My friend Heather has a 3' x 4' hallway/alcove that was just wasted space. With a little imagination and a few dollars it has become a lovely showplace for photos and keepsakes.
The project cost about $30 in sticky tiles (like you use on the floor) and $60 for 3 shelves with brackets. You can find everything you need at Lowes or Home Depot.
Make sure the area is clean and dry. Take a level or ruler to ensure the top tiles are straight. Peel and stick working your way down. This way if you need to trim tiles people won't notice. An Exacta knife and ruler will do the trick. Let the tiles set overnight.
If your wall is a very odd shape and you need to cut the sides of the tile to make them fit, consider getting some trim board to frame in the tile. You can paint them a different color than the walls to make it pop or the same color so it blends. the trim board also helps to make everything look straight. A tack hammer and nails make for simple installation.
The next day hang your shelves using screws (which usually come with the hardware mounts) and a drill or screwdriver. My arm gets tired so I always go for the drill. Mental note: More time at the gym.
If you don't want to use sticky tiles think outside the box. Feel free to use your imagination and don't be afraid to experiment. Use wallpaper, or paint. Painting the wall a solid color or sponging it would look great too. Paint is cheap.
What will make this project a total success? Having fun and using your imagination.
Check out the before and after photos.
Heather's Nook Looks FABULOUS!!
