Cheap Wall Covering Ideas for Bad Walls - Turn Something Ugly into Beautiful Fast

If you own an older home like I do, the walls maybe have seen better days, especially if the walls are in high traffic areas, it doesn't take long to get gouges, nicks and dents.

If you are pretty good with drywall compound or filler, you could simply put a skim coat over the wall, give it a sand and paint as normal.  But many times the walls are beyond that and what if you rent?  I find landlords do a disappearing act when you need something done that is not an emergency!

Below are ideas I have used to get creative with bad walls.  They can transform a room in seconds!

Whatever you choose to use on your wall, stay away from any kind of "thin film" type coverings, like many peel and stick products because they will still hug the holes, dents and bad bits!  Go for something a bit thicker that will glide over bad areas.

Texture Paint Additive

Idea 1 - Texture Paint - I did this in a bedroom where the former owners had glued cork to the walls and it was coming off.  It took a lot of drywall surface paper off, and really the room should have been gutted and reworked, but I didn't have the budget.  So I purchased this texture paint additive.

This is one of the cheapest ways to cover damaged walls.  You can decide how thick you want this stucco look to be by adding more texture to your wall paint.  It is awesome at covering small nail holes, light dents etc.  It simply mixes into your paint color and you roll it on with a thick roller.

Idea 2 - Peel and Stick Reclaimed Barn Wood Panels - If your walls are pretty bad and you are not a fan of the stucco look, there are options such as this one.  These are real wood panels.

Reclaimed Barn Wood Panels

They are easy to install simply by peel and stick. Make a feature wall out of one you have been trying to hide.  Click on the picture to see more ideas on how to use this product... It will cover 10 square feet for about a 100 bucks.  Yes a bit more pricey but really can create a feature wall quickly and it is real barn wood

Idea 3 - Brick Wallpaper - This is a slightly cheaper option if you can install wallpaper.  In an afternoon you could have this feature wall looking very realistically as a brick wall.  This paper is thicker so it won't sink into dents and little holes.  Instant fix!

3D Brick Removable Wall Paper

This would also be perfect for renters as this paper is removable. But I bet the landlord will love the idea of what you did to a bad wall!

Click the picture to examples of this textured 3D wallpaper being used.  Its about 50 bucks a roll.  There are many different brick wallpapers on the market.  Here is another one below:

Idea 4 - Self Adhesive Brick Panels - This go up super quickly as they are faux brick panels made with foam, and can even count as sound insulation.  Perfect for any bad wall.

Self Adhesive Brick Panels

Idea 5 - Wall of Fantasy Curtains - This is one of my favorite ideas!  If you are not a big fan of the DIY or peeling and sticking anything to the wall but you want something instant and yet decorative.  Then simply install a curtain rod at the top of the wall and use these decorative panels.

Decorative Curtain Panels

I love this "Sci Fi" look, but there are so many others to choose from.  This is perfect for renters too.

You can totally change a room with these wall curtain panels.  You don't have to put them on a window, they can simply be installed on a wall so you can enjoy the mural or picture.

These are under a 100 bucks, and are one of the fastest ways to not only be a cheap wall covering for bad walls, but they will add to your decor.

Definitely a conversation piece!  I found these online.  Check out this page of Fantasy Decor Curtains to see so many cool and beautiful pieces of art in the form of curtains that can cover that bad wall instantly.   Some of the space ones are beautiful pictures.  Worth a look.

Idea 6 - Big Wall Art - If the bad bits of your wall are not everywhere, maybe just the center where many pictures have been hung and taken down, or a few dents, then distract the eye with some eye catching 3D wall art.

Four Panel Industrial Style Wall Art

I love the industrial styling, and especially industrial lamps and lights that you can checkout on this website called Industrial Chandeliers , but to simply cover a bad wall, something large and 3D effect like this one will take your eye away and actually create the perfect focal point.

How to Cover Bad Walls?

I am sure you are getting those creative juices flowing now.  I have used a few of these ideas myself with great success.  The texture additive to paint worked well for the decor in my house, but I really like the reclaimed barn wood idea too.

Cover Old Wallpaper with the Above Ideas too

Many of the above ideas will go over bad wallpaper from a million years ago too!  We spent weeks removing old 30 year old wallpaper that had become one with the wall.  I simply gave up and went over it with texture paint!

It all depends on your budget and if you rent or own as to what you want to do.

Finding cheap wall covering ideas for bad walls can turn this eye sore into a really cool focal point in your room.

So before you start ripping down that drywall and creating all kinds of mess and costs, consider one of the ideas above.

Everything from removable wall art, to removable 3D wallpaper and even just curtain panels can make a huge statement in your room.

Work with it instead of hiding it and you will impress yourself!  Why waste a wall?  This is a great opportunity to put your own stamp on the room.  ENJOY your day!