Even after designing for many years, I get stumped from time to time on how to create an interesting and meaningful space for a client, or even myself. Looking for some inspiration outside of the standard photograph or painting, I spoke with a good friend of mine about what items he thinks deserve prominent display in a home. I loved his approach so much; I immediately wanted to write about it!

He spoke about people who don’t want to collect photographs or paintings, but instead “see the beauty in the things they buy for everyday life.” He likes to hang his “toys,” as he calls them, on the wall so he can be reminded of the things he’s done or loves to do. By displaying these items, they not only serve as art, but easy storage, and even a reminder to keep using the items versus allowing them to collect dust in a closet or garage.

If you’re stumped as to what all of these means, below are some inspirational photos to help get you started. The ideas are simple and easy to achieve. All you’ll need is an open mind and some hanging hardware.

A Place to “Park” Your Bike

Here is a great example of taking an item that can be difficult to store for some of us and making it work for you! Not only can a bike be hung on a wall for a pop of color and visual interest, it can be used to display other items, too. The Knife and Saw’s bookshelf bike hanger really helps to take advantage of vertical space in a creative way.

Photo courtesy of The Knife and Saw

Skater-shelves

I think many of us are familiar with this idea by now, but yet we seem to forget about it until we’re tripping over a skateboard in our hallway. Skateboard shelving is super-simple; make happen in your own home using some wall brackets from the home improvement store. Just hang the brackets on the wall, place your skateboard on top, and secure from the bottom. Keep the wheels on for an extra pop of color.

Photo courtesy of Inspiration for Home Designing

Surfboard Artwork!

No need to bring in a coastal surf theme with a surfboard painting—how about hanging the real thing? For those of us who are familiar with surfboard storage, we know it can be a real space sucker. Rather than your boards sliding down the wall in the corner of your room or hanging from the rafters in your garage, put them on display. Vertically or horizontally, surfboards can make a great headboard, shelf, or static piece of art.

Photo courtesy of Surfer Dad

Music For Your Walls

Instruments are amongst the most beautiful items you can display on a wall, whether or not you have a square footage issue. Filled with dozens of intricate details and created in a multitude of finishes, just about any instrument can add to whatever look you’re hoping to achieve…. elegance, rock n’ roll, eclecticism… you name it! Hang the instrument directly on the wall with the appropriate instrument hanger from your local music store or take it even further with a custom frame or some fabric backing. If you’re looking to save a little cash, hang the instrument on the wall with a recycled empty frame around it to complete the look. You can even use some paint to display your instruments inside of some color blocking.

Photo courtesy of Michael’s

Pot and Pan Perfection!

This is one of my favorite ideas. No matter how big my kitchen is, I never seem to have enough space to store my pots and pans. So, why not go for a creative kitchen look and take advantage of some vertical storage space instead, like this example featured on Ceridian Index? If your mix of pots and pans only includes the standard silver, no worries! An extra colorful pan or two can be picked up at your local discount retailer. If you’re really looking to save a few bucks and don’t mind giving up one of your prized pans, spray-paint it out!

Photo courtesy of Ceridian Index

A Place to Hang Your Hat

Many of us rely on racks or closets to house our hat collections, but why shouldn’t we fan out and use our walls too? From simple and frumpy to sleek and sophisticated, hats tell great stories about who we are, what we do, and where we’ve been. Don’t hide your hats. Showcase them!

Photo courtesy of Visual Vamp

Beautiful Bags!

Many women find that purses take up a healthy amount of closet real estate. When space is at a premium, try displaying some of your more “decorative” accessories like your purses. The great thing about purses is that they’re colorful, textured, varied, and interesting; exactly what wall art should be. Pick your favorites to display based on color and season, or just display the ones you love the most. You can’t go wrong!

Photo courtesy of Seventeen Magazine

Shoe Showcase

Even a simple arrangement of shoes can tell a great story and create some interesting artwork for your room. Whether it’s your own collection or a few pairs you picked up from a vintage store, shoes can be arranged on wall ladders as pictured from FlexWi.com, on shelving, atop books, as bookends, or in baskets as a pop or interesting color and texture, to name a few ideas.

Photo courtesy of FlexWi