1. Cover a section of wall with corkboard. Use pushpins (silver ones are elegant) to display photos (family snapshots, pictures spliced from magazines, downloaded computer desktop images).

2. Paint a narrow wall a darker color (royal blue, cherry red, forest green) and create a crisscross pattern with white twine and white (or black) tacks. Then, attach arty postcards, prints or notes with small clips.

3. Enlarge photos (11” x 17” is a fun size!) on a color printer, then create a photo montage directly on a wall, varnishing over the images (check with your local paint dealer for the optimum product).

4. Buy frames at garage sales for far less than a store would charge, then repaint to add your personal touch. Very popular now: Hot-gluing frames with buttons, pebbles, tiny shells, ribbon bows, silk flowers or decorating with stencils.

5. Focus on contrast to make art eye-catching. For example, photocopy favorite images in black and white, then put them in black frames hung on a stark white wall.