

  • Linda Linda on Aug 08, 2017

    I thought another idea I did in my family room I hung a big mirror but before I put it up I painted a complementary square of color to frame it. Everyone thinks I hung something underneath mirror but its just paint. In my case I used red to go with kitchen in next room.

  • Amanda Bishop Amanda Bishop on Aug 08, 2017

    Maybe make cubbies at counter height. And then use the cute canvas/metal boxes to store playroom things

  • Sylvie Sylvie on Aug 08, 2017

    You need a big picture! Draw the eye upward. Then something small on either side, or even one side whatever works. What about getting some canvas frames from the dollar store, putting them all together and create your big picture on them?! You could easily find doable ideas!

    Good luck!

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Aug 08, 2017

    I would buy a decorating magazine or do an internet search on room styles you like (everything and anything--- this is your wish list). Then narrow it down to: what you need (storage), what you like (tongue and groove wall surface), and what you can afford (your total budget). Then use this info as your guide. You don't have to do it all at once.

  • Pandalana Williams Pandalana Williams on Aug 08, 2017

    If you have the time; and where-with-all - a build in; especially if you need more storage would be lovely. You can never go wrong with more storage. It will help you with your storage needs now; and if you ever sell; it will probably be considered a selling feature. I have previous real estate experience and storage was always somewhere at the top of the list for "must haves".

  • Ha! I would love a blank wall! 😉 Have you poked around on Pinterest yet? You have great ideas yourself, all will look great. Just depends what you wish to do and how much stuff you need to store or display. Take into consideration the furnishings that will be in that room that you aleady have in place, and let that be a bit of a guide as how to proceed.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 08, 2017

    I'd paper the wall with one of the Shiplap wallpapers now available. colour to your taste. I'd put a Wall Shelf over the Wall Heater, an hang a Large Mirror above. I'd have two tall Units (one either side of the Fire). and leave the rest of the room as a play area.........Just an idea?

  • Pandalana Williams Pandalana Williams on Aug 08, 2017

    I just wanted to add; as well, you have a perfect wall for it. I am not sure how far you can come out from the wall with cabinets. I had a similar wall about 12 years ago. I could not come out far with full size base cabinets - so I used upper cabinets like you put in your kitchen. I got the inexpensive uppers; and stacked them all the way to the ceiling and used decorative molding as trim to hide the seems between them (the stack seam) and painted them and it was wonderful.

  • Mumandp Mumandp on Aug 08, 2017

    From the picture it appears that there is a country -ish style so You could do what I am thinking of doing which is to put up full sheets of plywood and then use the NEW peel and stick Faux Barn Wood from Home Depot. In their latest flyer it demonstrated that for an 8' x 12' wall it would cost approximately $300.00 Canadian to complete. I LOVE Barn wood, but here it is incredibly expensive, so this option is do-able for Me. I went in to check out the product and it looks so realistic I cannot wait to change My living room wall this Winter........

    You could then have floating shelves for the children's treasured books, a large Mirror that You can refinish if You are like Me You like the Rustic finish and this can be achieved by taking Cleaning Vinegar and rolled Steel Wool ( Dollar Tree for both). Soak the torn pieces of wool overnight for a really Rusty finish or less for a softer look. It does not have to cost a lot to look stunning.

    There have been some other really great suggestions made whilst I have been typing away too!!

    You might even purchase an older or used cabinet to store the toys and other items not to be displayed in and repaint the piece to look older staining the wooden top to bring out it's natural grain.

    so so many options I hope You are able to find the right one for You and Your Family to enjoy for years to come.

    Thanks for Your time and energy, I hope this is helpful.

    Blessings,

    Michelle

  • Judy McPhail Deithorn Judy McPhail Deithorn on Aug 08, 2017

    Mirrors and dark chocolate cork hope it helps make a fancy design on how you want it to look befo applying them get creative!! J


  • Emily Emily on Aug 08, 2017

    I like Linda's idea with the mirror over the square of paint. If you posted a picture showing the entire wall as well as the entire room, it would be easier to assess you own individual situation. Sometimes as you acquire more furnishings/accessories you want to change, so don't spend much money on what may be a temporary situation.


  • KatAych KatAych on Aug 08, 2017

    If you actually need to use it for storage, I would make that your primary purpose; you can fill in any gaps with decorative touches. We have a wall in our dining room (it's only 8', though) where we have our china cabinet in the middle and 2 bookcases on either side for my husband's cookbooks. If you have things to store that "don't make sense" in a dining room, you can always get bookcases with doors to hide whatever's inside. Have fun and good luck!

  • Christi Christi on Aug 08, 2017

    You could paint the blank wall with a popping color.

  • Everyday Edits Everyday Edits on Aug 08, 2017

    What if you flipped the dining table so it's parallel to the wall (length wise)? It's fun to move furniture around to see what works or doesn't work. It's a great space to work with! Good Luck! !

  • B. Enne B. Enne on Aug 08, 2017

    I have a similar but smaller wall, but there is a traffic area on the left. I too have been wondering what to do. I thought of floor to ceiling storage, but currently have a console table with 2 lamps, and I like that use. I'm thinking of putting kitchen-type cabinets at the top in the same colour as the wall, and darker cabinets on the bottom for a furniture look, with a long counter. That way I will have storage, and a serving buffet when needed. I was thinking of putting a mirrored back splash.

    I keep flip-flopping because I may move the dining area. Either way, this idea could work as a bar, tv stand, buffet etc.

    http://www.99architecture.com/2017/04/24/99-small-kitchen-remodel-amazing-storage-hacks-budget/99-small-kitchen-remodel-and-amazing-storage-hacks-on-a-budget-35/#main

    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/526287906425945912/

    https://www.houzz.com/photos/5476936/Emmaline-Gabrielle-farmhouse-kitchen-burlington

    http://www.homebunch.com/wp-content/uploads/Pinney-Designs.jpg

    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nIYH8--i9Qg/VWi6e4RY_xI/AAAAAAAA9ng/UxI6mUbucyc/s1600/IHeart_Kitchen_Updates_5.jpg

    http://www.thriftydecorchick.com/search/label/dining%20room

    http://www.kitchenelements.com/built-in-cabinets-storage-solutions-maryland/

    http://www.desiretoinspire.net/blog/2016/3/14/kitchen-love.html

    https://i.pinimg.com/736x/ac/69/8f/ac698f4f43518096854f42619a0084e0--repurposing-kitchen-cabinets-old-kitchen-cabinets-repurposed.jpg



  • Mandy Mandy on Aug 08, 2017

    I would definitely buy a side board or hutch, you can never have too much storage space.

  • Pat Ruge Pat Ruge on Aug 09, 2017

    I notice the wall you mention has what appears to be a heater and also an air conditioner that you will need to work around. Given, these immovable items, I suggest you get a long table, at least 6'x2'. Place it close to the corner and over the heater. next I would add one of those "bookcase cubbies" on top. These measure about 3'x3' with 9 cubbies. You can add baskets, or those cute little storage bins to hide items and use some to display. They are less than a foot deep, so the table can still be used as a buffet, or even for the kids to do their thing, here instead of the "play area".

  • Sandi Blair Sandi Blair on Aug 09, 2017

    Cabinets or shelves with bins for storage on bottom and a gallery wall above