Home decorating can be a daunting task. That is especially true if you don’t have existing experience in that arena.
When my husband and I first got married, I had no clue how to fill the many empty walls of our apartment. Since they were all white, against a boring beige carpet, they screamed for color.
I wanted to add wallpaper but that was something with which our landlord was not comfortable. However, I found a way that I could still use it to add color, design, and texture in a way that would also keep our landlord happy.
I got the idea of making fans for our walls using wallpaper. That gave me a seemingly endless supply of prints and colors to choose from. Additionally, I knew the wallpaper would be stiff enough to hold the fan shape. I even decided to add some lace and flowers in keeping with our apartment’s Victorian theme.
The end result was spectacular and even led to a way for me to make some extra money. All of our friends wanted to purchase one of my designs; even our landlord. It was a win/win situation for everyone involved.
Here is how to make a wall fan using wallpaper:
Step 1. Choose the wall area where you want to place the fan. Measure the space to determine how large your fan can be.
Step 2. Settle on a desired color, print or design for the wallpaper. Give yourself a couple of back up options in the event you cannot locate your first choice.
Step 3. Design your fan. Decide if you want to add ribbon lace or braid to finish the top. Determine if you want to add flowers or greenery to the fan and, if so, where.
I recommend using braid to finish off the top of a fan. It adds a unique dimension and texture.
If you want to use flowers or greenery, I recommend using them either at the base of the fan or down one side. Do not try to cover the entire surface. That becomes too busy and destroys the overall look.
Step 4. Purchase the needed supplies at the local home improvement or craft store. You will need wallpaper, a glue gun and glue sticks, rubber bands and ribbon. You may also want to purchase lace, braid, and/or flowers and greenery.
Always check for wallpaper remnants to save money. It only takes a small amount of wallpaper so you don’t want to be stuck with buying an expensive full roll.
Step 5. Cut your wallpaper length based on the size of fan you have determined you want for the wall space. You will need at least one yard of wallpaper, depending upon the size of fan you want to design and the size of the fan pleats you will make.
Step 6. Add top decoration to the fan using hot glue to position the ribbon lace, or braid in place. It can either be even with the top edge of the wallpaper or dropped down one or more inches from the top.
For extra emphasis, consider adding a thin row (1/4″ to ¾” ) of ribbon roughly one or two inches below a lace top. This provides additional texture and color.
Step 7. Pleat the wallpaper into a fan using at least 1″ pleats. Do not go larger than 2 ½” pleats or the look won’t be effective.
Step 8. Place glue beads inside each pleat at the bottom of the fan. Then secure the fan in place with rubber bands.
Step 9. Add ribbon around the rubber bands or add a bow on top of them to disguise their presence.
Step 10. Hang the fan on the wall as planned using clear pushpins to hold it into place.
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL STEPS:
If you want to add flowers and/or greenery to the fan, this is done between Step 8 and 10 above. Begin by cutting the flowers/greenery (silk, dried or both) into the right lengths based on the area of the fan where they will be placed.
Lay out the design using the flowers and greenery chosen. Add or subtract flowers and greenery until you are satisfied with the finished look.
Note: If you are clustering flowers at the fan base, consider using smaller flowers that can be molded into a kind of nosegay effect. Then use greenery, if desired, to accent the nosegay.
Note: If you are using flowers down one side of the fan, choose different shapes, styles and types that will bring additional interest and texture to the wall piece.
Once you have settled on the floral design, glue everything into place. Use additional greenery or dried baby’s breath to fill in any blank spots. Add ribbon or a bow, if desired, for accent and hang.
