Tapestries and Wall Hangings

With vibrant colors and rich texture, wall tapestries can turn a boring, drab wall into a distinctive focal point. Dating back to the late 1400s, tapestries were originally designed to protect rooms from cold and damp weather. Of course, today's wall hangings no longer need to serve that purpose, but instead provide colorful appeal with a wide range of characters and scenery. Many a tapestry does, however, still share a link with its ancient brethren, making it easy to bring these ancient art forms back to life in your own home. You might not think unicorn tapestries were common in the Middle Ages, but in fact a well-known design from around 1495 A.D. is "The Hunt of the Unicorn." You can find other ancient or medieval tapestry designs such as a Celtic tree of life tapestry to infuse your home with an eclectic or traditional appeal, along with more modern designs such as a tie-dye tapestry.

If you do add a wall tapestry to your home decor montage, remember to dust it often since these small particles of dirt can damage the fibers. Refrain from doing any deep cleaning on your own and instead have a professional cleaner give your hanging tapestry a facelift. If your tapestry is not an antique, you should be able to safely vacuum it on a low suction setting. Be sure to vacuum in the direction of the pile, and don't forget to clean the back of your tapestry and the floor beneath it, as well.

If a wall tapestry sounds like the perfect marriage of old and new, check out the wide variety of designs that will perfect your wall decor in our Houzz collection.