What to look for when shopping for wall decor

Are you shopping for home decor? Take a tip from design professionals. Although beautiful furniture plays a big role in creating an inviting home or apartment, good design is all about the details. If you're on the hunt for the ideal home accessories to complement your furniture, start with wall decor. Here's what to look for when purchasing wall art, mirrors, shelving, clocks, tapestries, and shadow boxes.

Wall art

When you hear the phrase "wall art" you might think of framed paintings or photographs, but wall art includes a variety of mediums. You can decorate your walls with unframed canvases, wall sculptures, collages, framed posters, decorative wall panels, and other options.

When shopping for canvas art, make sure products are stretched and ready to hang. For optimal quality, look for works painted on 100 percent cotton canvases with a clear acrylic finish for protection from dust, moisture, and fading. You can place these in sunnier areas without worrying that the colors will lose their brightness.

If you're looking for picture frames to house existing prints or photographs, make sure to measure carefully to get the appropriate size. Choose from metal, natural wood, painted wood, glass, or plastic to match your current design aesthetic.

Bring out the beauty of a simple print or photograph with a lighter picture frame and highlight a bolder print or photograph with a darker frame. If you're shopping for a colored picture frame, pick a hue that's complementary to your wall color but not too similar.

Wall mirrors

Mirrors add depth and light to an interior space. Make a statement along any wall with a well-placed floor mirror, or group multiple mirrors on your wall for a look with dramatic flair. When shopping for mirrors, look for products with an accurate reflection that you can choose to vertically or horizontally for extra versatility. If you have your heart set on a frameless mirror, search for one with a sleek beveled edge.

Wall shelves

While you may not think of shelving as wall art, certain types of shelves definitely enhance the appearance of your walls. For a modern or contemporary living room or bedroom, shop for simple floating wall shelves. Top them with books, small potted plants, and framed black-and-white photos for some chic minimalist style. When shopping for floating shelves, look for products made from solid wood for optimal quality and durability.

Wall clocks

Wall clocks offer a unique blend of style and function. For a traditional look in the living room, choose a pendulum wall clock with a solid wood case and an elegant-sounding chime. Make sure your pendulum clock comes with volume control and a silencer for nighttime hours. If you love farm-style design, shop for a clock made from whitewashed shiplap, or purchase a sleek sunburst clock to suit mid-century modern decor.

With a wide array of types and sizes, there's a wall clock for every interior space, from bathrooms and bedrooms to kitchens. If you're looking to add a little extra flair to your wall decor, consider a neon wall clock, a cuckoo clock, a coffee mug wall clock, an atomic digital clock, or a vintage cat clock with rolling eyes and a wagging tail. When shopping for wall clocks, eliminate messy cords and winding by checking for battery capability.

Wall tapestries

Want to make a wow statement on a bare wall? Shop for a wall tapestry. Similar to a painting, a tapestry is a work of art in fabric form, so it drapes nicely and adds warmth to a room. When shopping for a tapestry, consider the size of your wall and choose a product that fits to scale. Opt for fabric that meshes well with other materials in the room and pick a tapestry with colors that complement existing hues. Because tapestries take up a good amount of wall space, make sure to select a design that speaks to you, whether it's bohemian, western, coastal, or floral.

Shadow boxes

If you're looking for a true conversation starter, consider adding a shadow box or two to your wall decor. Basically a shallow glass box with a solid frame, a shadow box allows you to bring a touch of your personality to your wall space. Fill shadow boxes with wedding or baby mementos, graduation announcements, campaign buttons, old letters and photos, or other personal items that have meaning to you. When choosing a shadow box, look for one with a sturdy frame, pin-able backing, easy-open hinges and clasps, and a sturdy saw-tooth wall hanger.