Wall Decals - Proceed With Caution

I have been thinking about this post for awhile and finally decided to publish it. Why the apprehension? I'm not sure what I think about Wall Decals. I know . . . hard to believe I have not formed an opinion about something!

So, why post? It's a bit of a conundrum - wall decals are a hot trend I've been seeing in design. But, they are a tricky element that can quickly go from cool & hip to cheesy & cheap. At times, I really like the look they give you, but at other times they seem to ruin a room.

So, in a personal attempt to come to terms with wall decals and figure out why they give me such mixed feelings, I have pulled together some examples of wall decals I think work.

Informal Family Room

This room is by Candice Olson who tends to use wall decals more than any other decorator I know; and for the most part, I think she is able to pull it off. I think the paisley works on this wall because it is a low ceiling wall in a narrow room and is a great alternative to framed artwork that would take up valuable space. Also, the way the decals have been applied makes the wall feel like it continues beyond the ceiling - thus distracting from the low ceilings. As an aside, I always marvel at how Candice can cram so much furniture into a small space and still make it look right.

Kid's Rooms
Generally, I think wall decals are easier to pull off in a child's room. Also, if your children are like mine, most framed art tends to get knocked off the walls ~~during impromptu football games~~ at some point. So, decals are a nice, inexpensive option.

This would be a great look in a little boy's room. It is an unexpected way to display the alphabet. I can see this paired with some cool boyish fabrics that are a bit understated.

Here is an example in a tween bedroom. This has a big girl feel to it and can easily be changed as she moves into another stage.

Generally, I do not like wall decals with phrases on them (i.e., "Dream, Wish, Hope."). I can't articulate why, I just don't like it. But for some reason, the photo below is ok for me. I think it helps that it is a child's room and the monogram feels more custom. Also, I love monogrammed linens, so maybe that's the reason I like this room.

Shot of Mod

Most wall decals I like seem to be included in homes with a modern sense of style. I really like the look of this one. But, maybe I like it because it is really more like modern wallpaper which I do think looks amazing in the right space.

This is a very traditional room, but the wall decal gives the room and updated feel. I also think the saturated color of walls with the white decal really makes this work.