The secret to decorating your walls
No, every surface doesn't need a painting—but these touches can help.
I’ve always loved having people over. In my 20s, I hosted regular parties in my tiny Hell’s Kitchen apartment that had guests spilling out on the fire escape and rooftops, where they drank cheap beer and ate crackers from the bodega across the street. Now, my hosting dreams look a little different: I just want to be one of those people who has friends over for dinner, breakfast, and brunch as often as possible.
So last Sunday, Reika and I parked our kids in front of The Wizard of Oz and started measuring every nook and cranny of my apartment. This is mostly because the previous owner decided an eat-in kitchen was a good idea and put up a wall, and Reika plans to open it up to make room for a big table.
As my old measuring tape creaked to the tune of “Follow the Yellowbrick Road,” we started talking about walls. I’ve always thought every wall needed something on it. A big piece of art, a mirror, a gallery of tiny prints, whatever! But Reika really opened my eyes to the art of wall styling, and honestly, my mind was blown. Read on for her tips…
P.S. If you could hit the little ❤️ heart ❤️ on this post, either at the top or bottom of the page, we would be so appreciative. Liking a post helps other people find us.
📚 Reading: Slow Productivity by Cal Newport. Newport’s 2016 book Deep Work radically reshaped how I approach work within the confines of capitalism, and his latest, on valuing quality over busyness, is proving just as mind-bending.
📺 Watching: “Call Her Alex,” the two-part documentary on Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper. Cooper is polarizing, but I’ve always loved her—it’s a rare podcast host who can keep me hooked on an interview with someone I’ve never heard of, and she nails it every time.
🎧 Listening to:
on Northwestern Mutual’s A Better Way to Money podcast. Tanya and I went to the live taping of this podcast a few weeks ago, and I got to interview the reality-star-turned-wellness-entrepreneur afterward. You can check out the details of our convo here!🧑🍳 Cooking: The simplest recipes I can find. Being a busy parent of two plays into this, but as we move out of the 25-ingredient #foodstagram era, I’ve noticed a cultural shift toward simpler cooking. Right now, I’m loving making muffins out of bananas, oats, an egg, cinnamon, vanilla, and a little bit of baking powder. They’re a hit in our house every time!
🛍️ Shopping: This birdcage light fixture for my daughters’ bedroom. I’m not quite ready to pull the trigger, but I think it’s so whimsical and fun—so it will be sitting in my cart until Reika figures out how to get a designer discount on it. — Leigh
Reika: Moving into a new space with blank walls can feel like a breath of fresh air, a chance to create something uniquely yours. But where do you start when it comes to decorating walls?
It’s a question I get all the time. I’m meeting with a client next week who confessed during our first phone call that although she’s lived in her home for seven years, every wall is still bare, her indecision and uncertainty stopping her from hanging anything at all.
With that in mind, here are my top tips for decorating your walls:
Start with furniture placement
Before diving into wall art or décor, make sure your furniture layout is set and that you’re happy with it. Larger furniture pieces act as anchors and help determine the scale and placement of wall decor.
Remember that not every wall needs art
Give your space room to breathe. Especially with smaller walls, it's perfectly fine to leave them blank. In fact, doing so can help your larger statement pieces shine even more.
Mix mediums
Let your walls tell a layered story. For example, if you’ve hung an art piece over your bed, consider placing a mirror over your dresser instead of another framed print. Once you have a couple of anchor pieces, experiment with other elements like:
Wall-mounted plant hangers (I love how simple and sculptural these from Braid & Wood are)
Floating shelves (The soft organic lines of these shelves on Etsy add visual interest to any space)
Tapestries or textiles (The Citizenry has been my go-to for interesting wall hangings as of late)
And if you're open to a bit of construction, I love incorporating architectural details like alcoves—they add so much character!
Light it up
Lighting can be art, too. Instead of traditional table lamps on your nightstands, think outside the box. A neon sign, wall sconces, or sculptural lighting fixtures can double as decor while saving surface space.
I proposed these Keith Haring neon signs to clients not too long ago - although they went a different direction, I am determined to work them into a project!
Don’t underestimate custom framing
That small print you love but feels too tiny for the wall? Don’t count it out. Add generous matting and choose a frame that feels special. Suddenly, you’ve got a one-of-a-kind piece that’s properly scaled and makes a statement.
Reika: While I don’t know Bay Area-based interior designer Amanda Teal personally, her work speaks for itself. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that one of my dearest friends (and former coworker), Teresa, is her right-hand woman and has nothing but glowing things to say about her. In an industry where kindness is not a given, especially at the higher end, it’s something I value more than almost anything else.
This week, I’m featuring a visual palette cleanser via one of Amanda’s projects. It’s thoughtful, refined, warm, and perfectly neutral while being anything but boring. As Teresa always reminds me, blue is a neutral color. I was especially happy to spot one of my favorite Cuff Studio light fixtures in the stairway.
Enjoy the inspiration! You can check out the full project here.
Leigh: My eight-month-old has become obsessed with phones. I remember that happening around the same age with my older daughter, too, and there’s something deeply sad about it. They know this shiny object is special, and maybe even more special than they are.
I’ve been sick of social media and my phone for years. Mindless scrolling zaps my creativity and destroys my focus, but like everyone else, I can’t stop. I got so desperate recently that I called my friend
and begged her to do a podcast episode on ways to actually, finally, reduce screentime. She agreed to do it!But until that episode comes out, here are a few phone rules I’m implementing right now.
Time with my kids is phone-free time
There are tons of reasons to pull out the phone when you’re with your kids. You have to capture the first time your baby bops their head to “Pink Pony Club.” Your five-year-old has a million questions that only Google can answer. But also, playing with kids can be kind of boring.
I find that when I leave my phone in another room when I’m with my kids, I have a much better time. I catch those cute little moments I would otherwise miss, I’m more engaged with them, and it actually carves out unexpected space for mind-wandering, which is crucial for creativity.
A social media-free summer
In general, I have no problems with moderation. I don’t overeat unless something is really good, and my alcohol intake consists of about half a drink a week these days. But social media is different. Time and time again, I’ve found that it’s just not something I’m able to moderate. Which isn’t my fault! These apps are designed to be addictive. For me, the only way through is quitting it completely, which is why I’ve commited to a social media-free summer (minus the occasional work-related exception).
I don’t always take my phone with me when I leave the house
Lately, I’ve been leaving my phone at home when I go to yoga, for a short walk, or out with my family. The first time I did it I felt like I was missing a limb, but the more I do it, the more normal (and great) it feels. Try it sometime!
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Xo,
Leigh & Reika
Thank you for the insightful tips for wall decor and design!
Those are great ideas! I wonder why the rest of us can’t see it! Thus the need for consulting interior designers! Love your tips and the links