Does your outdoor space feel a little dull or bare? Spice up plain walls and give your exterior a makeover with creative covering ideas. Outdoor wall coverings not only provide aesthetic appeal but also add functionality, privacy, and protection from the elements.
Whether you want to disguise an eyesore, inject more personality into your space, or solve specific issues like privacy or insulation, there are plenty of options. We’ll cover everything from lush climbing plants to textured materials like bamboo and stone. Bring your exterior walls to life with these inspiring ideas.
Add Drama and Greenery with Climbing Plants
For natural coverage that evolves over time, you can’t beat climbing plants. Turn your blank canvas into a vibrant vertical garden.
Ivy, Jasmine, and Honeysuckle
Classic vining plants like ivy, jasmine, and honeysuckle effortlessly cloak walls with greenery. Evergreen ivy offers year-round verdant coverage. Fragrant additions like jasmine and honeysuckle provide sensational seasonal blooms. Do some research to select varieties suitable for your climate.
The pros of climbing plants include lovely natural coverage, oxygenation, and the ability to conceal imperfections. However, vines can take a few years to fully mature and cover an area. Also, take precautions with invasive varieties that could potentially damage surfaces.
Clematis, Grapes, and Roses
For stunning blooms, include clematis, grape vines, and climbing roses in your vertical garden. With its burst of colorful flowers, clematis transforms walls into works of art. Grape vines produce edible fruit while their large leaves provide dense coverage. Climbing roses offer elegance and timeless beauty.
When choosing vines, ensure varieties match your growing conditions. Consider factors like sun exposure, climate, and space limitations.
Support Structures
Provide climbing plants with the necessary support to grow upwards. Attaching trellises, wires, or other sturdy structures gives stems guidance. Position structures strategically to guide plants across the wall seamlessly.
For installation, securely fasten support pieces into studs if attaching to walls. Or use sturdy in-ground posts for freestanding trellises. Place structures an appropriate distance from the wall for optimal plant growth.
Paint a Mural or Focal Point
An outdoor mural or accent wall is a straightforward way to transform blank exterior walls. With a fresh coat of paint and touch of creativity, you can create a customized focal point.
Choosing Outdoor Paint
Look for exterior-grade latex or acrylic paints suited for withstanding outdoor conditions. Flat finishes hide imperfections, while satin or semi-gloss are more durable and reflective.
Opt for quality pigmented paint in a hue that complements your color scheme. Or make a bold statement with contrasting tones. Paints with built-in primers simplify preparation work.
Paint Techniques
Proper prep work and painting technique ensure durability. Clean and scrape surfaces thoroughly before priming. Then apply two coats of paint using high-density foam rollers, angled brushes, or sprayers for seamless coverage.
When painting freehand murals, start by sectioning the wall into squares. Paint orderly segments, working top to bottom or across rows.
Stencils and Murals
Get creative with painted accents! Use stencils of shapes, plants or designs. Hire a local muralist to customize artwork to your space. Focus on a single accent wall or feature.
Bamboo Fencing for Natural Texture
For an eco-friendly alternative, bamboo fencing rolls add natural texture. Bamboo’s durable yet flexible woven material provides a warm, inviting look.
Bamboo Fencing
Bamboo fencing rolls come in varying densities and weave patterns. Darker bamboo has greater UV resistance but lighter shades provide a more rustic look. Measure the area prior to purchase to buy the appropriate amount.
Pros include quick full coverage, sustainability, and the gorgeous visual appeal of bamboo’s woven fibers. However, bamboo can be tricky to mount securely on some surfaces.
Reed Fencing
For a similar aesthetic, reed fencing offers comparable benefits. Reed has excellent weather resistance and also repels insects. It has a lighter tan color versus bamboo’s darker hues.
Both reed and bamboo fencing provide natural, breezy coverage for exterior walls. Analyze your mounting surface and preferences when selecting between the two materials.
Installation
Cut fencing rolls to size with heavy-duty scissors or a saw. Use galvanized screws, bolts, or cable ties threaded through the top grommets to fasten the rolls firmly and evenly across the wall.
Wall Shelving for Functionality
In addition to style, wall shelving introduces functionality to your space. Frame a patio or balcony area while adding storage, lighting or design accents.
Shelving Designs
Floating shelves made of polished wood, metal piping or thick glass make a contemporary statement. Ladder-style shelves evoke a casual, rustic vibe. Cubby box shelves provide generous storage real estate.
Angled ledge shelving creates depth and visual interest. Mix materials, sizes, and shapes for an eclectic gallery wall effect.
Furniture as Focal Points
Oversized furniture and fixtures provide both functionality and impact. Make a blank patio wall more inviting by mounting a wooden bench or hammock. Convert unused space into a potting station with pegboard tool storage. Really draw the eye with shapely pallet planter boxes overflowing with lush greenery.
Seek out multifunctional furniture that complements your lifestyle and design tastes.
Mix and Match
When arranging your shelving composition, blend a variety of shapes and heights for optimal appeal. Pair wider shelving units with narrow ledges and sconces. Introducing contrast makes the design more dynamic. Don’t forget to accessorize with art, greenery and other decorative elements.
Hedge Panels for Instant Green Walls
Hedge panels provide living walls minus the wait. These faux boxwood panels offer lush, mature coverage instantly. Take your exterior from bland to a beautiful landscape quick.
Benefits of Hedge Panels
The sculpted boxwood shape looks deceptively real while being maintenance-free. Panels resist fading and deterioration. Just hose them down occasionally.
Made from durable polymers, panels withstand all weather conditions. Boxwood hedges exude formal elegance. But you can install them in a weekend without time-consuming planting.
Installation
Many hedge panel systems come with screws, brackets, or nails for simple mounting. Measure carefully and use levels to ensure even alignment. Fill any seams with filler strips or caulk for a continuous look.
Consider creative arrangements like herringbone or diagonal designs. Also, leave negative space between panels to replicate real hedges.
Get Creative with Wall Hangings
An artfully placed tapestry or macrame backdrop transforms bare walls into intriguing focal points. Wall hangings add warmth and personality through texture and visual interest.
Fabrics
Outdoor-safe tapestries come in colorful patterns depicting scenic vistas, animals or abstract designs. Flowy macrame wall hangings feature ornate woven details. For texture, hang outdoor rugs like dhurries or kilims.
Allow hanging fabrics to move with natural breezes. The billowing effect softens hard surfaces and adds free-flowing elegance.
Artwork
Metal, wood or canvas art introduces a modern, artistic vibe. Display your own paintings and photographs or purchase ready-made pieces as impactful accents. Dreamcatchers, chimes and mobiles add kinetic energy.
Reflect your personality and passions through your curated artwork collection. Local art also personalizes the space.
Placement
Consider sightlines and existing architecture when positioning hangings. Use sturdy picture rail hooks, Command strips or mounting hardware to securely affix pieces. Aim for adequate negative space between hangings. Vary heights and sizes for multi-layered visuals. Symmetrical or orderly grid arrangements exude balance and harmony.
Mosaic Tiles
Transform your blank exterior wall into a beautiful work of art by using mosaic tiles. This is a great option for those who want a unique and colorful look. Mosaic tiles come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and you can create intricate designs or simple patterns. They are also durable and can withstand outdoor weather conditions.
Concrete Panels
Concrete panels are a modern and trendy option for covering outdoor walls. They are available in various textures, colors, and patterns, making them versatile and customizable. Concrete panels are also durable and low maintenance, making them an excellent choice for outdoor spaces.
Pergolas
Pergolas are a great way to cover outdoor walls while adding a functional and aesthetic feature to your outdoor space. They provide shade and can be adorned with vines, plants, or lighting to create a beautiful ambiance. They also offer privacy and can be customized to suit your style and needs.
Painted Murals
Painting a mural on your outdoor wall is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your space. You can choose a theme, pattern, or design that matches your style and preferences. This is also an excellent opportunity to support local artists by commissioning them to create a unique and eye-catching mural.
Outdoor Curtains
Outdoor curtains are a unique and innovative way to cover outdoor walls. They provide shade, privacy, and style to your outdoor space. You can choose from various fabrics, colors, and patterns to match your decor and preferences. They are also easy to install and can be removed during good weather.
Living Walls
Living walls are a sustainable and eco-friendly option for covering outdoor walls. They involve planting climbing plants, vines, or trees on the wall to create a lush and green wall. Living walls not only add beauty and freshness to your outdoor space but also contribute to air pollution control and carbon sequestration.
Stone Veneer
Stone veneer is a popular and traditional option for covering outdoor walls. It involves attaching natural or artificial stone to the wall to create a textured and rustic look. Stone veneer is also durable, low maintenance, and provides insulation and soundproofing to your outdoor space.
Using outdoor furniture as a wall covering is a great way to maximize space in small patios or balconies. Position sofa beds, folding chairs, or modular seating against walls. This provides both seating and disguises unattractive exteriors.
Get creative and transform lackluster walls into functional ones. Properly weigh factors like rental restrictions, skill level, and budget. Prepare surfaces thoroughly and use quality materials for long-lasting curb appeal. By implementing covering ideas that speak to your personal style, you can craft an outdoor oasis full of life, beauty and visual interest.
