photo by jbcurio

Attention, tightwads! Walls can be difficult to decorate because they’re so large. But you can dress them up fabulously without looking like you raided a college bookstore.

Consider the scale of your wall and what you have on hand. Instead of hanging small items scattered throughout your house, visualize an imaginary geometric shape, such as a rectangle, and then fill it in with your accessories.

Whether you’re moving into a new place or want to update your home, here are some wall-decorating ideas to inspire you.

RECYCLE AND REUSE: I have an old calendar that has the most beautiful country scenes in it. I plan to buy some inexpensive frames and mats and make wall art out of them. — Lisa, Texas

My brother takes glass doorknobs and hangs them to use as coat hangers. — Kellie, New Jersey

A TOUCH OF NOSTALGIA: Try using vintage album covers, magazine ads, old board games, greeting cards, wine labels, handkerchiefs, baskets or your child’s drawings as art. — S.G., e-mail

PLAYFULLY WHIMSICAL: I have some paper dolls that were mine and are now considered vintage that I am planning on framing and hanging in my sewing room. — Jayne, Pennsylvania

UNLOCK YOUR IMAGINATION: A friend collects antique keys. She hangs picture frames minus the glass and then uses nails inside the frame to hang the keys. You could use jewelry, too. — Kim, Florida

FOOD AND TRAVEL: I have framed laminated place mats (scenic types from my travels), and not only do they remind me of my trip, but they can be taken out of the frame and used as place mats if you want a change of decor. One of the most unusual things I have put on my kitchen walls is a collection of Cornflake packets (the fronts flattened in frames). There are six in different languages. Very effective and always gets people talking! — Karen, United Kingdom

SAYS IT ALL: I did wall art by printing words off the computer. I touched them up with Sharpies and cut them out with an X-Acto knife and hung them with glue. It took time, but it was practically free. — Jamme, Nebraska

A ROOM WITH A VIEW: In our living room, we have an old window that we bought for $1 at a yard sale. We painted it red, and in each window we put a black-and-white picture of Philip’s grandparents and great-grandparents. We cut the mats ourselves, so it was a really economical project. — Karen, e-mail

ALL NATURAL: Driftwood is great for nature lovers. My in-laws have a big piece mounted above their fireplace. — Darlene, via forums

VINTAGE ELEGANCE: I have vintage hats on the walls, along with purses and gloves. — Mame, e-mail

In our master bedroom I don’t have any pictures, but I do have four antique baby dresses hanging above my bed. — C.J., Canada

TOOLS YOU CAN USE: We have lots of old tools on our walls — old saws, yokes, hatchets and ice tongs. Lots of really old horseshoes, blades and stuff like that, too. I can often find them at auctions inexpensively. — Pat, Virginia

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